Apparatus and Methods for Pad Assemblies for Exercise Machines

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.

1 . 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.    
   
   
       2 . The pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cross-sectional directions are approximately orthogonal.  
   
   
       3 . The pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the convex and concave shapes has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       4 . The pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second cross-sectional direction is adapted to be approximately orthogonal to a user's shin bone during an exercise.  
   
   
       5 . The pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible layer further includes a second surface substantially opposite from the first surface, the pad assembly further comprising a backing member having a non-planar surface engaged with the second surface of the compressible layer.  
   
   
       6 . The pad assembly of  claim 5  wherein the backing member comprises a contoured support attached to the second surface.  
   
   
       7 . The pad assembly of  claim 5  wherein the non-planar surface comprises a contoured portion that provides a compressed shape of the compressible layer that approximately corresponds with an anticipated shape of the portion of the user's body.  
   
   
       8 . The pad assembly of  claim 5  wherein the non-planar surface of the backing member is shaped to provide an approximately uniform-thickness portion of the compressible layer when a compression force is applied to the first surface during an exercise.  
   
   
       9 . 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.    
   
   
       10 . The pad assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second cross-sectional directions are approximately orthogonal.  
   
   
       11 . The pad assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the convex and concave shapes has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       12 . The pad assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the second cross-sectional direction is adapted to be approximately orthogonal to a user's shin bone during an exercise.  
   
   
       13 . The pad assembly of  claim 9  wherein the backing member comprises a contoured support attached to the second surface.  
   
   
       14 . 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.    
   
   
       15 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second cross-sectional directions are approximately orthogonal.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the convex and concave shapes has a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein the second cross-sectional direction is adapted to be approximately orthogonal to a user's shin bone during an exercise.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise machine of  claim 14 , wherein the backing member comprises a contoured support attached to the second surface.