Patent Grant
12194336
Aspects, features, and concepts described herein relate to supplemental equipment for exercise and rehabilitation devices, and particularly to equipment known as unweighting, antigravity, or differential air pressure (DAP) systems, devices and method, as well as to related devices, systems and methods for use with DAP systems and devices.
Systems for unweighting individuals for rehabilitation and fitness training have been a popular modality. Traditional methods have included aquatic training and using a hoist to lift a person or animal off a walking surface. Harness and hoist systems provide benefits related to their historical use in that they are well-known and can also allow for precise and granular unweighting, but become significantly uncomfortable at off-loading greater than about 25% of normal body weight. Further, aquatic systems can be difficult to control in terms of degree of off-loading, and are cumbersome to use along with having large space and resource requirements.
Systems that create a pressure differential can vary pressure differentials more precisely and are easier to use allowing for a wide range of unloading in small steps. One benefit of this is in the case of rehabilitation, for which it has been shown that increments as small as 1% of normal body weight can effectively determine and bypass a pain threshold below which a user can exercise pain free. More recently, systems creating a pressure differential across a portion of a user have been developed and are generally in commercial use in the rehabilitation and training centers around the world. These systems apply a pressure difference at a portion of the user's body with a net force at the center of pressure. If the net pressure differential is oriented parallel with the force of gravity and located near the user's waist, this off-loading force acts approximately directly counter to the force of gravity and therefore minimally alters the users natural gait patterns.
DAP systems have been commercialized by companies like Showa Denki in Japan, Sasta Fitness of the UK, Vacuwell of Poland. and AlterG Inc. in the US. While these systems offer benefits, they are expensive, large, non-adjustable, require specialized power sources, or are generally limited in access to the market because of the high cost and space burden, or general discomfort in design for users of different body types or heights.
Conventional DAP systems rely on the use of a shell placed around an existing treadmill or similar exercise device. A completely separate chamber is formed that encompasses a base portion of the exercise equipment including the running belt/rollers/deck of a treadmill or the seat and pedals of a stationary bicycle placed inside. These structures duplicate the framing of the combined system and therefore increase the cost, size, shipping bulk, part count, and overall complexity of the system. Further, such conventional DAP systems limit user adjustment of the corresponding exercise device including modifying incline or tilt settings, which impact the pressure differential of conventional DAP systems.
In addition, conventional DAP systems develop substantial vertical and lateral forces in the thousands of pounds in the DAP chamber during use due to conventional unweighting designs exposing large surface areas to unweighting pressures. These systems include supplemental reinforcements and structural additions for the corresponding exercise equipment, which typically is not designed to accommodate such extreme external loading. The elevated forces developed by such conventional systems include outboard expansion forces exerting lateral forces and upward/downward expansion forces applying vertical loads against nearby components of the exercise equipment or applying torque to the framing that may impact lifetime and function of the exercise equipment. Further, even though safety mechanisms and system can reduce and mitigate risks of failure and user injury in conventional DAP systems within low probability ranges, the extreme forces involved, and potential harms inflicted in the event of failure nonetheless amount to significant design risk.
Conventional DAP Systems rely on reinforced, heavy duty support structures and cage-like arrangements for ensuring safety and counteracting high system forces during use. These support structures encroach of the user's freedom of movement for many ranges of motions including arm swing movements and potential weaving or sway running movements of many users, which limit the user and increase risk of injury for unintentional contact with the rigid structures. Further, conventional rigid support platforms have multiple connections with support bars, rods and other structures that generate various vibrations, squeaks and other noises during use, and further induce harmonics among DAP components. These noises create annoying conditions for their use, which can inhibit their usage. Further, vibrations and other regular movements along and within components of conventional DAP systems can degrade system integrity and increase maintenance needs and costs.
Thus, needs exist for overcoming various drawbacks and limitations of conventional DAP systems including reducing size and complexity of DAP support structures along with improving system performance during use.
This summary introduces certain aspects of the embodiments described herein to provide a basic understanding. This summary is not an extensive overview of the inventive subject matter, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the inventive subject matter.
According to aspects and features of inventive subject matter described herein, a support platform configured for use with a differential air pressure (DAP) exercise system for retaining an inflatable enclosure thereof over a treadmill during use includes a top cover having a support surface, in which the top cover has a maximum length and a maximum width, and a truncated access opening defined through an inner portion of the support surface, in which the support surface is configured for secure attachment to an upper portion of the treadmill proximate a perimeter region of the access opening and a perimeter length of the truncated access opening is less than two times the maximum length plus two times the maximum width. The platform can further include a bottom cover that includes a panel, and a plurality of side covers that each include a panel, in which the top cover, the bottom cover and the plurality of side covers are connected to each to form a substantially airtight platform defining an interior cavity for retaining therein an exercise device for the DAP system. The platform can also include an exercise device upper interface for securing an upper region of the exercise device to the support surface in an airtight connection, and a blower interface configured for forming an operative, airtight connection with a blower.
In some implementations, the support surface of the top panel can have a plurality of reinforced side regions that each form an integrated beam, and the panel of the bottom cover can likewise have a plurality of reinforced side regions each forming an integrated beam. Each panel of the plurality of side cover can have an upper reinforced side region forming an integrated beam, in which an attachment face of the integrated beam can be secured to an adjacent top cover attachment face along at least a portion of one of the reinforced side regions of the top cover, and a lower reinforced side region forming an integrated beam, in which an attachment face of the integrated beam can be secured to an adjacent bottom cover attachment face along at least a portion of one of the reinforced side regions of the bottom cover. Each side cover can further include a first lateral side region, and a second lateral side region opposite the first lateral side region. The platform can further include a plurality of brackets disposed along a perimeter region of each of the top cover and the bottom cover and forming at least one integrated column supporting the top cover at a vertical offset above the bottom cover, in which each bracket can be secured at a lower end region to the bottom cover along at least a portion of one of the plurality of bottom cover reinforced side regions, and secured to the top cover at an upper region opposite the lower region along at least a portion of one the plurality of top cover reinforced side regions. The top, bottom and side covers can form a substantially frameless platform for supporting the enclosure above the exercise device during use of the dap system.
