Coil Spring Connector Handle for Exercise Equipment Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exercise equipment using coil springs often poses a risk of finger pinching when users attempt to connect the spring's eye to a post, as they must insert their fingers to grasp and secure the connector, potentially leading to accidental pinching during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A solid handle body, preferably made of polymer, is integrated into the connector loop to allow users to securely attach the spring's eye to a post without exposing their fingers to pinching hazards, featuring a truncated conical shape with a central axial bore and transverse slot for easy gripping and interference locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user grasps the eye of the connector to attach it to a post, then the connector can be secured to the exercise equipment, but the user's fingers are exposed to pinching hazards between the eye and post
Solution Approach 1:
A handle body is introduced as an intermediary component between the user's hand and the connector eye. The handle body has a grip portion that the user holds, and a connection portion that attaches to the eye. This intermediary structure allows the user to operate the connector without exposing fingers to the pinching hazard between the eye and post, while still enabling secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: the original eye portion for connection, and an added handle body with grip and connection portions. This segmentation allows the dangerous connection function to be isolated from the user's direct contact, while the handle provides a safe interface for manipulation.
2Reliability
If the connector eye is made small for secure attachment, then the connection is more stable, but it becomes difficult for users to grasp and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The solution adds a spatial dimension to the connector by extending it outward with a handle body. The grip portion of the handle extends away from the connection point, creating a longer lever arm and larger effective size for hand contact, while the connection portion at the eye remains compact for stable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into a compact connection portion (eye) for stability and an extended handle portion for ease of manipulation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Data Source
AI summary
A spring connector that includes a loop is used in an exercise apparatus that has one or more springs fastened between a movable member and a stationary member. The connector of this disclosure includes a handle to aid a user to fasten one end of a spring to a stationary hook or post. The handle is a solid body generally symmetrical about a central axis, and has a large diameter base end and an opposite small diameter end, the base end having a transverse slot therein intersecting an axial bore through the solid body. The transverse slot has a curved bottom shape receiving a bottom portion of the connector loop. A user can grip the handle and install the loop over a hook or post without putting a finger in the loop.