Shoulder Exercise Machine Rotating Armature Multi-Plane Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shoulder exercise machines require multiple machines to cover all planes, neglecting intervening planes and failing to provide isolated exercise for internal shoulder muscles, limiting effective muscle fatigue and strength building.
Innovation Solution
The 'Axis' and 'Atlas' exercise apparatus utilize a rotating axis armature system that allows exercise in multiple planes, including traditional and intervening planes, with a secondary armature that rotates 360 degrees about a (1,1,1) axis, enabling separate or simultaneous exercise of external and internal shoulder muscles using a pulley system and additional weight stack for rotator cuff resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate machines are used to cover all exercise planes, then comprehensive muscle coverage is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines six separate shoulder exercise machines into a single integrated machine by merging multiple armatures (primary, secondary, tertiary) that can be positioned in different planes. The armatures share common weight stacks and structural support, allowing comprehensive coverage of all exercise planes while reducing the number of separate devices from six to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated armature system provides multi-functionality by enabling exercise in multiple planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and targeting various shoulder muscles (external rotators, internal rotators, deltoids) through a single machine. The adjustable armatures can be positioned to perform functions previously requiring separate dedicated machines.
2Device complexity
If fixed plane exercise machines are used, then simple machine design is maintained, but adaptability to exercise in all planes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic, adjustable armatures that can be repositioned between different planes and orientations. The primary armature rotates about a vertical axis, the secondary armature rotates about a horizontal axis, and the tertiary armature provides additional rotational freedom, creating a dynamically adaptable system rather than fixed-plane machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds dimensional versatility by enabling exercise in three-dimensional space across multiple planes. The armature system transitions from fixed two-dimensional planes to three-dimensional rotational freedom, allowing exercise in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes simultaneously within one machine.
3Productivity
If compound exercises are performed, then multiple muscle groups are worked simultaneously, but isolated exercise of target muscles to failure is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides local quality by enabling both compound and isolated exercise modes through selective armature positioning and cable attachment points. The system can be configured to target specific muscle groups (e.g., external rotators, internal rotators, deltoids) in isolation or combine multiple muscle groups in compound movements, giving users control over exercise specificity.
4Ease of operation
If internal shoulder muscles are neglected, then simpler exercise protocols are used, but comprehensive strength and stability development is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shoulder muscle groups into distinct exercise categories (external rotators, internal rotators, deltoids) with dedicated cable paths and attachment points. The separate cable systems allow independent targeting of internal rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor) while maintaining simple, standardized exercise protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A weight resistance exercise apparatus for the external and internal muscles of the shoulder having a multiple plane unit with a rotating axis armature for exercise in intervening planes, a primary armature, a secondary armature connected at a proximate end to the primary armature and a plurality of mode selection disks disposed on the secondary armature.