Pivoting Exercise Pad With Snap-On Bar Groove for Hip Thrust Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hip thrust setups face issues with height adjustability, back discomfort, and stability, which can lead to improper exercise performance and potential injury.

Innovation Solution

An exercise pad with a keyhole-shaped groove that snaps onto a barbell, allowing for variable height adjustments and improved stability by pivoting around the barbell, providing a larger surface area for support and reducing pressure concentration on the back.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional hip thrust setup is used, then the exercise can be performed, but height adjustability is limited and back discomfort occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidback comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise pad is designed to pivot dynamically around the barbell during the exercise motion, allowing the pad to move through a range of angles as the user performs hip thrusts. This dynamic movement enables height adjustability and maintains proper back positioning throughout the exercise range, eliminating the static limitations of traditional setups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the support function into distinct components: the barbell provides fixed height positioning, while the exercise pad provides adjustable support surface. This segmentation allows independent optimization of height stability and back comfort, with the pad's pivotable design accommodating various body positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a traditional hip thrust setup is used, then the exercise can be performed, but stability is insufficient leading to improper exercise performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise performance reliabilityVSAvoidsetup stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the stability of a fixed barbell setup with the adaptability of a movable support pad. The barbell provides a stable, fixed anchor point, while the exercise pad attaches to and pivots around this stable base, combining the reliability of both static and dynamic elements to ensure proper exercise form and prevent injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a traditional hip thrust setup is used, then the exercise can be performed, but pressure concentration on the back causes discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveback comfortVSAvoidpressure concentration on back

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise pad provides localized pressure distribution across the user's hips and lower back area. By creating a larger contact area with the pivotable design, the pad distributes body weight more evenly across multiple pressure points rather than concentrating force on small areas, reducing discomfort and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12582863B2Pivotable exercise pad

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 CUSTOM PROD INNOVATIONS

AI summary

An exercise pad includes a body with a first major surface, a second major surface parallel (and opposite) to the first major surface, and side surfaces that extend between the first major surface and the second major surface. A groove is formed in the first major surface of the body. The groove extends across the body in a longitudinal direction from a first one of the side surfaces to a second one of the side surfaces that is opposite to and parallel to the first one of the side surfaces. The groove is configured (e.g., with a keyhole-style cross-sectional shape) to receive and engage an elongate bar.