Elbow and forearm protection device with segmented cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elbow protection devices do not effectively secure an elbow cup to the user's elbow and a crook cup to the crook of the user's arm, along with a palm cup to the edge of the user's palm, providing inadequate protection from impact injuries during baseball games.
Innovation Solution
The device comprises an arm strap wrapped around the user's upper arm, a wrist strap wrapped around the user's wrist, and integrated elbow, crook, and palm cups made of rigid materials, secured with releasable couplers, to provide comprehensive protection for the elbow and palm areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a sleeve with impact plates is used to protect the user's arm, then the device structure is simple, but the protection coverage is insufficient and cannot effectively secure protective cups to the elbow, crook, and palm areas
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into multiple independent functional components: arm strap, wrist strap, elbow cup, crook cup, and palm cup. Each component addresses a specific protection need, allowing the device to provide comprehensive coverage across multiple body areas while maintaining modular simplicity in construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cups (elbow cup, crook cup, palm cup) are nested within or attached to the strap system, with each cup positioned to protect a specific anatomical area. The straps are wrapped around corresponding body parts to secure the nested cups in place, creating a layered protection system.
2Reliability
If multiple protective cups are added to cover elbow, crook, and palm areas, then the protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system serves multiple functions: it anchors the elbow cup to the upper arm, secures the crook cup to the arm crook, and fastens the palm cup to the wrist area. This multi-functional design allows a single strap structure to support multiple protective cups, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple protective functions are merged into a single integrated device where the arm strap and wrist strap work together to secure all three cups (elbow, crook, and palm). The cups are combined into one cohesive protective system rather than separate devices, simplifying the overall structure while providing extensive coverage.
3Reliability
If rigid protective cups are used to protect from impact, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses rigid materials for the protective cups at impact-prone areas (elbow, crook, palm) to provide maximum protection where needed. The straps use softer, more flexible materials to conform to body contours and provide comfort during wear. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both protection effectiveness and user comfort in their respective zones.
Data Source
AI summary
An elbow and forearm protection device includes an arm strap that is wrapped around a user's upper arm when the user is playing the game of baseball. A member is attached to the arm strap and an elbow cup is integrated into the member to protect the user's elbow from impact of a baseball while playing the game of baseball. A wrist strap is attached to the member and a palm cup is attached to the wrist strap to receive the edge of the user's palm when the wrist strap is worn around the user's wrist.