Exercise Platform With Intersecting Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic band exercises can cause trauma or discomfort to the feet due to significant tension, leading to premature cessation of workouts, and existing platforms do not effectively reduce friction or extend the life of the bands.
Innovation Solution
An exercise platform with intersecting channels that capture and guide the elastic band, reducing friction and wear, and allowing for multiple platforms to be stacked or attached for increased surface area and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the elastic band is used to provide resistance during exercise, then the exercise effectiveness is improved, but the feet experience trauma or discomfort due to significant tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the platform with channels) between the elastic band and the user's feet. The elastic band passes through the channels rather than directly contacting the feet, allowing the band to provide resistance while the platform structure distributes and manages the forces, preventing direct trauma to the soft tissue of the feet
2Device complexity
If the elastic band is fixed directly to the platform surface, then the anchoring is simple, but the friction causes wear and reduces the life of the exercise band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs channel structures that guide the elastic band through defined paths. The channels are designed to reduce friction between the band and the platform surface, allowing the band to move smoothly while maintaining secure anchoring. This reduces wear on the band and extends its operational life while keeping the anchoring mechanism relatively simple
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 platform reduces foot discomfort and extends the life of the elastic band by minimizing friction and wear, while allowing for varied exercises and increased resistance.
Implementation Method 1
reduces the coefficient of friction between the exercise band and the platform itself
Implementation Method 2
the elastic bands are stretched, thereby imparting resistive tension to the body part that is being exercised
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise platform for use with a resilient exercise band includes a body formed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The exercise platform includes a pair of intersecting channels one side and a support surface on another side upon which a user stands. When the platform is in use, the channels are spaced away from a floor surface, and are dimensioned to allow a portion of the exercise band to be retained therein, as the user performs an exercise movement employing the exercise band while he or she stands on the platform.