In some implementations, a damping gap can be defined between mating pairs of the attachment faces, and a gasket can be formed from a flat, compressible material disposed between each mated pair of the attachment faces for preventing direct contact between mated attachment faces and damping vibrations therebetween. The platform can further include a plurality of fastener-collar sets securing each mated pair of the attachment faces and fixing a minimum compressible distance between the attachment faces. In some implementations, the platform can include a plurality of substantially hollow crossbeams attached to and extending across a width of the bottom cover.
In some implementations, the plurality of brackets can include a plurality of corner brackets each disposed proximate a corner formed between intersecting edge portions of each of the top cover and the bottom cover. The platform can include a pair of mated angled surfaces formed along mating vertical edge portions of each pair of side covers meeting at each one of the corners, and the mated angled surfaces can be spaced apart from each other without direct contact between the mating vertical edge portions. In some implementations, the plurality of brackets can include a pair of vertical lift brackets attached to opposite lengthwise side portions of the platform and to each of the top cover and the bottom cover at a middle portion of an opposite lengthwise pair of each of the plurality of reinforced side regions. Each vertical lift bracket can be attached to an adjacent reinforced side region of each of the top and bottom covers and to a first or second lateral side region of adjacent ones of the side covers, and can reinforce the support platform along its length. Each vertical lift bracket can be formed from a thin sheet and can include a pair of vertically oriented, parallel angle supports spaced apart from each other and opposing each other, in which the pair of angle supports can be arranged for reinforcing a corresponding vertical lift attached to each one of the vertical lift brackets in a vertical orientation. Each vertical lift bracket can further include a bottom flange formed from the thin sheet configured to attach to a bottom of a corresponding one of the vertical lifts.
In some implementations, the platform can further include a pair of vertical pillars integrated with the platform, such that each vertical pillar is attached to a corresponding one of the vertical lift brackets for providing a support structure for the corresponding vertical lift. In some arrangements, each vertical pillar can include an extruded pillar having a pair of outboard columns extending along a height of each pillar, and each outboard column can be attached to the corresponding vertical lift bracket. The platform can further include a unitary handle attached to a top end of each of the extruded pillars and connecting the pair of pillars to each other at the top ends.
In some implementations, for at least one of the top cover, the bottom cover, and the plurality of side covers, at least one integrated beam of the plurality of reinforced edge regions can include a C-channel formed within the corresponding panel along at least one reinforced side region. The C-channel can be mated with: a C-channel formed within the corresponding panel along at least one reinforced side region; a reinforcing member configured as an opposing C-channel; a multi-faceted, substantially hollow structure formed along at least one reinforced side region defining a closed shape; and a columnar reinforcement defined along at least one edge portion of an extruded panel. In some implementations, each of the side covers can be configured for independent removal from and attachment to the platform, and the interior cavity and the exercise device can be accessible through an exposed opening corresponding with removal each side cover.
In some implementations, each of the plurality of side covers can be attached to the top cover in one of a stacked beam arrangement and a parallel beam arrangement. For the stacked beam arrangement, the attachment face of the upper reinforced side region and the adjacent attachment face secured thereto of the top cover can be oriented substantially parallel with a top surface region of the top cover, and each attachment face can be offset and vertically lower than the top surface region, such that the integrated beam of the upper reinforced side region can be located under the attached, adjacent integrated beam of the top cover. For the parallel beam arrangement, the attachment face of the upper reinforced side region and the adjacent attachment face secured thereto of the top cover can be oriented substantially perpendicular with a top surface region of the top cover, and the integrated beam of the upper reinforced side region can be located alongside the attached, adjacent integrated beam of the top cover.
In some implementations, the exercise device includes a pair of frame structures including a left frame structure and a right frame structure, and the exercise device upper interface includes a plurality of left fasteners and a plurality of right fasteners, in which each of the left fasteners are configured to secure an upper region of the left frame structure to the support surface along a left portion of the access opening perimeter region, and each of the right fasteners are configured to secure an upper region of the right frame structure to the support surface along a right portion of the access opening perimeter region. Further, the exercise device lower interface can include a plurality of left bottom connectors and a plurality of right bottom connectors, in which each of the left bottom connectors are configured to connect a lower region of the left frame structure to one of the bottom cover and the ground, and each of the right bottom connectors are configured to connect a lower region of the right frame structure to one of the bottom cover and the ground, and further include a plurality of ground supports each configured to extend from the bottom cover to the ground in alignment with a corresponding one of the left bottom connectors and the right bottom connectors connecting to the bottom cover for extending support for the left and right frame structures through the bottom cover and directly to the ground.
In some implementations, the support platform can further include a plurality of pass-through openings defined through the bottom cover that are each arranged for passing one of the left and right bottom connectors not connected to the bottom cover through the bottom cover directly to the ground and thereby enable optional height adjustments for the exercise device with respect to the ground and the platform. In some implementations, the exercise device can include a treadmill, the left frame structure and the right frame structure can each extend parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the treadmill along opposite lateral regions of the treadmill, and the left and right frame structures can secure corresponding left and right portions of the perimeter region along the truncated access opening during use by exerting, proximate the perimeter region, reaction forces substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to upward forces transmitted by the enclosure base to the support surface of the top cover.
