Joint Support with Tension Strap and Leaf Spring for Heavy Load Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint supports, such as those for the knee or elbow, fail to provide adequate support during weight training with heavy loads, leading to risks of joint injuries, kneecap slippage, and bone fractures due to insufficient stabilization and support during flexed to extended movements.
Innovation Solution
A joint support with a multi-axially extensible sleeve-shaped base body featuring tension straps that generate a tensile force to return the joint to a non-flexed position and/or a leaf spring element providing a restoring force, which can be combined with tension straps to enhance stability and support during heavy weight exercises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional joint supports with sleeves and straps are used, then basic joint support is provided, but adequate stabilization during heavy loads is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The joint support uses dynamic elements including elastic bands that adapt to joint movement, allowing the support to maintain effectiveness throughout the range of motion while providing consistent stabilization under varying load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The support combines multiple materials with different properties: elastic bands for dynamic adaptation, rigid support elements for structural stability, and textile materials for comfort and flexibility, creating a composite system that addresses both basic support and heavy load requirements
2Reliability
If the joint is completely covered by a rigid support, then maximum stabilization is achieved, but mobility and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates dynamic components that move with the joint, including elastic bands that stretch and relax during flexion and extension, ensuring continuous support without restricting the natural range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The support uses flexible textile materials and thin elastic layers that conform to the joint's shape and movement, providing stabilization through distributed forces rather than rigid constraints, thereby maintaining comfort and mobility
3Reliability
If multiple straps and support elements are added to increase support capacity, then joint stabilization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support integrates multiple functions into unified components: elastic bands serve both as structural elements and stabilizing mechanisms, while support pads combine compression and positioning functions, reducing the total number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are designed to perform multiple functions: the elastic bands provide both structural support and dynamic adaptation, while the adjustable straps serve both positioning and tensioning purposes, maximizing the utility of each component
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 joint support effectively reduces the risk of injury by stabilizing the joint, particularly during squats and bench presses, by promoting a smooth return movement from a flexed to an extended position, thus preventing joint capsule injuries and ligament or tendon ruptures under extreme loads.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element in the form of a leaf spring (5) on the rear side of the joint, which spring element is tensioned in a flexed state of the body part and provides a restoring force (FR) which promotes a return movement of the body part into a non-flexed position
Implementation Method 2
at least one tension strap (4) which runs over the joint and, in a flexed state of the body part, generates a tensile force (FZ) which promotes a return movement of the body part into a non-flexed position
Data Source
AI summary
A joint support (1) for a joint region of a body part, in particular for a knee joint or elbow joint, having a sleeve-shaped base body (2) which can be stretched in multiple axes, characterized in that the joint support (1) has at least one tension strap (4) which runs over the joint and, in a flexed state of the body part, generates a tensile force (FZ) which promotes a return movement of the body part into a non-flexed position and/or in that the joint support (1) has at least one spring element in the form of a leaf spring (5) on the rear side of the joint, which spring element is tensioned in a flexed state of the body part and provides a restoring force (FR) which promotes a return movement of the body part into a non-flexed position.