Horizontal Supplemental Weight Stack for Exercise Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines with supplemental weight stacks face safety and stability issues due to vertically stacked weights and spring-loaded engagement mechanisms, which restrict weight increments to predetermined values, limiting user flexibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
Innovation Solution
A supplemental weight stack system with horizontally stacked weights and an engagement mechanism that traverses the weights in a circular motion, allowing for cumulative engagement of multiple weights, featuring stop pins and a catch mechanism for safety, and an adjustable mechanism that can lock into place using pins or springs, ensuring stability and user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vertically stacked weights with spring-loaded engagement mechanisms are used, then weight selection is possible, but safety and stability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal stacking configuration. The weights are arranged horizontally on a weight stack assembly rather than vertically, and the engagement mechanism traverses horizontally through circular arcs perpendicular to the weight stack axis, fundamentally changing the spatial relationship and eliminating the safety issues associated with vertical spring-loaded mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-loaded engagement mechanism with a pin-based mechanical engagement system. Instead of using springs to engage and disengage weights, the system uses a traversing pin that moves through circular arcs to selectively engage weights at different positions, providing more reliable and predictable mechanical engagement without the safety hazards of spring-loaded components
2Ease of manufacture
If predetermined weight increments are used in traditional weight stacks, then manufacturing is simplified, but user flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the weight stack into multiple individually selectable weight units arranged horizontally. Each weight can be independently engaged or disengaged by the traversing mechanism, allowing users to select precise weight combinations. The horizontal arrangement with multiple engagement positions enables fine-grained weight selection while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized modular weight units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement parameter from vertical displacement to horizontal circular arc traversal. The engagement mechanism moves through circular arcs perpendicular to the weight stack axis, allowing selective engagement of different weight positions. This parameter change enables precise weight selection with incremental adjustments while maintaining ease of manufacture through the standardized circular path geometry
3Ease of operation
If spring-loaded engagement mechanisms are used, then weight adjustment is possible, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spring-loaded engagement mechanism from the weight stack system. By eliminating springs entirely and replacing them with a pin-based mechanical engagement system that traverses through circular arcs, the design removes the source of safety risks while preserving the weight adjustment capability. The traversing pin provides controlled, predictable engagement without the unpredictable forces of spring-loaded mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the engagement mechanism design from spring-loaded to pin-based mechanical engagement. Instead of using elastic springs to provide engagement force, the system uses a rigid traversing pin that moves through predetermined circular arc paths to engage weights. This inversion provides more controlled and predictable engagement forces, eliminating safety risks associated with spring failure or uncontrolled release
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
The system provides a safer and more stable weight adjustment mechanism that allows for precise increments beyond traditional weight stack limitations, enhancing user safety and exercise machine stability while allowing for customizable weight loads.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement mechanism traverses the at least one weight in a circular motion substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis
Implementation Method 2
The weight stack can include a catch mechanism configured to prevent the weights from falling
Data Source
AI summary
A supplemental weight stack is disclosed. The supplemental weights add a weight load to an exercise machine in increments less than the main weight increments. The supplemental weights can be stacked horizontally and can be designed such that when engaged, each supplemental weight acts upon an engagement mechanism. The user selects the supplemental weight by acting upon an adjustment mechanism, which, in turn, actuates the engagement mechanism.