In some implementations, the upper region of each of the left frame structure and the right frame structure form a left upper flange and a right upper flange respectively, in which each of the left and right upper flanges have a top, substantially horizontal, flange surface, and the lower region of each of the left frame structure and the right frame structure form a left lower flange and a right lower flange respectively. The left wall can connect the left upper flange to the left lower flange and define a left channel-shaped frame structure, and a right wall can connect the right upper flange to the right lower flange and define a right channel-shaped frame structure. The pair of left and right channel-shaped frame structures can form a pair of parallel, channel-shaped frame structures, each having a top, substantially horizontal, flange surface that is substantially coplanar with the other. The set of upper flanges of the pair of channel-shaped frame structures together can form a parallel, longitudinally oriented pair of support tracks for the treadmill disposed proximate and below the top cover support surface and extending lengthwise along opposite, left and right portions of the perimeter region of the truncated access opening. Further, the pair of support tracks can be secured at multiple locations to the top cover support surface along the opposite left and right portions of the perimeter region of the truncated access opening.
In some implementations, a left lift can be attached to a left side of the platform along a longitudinal midregion of the platform, in which the left lift is securely attached to a left side region of the top cover and to a left side region of the bottom cover at a bottom region of the lift, so that the left lift extends vertically upward from the bottom region. The platform can further include a right lift attached to a right side of the platform along a longitudinal midregion of the platform, in which the right lift is securely attached to a right side region of the top cover and to a right side region of the bottom cover at a bottom region of the lift, such that the lift extends vertically upward from the bottom region. The platform can also include a transverse bridge member extending horizontally between a vertically movable carriage attached to the left lift and a vertically movable carriage attached to the right lift, in which the transverse bridge member restrains each carriage at a horizontal, transverse distance across a depth of the DAP system for a range of vertical heights of the carriages. The pair of lifts having vertically movable carriages and the transverse bridge member can form a hybrid transverse framework across the DAP system configured for opposing at the bottom region of each lift and the opposite side regions of the platform outward torques exerted on the platform by the base of the enclosure during use of the DAP system.
According to aspects and features of inventive subject matter described herein, a differential air pressure (DAP) System can include an exercise device including a treadmill having a pair of frame structures extending in a longitudinal direction of the treadmill along opposite lateral regions, an inflatable enclosure having a base defining a base opening, in which the enclosure extends upward from the base to a top opening defined therein, and a support platform. The support platform can include a top panel having a plurality of reinforced side regions that each form an integrated beam and further defines a truncated access opening through the top cover, in which the enclosure base opening is secured at the top side of the top cover proximate a perimeter of the access opening. The platform can further include a bottom cover that includes a panel having a plurality of reinforced side regions, in which each reinforced side region forms an integrated beam, and a plurality of side covers that can each include a panel. Each side cover panel can have an upper reinforced side region forming an integrated beam, in which an attachment face of the integrated beam can be secured to an adjacent top cover attachment face along at least a portion of one of the reinforced side regions of the top cover, and a lower reinforced side region forming an integrated beam, in which an attachment face of the integrated beam can be secured to an adjacent bottom cover attachment face along at least a portion of one of the reinforced side regions of the bottom cover. Each side cover can further include a first lateral side region, and a second lateral side region opposite the first lateral side region. The platform can further include a plurality of brackets disposed along a perimeter region of each of the top cover and the bottom cover and forming at least one integrated column supporting the top cover at a vertical offset above the bottom cover, in which each bracket can be secured at a lower end region to the bottom cover along at least a portion of one of the plurality of bottom cover reinforced side regions, and secured to the top cover at an upper region opposite the lower region along at least a portion of one the plurality of top cover reinforced side regions. In addition, the platform can include an inner frame structure secured at an upper region to the top cover in proximity to the access opening perimeter and secured at a lower region to the bottom cover.
The pair of treadmill frame structures can be secured to and integrated with the platform inner frame structure, such that each frame structure of the pair of frame structures can be secured to the top cover proximate the truncated access opening perimeter and to the lower cover as part of the inner frame structure. As such, the support platform can exert reaction forces and torques substantially equal in magnitude and in opposite directions to upward forces transmitted by the enclosure base and torques imparted by the upward forces during use of the dap system, and the treadmill pair of frame supports integrated with the platform inner frame structure can substantially receive and counteract for the platform rotational torques imparted by the upward forces in a generally longitudinal direction of the DAP system.
In some arrangements according to aspects and features described herein, the DAP System can further include a hybrid framework configured for substantially counteracting for the platform rotational torques imparted by the upward forces in a generally transverse direction of the DAP System. The hybrid framework can include a pair of vertical lifts integrally attached to opposite sides of the platform along a mid-region of the platform in the longitudinal direction of the DAP System disposed proximate the enclosure top opening. Each vertical lift can be structurally attached at a base portion to one of the plurality of reinforced side regions of the top cover and to one of the plurality of reinforced side regions of the bottom cover, and each vertical lift can have a vertically drivable carriage attached thereto. The hybrid framework can further include a bridge member having a pair of lateral connectors, in which each lateral connector can be disposed at an opposite lateral side region of the bridge member and secured to a carriage of a corresponding one of the vertical lifts. The bridge member can restrain each carriage of the pair of lifts at a transverse distance between the carriages along a range of vertical heights for each carriage when located at a raised end portion of each lift opposite the base portion. The hybrid framework can further include a DAP System controller operatively connected to the pair of lifts configured for vertically driving each carriage to a vertical height within the range of vertical heights for DAP System operations for which the inflated enclosure is in an inflated condition. As such, the bridge member can restrain the pair of vertical lifts at a transverse distance therebetween along the raised end portion of each lift when the enclosure is in the inflated condition, and the restrained pair of vertical lifts can substantially counteract for the platform rotational torques imparted by the upward forces in the generally transverse direction of the DAP System.
