Knee Pad with Segmented Contact Surfaces for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional knee pads are unstable and prone to slipping due to a single contact surface, leading to discomfort and potential injuries, especially when users are in a kneeling position and moving their upper body, and they become worn out quickly, resulting in wasteful replacement.

Innovation Solution

A knee pad device with a plurality of co-planarly aligned contact surfaces that distribute weight over a larger footprint, incorporating stabilizing projections and elastic straps for secure engagement, along with removable components for easy replacement, and shock absorbency and slip-resistant materials for improved stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional knee pads use a single contact surface, then the device structure is simple, but the device becomes unstable and prone to slipping

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single contact surface is segmented into multiple contact surfaces (at least three) that are co-planarly aligned and distributed across the exterior of the knee pad. This segmentation allows the device to maintain stability through multiple contact points while keeping each individual contact surface relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional knee pads have a single contact surface, then the manufacturing is simple, but the device slips and causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslip resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is divided into multiple separate contact surfaces that can be manufactured independently and then attached to the knee pad exterior, simplifying the manufacturing process for each individual component while achieving the cumulative benefit of multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The knee pad incorporates multiple contact surfaces made from materials with high friction coefficients, such as rubber or silicone, combined with the base knee pad material. This composite approach enhances slip resistance without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of stationary object

If knee pads are worn for prolonged periods, then they provide continuous protection, but the padding becomes worn out quickly requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidpadding wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The padding is segmented into multiple separate padding components, each corresponding to a contact surface. When one padding component becomes worn, only that specific component needs to be replaced rather than the entire knee pad, extending the overall service life of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for the selective replacement of worn padding components while retaining the intact portions of the knee pad and other contact surfaces. This selective replacement strategy reduces waste by recovering and reusing the still-serviceable portions of the knee pad.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Stability of the object's composition

If knee pads distribute weight over multiple contact surfaces, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight distribution stabilityVSAvoidnumber of contact surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple contact surfaces are positioned at specific locations on the exterior of the knee pad where they naturally distribute weight effectively. Each contact surface is placed to address specific pressure points and stability requirements, optimizing weight distribution without unnecessarily increasing overall device 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

The device provides enhanced stability and comfort by evenly distributing weight across multiple contact surfaces, reducing rocking and swaying, and extends the lifespan by allowing replacement of worn parts, thus reducing waste and preventing injuries from slipping.

Implementation Method 1

the device provides significantly improved stability by distributing the weight throughout the plurality of contact surfaces over a wide footprint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight distribution:

Implementation Method 2

employing means for shock absorbency for reducing fatigue by reducing the perceived weight communicated to the users knee as experienced by the user during prolonged knee supported positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorbency: Damping

Implementation Method 3

employing slip resistance means with knee pad devices for reducing slip between the contact surfaces and the support surface for improving safety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9867408B2Knee pad device

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 PRATSON DAVID

AI summary

A knee pad provided for engagement to a user in an as-worn position with an interior surface surrounding the front of the user's knee. A plurality of projections extend from the body and are made of compressible material to provide a cushioned support to the knees of the user during use.