Exercise Mat With Targeted Supports for Cushioning and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exercise mats lack sufficient cushioning for body parts that bear the most pressure, such as hands, knees, and feet, while being too cumbersome if made thicker, and prioritize transportability and anti-slip surfaces over targeted support.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight exercise mat with strategically positioned supports, which can be removable or integrally formed, providing additional cushioning for specific body parts, and a cover with pockets or protuberances for enhanced non-slip functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pad is made thicker to provide sufficient cushioning for body parts receiving greatest pressure, then the cushioning performance is improved, but the pad becomes too cumbersome to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is divided into a base layer and multiple removable support components that can be detached. The support components concentrate cushioning material only at high-pressure areas (knees, elbows, hands, feet), while the base layer remains thin and portable. This segmentation allows the pad to provide targeted cushioning without increasing overall bulk and maintainability of transportability.
2Reliability
If the pad is made thicker to provide proper support for high-pressure body parts, then the support capability is improved, but the weight and bulk of the pad increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad employs local quality by concentrating dense cushioning material in specific support components located at high-pressure areas (knees, elbows, hands, feet), while the majority of the pad base remains thin and lightweight. This localized approach provides necessary support capability at critical points without increasing the overall weight of the entire pad.
3Ease of operation
If the pad focuses on transportability and anti-slip surfaces, then the ease of transport and grip are improved, but the targeted cushioning for specific body parts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pad incorporates dynamic functionality through removable and reconfigurable support components that can be adjusted or removed based on exercise requirements. The anti-slip surface and pockets are integrated into the thin base layer, while the dynamic support components can be added when targeted cushioning is needed, allowing the pad to adapt between transportability mode and cushioning mode.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise comprising a mat and a plurality of supports strategically positioned for specific body parts. The supports may be integrally formed into the mat or removable. The exercise mat may further comprise a cover. The cover may have pockets or holes to receive the supports. In some embodiments, the cover and/or the top surface of the mat may comprise protuberances to reduce slippage. The bottom of the mat or the cover may be made from non-slip material.