Other exercise-related support devices, related systems, and components, and/or methods according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional devices, related components, systems, and/or methods included within this description be within the scope of this disclosure.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the aspects, features and principles pertaining to the invention and configurations discussed herein, reference will now be made to the example configurations and arrangements illustrated in the drawings along with language describing the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one arrangement,” “an arrangement.” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the arrangement is included in at least one arrangement of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one arrangement,” “an arrangement,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same arrangement, different arrangements, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording “an arrangement,” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an arrangement,” or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.
Each statement of an arrangement is to be considered independent of any other statement of an arrangement despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each arrangement. Therefore, where one arrangement is identified as “another arrangement,” the identified arrangement is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another arrangement.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly, or explicitly. Although the wording “an arrangement,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity.
References for “herein” or similar terminology including “used herein,” “shown herein” or “discussed herein” are understood to mean the instant patent application, as well as all related patent applications incorporated by reference and/or identified in the present application. Further, the same references and the like are understood to include later filed patent applications including provisional or non-provisional patent applications that denote, identify or incorporate by reference the instant patent application.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
As used herein, the term “about” when used in connection with a referenced numeric indication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minus up to 10 percent of that referenced numeric indication. For example, the language “about 50” covers the range of 45 to 55. Similarly, the language “about 5” covers the range of 4.5 to 5.5.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the words “top,” “above,” and “upward” refer to elevation directions away from the ground level of an exercise device in its typical or intended usage orientation at or towards a higher elevation, and the words “bottom,” “below,” “base” and “downward” refer to elevation directions at or towards the ground level of an exercise device at a lower elevation in its typical usage orientation. Thus, for example, the top of a structure for an exercise device that is farthest from the ground level of the exercise device would be the vertical distal end of the structure, and the end opposite the vertical distal end (i.e., the end interfacing with the exercise device closest to ground level) would be the vertical base or bottom end of the structure.
Further, specific words chosen to describe one or more embodiments and optional elements, or features are not intended to limit the invention. For example, spatially relative terms—such as “beneath,” “below.” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “proximal,” “distal,” and the like—may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions (i.e., translational placements) and orientations (i.e., rotational placements) of a device in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures were turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both positions and orientations of above and below. A device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Likewise, descriptions of movement along (translation) and around (rotation) various axes include various spatial device positions and orientations.
Similarly, geometric terms, such as “parallel,” “perpendicular,” “round,” “curvilinear,” “articulated” or “square,” are not intended to require absolute mathematical precision, unless the context indicates otherwise. Instead, such geometric terms allow for variations due to manufacturing or equivalent functions. For example, if an element is described as “round” or “generally round,” a component that is not precisely circular (e.g., one that is slightly oblong or is a many-sided polygon) is still encompassed by this description.
In addition, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” “has,” and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups.
Unless indicated otherwise, the terms exercise apparatus, device, equipment, systems, and variants thereof, can be interchangeably used.
In this specification, the applicant may refer to an exercise machine and an existing exercise machine. The reader shall note that the distinction is that an existing exercise machine may already be designed prior to consideration for use of the same with a DAP system and an existing exercise machine may further already be installed in the field, for example in a gym, training facility, etc. The reader shall interpret minor modifications of the exercise machine or existing exercise machine for use with a DAP system as still part of the exercise machine and still within the spirit of the scope of the subject matter disclosed. Further, although many examples related to a DAP System or example DAP System are shown and discussed along with example treadmill exercise devices or equipment, it is understood that the application and invention are not so limited and various other types of exercise devices or equipment could replace the example treadmill devices or equipment.
As used herein, an “independently-supportable” inflatable enclosure refers to an inflatable enclosure formed from a substantially inelastic material defining a base opening configured to be secured to a base support, configured to form an airtight connection with an air supply, and defining a top port configured to form an airtight connection with a user interface such that, when inflated, secured to the air supply, and forming an airtight connection with a user, the inflatable enclosure is capable of independently extending in an upward direction from the base support and providing unweighting forces on the user without requiring a support framework or other attachments or connections to support members regardless of whether the inflatable enclosure makes contact with a supplemental support member. As such, an independently supportable inflatable enclosure forms a hollow, thin-shelled inflatable support enclosure extending from the secure attachment with the base support upward to the top port and user interface.
Example Platform with Truncated Access Opening with Enclosure & DAP System
Referring now to
The platform 142 acts as a central support structure and interface between the enclosure 110 and exercise device 160, for which aspects and features of lightweight, high strength, platforms described herein can enhance functionally and structural features. For example, platform 142 can include a top cover having a support surface 144 that defines a truncated access opening 149 for enabling user interactions with a top region of the exercise device that the user can engage with while supported by the inflatable enclosure 110 along with truncating the access opening to limit the size and volume of the inflatable enclosure along with unnecessary pneumatic forces. In contrast, conventional DAP system platforms securely attach inflatable enclosures along an external, lateral framework extending around an exercise device used with the DAP system, such as frame elements around side portions of a treadmill, without having a top cover or support surface disposed over the exercise device that defines a truncated access opening 149 for enabling user interactions with the exercise device. The truncated access opening and corresponding truncated base opening for the enclosure can provide a streamlined, efficient enclosure shape and arrangement with respect to a truncated access opening that is appropriate for DAP system functionality including upweighting support for a user, but that involves lower pneumatic forces overall vs. platforms and arrangements lacking top covers or support surfaces.
