Ceiling-Mounted Tethered Ball for Rehabilitation Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current workout systems for individuals with disabilities are expensive, complex, and limited in application, failing to provide effective rehabilitation and therapeutic training for hand-eye coordination, strength, and mobility in a home environment.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic striking and rehabilitation training system comprising a foam ball attached to a tethered cord suspended from the ceiling, allowing users to strike the ball, which rebounds with unpredictable trajectories, requiring adjustments in striking angle and promoting hand-eye coordination, strength, and mobility training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional striking machines are used for rehabilitation training, then hand-eye coordination and strength can be improved, but the device becomes expensive, complex, and difficult to set up at home
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the rehabilitation training function into separate modular components: a foam ball for striking, a tether for suspension, and a ceiling mount for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and inexpensive while collectively providing effective rehabilitation training, resolving the contradiction between training effectiveness and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The foam ball serves multiple functions: it provides visual tracking target, striking target for hand-eye coordination, and can be adjusted to different heights and positions. The simple universal design eliminates the need for complex specialized equipment while maintaining rehabilitation effectiveness
2Reliability
If traditional striking machines are used for rehabilitation training, then hand-eye coordination can be improved, but the device becomes large and not easily transported
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the training target (foam ball) from the mounting structure (ceiling mount), allowing the ball to be small and portable while the mount remains fixed. This enables easy transport and storage of the movable components while maintaining the fixed installation point for consistent training
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vertical dimension by suspending the foam ball from the ceiling, transforming a potentially large horizontal footprint into a compact vertical arrangement. This allows the training device to occupy minimal floor space while providing effective three-dimensional movement for hand-eye coordination training
3Strength
If traditional striking machines are used for rehabilitation training, then strength training can be provided, but the device requires expensive and complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses inexpensive replaceable components, particularly the foam ball which can be easily replaced if worn or damaged. This eliminates the need for expensive durable equipment while still providing effective strength training through repetitive striking motions
Solution Approach 2:
The foam ball provides natural resistance through its elasticity and the tether's tension, eliminating the need for motorized resistance systems or complex mechanical advantage mechanisms. The user's own striking force creates the training resistance, simplifying the equipment while maintaining strength training effectiveness
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 provides a safe, fun, and effective way to improve hand-eye coordination, strength, and mobility, suitable for home use, adaptable to various users, and suitable for rehabilitation and fitness training, with minimal space requirements and low noise.
Implementation Method 1
the ball, which rebounds with unpredictable trajectories, requiring adjustments in striking angle
Implementation Method 2
a foam ball attached to a tethered cord suspended from the ceiling
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic striking and rehabilitation training system that provides rehabilitation and therapeutic training in a home environment for persons with disabilities from an accident, wounded veterans, from disabilities involving birth defects, or as part of a physical therapy program even for bed-ridden patients. A therapeutic striking and rehabilitation training system also improves conditioning and hand-eye coordination which is attached to a ceiling, or hung in a door opening using a bar, via a tether with a ball attached to the end of said tether. The ball is a given distance from the ceiling as determined by the user. Once the desired distance has been chosen, the user then strikes the ball with enough force for the ball to contact the ceiling and then begin a downward trajectory towards the user to be struck again.