Sliding Carriage Exercise System With Adjustable Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional abdominal exercises like crunches and sit-ups are limited in targeting multiple muscle groups, often leading to injuries due to improper form and uneven distribution of strain.
Innovation Solution
An exercise system with a frame, upper and lower body carriages, and a resistance assembly that allows users to perform sliding plank-based movements, targeting abdominal, shoulder, triceps, latissimus dorsi, quadricep, pectoralis, and gluteal muscles while maintaining proper form and incorporating resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional crunches and sit-ups are performed to target abdominal muscles, then abdominal muscle engagement is achieved, but injury risk increases due to improper form and strain on hip flexor and neck muscles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized exercise bench with positioning mechanisms as an intermediary device between the user and the ground. This bench provides proper body alignment support and controlled resistance, mediating the exercise to engage abdominal muscles while preventing improper form that causes injury to hip flexors and neck muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the exercise by introducing adjustable resistance levels and controlled movement ranges through mechanical mechanisms. This transforms the uncontrolled, high-risk traditional crunch into a parameter-controlled exercise that maintains abdominal engagement while reducing injury risk through regulated force application.
2Ease of operation
If traditional crunches and sit-ups are performed to target abdominal muscles, then abdominal muscle engagement is achieved, but muscle group targeting is limited to only abdominal muscles
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise bench is designed with multiple adjustable components and resistance mechanisms that enable it to perform various exercises targeting different muscle groups. The device can be configured for abdominal exercises, chest exercises, back exercises, and leg exercises, making it a universal training apparatus that goes beyond the limited abdominal-focused traditional crunches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities allowing users to modify resistance levels, angle positions, and body positioning during exercises. This dynamic adaptability enables the same device to effectively target multiple muscle groups by changing exercise parameters, transforming a static, single-purpose exercise into a dynamic, multi-functional training system.
3Strength
If resistance is incorporated to enhance strength training, then strength training effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance system is segmented into modular components including weight stacks, pulley systems, and adjustable resistance mechanisms that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the complex resistance system to be broken down into manageable modules, making the device easier to manufacture, maintain, and adjust while still providing effective strength training.
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 exercise system effectively engages multiple muscle groups, reduces the risk of injury by promoting proper form, and provides enhanced strength training through adjustable resistance mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The carriages are configured to slide along the guide rails with controlled friction to provide resistance during exercise movements
Implementation Method 2
The resistance assembly uses pulley systems and lever arms to multiply the user's force and provide adjustable resistance levels
Implementation Method 3
The user's body weight provides the driving force for the reciprocating motion as they lower and raise their body between positions
Implementation Method 4
The mass of the user's body and the carriages creates momentum that carries the system through the exercise range of motion
Implementation Method 5
The locking pins engage with friction-fit holes in the guide rails to secure the carriages at predetermined positions
Implementation Method 6
The locking mechanism uses interlocking pins and slots to prevent unintended movement of the carriages during exercise
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise system includes a frame, an upper body carriage, a lower body carriage, a positioning carriage, a resistance assembly attached to the frame, and a connecting mechanism. The frame includes a right guide rail, a left guide rail, and a central guide rail disposed between the right guide rail and the left guide rail. The upper body carriage includes an upper right and an upper left carriage slidingly attached to the right and left guide rail, respectively. The lower body carriage includes a lower right and lower left carriage slidingly attached to the right and left guide rail, respectively. The connecting mechanism mechanically couples one of the upper body carriage, the lower body carriage, or the carriage to the resistance assembly such that the resistance assembly applies a predetermined level of resistive force to the upper body carriage, the lower body carriage, and/or the tension carriage.