With continued reference to
The support surface 144 is firmly attach or secured to the base of the inflatable enclosure in an airtight connection and can permit independent support of the enclosure when inflated as it extends upward from base 152 in a substantially vertical direction for supporting the user above the access region 162, which can cooperate with and be enhanced by innovative aspects and features of low hoop stress inflatable enclosures described herein and in greater detail in related patent applications described above and incorporated herein by reference. Further, as described in greater detail below along with
As further shown in
When in the inflated condition shown, air pressure acting against the surface of the flexible enclosure skin 113 applies upward unweighting forces on the user and against the support platform 142 at the support surface 144, which forces are carried within the enclosure skin 113 and transmitted to the platform 142 via the enclosure interface with support surface 144. The meridional radial lines 124 shown for the inflatable enclosure 110 are representative of a general surface stress arrangement that can be provided through the enclosure while inflated, for which the seal frame 132 can help maintain despite top port 130 interrupting a portion of the enclosure surface by transmitting stresses across the seal frame. However, the radial lines are shown only for schematic, illustrative purposes without necessarily denoting any tension members, reinforcements integrated in the enclosure surface, embedded fibers, isotensoid supports and the like. Rather, the radial lines are indicative of an optional innovative, low surface tension arrangement of the inflatable enclosure that can be used with platform 142 and cooperate with innovative aspects and features of platforms described herein.
In particular, in the inflated configuration illustrated in
Example Platforms Shown with Example Hollow-Shell Frameworks and Restraints
Aspects, features, options, design choices and arrangement considerations pertaining to additional features and mechanisms discussed below pertaining to platforms usable with DAP systems can be configured to support, enhance, augment and/or otherwise cooperate with, if not synergistically improve, beneficial features, arrangements and functions enabled or provided via hollow-shell framework enclosures described above or elsewhere herein. Thus, it is understood that discussions pertaining to example features of platforms, platforms having integrated lifts, and other features and related concepts can be implemented with example DAP systems described herein as example arrangements. However, it is understood that aspects, features, options and arrangements discussed hereafter can likewise be configured for beneficial or cooperative use with other types of DAP systems and enclosures including with conventional DAP systems and enclosure arrangements.
Example Platform with Vertical Lifts Shown with Enclosure and DAP System
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
Cooperative groups of vertical lifts 1568 and 1568′ can be controlled substantially in unison for precisely controlling tensile forces imparted about the perimeter of the top bracket 1532. It is understood that height differentials can be selectively applied for desired results, such as to impart tilt or other preferences on the top bracket 1532 for a user. The drive screw and corresponding nut may have a pitch angle such that the mechanism is not backdrivable. In this manner, the motor does not need to compensate for the high loads imparted by the enclosure on the top frame and thus carried through the drive screw. A safety method of height adjustment may therefore be to check the pressure inside the enclosure to ensure it is below a predetermined safety limit before allowing activation of the lifting columns as a safety precaution not to burn out the motor.
Example Panelized Platform for DAP Systems Having Optional Integrated Lifts
Referring now to
The DAP System 2040 includes a support platform 2042 having a top cover 2050 that provides an enclosure support surface as its top surface, to which an inflatable enclosure 2010 is secured at a base opening defined through the enclosure and extending vertically from the base opening in an inflated condition. The enclosure defines a top opening 2030 through a top portion of the enclosure at an enclosure height extending from the base opening to the top opening. The DAP system further includes a seal frame 2032 attached to the inflatable enclosure proximate and about the top opening, and a plurality of lift restraints 2070 each having a first end, a second end, and a restraint length between the first end and the second end. A pair of vertical lifts 2096, 2098 are integrated within the construction of the platform 2042, which are each attached to lateral sides of the platform along a base portion of each lift and extend upward therefrom on opposite sides the enclosure.
Each lift 2096,2098 includes a linear drive mechanism connected with a movable carriage as shown and described in greater detail along with
Referring now to
The term “panelized” as used herein refers to a platform formed as an assembly of discrete, load-bearing panels attached to each other to form the platform, but that are otherwise independent from one another. The term “frameless” as used herein for the platform refers to a platform lacking an independent framework or skeletal support system to which panels are attached to form the platform and retain the platform shape. Further, the term “frameless” as used herein for the platform also refers to a platform formed as an assembly of panels, in which the panels include attached reinforcements, built-in supports, support features formed along with forming the panels, and/or panels otherwise including beam, column or other support members integrated therein. As such, the phrase “panelized, frameless” as used herein for the platform refers to a frameless platform formed from an assembly of independent panels having integrated support features, which are attached to one another to form and retain the platform. Although, as described further below, the platform can include an exercise device interface for attaching the platform to a framework of the exercise device that can secure the exercise device framework to the platform at the top and bottom covers, the platform nonetheless lacks a skeletal framework or other support structure for retaining the assembly of panels and forming the platform. In other words, the geometric shape of the platform, interconnections between panels, and the overall platform structure are not defined or maintained by an arrangement of beams, columns or other separate arrangement(s) of support members. Rather, the platform shape, interconnections between panels and the overall platform structure are defined by the assembly of panels having integrated support members and interconnections between adjacent panel support members.
