Compact Pulley Weightlifting Frame for Versatile Home Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Functional trainers are often large and expensive, making them unsuitable for home gym users or gyms with limited budgets, and lack versatility for effective muscle group exercises.

Innovation Solution

A compact and cost-effective exercise system comprising a base structure with cross braces, guide rail supports, pulley supports, and weight stack units, along with upper and lower pulley brackets, enabling a variety of exercises through a network of interconnected pulleys and cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional functional trainers are used to exercise multiple body parts, then exercise versatility is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexercise versatilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise system uses a standardized frame structure with multiple pulley stations and cable attachments that can perform various exercises for different muscle groups including chest, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. The same basic structure supports multiple exercise functions through adjustable pulleys and cables rather than requiring separate machines for each muscle group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the functional trainer into modular components including separate pulley stations, cable assemblies, and attachment points that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the same structural elements to serve multiple exercise functions while maintaining a compact overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional functional trainers are used to exercise multiple body parts, then exercise versatility is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexercise versatilityVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise system uses a standardized frame structure with multiple pulley stations and cable attachments that can perform various exercises for different muscle groups including chest, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. The same basic structure supports multiple exercise functions through adjustable pulleys and cables rather than requiring separate machines for each muscle group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple exercise functions into a single integrated frame structure where shared components such as the base frame, pulley mechanisms, and cable systems serve multiple muscle groups. This merging eliminates the need for separate machines and reduces overall system cost while maintaining exercise variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed functional trainer design is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different exercises decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidexercise adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates adjustable pulley positions, movable cable attachments, and reconfigurable exercise stations that allow users to modify the setup for different exercises. The frame maintains structural stability while the attachments and pulleys can be dynamically repositioned to accommodate various muscle groups and exercise types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The exercise system uses a standardized frame structure with multiple pulley stations and cable attachments that can perform various exercises for different muscle groups including chest, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. The same basic structure supports multiple exercise functions through adjustable pulleys and cables rather than requiring separate machines for each muscle group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a versatile and affordable exercise solution for multiple muscle groups, reducing the size and cost barriers of traditional functional trainers while maintaining exercise variety.

Implementation Method 1

a pulley support plate fixed to each of the pair of upper guide rail supports, wherein each pulley support plate includes a pair of pulley-support plate pulley housings and a pulley-support plate pulley rotatably secured to each of the pair of pulley-support plate pulley housings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 2

A compact and cost-effective exercise system comprising a base structure with cross braces, guide rail supports, pulley supports, and weight stack units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

a pair of weight stack guide rails, wherein each of the pair of weight stack guide rails are secured at lower ends to one of the pair of base guide rail receivers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4209253B1Weightlifting system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 REP FITNESS LLC
  • EP4209253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exercise system includes a base structure including a first cross brace including first cross brace mounting plates disposed at each end of the first cross brace. A pair of base guide rail supports is secured to and extended substantially orthogonal from the first cross brace and includes a pair of base guide rail receivers. A pair of base pulley supports is secured to and extended substantially orthogonal from the first cross brace and further includes a pulley-support pulley housing. A pair of pulley-support pulleys is rotatably secured to the pulley-support pulley housing. A second cross brace includes a central portion substantially parallel to the first cross brace. The central portion is secured to the pair of base guide rail supports and the pair of base pulley supports. Two end portions are disposed at an angle to the central portion and terminate at second cross brace mounting plates disposed at each end of the two end portions and two central-portion pulley housings. A central-portion pulley is rotatably secured to each of the two central-portion pulley housings.