Barbell Free Weight Locking Mechanism for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weightlifting devices face challenges in securely attaching free weights, particularly due to slippage issues with securing collars, which can lead to dangerous weight shifts during use, especially with heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A weightlifting device featuring a longitudinally extending bar with a movable free weight locking member that transitions between immersed and elevated positions, allowing for efficient attachment and removal of free weights without needing to remove the locking mechanism, and incorporating retention means like male/female locking elements and magnets for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional securing collar is used to lock free weights to a barbell, then the weights can be secured to the bar, but slippage can occur resulting in dangerous weight shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be movable between a first position (immersed in recess) and a second position (elevated), allowing dynamic adjustment between weight attachment mode and secure locking mode. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to transition from an open state that facilitates weight placement to a closed state that provides secure retention, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and security against slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the movable locking member, the recess, the end stop, and the male/female locking elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the locking member provides the primary locking action, the male/female elements prevent slippage, and the recess guides the locking process - collectively achieving reliable weight securing without slippage.
2Reliability
If a movable locking member with multiple positions is used, then secure locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking member that combines the movable element, the male locking elements, and the interaction with the recess and end stop. This consolidation achieves reliable locking through a unified mechanism rather than multiple separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it guides weights into place during attachment, provides the primary locking action through its movement between positions, and engages with male/female elements to prevent slippage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving reliable weight securing.
3Reliability
If the locking member is always in the elevated position for security, then weights are securely locked, but attachment and removal of weights becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be movable between a first position (immersed in recess) and a second position (elevated), allowing dynamic adjustment between weight attachment mode and secure locking mode. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to transition from an open state that facilitates weight placement to a closed state that provides secure retention, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and security against slippage.
4Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is simplified for easy operation, then attachment is easier, but the risk of unintentional weight loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is pre-configured with male and female locking elements that automatically engage with corresponding elements on the locking member during the weight attachment process. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as the weight is placed on the bar and the locking member moves into the recess, the locking elements automatically lock into place, providing reliable weight securing as an inherent part of the simple attachment operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
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 solution provides a safe and reliable locking mechanism that prevents unintentional weight shifts, facilitates easy attachment and removal, and maintains the locking member in place, reducing the risk of it falling off during use.
Implementation Method 1
The weight bearing section may further comprise a magnet arranged to attract the free weight locking member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a weightlifting device (1) comprising a longitudinally extending bar (10), the bar comprising at least one weight bearing section (30) adapted for accommodating one or more free weights (100) comprising an opening (101)adapted for surrounding the weight bearings ection. The weight bearing section comprises an end stop (31) for the one or more free weights at a first end (32) of the weight bearing section, a recess (12) at or adjacent to a second opposite end (11) of the weight bearing section and a free weight locking member (40) for locking the free weights and for preventing the free weights from unintentionally falling off from the second end. The free weight locking member is movable in a longitudinal direction (L) of the weight bearing section between the recess and at least one free weight locking position (33) located between the recess and the end stop. The free weight locking member is further movable in a second direction at the recess between an immersed position and an elevated position, the immersed position being a position where the free weight locking member is completely, or at least mainly, immersed into the recess, and the elevated position being a position where the free weight locking member is elevated with respect to the immersed position and extends at least partly outside the recess.