Ab Roller Canopy Support for Upper Torso Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional abdominal exercise devices, such as the AB ROLLER, inadequately support the upper torso, leading to strain and potential injury due to misalignment of the head, neck, shoulders, and back during exercises, as they only provide support for the neck and part of the head, causing the chin to dip towards the chest during sit-ups and crunches.
Innovation Solution
An exercise device with a pair of roll bars and a head bar configuration that includes a material canopy to support the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back, maintaining alignment and distributing stress evenly across the canopy during abdominal exercises, and allowing for conversion to push-up and dip configurations by adjusting the device's position on the ground surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a neck pad only is used to support the head and neck during abdominal exercises, then the device structure is simple, but the upper torso support is insufficient causing misalignment and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple segments: head bar with neck pad for head/neck support, canopy structure for upper back/shoulder support, and side rails for lateral stability. Each segment addresses a specific body region, providing comprehensive support while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from one-dimensional (single neck pad) to three-dimensional coverage by adding the canopy structure that spans across the upper back and shoulders, creating a volumetric support zone that encompasses the entire upper torso
2Device complexity
If the head and neck are supported separately from the shoulders and back, then the device structure is simple, but the alignment of the upper body is compromised during exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The head bar, canopy, and side rails are merged into an integrated support assembly that simultaneously supports the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back as a unified structure, ensuring proper spinal alignment throughout the upper body during exercise movements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed for abdominal exercises only, then the exercise specialization is high, but the versatility for other exercises is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal support elements (canopy, side rails, head bar) that can accommodate multiple exercise types including abdominal exercises, push-ups, and dips, allowing one device to serve multiple fitness functions without requiring complete redesign
Data Source
AI summary
The exercise device described herein includes a pair of roll bars in spaced parallel relation thereto and having first and second ends, each roll bar having a curved portion configured to contact a ground surface for performing selected exercises. A handle bar is connected to the roll bars' first ends. A head bar is provided, a portion of which contacts the ground surface, and include a pair of spaced connector arms that extend above the ground surface with ends thereof connected to the roll bars' second ends, forming side rails in spaced parallel relation. The side rails are canted from the roll bars to the head bar at an upward angle relative to the ground surface. A singular material canopy is attached to the head bar and side rails for supporting the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back of a user during selected exercises.