Exercise Machine Lever Guide Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices for outdoor use face issues with reliability and complexity in load adjustment due to rope-and-pulley systems, require cumbersome weight element handling, and lack safety features to prevent overturning and easy load adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A stationary, nondismountable rigid metal exercise device with a support frame, pivotally mounted guide and lever system, and U-shaped limiters ensuring weight stability and adjustable load distribution, preventing inadvertent shifting and allowing quick load adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rope-and-pulley system is used to create counteracting force, then the device can provide load resistance, but the reliability decreases and load adjustment becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rope-and-pulley system from the exercise device, replacing it with a direct weight placement mechanism. The weight elements are placed directly on the guide member along the lever, eliminating the intermediate rope and pulley components that caused reliability issues and adjustment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight system is segmented into multiple discrete weight elements that can be independently placed or removed from the guide member. This allows for simple, granular load adjustment by adding or removing individual weight elements without complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If weight elements are mounted on both sides of the axle and fixed with locks, then the load can be adjusted, but the adjustment time increases and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions both the guide member and weight elements on only one side of the axle, creating an asymmetric configuration. This eliminates the need to adjust weights on both sides, reducing adjustment time and the risk of dropping weights during handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed with a specific geometric shape that provides inherent stability and prevents weight elements from shifting or falling during exercise. The shape itself serves the function of securing the weights without requiring additional locks or complex fixation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If no uppermost position limiter is provided, then the structure is simpler, but the safety decreases due to potential overturning
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member's geometric shape is designed in advance to prevent the lever from rotating beyond a safe angle. The shape creates a mechanical stop that prevents the weight's center of gravity from passing over the axle, thereby preventing overturning before it can occur during exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding a separate limiter component to prevent overturning, the patent inverts the approach by designing the guide member's shape itself to provide the limiting function. The geometric constraints of the guide member shape replace the need for additional safety components.
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 safety by preventing weight shifting and allowing easy load adjustment, ensuring stability and reducing the risk of injury, while enabling efficient muscle training in various positions and environments.
Implementation Method 1
the rectilinear portions are tilted to a horizontal plane at an angle corresponding to at least 2°-3° irrespective of the position of the levers with handles... preventing inadvertent shifting
Implementation Method 2
a lever having a handle. Both the guide member and the lever are pivotally mounted on the axle... enabling efficient muscle training
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment and specifically to outdoor fitness equipment. An exercise machine is in the form of a stationary rigid metal construction which is unable to be disassembled and which includes a support frame (1) having an axle (2). The axle (2) is in the form of two coaxial half-axles provided on the outer side of levers (3). The latter are pivotally mounted on the uprights of the support frame (1). Limiters (4, 5) for limiting the movement of a weight (6) are in the form of transverse connections between the levers (3) and are installed on both sides of the axle (2). A load guide (7) is provided between the limiters (4, 5) and is in the form of a bent rod having two rectilinear portions and an arc. The load guide (7) is installed in such a way that the axle (2) of the support frame (1) passes through the common center of gravity of the entire set of weights (6) located to the left side of the arc. The tilt angles of the rectilinear portions of the guide (7) are at an angle which exceeds the level of the horizon line by no less than 2-3 degrees irrespective of the position of the levers (3). The weights (6) are positioned on the guide (7) with the necessary percentage ratio on both sides of the axle (2). A limiter (8) of lever (3) position is in the form of a U-shaped frame and is affixed to the levers (3). A bench (9) is mounted on the support frame (1). An exercising individual is thus safer and it is possible to regulate loads on levers with grips.