Resilient Foot Support for Dynamic Exercise Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise apparatuses do not effectively allow users to control the repetition and magnitude of movements by absorbing and converting energy for a dynamic workout experience, particularly in exercises that require controlled yielding of foot supports for bouncing movements.
Innovation Solution
A movable body support system with a resilient foot support that absorbs energy in one direction and converts it into movement in another, allowing users to control exercises through leg flexure and foot engagement, utilizing a frame assembly with a flexible sheet member that yields resiliently to create a bouncing motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable body support is provided with a resilient foot support that absorbs and converts energy, then the exercise apparatus provides a dynamic workout experience with controlled bouncing movements, but the device complexity increases due to the additional resilient mechanism and frame assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the body support and foot support into a single integrated movable assembly that moves together on the frame. The resilient foot support is integrated with the body support structure, allowing the entire assembly to function as one unit during exercise movements, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining dynamic workout capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a resilient foot support with spring elements that provide dynamic response to user movements. The spring mechanism allows the foot support to yield and rebound, creating controlled bouncing movements that adapt to the user's exercise intensity and rhythm, enhancing the dynamic workout experience
2Productivity
If the foot support is made resilient to allow bouncing movements, then the exercise effectiveness is improved through engagement of abdominal and leg muscles, but the stability of the apparatus decreases during certain exercise phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support system into distinct segments: the body support portion and the resilient foot support portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the body support provides stable positioning while the foot support provides resilient bouncing - thereby maintaining overall stability while enabling effective exercise movements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spring elements with specific force constants and damping characteristics to control the resilience of the foot support. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the apparatus provides sufficient bouncing for muscle engagement while maintaining stability during the exercise phases when stability is required
3Ease of operation
If the resilient foot support allows free movement in both directions, then the ease of operation is improved for various exercise types, but the control over movement repetition and magnitude becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient foot support provides tactile feedback through the spring mechanism, allowing users to sense the compression and rebound forces. This feedback enables users to naturally control the rhythm and repetition of their movements based on the mechanical response, making it easier to maintain consistent exercise patterns without complex control systems
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 control and repeat movements effectively, providing a dynamic workout experience that engages abdominal and leg muscles, with adjustable resistance and flexibility to suit various exercise types.
Implementation Method 1
providing for the absorption of the energy of the movement of the movable body support in a first direction away from the movable foot support by the exercising person supported thereon and the conversion of the absorbed energy to a movement of the movable body support with the exercising person supported thereon in a second direction toward the movable foot support
Implementation Method 2
providing for the controlled yielding of the movable foot support caused by the engagement thereof by the feet of the exercising person moving with the movable body support in the second direction and establishing as a result of the controlled yielding a bouncing movement by the movable foot support in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An exerciser including a movable body support mounted on an exerciser flame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A movable foot support extends from the exerciser frame. The movable foot support is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction. The movable foot support may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body support and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise.