Portable Resistance Exercise Machine With Frameless Rail-Less Carriage

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Pilates reformers are large, heavy, and difficult to transport due to their reliance on frames and rails, making them impractical for portable use.

Innovation Solution

A frameless and rail-less exercise system comprising a carriage with wheels and tension members connected to a separate platform, allowing for adjustable resistance and storage in a stowage dock, enabling portability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a frame and rail system is used to support the carriage in a Pilates reformer, then structural stability and exercise functionality are improved, but device size, weight, and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional frame and rail system from the Pilates reformer design. Instead of using a heavy metal frame structure, the invention uses a carriage that moves directly on a mat with resistance provided by spring-loaded mechanisms integrated into the carriage itself, eliminating the need for the bulky frame and rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the reformer into separate functional modules: the carriage containing all mechanical components (wheels, springs, resistance mechanisms), the mat providing the moving surface, and the platform providing support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a frame and rail system is used to support the carriage in a Pilates reformer, then structural stability and exercise functionality are improved, but device volume and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional frame and rail system from the Pilates reformer design. Instead of using a heavy metal frame structure, the invention uses a carriage that moves directly on a mat with resistance provided by spring-loaded mechanisms integrated into the carriage itself, eliminating the need for the bulky frame and rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage is designed to nest within the platform when not in use, and the entire assembly can be collapsed or disassembled for compact storage. The spring mechanisms and resistance components are integrated within the carriage structure, eliminating the need for external frame support structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a frame and rail system is used in a Pilates reformer, then exercise functionality is maintained, but ease of transport and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise functionalityVSAvoidease of transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional frame and rail system from the Pilates reformer design. Instead of using a heavy metal frame structure, the invention uses a carriage that moves directly on a mat with resistance provided by spring-loaded mechanisms integrated into the carriage itself, eliminating the need for the bulky frame and rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical frame and rail system with a different mechanical approach: a carriage on wheels that moves along a mat, using spring-loaded resistance mechanisms and cable connections to provide the necessary exercise functionality without requiring a rigid frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides a portable and space-efficient solution for muscle strengthening exercises, including Pilates, by eliminating the need for bulky frames and rails, facilitating easy transport and storage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one tension member adapted to impose a tensioning force such that the carriage is movable on a horizontal plane parallel to a ground surface while the platform remains stationary in a fixed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

Each of the plurality of tension members comprises an elongated spring body configured to deliver a predetermined force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250249309A1Portable resistance-based exercise machine and system

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 PILATA INC

AI summary

An exercise system that may be rail-less, frameless, and/or portable is described. The exercise system includes a carriage having a plurality of wheels and a stationary platform. The stationary platform is independent of and separate from the carriage, and is freestanding. A tension member having a first end is attached to the carriage and a second end is detachably attached to the stationary platform such that the carriage is movable on a horizontal plane parallel to a ground surface while the stationary platform remains in a fixed position. The carriage and the stationary platform have a width suitable for performing various exercises.