Inertial Exercise Device With Elastic Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home exercise equipment is often expensive, bulky, and requires dedicated space, and dumbbells can be heavy and require specific techniques, leading to uneven muscle exercise and potential injury.

Innovation Solution

A low-impact inertial exercise device with an elongate member and a sleeve that uses elastic resistance elements to provide a rhythmic movement, allowing users to oscillate the device and engage multiple muscle groups without heavy weights, featuring a central shaft with terminal masses and flexible boots to form an air bellows for cushioning and sound.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If large exercise machines are used to exercise several different muscles, then muscle exercise effectiveness is improved, but device size and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle exercise effectivenessVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise device is segmented into separate functional components: an elongate member with weights at ends for inertial exercise, and elastic resistance elements for resistance training. Users can perform different exercises by manipulating different parts of the device, allowing one compact device to replace multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a multi-functional unit where the elongate member can be used for both inertial oscillation exercises and resistance training exercises. The elastic resistance elements can be configured in different arrangements to provide various resistance patterns, enabling the same device to target multiple muscle groups through different exercise modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If dumbbells are used for exercise, then device size is reduced, but weight increases causing injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces static heavy weights with dynamic inertial masses. The elongate member with terminal masses creates oscillating inertial forces during rhythmic movement, providing exercise resistance through acceleration and deceleration rather than relying on heavy static weight. This allows effective muscle engagement with lighter overall device weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance mechanism changes from gravitational force (weight-based) to inertial force (mass-based). By using the formula F=ma, the device generates variable resistance forces through controlled oscillation acceleration, allowing effective exercise with reduced mass compared to traditional dumbbells that rely solely on gravitational resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If dumbbells are used for exercise, then device simplicity is improved, but technique complexity increases leading to uneven muscle exercise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidtechnique complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed for rhythmic periodic oscillation rather than continuous movement. Users perform controlled back-and-forth motions that naturally engage multiple muscle groups in sequence during each oscillation cycle, reducing the need for users to learn and execute multiple different exercise techniques while ensuring comprehensive muscle engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 device allows for effective and safe exercise of multiple muscle groups with reduced risk of injury, providing greater muscle activity compared to standard dumbbell exercises, as demonstrated by EMG studies, and is compact and easy to use.

Implementation Method 1

A first elastic resistance element interfaces between the elongate member and the sleeve. A user-induced rhythmic movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first elastic resistance element to alternately compress and extend

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The flexible boot, the first weight, and the sleeve may together form an air bellows that expels air through an aperture in the air bellows as the first elastic resistance element compresses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS8133160B2Low impact inertial exercise device

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 VERHEEM JOHANN B

AI summary

In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an inertial exercise device has an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions, and a sleeve movably coupled to the elongate member and disposed between the first and second end portions of the elongate member. A first elastic resistance element interfaces between the elongate member and the sleeve. A user-induced rhythmic movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first elastic resistance element to alternately compress and extend as the first and second end portions of the elongate member oscillate relative to the sleeve.