Spinal Harness Cylindrical Rigid Member for Neutral Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal harnesses fail to maintain a neutral spinal position and spinal rigidity during activities like the squat and deadlift, as they disrupt the linear and planar contact points necessary for proper spinal alignment and do not effectively encourage diaphragmatic respiration or abdominal bracing, leading to increased injury risk and decreased performance.

Innovation Solution

A spinal harness with a cylindrical rigid member that maintains contact at specific anatomical points and an adjustable strapping system to promote diaphragmatic breathing and abdominal bracing, ensuring a neutral spinal position and rigidity through a linear and planar contact surface, allowing for easy donning and use during activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a linear and planar surface (dowel rod) is held against the individual's back to maintain neutral spinal position, then spinal alignment is improved, but two people are required and the practitioner cannot focus on other important cues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal alignment precisionVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harness apparatus enables the individual to self-maintain neutral spinal positioning without requiring a practitioner to hold a dowel rod. The apparatus includes a rigid member with linear and planar contact surfaces that automatically guide and maintain proper spinal alignment through tactile feedback, allowing the individual to independently achieve and sustain correct posture during exercise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid member is divided into multiple segments or contact surfaces positioned at specific locations (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions) to provide distributed tactile feedback. This segmentation allows each contact point to guide specific spinal regions while working together to maintain overall neutral alignment, replacing the single-point contact of a dowel rod.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a tapered rigid shaft is used in the harness channel, then the shaft fits securely, but the wearer must over-extend the lumbar spine to make contact, disrupting neutral spinal position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft security in channelVSAvoidspinal position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid member transitions from a tapered shaft design to a cylindrical design with uniform diameter. This parameter change eliminates the need for lumbar over-extension while maintaining secure positioning through the cylindrical geometry that naturally aligns with the spinal column's natural curvature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid member employs cylindrical curvature that matches the natural curvature of the human spine, allowing contact at multiple points along the spinal column without requiring artificial extension or flexion. This curved geometry provides both security and proper spinal alignment simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Strength

If scapula bar and tapered shaft are used, then the harness provides structural support, but the contact points disrupt the linear and planar characteristic required for neutral spine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharness structural supportVSAvoidspinal alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the scapula bar and tapered shaft components that disrupted spinal alignment. The harness is redesigned to rely solely on the cylindrical rigid member with linear and planar contact surfaces that maintain neutral spinal positioning, extracting the problematic elements while preserving essential support functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If existing harnesses are used, then they provide some spinal support, but they fail to effectively encourage diaphragmatic respiration and abdominal bracing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal support reliabilityVSAvoidrespiratory function training

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid member serves multiple functions: it maintains neutral spinal positioning through linear and planar contact surfaces, and simultaneously encourages diaphragmatic respiration and abdominal bracing through its positioning and tactile feedback. This multi-functionality addresses both spinal support and respiratory training needs in a single apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9931537B2Spinal harness apparatus and method for conducting activities requiring a neutral spinal position and spinal rigidity

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 HUEBNER KARL W

AI summary

A spinal harness apparatus including a strapping system and a rigid member that is worn by a user during activity. An anterior surface of the rigid member is effectively linear and planar. The anterior surface may make contact with a dorsum of the user at approximate levels of an external occipital protuberance of the user, spinous processes of mid-thoracic vertebrae of the user, and a median sacral crest of the user. The rigid member may be tubular and comprise an inner and outer component with which a total length of the rigid member may be telescopically adjustable while maintaining a linear and planar contact surface. The strapping system may comprise an adjustable belt and suspenders. The strapping system is to be adjustably affixed to the rigid member as well as worn about a torso of the user.