Inclined Exercise Wedge Reducing Quadriceps Load

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable exercise equipment fails to safely and effectively target and isolate gluteal, hamstring, and calf muscles while minimizing stress on the knees and back, often causing injuries due to improper form and overworking of quadriceps muscles during squats and lunges.

Innovation Solution

A double inclined platform with built-in resistance that positions the user optimally for squats and lunges, reducing quadriceps engagement and distributing resistance to the posterior muscles, thereby enhancing the concentric and eccentric phases of the exercise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If squats and lunges are performed with free weights or bar bells to add resistance, then muscle development effectiveness is improved, but risk of knee and back injuries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle development effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of knee and back injuries

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge platform serves as an intermediary device between the user and the ground, modifying the exercise mechanics to reduce harmful forces on knees and back while maintaining effective resistance for muscle development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge changes the angular parameters of the exercise by elevating the feet, which alters the biomechanics to reduce stress on vulnerable areas while maintaining or enhancing muscle engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If proper form is maintained during squats and lunges, then safety and effectiveness are improved, but difficulty of execution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and effectivenessVSAvoiddifficulty of execution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge platform pre-positions the feet in the optimal anatomical alignment before the exercise begins, eliminating the need for users to constantly monitor and adjust their form during the movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If squats and lunges are performed to target gluteal and hamstring muscles, then posterior muscle development is improved, but quadriceps overdevelopment occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposterior muscle developmentVSAvoidquadriceps overdevelopment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge creates localized mechanical conditions that favor posterior chain engagement by altering the leverage and force distribution during the exercise movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If portable exercise equipment is designed with built-in resistance, then exercise effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user's body weight serves as the resistance mechanism, eliminating the need for external weights or complex resistance mechanisms while maintaining exercise effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9925410B2Exercise wedge

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 PURE GLUTES LLC

AI summary

A portable exercise device designed to efficiently and safely target and isolate the gluteal, hamstring and calf muscles, which are the posterior muscles of the lower body, while limiting the use and over training of the quadriceps (thigh) anterior muscles of the lower body. The exercise device is an inclined platform with an additional raised support, providing resistance originating from within the platform, which optimizes the eccentric phase of every squat and lunge for maximal strength and hypertrophy of the muscles. The combination of the inclined platform with additional raised support places the user into an optimal position for exercising the posterior muscles of the lower body.