As can be seen in
With continued reference to
As such, the top cover 2050 defines a truncated access opening 2049 that further corresponds with a base opening of enclosure 2010 as shown in
As noted above along with
Stated differently, for an exercise device like a treadmill or other exercise device typically having a generally rectangular vertical exercise access region, the truncated access opening 2049 through the top cover 2030 of the platform 2042 has an overall perimeter length according to inventive aspects and features described herein, which is less than two times a maximum length, L, and two times a maximum width, W, of the typical treadmill or similar exercise device and/or of a top cover thereof independent of the DAP system. Further, with respect to the enclosure base opening that is secured to the truncated access opening 2049, both the enclosure base opening and the truncated access opening can have a corresponding size, shape and area that includes a perimeter length less than two times the maximum length, L, of the top cover plus two times the maximum width, W, of the top cover which provides an upper limit for the truncated access opening (e.g., less than a corresponding rectangle having the L×W dimensions). Greater efficiency, corresponding volume and force reductions, and related benefits including improved system performance and operations can be realized through further truncations as reasonable and appropriate for system arrangements and usage, such as having a perimeter length of ninety percent or less than the 2×L plus 2×W upper limit.
As best seen in
As further depicted in
The term “reinforced edge region” as used herein for a cover including a top, bottom or side cover refers to an edge region as described above that includes one or more structural features extending along a substantial portion of the edge region. Such structural features can include the following: a separate structural member attached or connected to the side region; a shape feature formed in the cover material at the side region that provides structural enhancement, such as one or more ribs formed in the material or one or more bends forming a structural feature like a channel; a structural featured defined by the material forming the cover, such as column, beam, or rib structures defined in an extrusion forming all or part of the cover; and/or an insert embedded within a molded cover or portion thereof, such as an injection molded cover or component. In some implementations, each reinforced edge region can include, form or define an attachment surface configured for mated attachment with an attachment surface of another cover and/or an attachment surface of bracket, brace or other platform component.
In some implementations, such as the example implementation shown in
The bottom cover 2053 can likewise be formed similar to the top cover from a thin sheet of material having a length, a width, a plurality of edge regions that correspond with the top cover length and width and edge regions. The bottom cover 2053 can be formed from the same or similar materials as the top cover and in a like manner. As such, each bottom cover edge region can form a C-channel along a span thereof, in which each C-channel has an outer attachment surface. Such a construction for both the top and bottom cover can provide a lightweight, yet sturdy top cover for firmly transferring enclosure retention forces through the enclosure platform to the bottom cover and further withstanding the same. The side covers can be formed from a similar construction and material as the top cover and bottom cover, which can firmly connect the top and bottom covers and effectively transfer forces encountered by the top cover through the platform to the bottom cover, while keeping all covers extremely lightweight.
The platform 2042 can be constructed as a lightweight, yet high-strength structure based on innovative usage, arrangements and combinations of engineering features and concepts. One such beneficial feature includes benefits gained from geometric arrangements of a lightweight material that would otherwise lack structural properties required for an effective platform arrangement, which can include innovative use and arrangements of C-channels along edge regions of each of the top and bottom covers, such as via bending metal sheets or forming similar shapes and constructions in composite sheet materials. As can be seen along with corresponding drawings and as discussed further below, C-channel geometry arrangements along edge regions of the thin sheets forming the top and bottom covers are shaped and arranged to have high area moments of inertia for acting as beams along edge regions of the platform covers. The use of these beams along with their placement and arrangements can form beams having high bending strength along with rigid structural integrity. Further, attachments between adjacent covers can be formed along attachment surfaces of the C-channel geometric beams for thereby connecting beams of adjacent covers to one another for further reinforcement and structural support. In addition, bolted connections or similar between adjacent geometric beams can provide high shear strength support for the platform along the geometric beams via these connections.
As such, the platform 2042 can be formed via a plurality of side covers 2055, 2057, 2059, 2061, 2063 and 2065, which can likewise be formed from thin sheet material along with having arrangements of geometric beams formed along edge regions as C-Channels. However, rather than form C-Channels along all edge regions, each of the side covers can form C-channel geometric beams along each of their top edge region and bottom edge region for attaching to corresponding C-channels of the top and bottom covers for rigidly attaching to each of the top and bottom covers and connecting them together. Further, the C-channels of each side covers being oriented and arranged for attachment with the top and bottom cover C-channels can complement the strength and integrity of one another—particularly for resisting bending and other forces applied to the platform from the enclosure during use.
With particular reference to
Reverse C-channel support bars 2087 can be formed from the same and/or a different material than the corresponding side covers, top cover or bottom cover. For example, a lightweight aluminum sheet metal material could be used to form all or most platform covers along with having geometric C-channel beams formed in the same, and the reverse C-channel support bars 2087 could be formed, for example, from a higher strength steel sheet metal. Thus, combinations of lightweight and higher strength materials could be combined along with geometric structural features being formed in platform covers for cooperatively providing high strength properties and characteristics needed for effective use of the platform with a DAP System, as well as for keeping component weight and costs low.
