Parallel Spring Exercise Device for Thigh and Upper Body Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices are either unable to effectively exercise both the upper body and thighs simultaneously or lack stability when used to target thigh muscles, leading to difficulties in maintaining a usable position during exercise.
Innovation Solution
A portable exercise device featuring a pair of elongate members joined in a parallel configuration by a spring portion, with body-engaging elements and handgrips to provide resistance and stability for exercising both the upper body and thighs, allowing for effective engagement and resistance during thigh movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable exercise device is designed to exercise both upper body and thighs, then the device can provide comprehensive workout capability, but the device structure becomes more complex and may compromise stability during thigh exercises
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two distinct functional segments: an upper body exercise portion with handgrips and a thigh exercise portion with body-engaging elements. Each segment can be used independently or together, allowing comprehensive workout capability while maintaining simple, dedicated structures for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member serves multiple functions: it provides resistance for upper body exercises when handgrips are used and provides resistance for thigh exercises when body-engaging elements are used. This multi-functionality allows a single device to exercise both upper body and thighs without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each.
2Device complexity
If a device lacks stabilizing features for holding against the user during thigh exercises, then the device structure remains simple, but the device twists and slides making it difficult to maintain a usable position
Solution Approach 1:
Body-engaging elements are provided that allow the user to secure the device to their body before beginning thigh exercises. These elements pre-position the device against the thighs, preventing twisting and sliding during the exercise motion, thereby maintaining stability without adding complex stabilizing mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a linear member is compressed into a curved formation by adducting the user's legs, then the device can exercise inner thigh muscles, but the device becomes incapable of providing resistance to leg abduction
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is designed to change its resistance characteristics based on the direction of force applied. It can be compressed into a curved formation during adduction while maintaining its ability to resist abduction forces, providing comprehensive thigh exercise coverage without requiring multiple members or complex configurations.
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 device maintains a stable position while exercising the thighs and provides resistance for both adduction and abduction, effectively targeting upper body and thigh muscles, enhancing the overall exercise experience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion (102) joining the first and second elongate members (101) opposite one another in a generally parallel configuration and providing resistance to the movement of the elongate members (101) towards and away from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A portable exercise device for exercising the muscles of the upper body and thighs. The device comprises a pair of elongate members having a body engaging element for receiving the thighs of the user to hold the device in a stable, fixed position, a spring portion that joins the elongate members in a generally parallel configuration, and optionally a pair of handgrips at the ends of the elongate members. Methods of using the device of the invention are also provided.