Lateral Elliptical Exercise Apparatus with Adjustable Pedal Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exercise equipment lacks a safe and efficient apparatus for full-body exercise that simulates lateral climbing with arm exercise, particularly in a standup position, and fails to adjust the orientation of lateral elliptical pedal curves to effectively target different leg muscles.
Innovation Solution
A standup exercise apparatus with separately supported pedals that simulate lateral climbing through a vertically elongated elliptical motion, coordinated with arm exercise, using a linkage system with pivotally connected cranks, rocker links, and adjustable guides, along with load resistance from a flywheel and pulley system, allowing for variable intensity and orientation of pedal motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elliptical cross trainers guide feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve moving forward and rearward, then the apparatus simulates jogging and slight climbing motions, but it fails to provide lateral or sideways climbing foot movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pedal mechanism adjustable through relocated rocker link brackets that can be repositioned manually or by actuator. This allows the pedal curve orientation to be dynamically changed from forward-rearward to lateral climbing motions, enabling the same device to adapt to different exercise modes without requiring multiple fixed mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the pedal support system into separate pedals for each foot, each with its own foot support pivotally connected to cranks and guides. This segmentation allows independent control and adjustment of each pedal's motion path, facilitating complex lateral elliptical movements while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus provides fixed pedal motion orientation, then the mechanism structure is simplified, but it cannot exercise different leg muscles by adjusting pedal orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker link brackets are designed to be relocatable to change pedal motion orientation. The system provides dynamic adjustability where users can reposition the brackets to alter the pedal curve orientation, enabling targeted exercise of different leg muscles. The adjustment mechanism balances versatility with operational ease through straightforward manual or actuated relocation.
3Productivity
If arm exercise is added coordinated with foot pedal movement, then full body exercise benefit is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges arm and leg exercise functions into a single coordinated mechanism. The foot supports are pivotally connected to cranks that are interconnected by coupling devices such as gear pairs, which synchronize arm lever motion with pedal movement. This integration allows simultaneous upper and lower body exercise through a unified mechanical system, improving full-body exercise efficiency while managing complexity through coordinated design.
4Reliability
If standup position operation is enabled, then exercise stability and safety are improved, but the mechanism design complexity increases compared to seated position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates an equipotential exercise environment by providing stable foot pedal support with vertically oriented elliptical lateral foot motion that maintains balance and reduces joint impact in standup position. The coordinated arm and leg movements through the linkage system distribute mechanical loads evenly, enhancing stability and safety during standup operation without requiring overly complex stabilization mechanisms.
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 apparatus provides stable and low-impact lateral climbing simulation with effective upper body exercise, allowing for adjustable resistance and muscle targeting through adjustable pedal motion, enhancing overall muscle engagement and exercise efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Load resistance is imposed upon the crank arms through pulleys and belts from a flywheel and frictional resistance.
Implementation Method 2
The cranks are connected by a coupling device such as a gear pair which rotate in opposite directions with the cranks.
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus includes a separate pedal for each foot, each pedal being supported by a foot support which is pivotally connected to a crank and a guide.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates lateral climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Each pedal follows a separate elongate curve with lateral movement. As one pedal moves downward on the inside portion of one pedal curve, the other pedal moves sideways upward following the outer portion of the other pedal curve. A pair of cranks rotate in opposite directions when driven by the pedal movement. The orientation of the pedal curves is adjustable to exercise leg muscles differently. Arm exercise is coordinated with the foot pedal movements.