Angled Exercise Wrist Aid Reduces Strain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Exercises that involve placing weight on the palms, such as push-ups, planks, and dips, can cause strain and pain on the wrists due to the angle between the forearm and hand, limiting repetition and potentially leading to long-term health issues, especially for individuals with pre-existing wrist injuries.

Innovation Solution

A hand surface with a wide, angled, and slightly convex design that accommodates the entire palm, integrated with a stable base for support, allowing for a secure grip and adjustable mounting options for varied exercises, including hanging and pulling motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user places their weight on their palms with hands parallel to the floor and forearms perpendicular to the floor during push-ups, planks, and dips, then the exercise can be performed, but wrist pain and excessive strain occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform push-ups, planks, and dipsVSAvoidwrist pain and strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (wrist support apparatus) between the user's wrist and the floor. This apparatus includes a support surface that contacts the dorsal side of the wrist and extends forward to support the palm, thereby mediating the load transfer and reducing direct wrist impingement while allowing the exercise to continue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus changes the wrist angle parameter by providing support that alters the relationship between the forearm and hand. The support surface is positioned to change the wrist angle from the impinged position (forearm perpendicular to floor, hand parallel to floor) to a more neutral position, reducing strain while maintaining exercise effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the hand surface is designed to accommodate the entire palm width and angle downward ergonomically, then wrist impingement is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrist impingementVSAvoidhand surface design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand surface is designed with a convex curvature that matches the natural contour of the palm. This curved surface accommodates the entire palm width and provides ergonomic contact points, reducing wrist impingement while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus applies local quality by providing targeted support at specific locations on the wrist and hand. The hand surface is specifically shaped to contact the palm and fingers at optimal points, providing ergonomic support only where needed rather than requiring complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the base is designed to keep hands slightly above the floor and provide stability, then wrist strain is reduced, but the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrist strainVSAvoidbase structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed to position the hand surface at an optimal height that keeps hands slightly above the floor during exercise. This creates an equipotential position where the wrist is supported at a height that naturally reduces strain without requiring active adjustment during the exercise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the user adjust their hand position to the floor, the base is designed to actively support the hands at the correct height. The support structure is inverted in function - rather than the user conforming to the floor surface, the device conforms to the user's ergonomic needs by elevating and stabilizing the hands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the device is mounted to wall or ceiling for hanging exercises, then exercise versatility is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise rangeVSAvoidmounting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base incorporates mounting features that enable the device to be installed in multiple locations (floor, wall, ceiling) and used for various exercises including push-ups, planks, dips, and hanging exercises. This universal mounting capability allows one device to serve multiple functions and exercise types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11077335B2Exercise wrist aid

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 MCRANN AARON WAYNE

AI summary

An exercise device characterized by a wide hand surface (1) positioned at a downward angle with a design that allows the user to grip the underside (3) for greater stability and to position the hands in any direction necessary to perform exercises with reduced strain on the wrists and palms. The large surface area of the hand surface comfortably fits an adult palm to eliminate painful pressure points in the palm. The downward angle of the hand surface decreases the angle between the back of the hand and the forearm found in a traditional push-up position to eliminate strain associated with exercises like push-ups, planks, mountain climbers and even chest dips. The ability to grip the underside of the hand surface provides additional stability during exercise.