Passive Cable Stretching Apparatus with Actuated Footholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise equipment primarily focuses on strength training and does not effectively address the need for flexibility and stretching, often requiring users to exert significant physical effort, which can lead to muscle imbalances and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A passive exercise apparatus featuring a user support, enclosure with a cable system, footholds, and a control handle that allows for controlled stretching and flexibility exercises without requiring excessive physical effort, enabling lateral and longitudinal movements to target various muscle groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active stretching devices are used that require user physical effort, then muscle engagement occurs, but user fatigue increases and complete stretching cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the active mechanical system (user pushing/pulling) with a passive mechanical system where a motorized actuator performs the stretching motion. The actuator moves the platform along the rail, applying controlled force to stretch the user's muscles without requiring user exertion, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stretching effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the actuator and cable system) between the user and the stretching action. The actuator serves as a mediator that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion, applying gentle, controlled stretching forces to the user's body without requiring direct user effort, thereby achieving effective stretching while maintaining ease of operation
2Strength
If strength training equipment is used, then muscle strength increases, but flexibility and stretching are not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a device that can perform both strength training and flexibility stretching. The same basic structure (platform, rail, actuator) can be used for different exercise modes, allowing the equipment to adapt between strength building and flexibility improvement, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and stretching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by making the stretching resistance adjustable and variable. The actuator can control the speed, range, and intensity of stretching motions, allowing the equipment to dynamically adapt between strength training modes (higher resistance, shorter range) and flexibility stretching modes (lower resistance, longer range), thereby achieving both strength and flexibility goals
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and systems for increasing flexibility and/or stretching the muscles of a user generally comprise a user support set atop an enclosure. The enclosure houses mechanisms to actuate a cable system, wherein the mechanisms at least one of feed and retract a cable of the cable system. The apparatuses, methods, and systems also comprise footholds proximate to the user support to support at least the feet from a user, wherein the cable system actuates between the footholds, and wherein the footholds actuate in at least a lateral motion to further accentuate increasing flexibility and/or stretching the muscles. The apparatus, methods, and systems also comprise a control handle coupled to the cable system for the user to grasp, wherein the cable system actuates to either one of increase and release a tension to the grasped control handle, and wherein the control handle comprises at least one control to regulate the either one of increase and release the tension.