Elastic Ring Chain with Accordion Covering for Adjustable Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic training bands lack adjustability in resistance, requiring multiple bands for varying user needs and are uncomfortable to use due to varying resistance with extension, leading to limited exercise versatility and potential injury from breakage.
Innovation Solution
A tool featuring an open chain of elastic rings with a non-elastic accordion covering, allowing users to select the number of rings for desired resistance and preventing whip-like breakage, providing linear resistance and improved comfort through grippable and engageable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elastic bands of different resistance are provided, then the resistance needs of different users can be met, but the device complexity and quantity of equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, where each segment can be independently activated or deactivated. This allows a single band to provide multiple resistance levels by engaging different numbers or combinations of segments, eliminating the need for multiple separate bands of different resistances.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band incorporates dynamically adjustable features that allow users to change resistance levels during use. This could include movable components, adjustable tension mechanisms, or variable geometry elements that enable the same band to adapt to different resistance requirements without requiring multiple static bands.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic band extension is increased to provide more exercise range, then the exercise versatility improves, but the resistance becomes unpredictable and varies with extension
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band design incorporates mechanisms that allow independent control of extension range and resistance parameters. By decoupling these parameters, the system can maintain consistent resistance characteristics across different extension ranges, enabling predictable resistance behavior while providing versatile exercise ranges through controlled parameter adjustments.
3Strength
If the elastic band material is made more resilient to provide better return force, then the exercise effectiveness improves, but the risk of breakage and whip-like injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band design incorporates safety features such as gradual failure modes, energy dissipation mechanisms, or controlled breakdown characteristics that prevent sudden catastrophic failure. These preemptive safety measures allow the band to maintain high resilience and return force while reducing the risk of whip-like breakage injuries through built-in protective mechanisms.
4Length of moving object
If the elastic band is made longer to provide greater extension, then the exercise versatility improves, but the resistance to extension decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band is divided into multiple segments that can be independently engaged. This segmentation allows the system to maintain appropriate resistance by activating only the necessary number of segments for each exercise, rather than requiring the entire length of a single long band to be engaged, thus preserving resistance characteristics while providing extension versatility.
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
Enables adjustable resistance without changing the tool's length, enhancing exercise versatility, comfort, and safety by distributing tension evenly and preventing accidental breakage, allowing for a wide range of exercises with customizable resistance.
Implementation Method 1
each comprising at least a core (3) made of an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
The covering (4) is substantially configured as an accordion, such that when the core (3) is not stressed under traction it has a large fitting on the core itself, and when instead the core (3) is stressed under traction/extension the covering (4) is extended in order to conform to the extension of the core (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A tool (1) for physical training and rehabilitation, comprising a plurality of elastic rings (2a-2n) linked in succession to make an open chain (2); each of the elastic rings (2a-2n) is grippable with hands, or engageable by other parts of the body of the user (U), in such a way that the user (U) himself/herself can achieve the desired resistance to traction for the specific exercise to be executed in relation to the number of elastic rings (2a-2n) of said chain (2) actually placed under traction/extension. Each of the elastic rings (2a-2n) comprises at least a core (3) made of an elastic material and at least a covering (4) of the core (3) made of a material that is non-elastic with respect to the core (3), wherein the covering (4) is substantially configured as an accordion such that when the core (3) is not stressed under traction it has a large fitting on the core (3) itself, and when the core (3) is stressed under traction/extension the covering (4) is extended in order to conform to the extension of the core (3). The core (3) of each of the elastic rings (2a-2n) comprises at least one elongated elastic element (5), having two opposite ends (5a,5b), and at least one connection member (6) linked, or knotted, to the ends (5a,5b).