Textile-Covered Exercise Ball for Breathable Anti-Slip Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fitness balls used for training dorsal, lumbar, and abdominal muscles are prone to static polarization, breathability issues, and slipping, making them unsuitable for prolonged use as a sitting member at home or office, posing safety and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A cover for an exercise device made of high-resistant plastic with a textile cover that is breathable, antistatic, and slip-resistant, featuring an asymmetrical mass distribution to prevent sliding and a zip fastener for easy inflation and cleaning, along with a handle for easy transport and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fitness ball made of artificial elastic material (PVC) is used, then it maintains its shape through pressurized air and provides unstable support for muscle training, but it polarizes easily through friction, captures dust and dirt through electrostatic attraction, and is not breathable causing significant perspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an inner PVC pressurized ball with an outer textile cover. The textile cover is specifically chosen to be antistatic and breathable, resolving the harmful effects of the PVC material while maintaining the shape-maintenance function of the pressurized air system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the exercise device have different properties. The inner ball maintains elasticity and pressurization, while the outer textile cover provides breathability and antistatic properties. This allows each layer to address specific problems without compromising the overall function.
2Reliability
If a fitness ball made of artificial elastic material (PVC) is used, then it maintains its shape through pressurized air and provides unstable support for muscle training, but it is not breathable causing significant perspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an inner PVC pressurized ball with an outer textile cover. The textile cover is specifically chosen to be breathable, allowing heat and moisture to escape, thus resolving the non-breathable nature of PVC while maintaining the shape-maintenance function of the pressurized air system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the exercise device have different properties. The inner ball maintains elasticity and pressurization, while the outer textile cover provides breathability and moisture-wicking properties. This allows each layer to address specific problems without compromising the overall function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fitness ball is used as a sitting member, then it allows training of dorsal, lumbar and abdominal muscles during daily activities, but the lower portion slides or rolls on the floor causing user fall and injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an inner PVC pressurized ball with an outer textile cover. The textile cover provides friction and grip, preventing the exercise device from sliding or rolling on the floor, thus resolving the safety issue while maintaining the versatility of using it as a sitting member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the exercise device have different properties. The inner ball provides the unstable support for muscle training, while the outer textile cover provides slip resistance and stability. This allows each layer to address specific problems without compromising the overall function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a fitness ball is used as a sitting member for prolonged time, then it allows training of muscles during work, but the artificial material causes significant perspiration and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an inner PVC pressurized ball with an outer textile cover. The textile cover is specifically chosen to be breathable and moisture-wicking, allowing prolonged use without significant perspiration and discomfort, thus resolving the comfort issue while maintaining the versatility of using it as a sitting member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the exercise device have different properties. The inner ball provides the unstable support for muscle training, while the outer textile cover provides breathability and comfort for prolonged use. This allows each layer to address specific problems without compromising the overall function.
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 solution provides a safe, comfortable, and hygienic exercise device that can be used as a sitting member for extended periods, preventing slipping and static buildup while maintaining muscle training effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the artificial material of the outer shell of the fitness ball tends to be polarised very easily, for instance through friction with the user's clothes or with a carpet, and therefore to capture and holds dust and dirt through electrostatic attraction
Implementation Method 2
this material is not breathable and causes significant perspiration of the body portion resting on it
Implementation Method 3
the lower portion of the fitness ball slides or rolls with respect to the floor
Data Source
AI summary
Exercise device (1) comprising an exercise ball (10) and a cover (20) for housing and completely surrounding this ball (10); the cover being designed to couple, in use, in a substantially form-fitting manner to the outer surface of the shell (11) of the exercise ball (10) and being provided with a respective closing device (25) that can be selectively opened to allow the exercise ball (10) to be inserted into and extracted from the cover.