Rotatable Padded Bench for Assisted Pushups and Planks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many individuals lack the strength or proper form to perform push-ups and planks effectively, leading to a desire for devices that can assist in these exercises without causing injury.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base structure with a rotatable flat padded bench that supports users during push-ups and planks, allowing adjustable difficulty and proper form through rotation and positioning adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user attempts to perform pushups or planks without assistance, then the exercise provides full strength training benefit, but the user cannot maintain proper form or complete the exercise due to insufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the bench with support structure) between the user and the floor surface. This mediator provides the necessary support to maintain proper form during pushups and planks, enabling users who lack sufficient strength to perform these exercises correctly. The bench acts as a bridge that transfers and distributes the user's weight, reducing the strain on upper body muscles while maintaining exercise efficacy.
2Ease of operation
If the bench height is increased to reduce force requirements, then exercise accessibility improves for weaker users, but the natural range of motion and form may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic bench height adjustment mechanism that allows the bench to rotate or tilt during exercise execution. This dynamic adjustment enables the bench height to adapt throughout the range of motion - providing greater height/support when force is needed most (at the bottom of the pushup or during plank maintenance) while maintaining proper alignment and natural movement arcs. The rotational capability ensures that the bench supports the user's weight effectively without restricting the natural range of motion.
3Device complexity
If a fixed bench structure is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different user strengths and exercise variations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a potentially complex adjustable structure into a dynamically simple solution by using a rotatable bench mounted on a support structure. The bench can rotate to different angles, allowing users to adjust the degree of support needed - from more upright positions for greater assistance to more horizontal positions for less assistance. This rotational mechanism provides multiple difficulty levels and exercise variations without requiring complex mechanical adjustment systems, maintaining relative structural simplicity while achieving high adaptability.
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
Enables users to perform push-ups and planks with reduced force requirements, maintaining proper form and reducing injury risk, including use during recovery from injuries.
Implementation Method 1
The flat padded bench is rotatable relative to the base structure about an axis of rotation from a neutral or horizontal position to a first fully rotated position and a second fully rotated position
Implementation Method 2
The flat padded bench is rotatable at least thirty-five degrees from the horizontal. The flat padded bench is rotatable at least forty-five degrees from the horizontal.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for assisting pushups or planks comprising a base structure having a substrate contact surface and a flat padded bench rotatably coupled to the base structure. The flat padded bench has rectangular shape adapted to support the user and not interfere with the user's shoulders when performing a pushup or plank. The flat padded bench is rotatable relative the base structure about an axis of rotation from a neutral position to a first fully rotated position and a second fully rotated position. The height of the device is selected to allow users to perform pushups or planks.