Exercise Machine Foot Supports With One-Hand Ratchet Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise machines often require users to use both hands to secure and release their feet, which can be cumbersome and detract from the user experience.
Innovation Solution
A fit adjustment assembly for exercise machine foot supports that allows for single-hand operation, featuring a lock member biased to engage the strap, enabling easy enlargement or tightening of the foot opening with a lever or button press, and a ratchet mechanism for single-handed tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional foot support straps are used, then the foot can be secured to the exercise machine, but both hands are required to secure and release the feet which is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The fit adjustment assembly incorporates a ratchet mechanism that allows the strap to be dynamically adjusted from a static secured position. The ratchet teeth and pawl engagement enable one-way movement for tightening while maintaining the tightened position, transforming the adjustment process from a complex two-handed operation to a simple one-handed ratcheting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock member with spring bias automatically engages with the strap to maintain tension without requiring continuous user intervention. Once the strap is tightened using the ratchet mechanism, the spring-biased lock member self-activates to lock the position, eliminating the need for manual locking or two-handed operation for maintenance of the secured state.
2Reliability
If a secure foot strap system is implemented, then the foot is held firmly in place, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is pre-configured with teeth and a pawl that automatically engage in the correct sequence during adjustment. The spring-biased lock member is pre-positioned to engage with the strap, so that as the strap is tightened, the lock member automatically latches at the appropriate tension point without requiring the user to perform additional locking actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment system allows for rapid dynamic adjustment through the ratcheting mechanism, enabling the user to quickly tighten the strap in one direction while the spring-biased lock member maintains firm securing in the locked position. This dynamic mechanism reduces adjustment time while preserving reliable foot securing.
3Ease of operation
If a simple strap system is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it lacks the ability to provide secure single-handed adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical two-handed buckling systems with a ratchet-and-pawl mechanical substitution that achieves secure locking through one-handed operation. The ratchet mechanism converts simple linear strap tensioning into reliable angular locking, substituting the need for complex two-handed coordination with a simpler one-handed ratcheting motion that provides equivalent or superior security.
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
Enhances user experience by allowing secure and convenient adjustment of foot straps with a single hand, improving ease of use and comfort during exercise.
Implementation Method 1
a lock member biased by a spring to engage the strap
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet mechanism for single-handed tightening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A foot support assembly for an exercise machine may be configured for sing-hand operation (e.g., cinching or releasing of the foot strap). The foot support assembly may include a footplate coupled to the frame of the exercise machine and configured to support the users foot during exercise and a strap coupled to the footplate and configured to resist separation of the user's foot from the footplate. The strap is operatively associated with a quick release ratchet mechanism, which is configured to be unlocked simply by pressing a lever of the ratchet to allow the ratchet strip to reverse, releasing the user's foot from the strap. The foot support assembly may be provided on each side of the seat rail of a rowing machine, which may alternatively or additionally include a multi-grip handle including a plurality of grip portions configured to position the user's hand at different orientations to one another.