Gluteus Exercise Apparatus With Sagittal Hip Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise devices and routines fail to specifically target the gluteus muscles with a wide range of motion, often loading other body structures such as joints and muscles undesirably, and do not provide even loading across the full range of hip motion.

Innovation Solution

An exercise apparatus with an upper body support and foot support structure that allows for a wide range of hip motion, including flexion and extension, combined with a resistance apparatus that applies loading force in the sagittal plane, enabling users to effectively target their gluteus muscles through adjustable positions and resistance levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If squats are performed to work the gluteus muscles, then the gluteus muscles are highly loaded, but the knees are subjected to undesirable stress and the range of motion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload on gluteus musclesVSAvoidstress on knees

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise apparatus separates the hip movement from knee movement by providing support for the knees and ankles, allowing the hips to move independently through a wide range of motion without compromising knee stability or positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus introduces an intermediary support structure (knee and ankle supports) that mediates between the user's body weight and the gluteus muscles, allowing the knees to be supported while the glutes perform the exercise motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If squats are performed to extend hip range of motion, then the gluteus muscles are loaded, but the hips cannot be positioned substantially forwardly in the sagittal plane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of hip motionVSAvoidability to position hips forwardly

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses dynamic support structures that can accommodate various positions of the hips, allowing the user to move the hips forwardly in the sagittal plane while maintaining proper form and support throughout the range of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If exercise devices are used to target gluteus muscles, then muscle loading is achieved, but the loading is not even or adequate across the full range of hip motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading on gluteus musclesVSAvoidevenness of loading across range of motion

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus allows for adjustment of support positions and resistance levels to optimize the loading parameters across the full range of hip motion, ensuring even and adequate loading throughout the exercise range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8172736B2Exercise apparatus and methods of use

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 CONTRERAS BRET

AI summary

The present invention includes an exercise apparatus adapted to exercise a user's gluteus muscles. The exercise apparatus and method of use allow the user to focus on and exercise gluteus muscles with specificity. Embodiments of the exercise apparatus include an upper body support, a foot support, and an exercise space. The exercise space is typically disposed substantially between an upper body support and a foot support, and permits substantial movement of a user's hips in both a forward direction and a rearward direction, substantially in or parallel to a user's sagittal plane. The exercise apparatus is adapted to load a user's gluteus muscles throughout a generally large range of gluteus muscle flexion and extension.