Exercise Apparatus Elastic Resistance Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise equipment with handles suspended from cables often restricts user movement due to cable interference and can be unstable when using dual weight stacks or long elastics, making them cumbersome and limiting in range of motion.
Innovation Solution
An exercise apparatus featuring an elongate support member with a passage and arcuate ends, connected by elastic flexible members with end connectors, allowing for adjustable resistance and reduced interference with the user's motion, while being mountable on a body or surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the handle is connected to two cables each having their own weight stack, then resistance can be provided, but the device becomes unstable due to differences in motion between the two weight stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate weight stack systems into a single integrated elastic member system. Instead of using two independent cables with separate weight stacks that cause instability, the invention uses a single elastic member that provides resistance through its elastic properties, eliminating the motion differential between separate weight stacks and achieving stability while maintaining resistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical weight stack system with an elastic member system. The elastic member substitutes for the traditional cable-weight stack mechanism, providing resistance through elastic deformation rather than gravitational force from separate weight stacks, thereby eliminating the instability caused by differential motion between multiple weight stacks.
2Device complexity
If elastics are used to replace cables and weights, then the device becomes simpler, but relatively long elastics are required which makes the device cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the elastic member within the support member structure. The elastic member is positioned inside or along the support member, allowing the resistance mechanism to be compact rather than requiring long external elastics. This nesting arrangement maintains the simplicity of the elastic system while eliminating the need for excessive length that would make the device cumbersome.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the elastic member from a linear external arrangement to a configuration that utilizes the internal dimension of the support member. By placing the elastic member within the support member's structure, the system achieves compactness in one dimension while maintaining the necessary elastic properties, thereby simplifying the device without requiring long external elastics.
3Device complexity
If the center of the handles are aligned with the cable, then the suspension is simple, but the cable interferes with and overlaps the path of the user's body limiting range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the resistance-providing function from the cable itself and relocates it to elastic members positioned within the support member. This separation removes the interfering cable from the user's path while preserving the simple suspension arrangement, as the support member structure remains externally similar but internally contains the resistance mechanism that no longer interferes with body movement.
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
The apparatus provides a stable and adjustable resistance system that minimizes interference with the user's range of motion, allowing for a wider range of exercises without the instability issues of dual weight stacks and cumbersome elastic setups.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elongate flexible member extending through the passage of the support member... The flexible members may be elastic
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus comprises an elongate support member extending along a length between first and second ends. The rigid member has a passage extending therethrough between the first and second ends. The apparatus further comprises a handle extending between first and second handle ends, the handle having connectors proximate to each of the first and second ends and a grip section therebetween and at least one elongate flexible member extending through the passage of the support member and having end connectors on each end thereof, the at least end connectors being connectable to one of the connectors of the handle.