Leg-Strengthening Apparatus With Offset-Pivot Hamstring Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise machines for hamstring curl exercises are not user-friendly and require excessive weight adjustments, posing a risk of injury due to incorrect loading and lack of intuitive support for users without trainer assistance.
Innovation Solution
A novel linkage assembly in an exercise apparatus with offset pivot axes and adjustable supports to reduce weight requirements, provide intuitive positioning, and prevent over-rotation, featuring a driver arm, loaded arm, and connecting arm configuration that balances resistance and assistance forces during the exercise motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional exercise machines use direct weight loading mechanisms, then sufficient resistance can be provided for hamstring curls, but the machines require excessive weight adjustments and pose injury risks due to incorrect loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a linkage assembly with driver arm, loaded arm, and connecting arm as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the weight plates. This mechanical intermediary automatically translates user motion into controlled weight loading, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust weights while providing appropriate resistance forces throughout the exercise range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage assembly changes the mechanical parameters of force application by using offset pivot axes and arm length ratios to transform the user's input force into optimized resistance forces. The system dynamically adjusts the effective loading parameters through its mechanical geometry rather than requiring manual weight changes
2Device complexity
If conventional exercise machines use fixed pivot axis configurations, then structural simplicity is maintained, but users without trainer assistance cannot intuitively position themselves correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly is pre-configured with specific pivot axis offsets and arm length ratios that automatically guide the user into correct positioning. The mechanical geometry itself performs the preliminary action of alignment, making intuitive positioning possible without requiring user knowledge or trainer assistance
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting arm acts as a mechanical intermediary that physically guides and constrains the relative motion between the driver arm and loaded arm, thereby guiding the user's body position. This intermediary mechanism translates simple user input into properly aligned exercise motion
3Force
If heavy weight plates are used to provide sufficient resistance, then adequate exercise intensity is achieved, but the need for heavy weight plates increases and injury risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly uses mechanical advantage ratios determined by arm lengths and pivot positions to transform moderate weight plate loads into optimized resistance forces applied to the user. This parameter transformation allows adequate exercise intensity to be achieved with lighter, safer weights rather than heavy plates
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves as a protective intermediary that mediates between the weight plates and the user, distributing and controlling the force application. This mechanical intermediary reduces injury risk by preventing direct, uncontrolled heavy loading while maintaining adequate exercise resistance
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 reduces the need for heavy weight plates, ensures proper user positioning, and minimizes injury risk by providing balanced resistance and assistance forces, enhancing exercise efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A linkage assembly is configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion... The linkage assembly comprises a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and configured to support the chest of the user, a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm, the loaded arm providing or supporting a load, and a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus for leg strengthening has a frame, a knee support for supporting a knee of a user relative to the frame, a leg brace for bracing a lower leg of the user relative to the frame, and a linkage assembly facilitating performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion wherein a chest of the user is lowered and then raised relative to the frame. The linkage assembly has a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and supporting the chest of the user, a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm and providing or supporting a load, and a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load.