Retractable Grip Exercise Apparatus for Wrist Stress Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise equipment often specializes in a single type of exercise and requires complex moving mechanisms that are prone to maintenance issues and are not accessible to users with average or below-average fitness levels, heights, or weights, particularly due to the difficulty of exercises like dips, pull-ups, and push-ups.

Innovation Solution

A multi-functional exercise apparatus with simple moving parts, including retractable hand grips for dips and inclined push-ups, a suspended bar for pull-ups, and a compact frame design that accommodates various fitness levels and user configurations, allowing for both aerobic and strength training with reduced stress on the wrists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exercise equipment uses complex moving mechanisms (pivoting levers, springs, cables, pulleys, motors), then exercise functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise functionalityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex moving mechanisms (springs, cables, pulleys, motors) from the exercise equipment, retaining only simple, maintenance-free structures. The core exercise functions are achieved through static frames and body weight, extracting the harmful complexity while preserving essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanisms to create resistance and movement, the patent inverts the approach by using simple body weight as the resistance source and minimal moving parts (retractable grips). The complexity is eliminated by reversing the traditional design philosophy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If exercise equipment is designed for specialized exercises with fixed configurations, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different users and exercise types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiduser adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into separate functional stations (dips station, push-up station, pull-up station) that can be independently configured. Each station has simple, dedicated structures, but together they provide comprehensive exercise coverage for different users and fitness levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The simple frame structure serves multiple functions by supporting various exercise stations and configurations. The same basic frame accommodates dips, push-ups, and pull-ups, making the simple structure universally applicable to multiple exercise types and user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional dip and push-up positions are used with horizontal hand grips, then structural simplicity is maintained, but wrist stress and difficulty for average fitness users increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip structure simplicityVSAvoidwrist comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand grips are specifically angled at 30 degrees rather than horizontal, creating a localized modification that reduces wrist stress during push-ups and dips. This local quality change addresses the specific ergonomic need without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If exercise equipment is designed for high-intensity exercises like pull-ups and dips, then effectiveness for fit users is improved, but accessibility to average and below-average fitness users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise effectivenessVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus provides assisted versions of difficult exercises through the simple frame structure and positioning systems, allowing partial support for users who cannot perform full pull-ups or dips. This enables average and below-average fitness users to progressively build strength while maintaining exercise effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9114271B1Multiple exercise apparatus for aerobic and strength training

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 BROWN COLLIS

AI summary

A flight of stairs (22) and a slide (26) with respective top ends (23, 27) adjacent to each other and spanned by a platform (29). Respective bottom ends (48, 46) are adjacent to each other. A hand grip mounting portion (32) of the apparatus has a horizontal upper surface (33) within 3 feet or preferably within 16-22 inches above a floor (60) for sitting in preparation for dips. One or more pairs of hand grips (34, 36, 37) extend outwardly at an angle of 0-40 degrees from such mounting portion within 6 inches below the horizontal surface (33) or preferably within 3 inches. The grips are retractable (36) into or against the mounting portion (32). The slide (26) may have a peak (28) that increases headroom for inclined pushups on handgrips (37) below it. Other exercise devices (54, 56, 59) may be attached for multiple concurrent users.