Note also that other geometric structural elements could be formed via other shapes, component orientations, connections and arrangements, such that inventive aspects and features described herein are not limited to a particular geometry, shape or arrangement of components. However, as noted above, the C-channel beam construction provides beneficial structural integrity, bending strength, high-shear strength connections and other benefits for forming a support platform. The use of reverse C-channel supports 2087 can significantly enhance such benefits to the platform construction with minimal impacts for costs, weight, noise during use or related effects. As shown in
In particular, each reverse C-channel support 2087 when nested with a corresponding C-channel beam 2085 of a side cover complements the area moment of inertia bending strength characteristics of the corresponding C-channel beam 2085 via its reverse orientation and nesting arrangement. In addition, the nesting arrangement provides double lateral wall support both on the inboard and outboard regions of the combined top beam or bottom beam formed via the nested arrangement of C-channel beam 2085 and reverse C-channel support 2087. As best seen in
As further depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Thus, various advantageous structural designs, arrangements and features of the platform 2042 can combine together to provide a lightweight, high-strength structural platform for supporting operations of the DAP System and enclosure. Further, such a generally frameless construction arrangement can provide significant benefits and advantages for easy platform access as needed or desired for maintenance and other purposes without affecting the structural integrity of the enclosure and DAP System. For instance, the side covers shown in
Referring now to
An inner portion 2064 of the truncated access opening 2049 along each side of the access opening extending in a longitudinal direction of the DAP system can be secured proximate the perimeter region 2056 to an upper region 2072 of the treadmill frame 2074 including to each top flange of the C-shaped treadmill frame structures. Further, the bottom cover can be connected to a lower region of the treadmill frame 2074 via a plurality of lower interfaces within the platform extending between the bottom cover and the treadmill frame. In this manner, the treadmill frame can be used as an internal reinforcement structure between the top cover and the bottom cover. Further, the treadmill frame 2074 can cooperate with the platform to receive and oppose upward forces and moments transmitted to the top cover from the enclosure base opening. In particular, the arrangement of C-shaped frame structures extending in the longitudinal direction of the DAP system and the treadmill and secure attachment between the top cover support surface and the top flanges of the frame structures can significantly cooperate with and assist the platform for receiving and opposing moments exerted on the platform in substantially longitudinal directions about the top cover.
Referring now to
As depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
As best seen in
The spacing and sizing of the lift column bracket width and height may be important for creating a rigid post for attachment of a console or handrails. It was found in testing the top mounted handrails, mounted only to the top cover, do not offer substantial rigidity and therefore may not be optimal as a gripping surface. Further, these handrails may be susceptible to outboard bending from the enclosure, and thus may be required to be placed in 4 corners in order to escape the high side loading from the enclose. Such a configuration is shown in
Referring now to
The lift pillar 2031 provides a vertical support for the corresponding lift and thereby extends substantially the full length of the vertical lift including from a secure attachment at its base end with the corresponding lift bracket and extending upward for the height of the lift with the exception of a top cap or bracket at the upper end of each lift for supporting an upper end of each drive screw and/or interfacing with a handrail or other structure. The lift pillar can be formed as an aluminum extrusion 2031 having a pair of parallel internal rails formed along a travel length of the lift for supporting movement of a carriage vertically as driven by the linear drive mechanism. The extruded lift pillar can further form a central opening along its length for placement of a drive screw therein along with a drive motor (not shown) connected thereto at a lower end portion for rotating the screw. A front slide cover 2015 attached to a face of the lift pillar can provide a smooth slide surface for the carriage to slide along during lift operations. As shown, the slide cover 2015, slide surface, and carriage slide 2012 can be arranged on the vertical lift at an outboard surface thereof facing away from the enclosure for avoiding contact damage with the enclosure. As can be seen in
When driven by rotation of a motor, such as can be located at a bottom end of each vertical lift, rotation of the drive screw 2082 causes drive screw threads to engage corresponding threads within a carrier 2013 located on the drive screw and thereby move up or down base on thread engagement. Carrier 2013 can be attached to a carriage 2012 supported in a vertical sliding arrangement against a pair of vertical rails 2018 defined within each vertical pillar 2031. In addition, the carriage 2012 can be attached to an external carriage slide 2017 via a pair of thin support arms extending through slots formed in the slide cover 2015. The width of the thin support arms is preferably less than 8 mm to avoid pinch hazards. As such, upon movement of carrier 2013 as driven vertically up or down by the drive thread, carriage 2012 correspondingly slides vertically along its pair of rails while its support arms extending outward engage carriage slide 2017 to slide in like manner and direction vertically along the surface of the slide cover 2015. Thin support arms allow for an efficient and aesthetically pleasing cover arrangement while minimizing the potential pinch hazards of a moving surface. Optional brushes, sweeps, or rail guards may further be added to keep debris out of the lift column.
The example arrangement of vertical lift 2096 & 2098 includes various beneficial features for working with and enhancing arrangements of the platform, such as integrated attachment of the vertical lifts with the platform via lift brackets as discussed above. Further, use of an aluminum extrusion lift pillar cooperates with lightweight, high strength features of the platform, such that an aluminum extrusion support system can reduce weight and costs compared with other support structures, such as steel columns. In addition, use of an aluminum extrusion arrangement for the vertical pillars allows for custom shaping of the pillars, such as to form a pair of outer, hollow support columns along each side of the pillars through which cabling may be routing while remaining hidden from the user for example. These columns provide lightweight support based on their hollow construction while forming geometric high strength columns having high cross-sectional area moments of inertia for providing high column strength and bending resistance for the vertical lifts. Further, the use of aluminum extrusions allows rails to be integrally formed along with the vertical pillars for the carriage to slide upon, which reduces the need for additional rail components. In addition, customization options for the rails allows for beneficial arrangements of the rails, such as angled rail orientations as shown in
Referring now to
An additional benefit of the design as shown in
Referring now to
In particular, left front cover 4055 differs via the addition of reinforcing collars 4037 extending through the C-channels 4083 for each attachment hole defined through the cover. Collars 4037 may be pressed, welded, screwed, or otherwise connected to the left front cover 4055. Collars 4037 may offer some additional distinct advantages over designs without the collars. For example collars 4037 may include a collar lip 4037A with a thickness of, for example 0.125″ which allows for easy pressing into the left front cover 4055, Beyond providing a locating point for easy assembly, the collar lip 4037A may also provide a mechanical limit such that when left front cover 4055 is screwed into the top or bottom cover, the left front cover is pull tight against the top and bottom cover to the point when the collar lip 4037A is in compression and in connection with the surface of the top and bottom cover.
