Posture Support System with Contoured Cap Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing back braces and backpack supports strain the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, leading to chronic muscle spasms, weakening of the rhomboid and teres muscles, and worsening of stooped shoulder and head-forward posture, rather than improving it, due to the way they distribute weight on the shoulders.
Innovation Solution
A posture support system with contoured cap sleeves and elastic straps that bias the shoulders rearward and downward, distributing weight to the hips, using a pair of cap sleeves centered over the acromio-clavicular joints, connected to a vertical spinal strap and waist strap, providing tension through elastic materials and adjustable fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If straps extend over the shoulders midway between the neck and top of the arm bone, then the support structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it causes chronic straining of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful contact point from the shoulder midsection and relocates it to the acromio-clavicular joint area. By removing the strap from its conventional position and placing it at the anatomical landmark of the AC joint, the design eliminates direct pressure on the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The contoured cap sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the strap and the shoulder. This cap distributes the strap's force across a broader area centered on the acromio-clavicular joint, preventing concentrated pressure on vulnerable muscles while still providing the necessary support force.
2Weight of moving object
If straps are positioned to support the shoulders, then weight distribution is provided, but it causes weakening of the rhomboid and teres muscles and worsening of stooped shoulder posture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a counterbalancing force through the elastic strap system that pulls the shoulders rearwardly and downwardly. This counteracts the forward and upward posture deviations caused by conventional strap positioning, effectively balancing the muscle tensions and preventing the weakening of the rhomboid and teres muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the directional parameters of the support force by repositioning the strap at the acromio-clavicular joint. This geometric change redirects the force vector to pull shoulders backward and downward rather than allowing forward and upward slumping, thereby maintaining proper posture and muscle balance.
3Shape
If the brace draws shoulders rearwardly and downwardly to improve posture, then spinal alignment is improved, but the strap tension may cause discomfort or pain at the contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured cap sleeve features a curved surface designed to conform to the natural anatomy of the acromio-clavicular joint area. This curvature allows the strap to contact the bony prominences and surrounding tissue in a distributed manner, preventing concentrated pressure points and discomfort while maintaining the rearward and downward pulling force for proper spinal alignment.
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 system effectively improves posture by maintaining an upright spinal alignment, reducing muscle strain and pain, and ensuring comfortable contact on the acromio-clavicular joints, while allowing for customization and adjustment in different sizes and applications.
Implementation Method 1
The straps of the brace are preferably formed of a fabric having elasticity in the range of about 0.02-0.15 Young's modulus. The cap sleeves are also formed of an elastic fabric having a Young's modulus toward the higher end of that range.
Implementation Method 2
The elastic straps forming the lower ends of the posterior sections of each shoulder cap extend over the back and are attached to the top end of the vertical spinal strap so that they are under tension. The tension on these elastic straps draws the shoulders downwardly and rearwardly.
Data Source
AI summary
A posture support system, which may alternatively act as a structural support for a backpack and/or be incorporated in a body garment or undergarment, employs a pair of contoured cap sleeves which cradle the humeral heads so as to extend over the scapulas and down over the humerus. The forward end extends as a strap under one of the armpits and connects at its end to the top of a vertically extending central strap extending over the spine. The central strap connects to a waist encircling lumbar support strap. The posterior strap-like ends of the shoulder caps extend over the back and also connect to the top of the spinal strap. By use of adjustable connections to a central disk at the top of the back strap and elastic fabrics in the straps, the shoulders are pulled rearwardly and downwardly so that the body weight is supported over the hips.