Interlocking Exercise Platform for Upper Body Rehabilitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rehabilitation techniques for upper body injuries, such as push-ups, often fail to engage the correct muscles effectively, leading to inadequate rehabilitation outcomes.

Innovation Solution

An exercise device comprising an interlocking base and platform that attaches securely to a support member, allowing for push-ups at various angles, with complementary cut-outs and a friction surface to enhance grip and simulate different surfaces, and an optional locking pin to prevent separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional push-up techniques are used for rehabilitation, then the exercise can be performed without special equipment, but the correct muscles are not effectively engaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of exercise setupVSAvoidrehabilitation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise device acts as an intermediary between the patient's body and the support member (barbell rod). The base with complementary cutouts and friction surfaces mediates the connection, allowing proper positioning and secure attachment to enable effective muscle engagement during push-ups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a secure attachment to support member is implemented, then the device remains stable during exercise, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a base for attachment to the support member, a platform for hand placement, and an optional locking pin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanical fastening systems, the invention inverts the approach by using friction surfaces and complementary cutouts that naturally grip the support member. The roughened friction surfaces create grip through friction rather than through complex fastening mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If friction surfaces are added to improve grip, then the platform securely attaches to the support member, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface parameter of the cutouts by adding roughened friction surfaces. This parameter change increases the coefficient of friction between the device and support member, improving grip strength without requiring complex manufacturing processes - simply roughening the surfaces through standard manufacturing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the platform surface is roughened to simulate natural surfaces, then patient grip and muscle engagement improve, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient grip comfortVSAvoidsurface finish precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The roughened surface is applied locally only to the outer surface of the platform where patient contact occurs. This local quality change provides the necessary grip and tactile feedback for patients while keeping other surfaces of the device with standard manufacturing finishes, avoiding unnecessary precision requirements across the entire device

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 patients to perform push-ups using the correct muscles, improving rehabilitation outcomes by providing a secure and versatile exercise platform that mimics natural surfaces, thus enhancing muscle engagement and rehabilitation efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

The cutouts may be lined with a friction surface to improve the grip of the platform onto the support member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The outer surface of the platform is roughened to improve the grip of the subject with the platform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10682545B2Front leaning rest platforms and use thereof

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A device configured to assist the performance of upper body exercises by a subject includes a base, the base comprising a cut-out having a shape complementary with a portion of a support member and a platform, couplable to the base, wherein the platform has a cut-out having a shape complementary with a portion of the support member. When the platform is coupled to the base, the cut-out on the platform aligns with the cut-out on the base.