Linear Exercise Assembly with Adjustable Resistive Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exercise equipment for individuals with physical handicaps, such as spinal cord injuries, often results in unbalanced stress and repetitive use syndrome due to limited muscle engagement, particularly underdeveloped muscle groups like latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, and rotator cuff muscles, as they are restricted to arm cranking motions rather than linear push/pull exercises.

Innovation Solution

An exercise assembly featuring a resistive track assembly with movable carriages and adjustable resistive force members that allow for linear push/pull motions, enabling users to control the direction and magnitude of resistance, thereby engaging a broader range of muscle groups including pectoral and lateral muscles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional arm cranking exercise devices are used by individuals with physical handicaps, then upper body muscle exercise is provided, but unbalanced stress and repetitive use syndrome occur due to limited muscle engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise capability for handicapped individualsVSAvoidupper extremity injuries and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from fixed rotational arm cranking to dynamic linear push/pull motions along adjustable resistance tracks, allowing users to move carriages forward and backward in straight lines. This dynamic movement pattern engages different muscle groups (pectoral, latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, rear deltoid) and reduces repetitive stress on shoulder joints by eliminating continuous rotational pressing actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance system allows independent adjustment of resistance magnitude and direction for each carriage. Users can control the direction of resistance force (pushing or pulling) and adjust resistance levels to match their capabilities, enabling customized exercise parameters that accommodate varying degrees of physical handicap while maintaining balanced muscle engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If arm cranking motions are used to exercise upper body muscles, then muscle development is achieved, but excessive shoulder pressing action in internally rotated position causes unbalanced stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupper body muscle developmentVSAvoidunbalanced stress on shoulder joints

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous rotational pressing motions that force shoulders into internally rotated positions, the device enables linear push and pull motions where users can alternately push carriages away and pull them toward their body. This inverted movement pattern allows shoulder extension and external rotation during pulling phases, balancing the stress distribution across shoulder joints and engaging rear deltoid and rotator cuff muscles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The exercise motion transitions from a single-plane rotational movement to multi-dimensional linear movements along track members. Users can move carriages in forward and backward directions along inclined tracks, creating a more varied movement trajectory that engages muscles through different vectors and reduces concentrated stress on shoulder joints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If linear push/pull motions with adjustable resistance are provided, then comprehensive muscle engagement is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle group engagement rangeVSAvoidresistive track and carriage assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resistance system is divided into independent modular units, with each carriage having its own resistive force mechanism that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows users to customize resistance for each side and movement direction without affecting the other side, achieving comprehensive muscle engagement while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance tracks and carriages are designed to serve multiple functions: they guide linear motion, provide adjustable resistance through integrated mechanisms, and accommodate various exercise intensities and directions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing overall device complexity while achieving versatile muscle engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10434362B1Exercise assembly

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 VITAGLIDE LLC

AI summary

An exercise assembly for execution of an exercise regimen by a user having a base assembly and a support assembly. The exercise assembly includes a resistive track assembly mounted to a portion of the support assembly. The resistive track assembly has a plurality of resistive track members each having a resistive track channel through a portion thereof. The exercise assembly further includes a carriage assembly having at least one handle interconnected to at least one carriage through the resistive track channel of a corresponding resistive track member. Each handle and carriage is moveable along a portion of a corresponding resistive track member. The resistive force assembly includes a plurality of resistive force members, and at least one resistive force member is interconnected to each carriage to present a resistive force to counter movement of the carriage along a corresponding resistive track member.