Squat Device with Spinal Support Cradle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals, especially the elderly, face challenges in maintaining spinal and lower extremity fitness due to reduced squatting motion and strength, leading to compromised mobility and increased susceptibility to injuries, as traditional squat exercises often require compressive loads on the spine and do not adequately address biomechanical and physiological demands of the lower leg, knee, hip, and spine regions.

Innovation Solution

A device providing a stable lower extremity base with adjustable stabilization bars and support braces for single or double leg squats, allowing for exercises without compressive loads on the spine, enabling improved balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, and endurance development of the lower leg, knee, upper leg, hip, pelvis, and spine regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional squat exercises are performed, then lower body strength is improved, but compressive loads are applied to the spine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelower body strengthVSAvoidcompressive loads on spine

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful compressive load element from the squat exercise by using a support cradle that holds the lower back, thereby eliminating spinal compression while preserving the beneficial lower body strengthening effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support cradle acts as an intermediary device between the user's spine and the ground, providing spinal support and eliminating compressive forces while allowing the squat motion to proceed for lower body muscle engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If squatting motion is reduced due to aging or injury, then spinal and lower extremity fitness deteriorates, but mobility and coordination are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal and lower extremity fitnessVSAvoidmobility and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the squat exercise into supported and unsupported portions, providing spinal support during the movement to enable individuals with mobility or coordination limitations to perform squats safely and effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the squat exercise by introducing spinal support, thereby modifying the exercise to be accessible to individuals with reduced mobility or coordination while still achieving fitness benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If compressive loads are applied to the spine during squat exercises, then lower body muscle engagement is enhanced, but injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelower body muscle engagementVSAvoidinjury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful compressive load into a beneficial supported exercise by using the support cradle to eliminate spinal compression while maintaining or enhancing lower body muscle engagement through proper exercise form and guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11602666B2Squat and spinal fitness and rehabilitation device

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 DUENAS RICHARD

AI summary

Embodiments of an exercise device for squat training are disclosed. The exercise device disclosed herein provides users with a stable lower extremity base to help assure good motor function of the squat exercise to improve efficient flexibility, coordination, strength, and endurance development.