Elastomeric Support Garment with Inward-Biasing Upper Arm Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support garments for resistance training, such as weightlifting, provide limited shoulder support and are difficult to put on and take off, often riding up against the neck during exercises, and do not offer sufficient protection against shoulder stress during heavy lifting events like bench pressing.
Innovation Solution
A support garment made of elastomeric material with folded segments and upper arm sleeves that provide inward bias, allowing for easy donning and doffing, and preventing the garment from riding up, while offering enhanced shoulder and arm support during resistance training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tight-fitting shirt garment made of heavy elastic material is used to reduce shoulder stress during bench pressing, then shoulder support is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because it is very difficult to remove and put on
Solution Approach 1:
The support garment is divided into separate components: a shirt portion and a belt portion that can be independently worn and removed. This segmentation allows the user to put on or remove the belt without needing to remove the entire garment, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining shoulder support through the shirt portion
Solution Approach 2:
The belt portion is extracted as a separate functional element from the shirt garment. This extracted belt can be independently adjusted and removed around the waist area, allowing users to easily modify or remove the support mechanism without affecting the shirt portion that provides shoulder support
2Reliability
If a tight-fitting shirt garment is used to reduce shoulder stress, then shoulder support is improved, but the garment rides up against the neck during exercises
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the support function into distinct shirt and belt portions, the shirt can be designed to stay in place on the upper body while the belt independently provides lower body support. This prevents the garment from riding up against the neck as the belt portion remains anchored at the waist
Solution Approach 2:
The belt portion acts as an intermediary element that provides additional support and stability to the overall system. By anchoring the garment at the waist through the belt, it prevents the shirt portion from shifting or riding up during exercise movements
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing support garments are used during resistance training, then some shoulder stress reduction is achieved, but sufficient protection against shoulder stress is not provided during heavy lifting events
Solution Approach 1:
The support system merges the shirt portion and belt portion into a coordinated ensemble where both components work together to provide comprehensive support. The shirt provides upper body and shoulder support while the belt provides core and lower body support, creating a unified system that delivers sufficient protection during heavy lifting events
4Reliability
If a support garment is worn during resistance training, then shoulder stress is reduced, but the garment must be worn outside of any other clothing which negates use during competition
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows the shirt portion to be worn as a standalone garment during competition, while the belt portion can be added or removed as needed. This makes the garment adaptable to different settings - the shirt alone is suitable for competition wear, while the full system provides enhanced support for training
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The garment provides unmatched support to the shoulders and arms, reducing stress and injury risk during weightlifting events, allowing for comfortable and effective use during both training and competition without the need for additional assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The support garment includes a band of elastomeric material... The upper arm sleeves are biased inwardly by the attached segments
Data Source
AI summary
A support garment for use during resistance training. The support garment includes a band of elastomeric material having a front perimeter and a rear perimeter. The front perimeter and rear perimeter are folded together at two points, each point forming a segment. The segments are then affixed to each other at a midpoint. In addition, openings are formed on both sides of the segments with upper arm sleeves encompassing the openings. Each upper arm sleeve is configured for wear on an upper arm of a user above an elbow of the user. The upper arm sleeves are biased inwardly by the attached segments. The user positions one arm in each upper arm sleeve and positions the attached segments across a chest of the user during resistance training.