Conical Grip Handle for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand grips for exercise equipment are uncomfortable due to uneven load distribution and require excessive grip strength, as they concentrate the load on small areas of the hand, leading to discomfort and reduced range of motion.
Innovation Solution
A conically shaped grip handle with a smaller diameter at the front end and a larger diameter at the rear end, forming an angle of 10° to 35°, providing a larger surface area for load distribution and made of soft, tacky materials to reduce grip strength requirements and prevent hand slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional cylindrical grip is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load is concentrated on a small surface area of the hand causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The grip handle is designed with a conical shape rather than a cylindrical one, creating an asymmetric form that tapers from a larger diameter at the base to a smaller diameter at the tip. This asymmetric geometry distributes the load across a progressively larger surface area of the hand, improving comfort while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The conical shape creates varying local surface areas along the length of the grip, with the larger diameter portion providing greater load distribution area near the hand contact zone. This local variation in geometry optimizes load distribution at the critical interaction point between the grip and hand
2Ease of operation
If the grip surface area is increased to distribute load, then comfort is improved, but the grip strength requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conical shape changes the geometric parameters along the length of the grip, creating a progressive increase in surface area. This parameter variation allows the grip to distribute load effectively while the tapered tip reduces the overall grip circumference, thereby reducing the grip strength requirement compared to a cylindrical grip of the same base size
3Force
If a flexible cable is threaded through the user's fingers, then the grip provides resistance, but the range of motion is reduced due to cable pressure on the webbing
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable is extracted from the finger threading configuration and repositioned to run through the conical grip handle instead. This extraction eliminates the cable pressure on the finger webbing that restricts range of motion, while the conical shape maintains the resistance force through its geometric load distribution properties
Data Source
AI summary
Grip handles for coupling to a resistance force provided by exercise equipment, resistance bands, or a user's own bodyweight. Each grip handle is defined by an increasing outer surface circumference along a length of the grip handle to form a generally conical shaped handhold attached to a rigid or flexible member, where the rigid or flexible member is coupled at an apex of the grip handle. The generally conical shaped handhold provides a comfortable and ergonomic surface to securely distribute the grip force of the user during exercise movements, thus significantly reducing pressure points and grip requirements of current exercise handles.