Turntable Bearing Exercise Apparatus for Surface Irregularities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise equipment lacks efficient mechanisms for smooth, uninterrupted movement over various surfaces, particularly when encountering surface irregularities or manufacturing imperfections, which can lead to interruptions and reduced effectiveness in strength training and other physical exercises.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a turntable bearing between the top and bottom members, combined with a rolling mechanism, such as ball transfer bearings, to enable omni-directional movement and compensate for points of lock-up by rotating the bottom member, allowing continuous movement and accommodating heavier loads. Additionally, a resistance band-attaching mechanism adjusts to applied forces for enhanced exercise variety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rolling mechanism is used to enable movement across surfaces, then movement smoothness is improved, but interruptions occur when encountering surface irregularities or manufacturing imperfections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement continuityVSAvoidsurface irregularities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom member is made rotatable relative to the top member, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to surface irregularities. When the rolling mechanism encounters an obstruction, the bottom member can rotate to change the orientation of the rolling elements, enabling the apparatus to overcome obstacles and continue moving without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a rotational degree of freedom between the top and bottom members, transitioning from purely translational movement to combined rotational and translational movement. This dimensional change allows the apparatus to navigate surface irregularities by rotating the bottom member to find a clear path forward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Speed

If a rolling mechanism is used to enable smooth movement, then movement speed is improved, but the mechanism locks up when encountering surface irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement velocityVSAvoidmechanism reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable bottom member provides a dynamic response to locking conditions. When rolling elements encounter surface irregularities that cause locking, the bottom member can rotate to reposition the rolling elements, eliminating the lock-up condition and maintaining continuous movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful locking effect into a beneficial rotational motion. When surface irregularities cause the rolling mechanism to lock, the resulting torque causes the bottom member to rotate, which in turn repositions the rolling elements to overcome the obstruction and continue movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Weight of moving object

If the apparatus is designed to accommodate heavier loads, then weight capacity is improved, but movement smoothness across surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidmovement continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable bottom member allows heavy-loaded apparatus to dynamically adjust to surface irregularities. The rotational degree of freedom enables the system to accommodate the additional weight while maintaining movement continuity by rotating the bottom member to navigate obstacles that would otherwise interrupt movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures continuous, uninterrupted movement across surfaces, accommodating weights up to 100 kg or more, while allowing for effective resistance training by maintaining velocity and minimizing interruptions, thus enhancing the effectiveness of physical exercises.

Implementation Method 1

a movement-enabling means for enabling the apparatus to move across a surface substantially without interruption, wherein the movement-enabling means comprises a turntable bearing between the top member and the bottom member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a rolling mechanism about a bottom surface of the bottom member... to enable omni-directional movement and compensate for points of lock-up by rotating the bottom member, allowing continuous movement and accommodating heavier loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS9573013B2Systems and methods for physical exercise

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 LOPEZ ROBERT P

AI summary

Provided herein is an apparatus including a top member configured to couple with an anatomical appendage or a structure thereof; a bottom member rotatably attached to the top member; and a movement-enabling means for enabling the apparatus to move across a surface substantially without interruption, wherein the movement-enabling means comprises a turntable bearing between the top member and the bottom member, and a rolling mechanism about a bottom surface of the bottom member.