Reciprocal Leg Exercise Assembly with Friction Tread
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a low-cost, reliable, and convenient exercise solution that can provide minimal physical activity to individuals who spend a significant amount of time seated, particularly to facilitate leg exercise without requiring outdoor exposure or access to expensive gym facilities.
Innovation Solution
A leg exercise assembly with a base, electrically powered drive motor, and support members that move in a reciprocal manner, allowing users to engage their feet and legs in a seated position, featuring a tread surface for frictional engagement and compressibility, and adaptable for use in various orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If outdoor exercise routines are used, then physical exercise is provided, but exposure to uncomfortable weather conditions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the exercise assembly with support members) that mediates between the user and the outdoor environment. This allows exercise to be performed indoors under comfortable conditions while still achieving the exercise objective, eliminating direct exposure to harmful weather factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system of outdoor walking/jogging with an indoor mechanical exercise system consisting of support members that move in reciprocal motion. This substitution allows the same exercise benefits to be achieved without leaving the controlled indoor environment.
2Ease of operation
If commercial gym facilities are used, then exercise under favorable conditions is provided, but cost and logistics disadvantages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the exercise function from the complex gym facility environment. By providing a standalone, simplified exercise assembly that can be placed in various locations (home, office), it eliminates the need for users to travel to and pay for commercial gym facilities while still providing the exercise benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise assembly is designed to be universally applicable in multiple settings (home, office, various orientations) and can be used by multiple users. This multi-functionality replaces the need for specialized commercial gym facilities, making exercise accessible without the associated cost and logistics barriers.
3Productivity
If simple exercise routines are practiced, then physical activity is achieved, but consistent adherence is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise assembly is designed to be self-contained and easy to use, requiring minimal setup or maintenance. The support members automatically move in reciprocal motion when activated, providing consistent exercise without requiring user motivation or external supervision, thereby improving adherence reliability.
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 assembly effectively urges users to move their feet and legs in a reciprocal motion, providing a minimal yet effective exercise solution for sedentary individuals, adaptable for use in both work and domestic environments, and easily portable.
Implementation Method 1
The exposed surface or tread of each of the support members may be structured to provide at least a minimal frictional engagement with the undersurface of a corresponding foot or associated footwear of the user
Implementation Method 2
the exposed surface of each support member may be structured to include at least a minimal degree of compressibility
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is structured to facilitate exercise of at least the legs of a user especially, but not exclusively, when the user is in an at least partially seated orientation. A plurality of support members are disposed and structured to movably and at least partially support a different foot of the user. Drive linkage is driven by a drive member and interconnected drive motor and is interconnected in driving relation to one or both of the support members by connector structure associated therewith. Cooperative structuring between drive member, drive linkage and connector structure results in linear, oppositely directed, reciprocal travel of the support members relative to one another, while engaging and supporting the feet of the user, upon actuation of the drive motor.