Cantilevered Exercise Machine Support System with Variable Incline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Pilates apparatuses are cumbersome and pose injury risks due to their large size, require stepping over a perimeter structure for mounting and dismounting, and lack versatility in exercise intensity adjustment, as they cannot incline or decline.
Innovation Solution
A cantilevered exercise machine design with a variable angle of incline or decline, featuring a base and support system that reduces perimeter dimensions, allows for easier mounting and dismounting, and includes an adjustment device such as an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, or cam to adjust the angle, relocating carriage bias members outside the rails for improved accessibility and exercise variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rectangular frame structure with parallel rails is used, then the exercise machine provides stable support and proper function, but the overall length and width become large and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into a perimeter structure and a support structure. The support structure includes spaced apart support legs positioned at selected locations along the perimeter structure, creating a segmented support system that reduces material usage while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Support legs are extracted from the continuous perimeter frame and positioned at specific locations. This allows the frame to be open rather than fully enclosed, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining structural integrity through strategic support placement.
2Reliability
If parallel rails, slidable carriage and bias members are located within the rectangular perimeter structure, then the machine functions properly, but exercisers must step over the perimeter structure to mount and dismount
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel rails are extracted from within the perimeter structure and positioned to extend beyond the perimeter frame at selected locations. This allows exercisers to access the carriage from the side rather than stepping over the entire perimeter structure, improving safety and ease of mounting and dismounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The rails are repositioned to create side accessibility rather than only front/back access. By extending rails beyond the perimeter structure, the design adds dimensional accessibility from the sides, eliminating the need to step over the frame.
3Device complexity
If the slidable carriage and rails are fixed in horizontal position, then the structure is simple, but the exercise intensity cannot be adjusted by inclining or declining
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the rails and carriage to be positioned at different heights and angles. This dynamic adjustment capability enables inclining and declining exercises while maintaining relatively simple structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and angle of the support legs can be changed to adjust the inclination of the rails. This parameter adjustment allows variation in exercise intensity by changing the gravitational component acting on the exerciser, transforming a static structure into a versatile exercise system.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple large Pilates apparatuses are installed in a studio of fixed floor size, then each machine provides adequate space, but fewer machines can be installed reducing revenue opportunity
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into spaced apart support legs rather than a continuous heavy frame. This segmentation reduces the overall footprint and material requirements, allowing more machines to be installed in the same studio space while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The perimeter structure is made open with extracted support legs at selected locations rather than a solid enclosed frame. This reduces the effective footprint of each machine, increasing the number of units that can be accommodated in a fixed studio area.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.