Plank Support Apparatus with Adjustable Forearm Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plank exercise devices often lead to discomfort and injury due to unrestricted sliding movements, improper ergonomic handle grips, and concentrated force on the elbows, which can cause strain and prevent effective core engagement.
Innovation Solution
A plank support exercise apparatus with adjustable hand grip and forearm support pads, a ground-interface surface, and a destabilizing device that allows controlled rotational movement, distributing the user's weight and reducing strain on the elbows, while providing ergonomic support and adjustability for various body sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plank exercise devices allow unrestricted sliding movement, then users can move freely during exercise, but users are highly susceptible to inadvertently overextending exercise positions which can result in injury
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from unrestricted sliding movement to controlled rotational movement through a destabilizing element. The carriage can rotate up to 45 degrees from vertical while remaining constrained in other directions, providing dynamic movement freedom while preventing harmful overextension. This resolves the contradiction by making the movement both free and controlled simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The destabilizing element acts as an intermediary between the carriage and ground surface. It allows controlled rotation while preventing unrestricted sliding, serving as a mediator that provides both movement freedom and injury protection. The destabilizing element translates unrestricted movement into controlled rotational movement.
2Productivity
If bodyweight is transferred through the elbow to the ground, then the plank exercise can be performed, but significant force on the elbow causes discomfort and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the dimension of force transfer by introducing rotational movement around a vertical axis. Instead of direct vertical force through the elbow to the ground, the force is distributed through rotational stabilization, reducing concentrated elbow strain while maintaining exercise effectiveness. The destabilizing element creates a new dimension of controlled rotation that disperses the harmful force concentration.
3Device complexity
If handle grips are positioned aligned with or higher than the user's arm, then the device structure is simplified, but the user's wrist experiences strain and forearm cannot leverage body into elevated position
Solution Approach 1:
The handle grips are repositioned to a lower position relative to the user's arm, changing the geometric parameter of the device. This parameter change allows the user's forearm to effectively leverage the body into an elevated position while preventing wrist strain, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational comfort.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If padding is added to the device to alleviate elbow discomfort, then some comfort is provided, but the discomfort is far from eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the potentially harmful concentrated force on the elbow into a beneficial controlled rotational movement. The destabilizing element transforms the static force concentration problem into dynamic rotational stabilization, eliminating the need for extensive padding while providing superior comfort and effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A plank support exercise apparatus and related methods is provided. The plank support exercise apparatus has a hand grip and a frame member extending from the hand grip. At least one arm support pad is connected to the frame member, wherein a distance between the hand grip and the at least one arm support pad is adjustable. A ground-interface surface is positioned along at least a portion of the frame member.