Barbell Support Device with Magnetic Coupling and L-Shaped Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for barbells in power racks or rigs with holes face issues such as pin ejection, mechanical instability, and clearance between the support and upright, leading to safety concerns and noise during use.
Innovation Solution
A support device featuring a pin and arm with a magnet that creates a magnetic coupling with the upright, along with an L-shaped flange for secure attachment, reducing rotation and clearance, and utilizing rubberized material for contact points to enhance stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a through pin is used to fix the support to the upright, then the support can be attached to the upright, but there is a high risk of the pin exiting from its seat during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical pin fixation system with a magnetic coupling system. The magnet in the support device attracts to the ferromagnetic upright, providing secure attachment without the need for physical pins that can exit their seats. This substitution of mechanical connection with magnetic field interaction resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element between the support device and the upright. This magnet creates an invisible magnetic field that acts as a mediator to hold the support securely to the upright without direct mechanical contact requiring pins or clips. The intermediary magnetic field resolves the contradiction by providing reliable attachment through field interaction rather than mechanical interlocking.
2Reliability
If a bayonet coupling is used to fix the support to the upright, then the support can be attached to the upright, but there are problems of mechanical hold to stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bayonet coupling mechanical system with a magnetic coupling system. Instead of relying on mechanical interlocking with limited stress resistance, the magnetic field provides continuous attractive force that can withstand stresses applied during barbell exercises. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable attachment and adequate strength through magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of connection from mechanical (physical contact and interlocking) to magnetic (field interaction). By changing the connection parameter from mechanical engagement to magnetic attraction, the system achieves both reliable hold and adequate strength to withstand exercise stresses without the limitations of bayonet coupling geometry.
3Reliability
If a pin with two diameters is used in a special shaped hole, then the support can be fixed to the upright, but there is a mutual movement (clearance) between support and upright which causes instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the precision-machined pin-and-hole mechanical system with a magnetic coupling system. Instead of relying on tight tolerances and precise manufacturing to eliminate clearance, the magnetic field provides continuous attractive force that eliminates the effects of clearance and prevents mutual movement. This substitution resolves the contradiction by making the connection stable without requiring high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary that creates a magnetic field between the support device and upright. This magnetic field mediator eliminates clearance issues by providing continuous attractive force that maintains precise positioning without requiring precise mechanical fits. The intermediary magnetic field resolves the contradiction by providing stability through field interaction rather than mechanical precision.
4Reliability
If a support device with magnet is used to create magnetic coupling with the upright, then clearance and mutual movement are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnet directly into the support device structure, combining the magnetic coupling function with the support body. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate pin, clip, or other mechanical fastening components. The magnet becomes an inherent part of the support device, achieving reduced clearance and improved reliability while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet in the support device serves multiple functions: it provides secure attachment to the upright, eliminates clearance, prevents mutual movement, and simplifies the overall device structure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving reduced clearance and improved reliability while actually reducing device complexity through the versatility of the magnetic coupling mechanism.
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 secure, stable, and easy-to-use support system that reduces rotation and noise, increases user awareness of proper attachment, and ensures safety by eliminating clearance between components, while maintaining ease of use and quick assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The arm is able to be flanked to the upright so as to create a magnetic coupling between the magnet and the upright
Implementation Method 2
The L-shaped flange comprises a layer of rubberised material which is destined to contact the upright
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Support device (1) for supporting a barbell, for use in particular on an upright (101) provided with holes (102), comprising: a support portion (2) for supporting the barbell, said support portion (2) comprising a hook-shaped end (3) for supporting the barbell; a pin (5) originating from said support portion (2) extending away from it along a first direction, said pin (2) being insertable in a hole (102) of said upright (101); an arm (6) originating from said support portion (2) extending away from it along a second direction, said arm (6) being able to be flanked to the upright (101); said arm (6) comprising at least one magnet (7).