Barbell Grip Attachment for Neutral Bench Press
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with shoulder injuries or age-related issues often experience pain during conventional bench press exercises due to external rotation, and specialized bars like the Swiss Bar may not be compatible with standard equipment.
Innovation Solution
A barbell grip system with cantilever and brace arms that attach to a standard barbell shaft, allowing for a neutral grip and providing adjustable angles and compatibility with standard safety and accessory equipment, including a bubble level for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional barbell is used for bench press, then standard equipment compatibility is maintained, but shoulder pain occurs due to external rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (barbell grip attachment with adjustable arms) that mediates between the standard barbell and the user's hand. This attachment includes a vertical arm and horizontal arm that create a neutral grip position, allowing users to perform bench press without direct contact between their hands and the barbell, thereby eliminating shoulder pain while maintaining compatibility with standard equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustability in the barbell grip attachment, where the horizontal arm can be positioned at different angles and the vertical arm can be adjusted in length. This dynamic configuration allows users to optimize the grip angle to achieve a neutral wrist position, adapting the equipment to individual anatomical needs and reducing shoulder stress
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a specialized bar like Swiss Bar is used, then shoulder pain is reduced through neutral grip, but compatibility with standard equipment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the specialized barbell function into separate modular components: a standard barbell shaft that interfaces with existing equipment, and an attachable grip mechanism with vertical and horizontal arms. This segmentation allows the neutral grip functionality to be added to any standard barbell without requiring a completely specialized bar, thereby maintaining equipment compatibility while reducing shoulder pain
Solution Approach 2:
The barbell grip attachment is designed to be universally compatible with standard barbell shafts through a universal attachment mechanism. The same attachment device can be used across different barbells and gym equipment, providing neutral grip functionality universally rather than requiring specialized equipment for each application
3Device complexity
If grip angle is fixed, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different user needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the horizontal arm angle and vertical arm length of the barbell grip attachment. These components can be repositioned and reconfigured to match different user anatomies and exercise requirements, transforming a static device into an adaptive one that accommodates varying grip preferences and shoulder conditions without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A barbell grip for a barbell shaft is disclosed. The grip is removably attachable to the barbell shaft. The grip includes a cantilever grip arm and a brace arm which is normal or oblique to the cantilever grip. A pair of grips may be used when exercising with the barbell, for example, with a modified bench press.