Elliptical Acrobatic Trainer with Resilient Arcuate Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acrobatic training devices for teaching back handsprings lack adequate support, proper positioning, and stability, often causing coaches to suffer from chronic orthopedic damage due to manual spotting, and fail to provide a realistic and safe environment for athletes to practice this skill.
Innovation Solution
A portable acrobatic trainer in the shape of an ellipse with a resilient arcuate surface and flat base that remains stationary until activated by an athlete's momentum, providing smooth rotational support and automatically returning to the starting position, ensuring proper body positioning and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual spotting is used to support athletes during back handspring practice, then athletes receive direct physical support and guidance, but coaches suffer from chronic orthopedic damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spotting device as an intermediary between the coach and athlete. The device includes a support structure with arms that can be positioned to contact and support the athlete's body during the back handspring motion, eliminating the need for direct manual spotting by the coach and thereby preventing coach injury while still providing necessary athletic support
2Reliability
If belts with aerial suspension systems are used to support athletes, then catastrophic crash landings are prevented, but full back support is deprived and usage is restricted to fixed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The spotting device is divided into multiple segmented arms that can independently position and support different parts of the athlete's body. This segmentation allows the device to provide targeted support during specific phases of the back handspring while maintaining athlete freedom of movement and enabling use in various locations rather than fixed areas
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic arms that can move and adjust their position during the athlete's motion, rather than being static. This allows the support structure to adapt to the athlete's changing position throughout the back handspring sequence, providing continuous support while maintaining movement freedom
3Object-affected harmful factors
If regular polygonal spheres are used for training, then weight load on spotters is reduced, but proper body positioning and support during stretched flight stage are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The spotting device serves as an intermediary support structure that assumes the weight load normally borne by spotters. The device's support arms are designed to contact and support the athlete's body at appropriate points during the back handspring, eliminating spotter burden while simultaneously providing the necessary body positioning guidance that spheres cannot offer
4Productivity
If Handspring Machines are used for training, then athletes can practice back handsprings, but full back support is not provided and uncontrolled rotation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spotting device employs dynamically adjustable support arms that can adapt their position and orientation during the athlete's motion. This dynamic capability allows the device to provide stable, controlled support throughout the back handspring sequence, preventing uncontrolled rotation while maintaining training capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates feedback mechanisms through its support structure that respond to the athlete's position and motion. The support arms are designed to provide corrective forces and guidance during the back handspring, ensuring proper form and preventing uncontrolled rotation through real-time mechanical feedback
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 trainer apparatus effectively supports athletes in achieving correct body mechanics and kinesthetic development for back handsprings, reducing the risk of injury for coaches and providing a portable, self-limiting rotational motion for safe practice.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient arcuate upper surface contiguously joined with flat horizontal base
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a portable acrobatic training apparatus (I) with which to support and instruct athletes learning back handsprings having opposing flat vertical ends (16), a resilient arcuate uppermost surface (10), a flat horizontal base 12), and a convex near surface (14). Said trainer apparatus is of approximate elliptical shape, rests on its base until intentionally activated by user, is self-limiting rotationally and returns to start position automatically following each usage.