Foldable Child Exercise Frame With 360° Access and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stationary child exercise apparatuses occupy too much floor space and lack accessibility and collapsibility, making them difficult to store or transport.
Innovation Solution
A stationary exercise apparatus with upper and base frame members coupled to hubs, allowing the apparatus to fold for compact storage, featuring a seat and activity table suspended by resilient members for vertical bouncing motion, and providing 360° access and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the apparatus uses a large footprint base to provide stability, then stability is improved, but floor space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members transition from a horizontal footprint to a vertical configuration, moving the stability-providing mass from the floor plane to the vertical dimension. This allows the apparatus to maintain stability through vertical height rather than horizontal spread, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and floor space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members are designed to pivot between extended and folded positions, transforming the apparatus from a static large-footprint structure to a dynamic compact structure. When folded, the frame members occupy minimal floor space while maintaining stability through their vertical orientation and hub-based pivoting mechanism.
2Strength
If the apparatus uses a fixed structure to provide support, then support capability is improved, but collapsibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members incorporate pivot joints at the hubs, enabling them to dynamically transition between extended (providing support) and folded (enabling storage) positions. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing the structure to adapt its configuration based on operational versus storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into multiple movable frame members that pivot independently at the hubs. This segmentation allows each member to fold toward the central axis, enabling compact storage while maintaining structural integrity and support capability when extended.
3Area of stationary object
If the apparatus uses a compact design to reduce floor space, then space efficiency is improved, but accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus achieves compactness in the horizontal dimension by allowing frame members to fold toward the vertical axis. This vertical folding maintains a small footprint while preserving 360-degree accessibility around the seat, as the folded members clear the horizontal space needed for approach from any direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members can dynamically adjust between folded and extended positions, allowing the apparatus to transition between compact storage mode (improving space efficiency) and operational mode (improving accessibility). The pivot joints enable smooth transitions without compromising access to the child.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus occupies less space, allows for easy storage and portability, while maintaining sufficient support and accessibility for children, enhancing muscle and coordination development through vertical bouncing motion.
Implementation Method 1
one or more resilient members that extend between the one or more upper frame members and the seat and activity table. The one or more resilient members have a resiliency that is adapted for suspending the activity table and seat above the support surface and allowing the child to bounce vertically
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a stationary exercise apparatus for providing exercise functionality for small children that includes first and second upper frame members and first and second base frame members that are coupled to first and second stationary hubs, an activity table, a seat, and one or more resilient members that suspend the activity table and seat between the upper frame members. The upper frame members extend upwardly and in a radially outward direction from the stationary hubs, and the base frame members extend downwardly and in a radially outward direction from the stationary hubs to engage a support surface. The one or more resilient members have a resiliency that allows a child within the apparatus to bounce vertically relative to the support surface in response to the child pushing its legs against the support surface.