Foldable Ring Exercise Apparatus Without Central Hub
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle-type exercise apparatuses are too large and heavy for easy storage and transportation, lacking a compact and lightweight solution that still provides effective aerobic exercise.
Innovation Solution
A compact exercise apparatus featuring a ring rotatably supported within a frame with offset pedals that pivot from a folded to a deployed position, allowing for easy storage and use, and optionally includes foldable legs and adjustable resistance mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bicycle-type exercise apparatus use a traditional frame and seat structure, then they provide stable exercise support, but they become too large and heavy for easy storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional bicycle frame and seat structure, extracting only the essential pedaling function. This eliminates unnecessary structural components that contribute to weight and size, while maintaining the core exercise functionality through a simplified design with pedals directly attached to a resistance mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional components: pedals, crank arms, resistance mechanism, and support base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight and function, and enables the overall structure to be more compact and easier to store compared to a monolithic frame structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional bicycle-type exercise apparatus include a complete frame and seat, then they provide structural stability, but they are difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional frame and seat are completely removed from the design, extracting only the essential functions needed for exercise. The support function is replaced by a compact base structure with adjustable support legs, eliminating the need for a large frame while maintaining stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing the apparatus to adapt its stability characteristics based on the exercise position and user needs. This dynamic adjustment capability provides sufficient structural stability without requiring a permanent, space-consuming frame structure.
3Length of moving object
If compact bicycle-type apparatus eliminate the frame and seat, then they become more portable, but they may lack exercise effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential exercise function from the traditional bicycle design, removing the frame and seat while retaining the core pedaling motion. The effectiveness is maintained through proper mechanical design of the pedals, crank arms, and resistance mechanism, which together provide the necessary exercise stimulus without requiring bulky supporting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance mechanism allows adjustment of exercise intensity through variable resistance parameters, ensuring that the compact design does not compromise exercise effectiveness. Users can modify resistance levels to match their fitness goals, maintaining exercise reliability despite the reduced apparatus size.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus includes a ring rotatably supported within a frame. First and second pedals are supported on first and second pedal shafts, and each pedal shaft is pivotally attached to the ring. Each pedal may be pivotal from a folded position wherein the pedal shaft lies on a radius of the ring, to a deployed position wherein the pedal shaft is perpendicular to a plane defined by the ring. Each pedal has a lock out device for holding the pedal in the unfolded position. The apparatus has no central hub or axle. Foldable or removable legs or supports, if used, may be attachable to the frame, or made part of the frame, for holding the frame in an upright position when the apparatus is in use. The exercise apparatus is compact and lightweight.