Ergonomic Kickboard with Support Members for Shoulder Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kickboards in swimming stress the shoulders due to the requirement of fully extended arms, which can lead to discomfort during prolonged use, and none allow swimmers to maintain a prone position with bent elbows and forearms submerged in water.
Innovation Solution
A kickboard design featuring a primary panel and support members that allow swimmers to rest their elbows and forearms beneath the water surface, reducing shoulder stress by altering the arm position and distributing the force closer to the shoulders, thereby promoting a more ergonomic and comfortable stance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional kickboards are used with fully extended arms, then the kickboard can be easily held and used, but shoulder stress increases and comfort decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The kickboard is segmented into a main body and separate support members positioned at specific locations. These support members create distinct functional zones that allow swimmers to rest their arms in different positions, specifically enabling elbow support beneath the water surface while maintaining board control.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members act as intermediary structures between the swimmer's arms and the main kickboard body. They provide a intermediate support point that allows the arms to be positioned in a bent elbow configuration beneath the water, mediating the force distribution and reducing shoulder stress.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the kickboard design includes support members beneath the primary level, then arm position can be altered to reduce shoulder stress, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are merged with the main kickboard body to form a single integrated structure. This combining of elements reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the functional benefits of reduced shoulder stress through the bent elbow position configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the vertical parameter (height beneath primary level) and horizontal parameter (longitudinal position) of the support members to optimize shoulder stress reduction. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the board achieves ergonomic benefits without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A kickboard has a non-planar shape and comprises a primary panel with opposite support members laterally outside from the primary panel with a transitional section therebetween. The support members are at a rear longitudinal position and additional support shoulders may extend from a forward end of the primary panel along each lateral side to a respective support member. The rearward end defines an opening with a cavity formed between the primary panel, transitional sections, support shoulders and support members. In use, the kickboard provides substantially improved ergonomics and allows a swimmer to support her elbows on the support members with a portion of her forearms on the support shoulders, with arms in a bent position below the surface of the water. The configuration improves comfort while maintaining a favorable hydrodynamic swimming position and reducing shoulder stress.