Compact Leg Exercise Apparatus with Resilient Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leg exercise apparatuses for hamstrings are often bulky, require supervision, and are not suitable for home use due to size and safety concerns, making them costly and impractical for individual use in smaller environments.
Innovation Solution
A compact, free-standing leg exercise apparatus with a frame member featuring expandable foot receiving portions and leg engagement portions that allow for safe, unsupervised use, incorporating resilient materials and adjustable design for user comfort and stability, enabling pivoting for effective hamstring exercises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gym-based leg exercise apparatus are used, then exercise effectiveness is improved, but device size and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a foot receiving portion, a leg engagement portion, and a resilient member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining compact overall dimensions, resolving the contradiction between exercise effectiveness and apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg engagement portion is positioned within or adjacent to the foot receiving portion, with the resilient member integrated between them. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, allowing the apparatus to provide effective hamstring exercise while occupying minimal storage space when not in use.
2Reliability
If traditional leg exercise apparatus are used, then exercise effectiveness is improved, but safety and supervision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member automatically engages and disengages from the leg engagement portion based on the user's leg position and movement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for supervision or manual adjustment, providing safe automated operation that reduces harmful factors while maintaining exercise effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as a pre-positioned cushioning element that safely absorbs and distributes forces during the exercise. This beforehand cushioning prevents sudden impacts or injuries, addressing safety concerns while preserving the effectiveness of the hamstring exercise.
3Reliability
If traditional gym-based apparatus are used, then exercise effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Only the critical load-bearing portions of the apparatus (foot receiving portion, leg engagement portion, and resilient member) are constructed with high strength materials. Non-critical components use simpler, less expensive materials, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining exercise effectiveness in the key exercise areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus uses a resilient member with optimized material properties and geometric parameters to achieve effective exercise functionality. By carefully selecting material parameters and structural dimensions, the design achieves cost-effective manufacturing without compromising the exercise effectiveness of the hamstring workout.
Data Source
AI summary
A leg exercise apparatus, the leg exercise apparatus comprising a frame member, the frame member including: at least one foot receiving portion; and at least one leg engagement portion wherein the at least one leg engagement portion is spaced from the at least one foot receiving portion such that, in use, when a user's foot is located on the at least one foot receiving portion, the at least one leg engagement portion may contact a portion of the user's leg. Also disclosed is a method of using the leg exercise apparatus.