Domed Hand Support Apparatus for Upper Body Exercise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional upper body exercise methods, such as push-ups and use of dumbbells, often lead to muscle strain in the hands, wrists, and forearms due to improper alignment and weight distribution, and require multiple equipment setups, taking up space and being inconvenient to adjust.

Innovation Solution

A domed hand support apparatus with recesses for the palm, thumb, and fingers, optionally with a wrist brace and strap, that allows for natural hand curvature and adjustable weight resistance, enabling full-range movement without straining the hands and wrists, and allowing for interchangeable weighted members for varied resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional push-ups are performed with hands on the floor, then upper body muscles are worked, but the hands, wrists, and forearms experience painful strain and overuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupper body exercise effectivenessVSAvoidmuscle strain in hands and wrists

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (hand support apparatus with domed surface and recesses) between the user's hand and the exercise surface. This mediator redistributes the body weight and exercise forces across multiple contact points (palm recess, finger recesses, thumb recess) rather than concentrating them on the wrist and forearm, thereby eliminating the harmful strain while maintaining exercise effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The domed hand support section with its curved surface and strategically positioned recesses creates a spherical-like contact interface that naturally distributes forces. The curvature allows the hand to rest in a neutral position while the recesses provide precise contact points for the palm, fingers, and thumb, reducing stress concentration on vulnerable wrist and forearm muscles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If push-up handles are used to alleviate wrist strain, then hand comfort is improved, but the user must still maintain wrists in an upright position which places strain on the wrists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand comfort during exerciseVSAvoidwrist strain from maintaining upright position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The domed hand support section allows the wrist to rest in a neutral, natural position rather than forcing it into an upright position. The curved surface with recesses provides support that accommodates the natural anatomy of the hand and wrist, eliminating the need to maintain an strained upright wrist position while still providing hand comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dumbbells or weight plates are used for varied resistance, then exercise versatility is improved, but storage space is consumed and equipment adjustment is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance variation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of equipment pieces required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand support apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that can serve both as a push-up support and as a weighted resistance device. By incorporating interchangeable weighted members that can be attached to the domed hand support section, a single device replaces multiple dumbbells and weight plates, providing resistance variation without requiring separate equipment for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the hand support function with the weight resistance function into a single integrated apparatus. The weighted members are combined with the hand support structure, allowing the user to perform both supported exercises and resistance training with one device, thereby reducing the total number of equipment pieces needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11260264B2Hand support apparatus, system, and method of use for enhancing upper body exercise

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 RICHTER ELLIOTT ALLEN

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and methods of use are disclosed for enhancing upper body exercise. An apparatus includes a domed hand support section, the domed hand support section having a plurality of recesses configured to receive a palm, thumb, and fingers of a user's hand while the user's hand is held in a naturally curved open-position. The apparatus also includes a surface engagement section secured to an underside of the domed hand support section and configured to engage a supporting surface. When the surface engagement section is deployed on the supporting surface and the palm, thumb, and fingers of the user's hand are placed in the plurality recesses on the domed hand support section, the domed face supports the user's hand in the naturally curved open position while the user exerts force against the domed hand support section and that is at least partially directed toward the supporting surface.