Collapsible Exercise Bar Locking Mechanism for Weight Stack Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible exercise bars lack the ability to be effectively locked and maintained in an operating condition while being connected to a stack of weights or other resistance devices, limiting their versatility for exercises like bicep curls and lat pulldowns.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible exercise bar design featuring two elongate sections with a locking device, a retainer member, and additional connectors to securely attach to a weight stack, ensuring alignment and rotational orientation for effective use, with undulating segments for grip and a telescoping mechanism for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the exercise bar is made collapsible for compact storage and transport, then the device complexity is reduced and storage space is minimized, but the ability to securely lock and maintain the bar in an operating condition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise bar is divided into two telescoping sections that can be nested within each other for compact storage. The bar includes an outer section and an inner section that slide relative to each other, allowing the bar to collapse to a fraction of its extended length while maintaining structural integrity when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking device with a locking member is pre-positioned on the outer section to engage with a locking region on the inner section before the bar is fully extended. This preliminary locking action ensures that the bar maintains its extended position during exercise operations, preventing accidental collapse while allowing easy disassembly for storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the exercise bar is designed to connect to weight stacks for resistance exercises, then the versatility for different exercises is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise bar incorporates multiple attachment points and connectors that can interface with various resistance devices including weight stacks, resistance bands, and other exercise equipment. The standardized connector design allows the same bar to perform multiple exercise functions such as bicep curls, lat pulldowns, triceps exercises, and other resistance-based workouts without requiring different equipment.
3Volume of moving object
If the two elongate sections are allowed to move relative to each other for collapsing, then the compactness for storage is improved, but the stability during exercise deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is configured to engage the locking member with the locking region before the bar is fully extended, preliminarily establishing a stable connection between the two sections. This pre-engagement ensures that once extended, the sections remain firmly locked in place, preventing any relative movement or misalignment during exercise operations while still allowing easy collapse when the locking mechanism is disengaged.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible exercise bar includes two elongate sections; attachment means for connecting the two elongate sections together and for permitting the two elongate sections to move relative to each other between a position in which the two elongate sections are aligned for use of the bar, and a folded position in which the two elongate sections are generally parallel to each other. A retainer member is slidable relative to the two elongate sections and includes attachment means for engaging cooperating attachment means on one of the two elongate sections to immobilize the retainer member in a position overlying contiguous edges of the two elongate sections when the two elongate sections are aligned for use of the bar. A connector is provided on the exercise bar and is configured to be connected to a resistance device.