Cross-Patterned Ergonomic Support Device for Squatting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional back belts fail to provide comprehensive ergonomic support for the hips, legs, and knees during squatting and lifting, leading to potential back and knee injuries due to improper alignment and inadequate muscle engagement.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising interlocking bands that wrap around the waist, knees, and optionally arms, enhancing intra-abdominal pressure and maintaining proper form by preventing knee inward caving and providing additional support through cross-patterned band configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional back belts are used to increase intra-abdominal pressure and restrict range of motion, then back injury risk is reduced, but the device only targets the back while squatting engages hips, leg muscles, and knees, leading to inadequate comprehensive support
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple independent bands (waist band, first lower band, second lower band, first upper band, second upper band) that can be independently configured to support different body parts including waist, hips, knees, arms, and shoulders, providing comprehensive segmented support throughout the body during squatting and lifting movements
Solution Approach 2:
The support device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it increases intra-abdominal pressure through the waist band, supports knees through lower bands to prevent inward caving, supports arms and shoulders through upper bands, and restricts range of motion across multiple joints, making it a universal support system for the entire body during squatting and lifting
2Reliability
If back belts restrict range of motion to maintain proper form, then back injury risk is reduced, but lifters may develop a false sense of security leading them to lift more weight than they would without the back belts
Solution Approach 1:
The support device applies localized pressure and support at specific anatomical points (waist, knees, arms, shoulders) rather than uniform restriction, providing targeted feedback to the lifter about form at each joint while maintaining overall awareness and control of the lifting motion
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive multi-band support devices are implemented to cover waist, legs, and arms, then ergonomic support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bands are designed to be flexible and dynamically adjustable, allowing users to customize the configuration and tightness of each band based on their specific needs and body type, reducing the feeling of complexity while maintaining comprehensive support capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A support device comprises a first band secured to a second band in a cross pattern. A proximal end of the first band and a proximal end of the second band can also be configured to fasten around a waist of a user. Further, a distal end of the first band can be configured to fasten around a first leg of the user, and a distal end of the second band can be configured to fasten around a second leg of the user. The support device may prevent improper and dangerous misalignment of the back, hips and knees while squatting.