In this position, further tightening of the screw does not move the left front cover 4055 closer to the top or bottom cover because of that interference. As such, the gasket 4089 cannot be further compressed beyond that point leaving a minimum gasket thickness equal to approximately the thickness of the collar lip 4037A. As gaskets have a compression limit by design, this can prevent over compression of the gasket 4089 and extend the life of the gasket. An additional benefit of the collar lip 4037A, is that it may have an unpainted raw metal surface 4037B, which may mate with a masked or unpainted surface of the top and bottom cover such that when the left front cover 4055 is installed, these two raw metal surfaces come into contact and form a grounding connection, thus grounding left front cover 4055. The raw metal surface 4037B therefore may help ground the paneling which helps with EMI front electronics enclosed inside, as well as prevent against electrical shock hazards. Finally collar 4037 may prevent dimpling on the outer surface via overtightening of the fasteners that connect the left front cover 4055 to the top and bottom cover. Absent the collar 4037, severe tightening of the fastener can compress the reverse C-channels, 4087, thus drawing the outer surface of left front cover 4055 closer to the top and bottom cover edges in the region of the fastener and cause a localized visual dimple. It is important to note that reverse C-channel 4087 may be added and included for strength, but is optional and the benefits of collar 4037 with collar lip 4037A and raw metal surface 4037B endure even without reverse C-channel, and therefore reverse C-channel may in fact be omitted with inclusion of collars thereby reducing cost, weight, and manufacturing complexity.
Platform with Hybrid Transverse Framework Used with Enclosure & DAP System
Referring now to
In some arrangements, an additional pair of lifts can be included and attached or integrated within the platform either fore or aft of the top opening along with a first pair attached or integrated within the platform fore or aft of the top opening at an opposite side of the top opening. Opposing pairs of flexible tensile restraints 4270 and 4270′ can securely connect between a corresponding connector at a vertically drivable carriage (not shown) attached to each lift and a corresponding connector or set of connectors formed at opposite lateral end regions of a bridge member 4232. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the pair or pairs of vertical lifts can have a connector at a fixed height or a plurality of connectors at different fixed heights, and the flexible restraints can be attached to corresponding fixed height connectors. In yet other arrangements (not shown), one or more flexible restraints can connect opposing lifts without including a bridge member. In an additional arrangement (not shown), the pair of lifts attached or integrated into the platform can be formed as a pair of opposing supports for a handrail, monitor support or other fixed features, and the pair of fixed height lifts can be rigidly connected to each other via a rigid member.
With continued reference to
The bridge member 4232 can include a substantially rigid structure configured for restraining a transverse distance between the lifts along a mid to upper region of the lifts at a predetermined transverse distance or at a predetermined range of transverse distances depending on factors such as enclosure pressure when inflated and relatively small amounts of flexibility for the bridge member 4232 and/or tensile restraints 4170, 4270′. The bridge member can extend across the user in front and in back of the user during use. However, other bridge member arrangements can be used, such as a substantially rigid bridge member arranged to extend transversely across the DAP system only in front of or in back of the user as described above for alternative arrangements.
As indicated in
As shown and described in greater detail along with
Referring now to
Referring now to
As can be seen from the front view of
The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.
Although various embodiments have been described as having particular features and/or combinations of components, other embodiments are possible having a combination of any features and/or components from any of embodiments as discussed above. Aspects have been described in the general context of exercise devices, and more specifically supplemental lifting, unweighting or differential air pressures mechanisms, devices, systems, and methods for exercise devices, but inventive aspects are not necessarily limited to use with exercise devices.
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/351,236 filed on Jun. 18, 2021, entitled “Unweighting Exercise Equipment”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/016,340 filed on Jun. 22, 2018, entitled “Unweighting Exercise Equipment”, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/523,363 filed on Jun. 22, 2017. This application is also related to U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 17/688,890 filed on Mar. 7, 2022, entitled “DAP System Adjustments Via Flexible Restraints and Related Devices, Systems and Methods,” which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent No. 63/159,697 filed Mar. 6, 2021, entitled, “DAP System Adjustments Via Flexible Restraints and Related Devices, Systems and Methods.” This application is further related to U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 17/540,225, filed on Dec. 1, 2021, entitled “Unweighting Enclosure, System and Method for an Exercise Device.” Further, this application is related to the following U.S. nonprovisional patent applications filed on even date herewith as follows: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/964,851 entitled “DAP System Control and Related Devices and Methods-filed on Oct. 12, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,872,433; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/965,517 entitled “Height-Adjustable Seal Frame Structure for DAP Exercise System.” In addition, this application is related to the following U.S. provisional patent applications: U.S. app. No. 63/254,969 filed on Oct. 12, 2021, entitled “DAP System, Platform, Integrated Lifts and Related Devices and Methods”;U.S. app. No. 63/254,972 filed on Oct. 12, 2021, entitled “DAP System, Enclosure, Seal Frame and Related Devices and Methods”; andU.S. app. No. 63/255,001 filed on Oct. 12, 2021, entitled “DAP System, Enclosure, Controls and Related Devices and Methods”. Each of the above applications is hereby specifically incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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