Postural Harness with Elastic Tensile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The majority of the population fails to maintain proper head alignment, leading to forward head syndrome, which causes chronic pain, muscle strain, and postural issues affecting overall body alignment and internal systems, due to lack of awareness and consistent body awareness required for ideal posture.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a chest harness and head harness with elastic tensile members attached to the hands and feet, providing kinesthetic feedback to help users achieve and maintain proper head positioning awareness, including a chest harness with bungee cords connecting to the hands and feet, and a head harness with a bungee cord extending to the thumbs, to stabilize the scapular region and elevate the breastbone, enhancing awareness of skeletal-muscular alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If elastic tensile members are used to provide kinesthetic feedback for head positioning, then user awareness of proper head positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using elastic tensile members that provide kinesthetic feedback to the user. When the user's head is in proper positioning, the elastic members are at their optimal tension state, allowing the user to feel correct alignment. This feedback mechanism helps users develop awareness of proper head positioning without requiring complex electronic sensors or displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tensile members serve as intermediaries between the head harness and the user's body. These members translate the positioning information into tactile feedback that the user can perceive, mediating the communication between the device and the user's neuromuscular system without requiring direct neural interfaces or complex measurement systems.
2Measurement precision
If a chest harness with multiple tensile members connecting to hands and feet is used, then skeletal-muscular alignment awareness is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent components: a head harness, a chest harness, and separate tensile members connecting to different body parts (hands and feet). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to provide comprehensive alignment feedback. The modular design makes it easier to put on and adjust compared to a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensile members serve multiple functions: they provide tension for the head harness, connect the chest harness to the hands and feet, and deliver kinesthetic feedback for alignment awareness. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each purpose, simplifying the overall device while enhancing its capabilities.
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 increases user awareness of correct head positioning, allowing for mental adjustments that strengthen back extensors and improve posture over time, reducing chronic pain and promoting better body alignment during daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic elongate tensile members linked to the chest harness are attachable at least indirectly to the hands and feet of a user
Implementation Method 2
The chest harness, head harness and associated tensile members (e.g., bungee cords) assist a user in finding an awareness of proper skeleton-muscular alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A device and an associated method for assisting in maintaining awareness of skeleton-muscular alignment includes a chest harness attachable to a user about the thorax and a head harness. Elongate tensile member segments extend from opposite ends of a back strap right at the beginning of the armpit of the chest harness. These tensile member segments are connectable at their distal ends to the feet of the user. Further tensile member segments extend from opposite ends of the back strap of the harness and are connectable at their distal ends to or about the user's hands. The headband includes an elastic cord that is wound about the headband and is connectable at opposite ends to the hands or wrists of the user.