Flexible Kickboard Floatation Structure for Torso Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kickboards are difficult for beginners to hold under their torso due to high buoyancy and rigidity, making it challenging to maintain the board in place and preventing users from submerging their face without snorkel or oxygen tank.
Innovation Solution
A modified kickboard with a flexible body structure, a centrally located open area, and a design that allows users to hold it at an angle, featuring a distal portion with handles and a proximal portion with elongated members and a cross member for improved support and buoyancy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a kickboard is constructed as a solid, substantially rigid block with high buoyancy, then it provides strong support under the user's torso, but it becomes difficult for users to hold and maintain in place under their torso
Solution Approach 1:
The kickboard is divided into multiple structural segments including a proximal portion with longitudinal members and a distal portion with transverse members, creating a framework structure rather than a solid block. This segmentation reduces overall rigidity while maintaining localized buoyancy support, making it easier for users to hold and position under their torso.
Solution Approach 2:
The kickboard employs a flexible framework structure with open areas rather than a solid rigid block. The framework design allows the board to flex and adapt to user positioning, reducing the difficulty of holding it in place while still providing adequate buoyancy support through the distributed structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a kickboard has a solid block construction, then it maintains structural integrity, but it prevents users from submerging their face without additional breathing apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The kickboard structure is segmented to include open areas and apertures that allow water penetration and user face submersion. The framework design with separated longitudinal and transverse members creates passages through which users can submerge their faces without requiring snorkels or other breathing apparatus, while the overall framework maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The kickboard employs a framework structure with open areas that functions similarly to porous material, allowing water and air to pass through. This enables users to submerge their faces while the board remains in place, providing versatility for different swimming positions and breathing needs.
3Ease of operation
If a kickboard uses a flexible body structure, then it allows users to bend the upper area to match back curvature, but it may reduce the overall support stability
Solution Approach 1:
The kickboard is segmented into a framework with longitudinal members, transverse members, and cross members that can flex relative to each other. This segmented structure provides flexibility for users to bend the upper area to match their back curvature while maintaining overall support stability through the distributed framework design.
Solution Approach 2:
The kickboard employs a dynamic framework structure that can adapt its shape and flexibility based on user positioning needs. The connected members allow controlled flexing and movement, enabling the board to conform to user back curvature while maintaining sufficient stability through the interconnected framework.
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
Enables users to easily maintain the board under their torso, facilitate face submersion without additional breathing apparatus, and enhance leg kicking form and strength development.
Implementation Method 1
the proximal portion is configured to supply buoyancy under the torso of a user grasping the distal portion
Data Source
AI summary
A modified kickboard floatation device having a body which includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion includes a pair of mirror image handles which are each positioned adjacent to an edge of the body and distal aperture which passes through the body. The proximal portion includes a pair of elongated longitudinal members which each extend from the distal portion in parallel with one another and are intersected by an elongated cross member. In this regard, the cross member extends both between the longitudinal members and outwardly beyond them so as to extend out from both sides of the body.