Exercise Ball Textile Cover for Static, Slip, and Stability Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fitness balls used for training and as sitting members are prone to static polarization, breathability issues, and slipping, making them unsuitable for prolonged use at home or office without risking injury.

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 for stability, and a zip fastener for easy inflation and cleaning, along with a handle for easy transport and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape maintenanceVSAvoidstatic polarization and perspiration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining an inner PVC shell (for shape maintenance and pressurization) with an outer textile cover (for breathability and anti-static properties). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to fulfill its specific function: the PVC provides structural integrity while the textile layer eliminates harmful static effects and improves breathability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the ball different properties: the inner shell is made of rigid PVC for shape maintenance, while the outer cover is made of breathable, anti-static textile material. This localized differentiation allows the ball to simultaneously achieve shape stability and eliminate harmful static effects only where needed (at the surface contact points).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fitness ball is used as a sitting member, then it allows training muscles and maintaining correct posture, but the lower portion slides or rolls with respect to the floor making the user fall with possible risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse as sitting memberVSAvoidstability and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by creating an asymmetric mass distribution within the ball, with a higher density zone positioned at the lower portion. This asymmetric weight distribution creates a stabilizing effect that prevents the ball from rolling or sliding uncontrollably, while still allowing it to be used as a sitting member for exercise and posture training.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If the outer shell material is used, then it maintains shape through pressurized air, but it is not breathable and causes significant perspiration during prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidperspiration and discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a textile cover as the outer layer. This thin film structure is breathable and allows perspiration to escape, while still maintaining the overall shape of the ball through the underlying pressurized PVC shell. The textile cover acts as a flexible barrier that permits vapor transmission while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 prevents slipping and static buildup, ensuring stability and reducing perspiration, thus enabling prolonged use at home or office.

Implementation Method 1

the textile cover (20) is made of a given second material, high breathable and antistatic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntistatic: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

presents a third lower portion (23) preferably made of a given first slip-resistant material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2724756B1Exercise device
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 TECHNOGYM SPA
  • EP2724756B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2724756B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2724756B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Exercise device (1) comprising an exercise ball (10) and a cover (20) 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 it.