Oblique Abdominal Trainer with Biasing Carriage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing abdominal exercises for oblique and transversus abdominis muscles often rely on hip flexors, reducing muscle isolation and effectiveness, and may exacerbate injuries, especially during rehabilitation, due to lack of adjustable resistance.
Innovation Solution
A variable resistance exercise apparatus with an elongate track and carriage system that biases movement towards the middle portion, using a combination of support and clamping wheels with adjustable resistance to minimize hip flexor engagement and enhance muscle isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional abdominal exercises (side crunches, side bends) are performed, then the oblique and transversus abdominis muscles are exercised, but the hip flexors are also substantially utilized, reducing muscle isolation and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus introduces an intermediary mechanical system (track, carriage, and arm assembly) between the user and the ground reaction forces. This intermediary structure guides the motion path and isolates the abdominal muscles by preventing hip flexor engagement, while still allowing effective oblique and transversus abdominis exercise through controlled rotational movements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional abdominal exercises are performed without adjustable resistance, then the exercises can be performed by users of various strength levels, but the effectiveness is limited and existing injuries may be exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs dynamic resistance adjustment through spring-loaded arms with adjustable spring constants and positions. Users can modify the resistance characteristics to match their strength level and rehabilitation needs, enabling progressive overload while maintaining safety for injury-prone individuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing key parameters including spring constant, arm length, and carriage position on the track to adjust resistance levels. This enables the same apparatus to effectively serve users across a wide range of strength levels and rehabilitation stages.
3Productivity
If adjustable resistance is added to abdominal exercise apparatus, then training effectiveness and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses universal components (track, carriage, spring arms) that can be configured for multiple exercise variations targeting different abdominal muscle groups. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive abdominal training capabilities in a single device.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles of a user includes an elongate track having first and second ends and a middle portion wherein the elongate track is positionable transverse to a user. The apparatus further includes a carriage movable along the track, wherein that carriage is biased toward the middle portion of the track, and an arm extending substantially perpendicular from the carriage. The arm has a free distal end such that application by user of an alternating torque to the free distal end of the arm urges the carriage in a corresponding reciprocating motion on the track.