DoD & Friends

1st Progress Report

Perfect Pushup Trainer

Design Problem and Motivation

• Stemmed from military PFA (physical fitness assessment) standards and regulationso Eliminate the need of eyeballing, therefore guessing, whether

a pushup was performed correctly

• “Perfect Pushup” would be defined using a military standard

Defining the Problem: What is a perfect pushup?

• Military PFA standards and regulations

• Hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart

• Upper arm is at least parallel to the floor and elbows bent at 90 degreeso Looking for a method to capture this aspect

Challenges

• Actual accurate measurement of the pushup itselfo Range of tolerance

• Universal fit for a multitude of userso “One size fits all”

• Size of deviceo More capabilities leads to a bulkier systemo Electric vs. Purely Mechanical

Existing Designs• Existing Products

o U.S. Patent US20040097352 -“Device and Method for Performing Push-up Exercises”

o U.S. Patent US7468025 - “Push-up Exercise Unit and Device”

• Conclusiono There are only a few existing

competitive designso Speaks to originality of our designo Most existing products have a

different primary function from our design

Applicable Patents• Existing Products

o U.S. Patent 5865695 -“Training Device for Basketball Players for Developing Proper Shooting Technique”

o U.S. Patent US5544877 - “Basketball Shooting Training Aid”

o U.S. Patent US20110045925 -“Electronic Basketball Shooting Coach”

• Conclusiono Basketball shooting mechanisms have the

same function as our designo Sensors such as accelerometers and

inclinometers can be utilizedo Mechanical systems tend to be less

complex, but aesthetically unfavorable

Solutions/Concepts• After investigating the

currently marketed and similar products, the general design considerations from these patents have split our concepts into two groups: a mechanical brace type system and an electronic sleeve system.

• The next step is to investigate and form these concepts and then evaluate them using design tools

Design Specifications

• Functionso Indicates when correct pushup form is performed by measuring

elbow angleo Ergonomicso Affordableo Durabilityo Lightweight

• See FRDPAARC Table for more

Design SpecificationsFRDPAARC Table

Design Parameters Analysis Risks Countermeasures

1Determines if correct push up

form is usedAccurate indication of arm

positionDetemine when arm bend is 90o Calibration and Accuracy of angle

measurementsDevelop clear usage and calibration

proceduresDetermine when arm is parallel to the

groundThe arm being parallel to the ground might not

be a clear indicator of good formDevelop means of ensuring this approach

cooresponds to proper form

2 Ergonomic/AdaptableComfortable fit arm circumfrence

of 6-20 inchesMeasurements of devices

circumfrence rangeWide range of body types produces calibration

problesmDevelop clear calibration procedures

3 LightweightWeigh less than an Iphone 5

(3.95 ounces)Experimental Data Lightweight design increases cost

Use simple devices that are not technologically advanced

Sacrifices durabilityEnsure lighweight devices are protectively

enclosed

4 AffordableEstimated Retail Cost < $20 for

personal use device Evaluate Material and Manufacturing Costs

Desired Low cost will lead to sacrifices in performance

Modular Design will allow for more robust parts to be added for additional cost

Perform Analysis to select the most cost effective materials

5 DurabilityReliably Perform > 10,000

cyclesMaterial loading analysis Durability might come at a higher cost

Perform Analysis to select the most cost effective materials

Modular Design will allow for more robust parts to be added for additional cost

Funtional Requirements

Market Research• Data based on 108 online survey responses• Would you use it?

o 49.1% Yes, for personal useo 22.2% Yes, in a public gym

• Would you buy it?o 66.7% said No

• How much should it cost?o 45.4% said $11-$20

• Where would it be sold?o 50.9% said in Sporting Goods Stores

Accomplishments and Next Steps

• What have we done so far?o Brainstorming ideas – generated 8 ideas, 5 eliminated with aid of

Professor Lipkeno Final design chosen out of remaining 3 through team interests and

further input from friends and Professorso Researched existing products and patentso Market research through Google Surveyo Began forming initial concepts and innovate design solutions

• What still needs to be done?o Further customer polling (Market Research)o Develop concepts and chose the best solutiono CAD models 2D/3Do Prototyping

References• Patents:• F. Bergman, S. Jahanian, “Device and Method for Performing Push-up Exercises.” U.S. Patent

US20040097352 A1, issued May 20, 2004.• http://www.google.com/patents?id=hmaWAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q

&f=false• S. Hauser, M. Friedman, A. Mills, “Push-up Exercise Unit and Device.” U.S. Patent US7468025,

issued December 23, 2008.• http://www.google.com/patents?id=W7CxAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q

&f=false

• R. Mahala, M. Qualben, P. Meurer, “Training Device for Basketball Players for Developing Proper Shooting Technique.” U.S. Patent 5865695, issued February 2, 1999.

• http://www.google.com/patents?id=ROsWAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

• N. Brownell, “Basketball Shooting Training Aid.” U.S. Patent US5544877, issued August 13, 1996.• http://www.google.com/patents?id=QM8oAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q

&f=false• K. Vann, “Basketball Shooting Training Aid and Method for its Use.” U.S. Patent 7771293 B1,

issued August 10, 2010.• http://www.google.com/patents/US7771293• R. Moye, “Electronic Basketball Shooting Coach”, U.S. Patent US20110045925, issued February

24, 2011.

• Military Pushup Regulations:• http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/afrotc/documents/AFI36-2905.pdf• http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Prep_For_Basic_Training/Prep_for_basic_pt/about-the-apft

-pushup-eve.shtml

Questions?