Monolithic Training Apparatus for Spinal Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional back muscle training devices have complex structures, requiring numerous production steps, lack dimensional stability, and are difficult to clean due to gaps and hard-to-reach areas, leading to reduced training quality and potential negative effects.

Innovation Solution

A training device with monolithically formed shaped bodies and connecting sections, eliminating gaps and joints for improved stability and ease of cleaning, featuring a base plane with protruding shaped bodies on both sides for adaptable support and precise alignment with the spine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional training devices use individual balls connected via support elements, then the device can be manufactured with simple components, but the structure becomes complicated and lacks dimensional stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (individual balls and support elements) into a single monolithic structure made of elastomeric material. The shaped bodies are integrally formed with connecting sections, eliminating the need for separate support elements and connections, thus achieving dimensional stability while simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional training devices use connected balls with support elements, then the device can be assembled from simple parts, but numerous manufacturing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidproduction steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations into a single injection molding process. The monolithic structure allows all shaped bodies and connecting sections to be produced in one step, eliminating assembly operations and reducing the total number of manufacturing steps while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If conventional training devices have gaps and seams between components, then the device can be constructed from separate elements, but cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidstructure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a seamless monolithic structure where shaped bodies are integrally connected without gaps or seams. This eliminates hard-to-reach areas where dirt and bacteria could accumulate, making the device easy to clean while maintaining structural integrity through the unified elastomeric construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If training devices use balls connected via textile support elements, then the device can be flexibly assembled, but the relative position of balls changes during training

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the elastomeric material properties to achieve both stability and adaptability. The material's inherent elasticity allows the connecting sections to flex and adapt to different body positions while maintaining precise relative positioning of shaped bodies, providing dimensional stability without sacrificing the flexibility needed for various training exercises.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4216898B1Training apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 SISSEL INT GMBH
  • EP4216898B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP4216898B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

A training apparatus (1) for stimulating the back muscles associated with a person's spine has two rows of shaped bodies (2), which run one beside the other in a longitudinal direction (L), in particular are not offset from one another, are connected to one another via connecting portions (3) and project away from a base plane (4) which runs through the connecting portions (3). Each of the shaped bodies (2) has at least one bearing region (10), which is in the form of a bearing point or bearing surface and is intended for stimulating the back muscles, wherein the shaped bodies (2) of the one row along with the adjacent, associated shaped bodies (2) of the other row form respective shaped-body pairs (P), and wherein the shaped bodies (2) of the shaped-body pairs (P) form interspaces, in which portions of a spine can be accommodated in the longitudinal direction (L) of the rows. The shaped bodies (2) are formed monolithically together with the connecting portions (3).