Friction-Spreader Grip Assembly for Resistance Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Resistance bands are difficult to grasp, leading to discomfort and potential injury, especially for the elderly, and suffer from sticking issues that reduce convenience and lifespan, with existing solutions being complex, prone to mechanical failure, and not accommodating micro adjustments or short-pull exercises.

Innovation Solution

A friction-spreader grip assembly comprising a core with anchor interfaces, a keeper strap, and an elastic safety strap that securely wraps the resistance band, allowing for comfortable grip and easy length adjustments, preventing unintended unfurling and providing a safety tether for secure exercise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If resistance bands are used for exercise, then portability and cost are improved, but grip difficulty and safety risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidgrip difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A foam grip cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the user's hand and the resistance band. The cover features a textured surface with increased friction coefficient, providing enhanced grip without requiring mechanical complexity. This mediator solves the grip difficulty while maintaining the simplicity and portability of resistance bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If resistance bands are used for exercise, then portability and cost are improved, but safety risks from snap-back worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsnap-back injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A wrist strap with carabiner attachment is provided as a safety mechanism that prevents the resistance band from snapping back toward the user's face and head. The strap is worn beforehand on the wrist, creating a protective barrier that catches the band if it releases unexpectedly, thereby cushioning against potential injuries while maintaining exercise effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Measurement precision

If traditional gym equipment is used, then resistance control precision is improved, but cost and space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance control precisionVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resistance band system allows dynamic adjustment of resistance levels by changing the band's length and tension through simple user actions rather than complex mechanical mechanisms. Users can adjust resistance by pulling the band to different lengths or selecting different bands, providing precise control without requiring large gym equipment or multiple weight stacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If resistance bands are used, then cost and accessibility are improved, but grip comfort and control worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidgrip comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foam grip cover applies local quality enhancement only to the contact area between the user's hand and the resistance band. The textured foam material provides increased friction and comfort exactly where needed for gripping, while the rest of the resistance band maintains its simple, low-cost construction. This localized improvement enhances grip comfort without significantly increasing overall cost or complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 safe, comfortable, and efficient resistance band exercises by preventing snap-back injuries, reducing sticking issues, and allowing micro adjustments in resistance, facilitating short-pull exercises and improved muscle targeting.

Implementation Method 1

a friction-spreader grip assembly comprising a core with anchor interfaces, a keeper strap, and an elastic safety strap that securely wraps the resistance band

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

an elastic safety strap that securely wraps the resistance band, allowing for comfortable grip and easy length adjustments, preventing unintended unfurling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11344763B1Friction-spreader grip assembly for resistance band exercise

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 KARNES JR JOHN H

AI summary

A grip assembly has a core having a longitudinal axis and anchor interfaces on opposite ends, an exercise band with elastic properties, one end furled around the core, and the other, loose end extending away from the core, and a keeper strap having attachment interfaces at opposite ends compatible with the anchor interfaces of the core, the attachment interfaces engaged to the ancho interfaces of the core, the keeper strap spanning the length of the core, intimately contacting the furled exercise band. The keeper strap constrains the furled exercise band from unfurling.