Weight-Bearing Fitness Framework with Forward-Positioned Grab Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weight-bearing health equipment systems often pose safety hazards and restrict arm movement due to the design of their frameworks, which can lead to user contact and limited exercise range, particularly for users within the middle 90th percentile of dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A weight-bearing health equipment system with a framework comprising elongated members and a grab rail positioned to prevent user contact, featuring a revolved truncated frustoconical cavity that allows for increased arm motion and safety by positioning the central station forward and the grab rail outside the ergonomic sweep of the user's arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the framework is designed with elongated members positioned close to the user, then structural support is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to risk of contact during arm movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the framework elements from a configuration that could contact the user's arms to a configuration in a different spatial dimension - specifically, the elongated members are arranged to form a cavity structure that surrounds or is positioned beyond the user's arm sweep radius, thereby maintaining structural support while eliminating contact hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a grab rail as an intermediary element between the user and the framework. The grab rail is positioned to be outside the ergonomic sweep of the user's arms, serving as a safe interaction point that mediates between the user's need for support and the framework's structural requirements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the framework is designed to prevent user contact, then user safety is improved, but arm movement range deteriorates due to restricted exercise motion
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is reconfigured to exist in a different spatial relationship with the user's arms - the elongated members are positioned to define a cavity that accommodates arm movement without interference, effectively moving the structural elements beyond the arm sweep radius while maintaining support functions
Solution Approach 2:
The grab rail serves multiple functions: it provides a safe handhold outside the arm sweep zone, supports the framework structure, and enables user interaction without restricting arm movement. This multi-functional element resolves the contradiction by simultaneously addressing safety and mobility requirements
3Productivity
If the framework is designed for specific user dimensions, then exercise effectiveness is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for users outside the target percentile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable or reconfigurable framework elements that can be modified to accommodate different user dimensions. The elongated members and grab rail positions can be adjusted to maintain appropriate spacing for users across different percentiles, thereby preserving exercise effectiveness while enhancing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The framework design incorporates universal features that can serve multiple user types. The grab rail and elongated member configuration are designed to be adaptable across different user dimensions, allowing the same structure to effectively serve users from the middle 90th percentile and other user classes through adjustment or reconfiguration
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a weight-bearing health equipment system for use with a user, the user being within the middle 90th percentile of dimensions of a user class. The weight-bearing health equipment system includes a fitness equipment base having a plate having a periphery and extending from a front end to a back end. The weight-bearing health equipment system further includes a framework connected to the plate including a first pair of elongated members, a second pair of elongated members, and a third pair of elongated members connected to the first and second pair of elongated members. The first pair elongated members are adapted to prevent contact with the user when the user enters, exits, or engages the system. The third pair elongated members are adapted to be outside the ergonomic sweep of the user's arms.