Adjustable Squat Machine Knee and Foot Braces for Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional squat machines lack adjustable features to ensure proper alignment and stability of users during exercises, leading to potential joint stress and improper form, which can result in injury and inefficient muscle engagement.

Innovation Solution

The squat machine design includes adjustable components such as a telescoping seat post, adjustable foot and knee braces, and resistance attachment mechanisms to maintain a 90-degree or greater angle between the user's shins and the platform, along with restraints to prevent foot movement, allowing for customizable fit and resistance to promote proper form and muscle engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional squat machines use fixed non-adjustable components, then the device structure is simple, but users cannot maintain proper alignment and form during exercise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper alignment and formVSAvoidadjustable components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the seat post telescopic and adjustable in height, allowing the seat position to be dynamically changed according to user needs. The knee brace position is also adjustable to accommodate different user anatomies. This dynamic adjustability enables proper alignment and form maintenance while managing complexity through focused adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the squat machine lacks foot restraints, then the device structure is simpler, but users experience foot movement leading to improper form and potential injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot stabilityVSAvoidfoot restraint mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing foot restraints specifically at the foot-brace interface where stability is needed, rather than making the entire device complex. The restraints are localized to prevent foot movement during exercise while leaving other parts of the machine simpler in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the squat machine uses fixed resistance attachment mechanisms, then the device is easier to manufacture, but users cannot target specific muscle groups effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle targeting capabilityVSAvoidadjustable resistance mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing resistance attachment mechanisms that can be positioned at multiple locations along the frame. This allows a single device to serve multiple functions - targeting different muscle groups by changing attachment points - without requiring multiple separate machines, thus balancing versatility with manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11673020B1Squat machine

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 EXPLOSIVE ENTITIES LLC

AI summary

Implementations of squat machines may include a seat coupled to a platform, a first foot brace directly coupled to the platform, a second foot brace directly coupled to the platform, a knee brace post coupled to and extending perpendicularly away from a first surface of the platform, a knee brace arm directly coupled to the knee brace post and extending perpendicularly away from a longest length of the knee brace post, and a knee brace directly coupled to the knee brace arm. The knee brace may be configured to contact the front of either a user's knees or shins while performing a squat exercise. The seat may be configured to temporarily contact a buttocks of a user while performing the squat exercise.