Gymnastic Machine Resisting Device Abdomen Constraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding belt gymnastic machines face issues with bulkiness and safety due to external resisting devices, which obstruct movement and pose risks during exercises, and coupling resisting devices to the user's legs complicates the performance of gymnastic exercises.

Innovation Solution

A closed circuit sliding belt machine with a wearable resisting device that constrains the abdomen, allowing free movement of the upper and lower limbs, coupled with handles and a deformable resisting mechanism that exerts force opposite to the user's running direction, reducing encumbrance and enhancing safety by integrating the resisting device within the machine's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the resisting device is installed on an external structure behind the user, then the user can perform gymnastic exercises with resistance, but the overall bulk within the space increases and the user may hit against the external structure during accidental falls

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoverall bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The resisting device is nested within the frame structure of the exercise machine. Specifically, the resisting device is coupled to the frame between the sliding belt and the user, integrating it into the existing structure rather than placing it externally. This nesting approach reduces the overall bulk while maintaining safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The resisting device is extracted from the external structure and repositioned to be coupled directly to the frame of the exercise machine. This extraction eliminates the need for separate external support structures, reducing the overall bulk while maintaining the resistance function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of stationary object

If the resisting device is coupled with the supporting structure or frame of the exercise machine, then the encumbrance is reduced, but the user has legs placed under the resisting device which makes gymnastic exercise difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveencumbranceVSAvoidease of exercise performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resisting device is positioned to constrain only the abdomen region of the user, while leaving the lower and upper limbs free to move. This localized constraint approach allows the user to perform coordinated limb movements necessary for gymnastic exercises while still providing the resistance function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The resisting device is designed to constrain specific body parts (abdomen) while leaving other parts (limbs) free. This segmentation of constraint allows for both compact integration and ease of exercise performance by differentiating between constrained and free movement zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the resisting device constrains the user's abdomen and leaves limbs free to move, then coordinated limb movement is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinated limb movementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resisting device serves multiple functions: it provides resistance, constrains the abdomen, and allows free limb movement. By integrating these functions into a single device coupled to the frame, the complexity is managed while achieving the desired ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Area of stationary object

If the resisting device is integrated within the machine structure with handles coupled to the frame, then space for easy access is improved, but the coupling mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree space for accessVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate components: handles coupled to the frame at specific positions, and the resisting device coupled to the handles. This segmentation allows for simplified individual components while maintaining the overall integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3456391B1Gymnastic machine of the type having a sliding belt provided with a resisting device to the motion of the user
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 TECHNOGYM SPA
  • EP3456391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3456391B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3456391B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gymnastic machine (1, 1', 1", 1'", 1IV, 1V) of the type having a closed circuit sliding belt comprising a base structure (2, 2', 2"), a sliding belt (22, 22', 22"), sliding according to a sliding direction (X) installed on said base structure (2, 2', 2") upon which a user performs a gymnastic exercise, a supporting structure (3, 3') coupled to said base structure (2, 2', 2"), a first (31, 31') and a second handle (32, 32') for supporting said user, coupled to said supporting structure (3, 3'), a resisting device (5) wearable by the user, said gymnastic machine (1, 1', 1", 1'", 1IV, 1V) being characterized in that each of said first (31, 31') and a second handle (32, 32') comprises a respective coupling member (4, 4') for coupling with said resisting device (5).