CPC A63B 21/0088 (2013.01) [A63B 21/00181 (2013.01); A63B 21/4009 (2015.10); A63B 22/02 (2013.01); A63B 2208/053 (2013.01); A63B 2225/093 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
1. A differential air pressure (DAP) exercise system having a height-adjustable top opening, the DAP exercise system comprising:
a support platform;
an inflatable enclosure comprising a plurality of panels attached to each other, the inflatable enclosure having a base defining a base opening attached to the support platform, an opposite top portion defining the top opening, a front portion, and an opposite rear portion, the top portion and the top opening extending upward from the base opening in an inflated state to a height comprising a full top opening height and at least one lower reduced top opening height; and
a seal frame attached to the inflatable enclosure top portion proximate the top opening; and
a plurality of adjustable lift restraints vertically limiting the seal frame and thereby the top opening height, each adjustable lift restraint having a first end, a second end, and a restraint length therebetween, each first end attached to one of a side portion of the enclosure or to an upper region of a vertical motorized lift pillar having a pillar base region attached to the platform; and each second end connected to the seal frame;
wherein:
in the inflated state, the plurality of attached panels form a radial-stress oriented inflated pressure vessel from at least a middle height region of the enclosure to the top portion, radial stresses of the inflated pressure vessel forming a plurality of spaced apart lateral fold lines aligned with radial-stress orientations and extending across a radial edge portion of the pressure vessel at at least a low hoop stress region of each of the top portion, the front portion and the rear portion;
the seal frame is attached to the top portion interposed between one or more of the low hoop stress regions;
the plurality of adjustable lift restraints induce folding of the inflated pressure vessel in one or more of the lateral fold lines responsive to restraining the top opening height against upward inflation forces; and
the adjustable lift restraints are adapted to adjust at least one of the following: the top opening height between the full top opening height and the lower reduced top opening height, a forward tilt of the top opening, a rearward tilt of the top opening, a left lean of the top opening, and a right lean of the top opening.
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