Manual Treadmill with Friction Rollers for Adjustable Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treadmills and exercise sleds require significant space for effective use and often limit resistance exercises due to friction issues, making it difficult to perform varied workouts, especially for users of different sizes and those needing adjustable resistance levels.
Innovation Solution
A manual treadmill with an adjustable hand bar and modular design, incorporating friction-reduction rollers and a braking system that allows for oscillating motion, enabling users to perform a wide range of resistance exercises from different angles while maintaining a stationary position, and accommodating various user sizes with adjustable deck length and frame configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional treadmills use minimal friction between rollers to facilitate belt movement, then the belt moves easily during forward motion, but the belt becomes difficult to reverse direction and cannot effectively perform resistance exercises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller system into multiple friction-reduction rollers positioned between the front and rear treadmill rollers. This segmentation allows different portions of the belt to experience different friction characteristics, enabling both easy forward motion and effective resistance during reverse direction exercises
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning friction-reduction rollers at specific locations between the main rollers. These strategically placed rollers create localized low-friction zones that facilitate belt movement in one direction while maintaining sufficient friction for resistance exercises in the opposite direction
2Adaptability or versatility
If exercise sleds allow users to increase resistance by adding weight plates, then resistance levels can be adjusted, but the device requires great deal of indoor or outdoor space to be effectively used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional device that combines treadmill and exercise sled capabilities into one stationary apparatus. The treadmill can operate in multiple modes: forward motion for cardio, reverse motion for resistance exercises, and can accommodate various users through adjustable components, eliminating the need for separate sled equipment and extensive space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities including adjustable hand frame height and position, adjustable foot rail positions, and variable resistance through belt tension control. These dynamic features allow the single device to adapt to different user sizes and exercise requirements, replacing multiple fixed-function devices
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional treadmills have fixed deck surface, then manufacturing is simpler, but friction limits the amount of resistance exercises that can be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller support system into multiple friction-reduction rollers positioned beneath the deck surface. This segmentation allows the deck to maintain its simple manufactured structure while the underlying roller system provides the friction variation needed for diverse resistance exercises
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
Enables users to engage in full-body workouts with adjustable resistance, facilitating muscle strength, power, speed, and cardiovascular exercises, while ensuring safety and ease of storage, with immediate belt stopping for enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
The belt can be stopped immediately by the use of a braking system
Implementation Method 2
employ a surface with minimal friction between the rollers, to facilitate the movement of the treadmill belt when weight is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A manual non-motorized exercise treadmill with the ability to provide adjustable resistance to perform strength training resistance movements and simulate the movements of an exercise drive sled in a stationary location is described. A treadmill deck of the treadmill is supported by friction-reduction rollers, a front treadmill roller and a rear treadmill roller. The treadmill is operated by the user pushing and/or pulling with the feet of the user via a belt or harness attached to adjustable stationary hand bars. Variable resistance allows for increased or decreased difficulty in achieving the exercise according to the preference and ability of the user. The resistance is configured to be applied to the rollers and/or belt, making it more difficult for the user to manually move the treadmill belt. The treadmill belt is configured to oscillate for both concentric and eccentric exercises not provided by conventional treadmills.