Apparatus and Methods for Pad Assemblies for Exercise Machines
AssigneeVectra Fitness, Inc.
InventorA. Ish
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for pad assemblies for exercise machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pad assembly includes a compressible layer having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body, the first surface having a convex shape in a first cross-sectional direction of the compressible layer, and having a concave shape in a second cross-sectional direction of the compressible layer. The first and second cross-sectional directions may be approximately orthogonal. Similarly, at least one of the convex and concave shapes may have a constant radius of curvature.
Claims18
A pad assembly for an exercise machine, comprising:
- a compressible layer having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body, the first surface having a convex shape in a first cross-sectional direction of the compressible layer, and having a concave shape in a second cross-sectional direction of the compressible layer.
A pad assembly for an exercise machine, comprising:
- a layer of compressible padding having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body and a second surface opposite from the first surface, the first surface having a convex shape in a first cross-sectional direction of the layer, and having a concave shape in a second cross-sectional direction of the layer;
- and
- a backing structure attached to the layer of compressible padding and having a backing surface proximate the second surface, the backing surface being shaped to provide an approximately uniform-thickness portion of the layer of compressible padding when a compression force is applied to the first surface.
An exercise machine, comprising:
- a support frame having a fixed portion and a moveable portion moveably coupled to the fixed portion;
- a load operatively coupled to the moveable portion;
- at least one pad assembly attached to the support frame, the pad assembly comprising:
- a layer of compressible padding having a first surface adapted to engage a portion of a user's body and a second surface opposite from the first surface, the first surface having a convex shape in a first cross-sectional direction of the layer, and having a concave shape in a second cross-sectional direction of the layer;
- and
- a backing structure attached to the layer of compressible padding and having a backing surface proximate the second surface, the backing surface being shaped to provide an approximately uniform-thickness portion of the layer of compressible padding when a compression force is applied to the first surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.