Flexible Weightlifting Accessory with Rounded Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weightlifting accessories, such as the Landmine™ attachment, are limited in their ability to facilitate a wide range of exercises due to rigid designs and require mounting or bolting, which restricts mobility and comfort during workouts.
Innovation Solution
A weightlifting accessory with a cylindrical sleeve and rounded exterior surface, made from a flexible rubber-like material, that can be securely attached to a barbell via compression fit, allowing for sliding, pivoting, and swiveling movements without additional fasteners, providing a large range of motion and ergonomic grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional weightlifting accessories use rigid designs with mounting or bolting, then structural stability is improved, but mobility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory uses a flexible rubber-like material with a rounded exterior surface that can roll, pivot, and swivel on the floor while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible design eliminates the need for rigid mounting structures while providing stability during exercise movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory transitions from a static, fixed mounting design to a dynamic system where the rounded portion can roll, pivot, and swivel on the floor. This dynamic capability allows the accessory to adapt to various exercise movements while maintaining contact with the floor for stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional weightlifting accessories require mounting or bolting, then firm attachment to surface is improved, but adaptability to different surfaces and locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber-like material with rounded exterior surface can conform to and roll on various floor surfaces without requiring mounting hardware. This allows the accessory to be used on different surfaces and locations while maintaining sufficient friction and contact for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory design with rounded exterior surface and compression fit attachment can be used on various floor surfaces and for different exercises without requiring different mounting solutions. The single design provides universal applicability across multiple surfaces and exercise types.
3Ease of manufacture
If weightlifting accessory uses compression fit attachment, then ease of installation is improved, but connection strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber-like material allows the accessory to be installed by simply compressing it onto the barbell sleeve without tools or fasteners. The material's elasticity provides sufficient connection strength to secure the barbell while allowing easy installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression fit utilizes the elastic properties of the rubber-like material, where the material is compressed during installation and then rebounds to provide a secure, tool-free attachment. This parameter change from rigid to elastic connection maintains strength while improving ease of installation.
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
Enables a variety of exercises like presses, rows, and rotational work with increased friction and comfort, allowing for unlimited planes of force application without mechanical hindrance, and can be used on any surface without mounting, enhancing the versatility and ergonomics of weightlifting.
Implementation Method 1
at least the rounded exterior surface of the weightlifting accessory (and, in some instances, an entirety of the weightlifting accessory) is a slip resistant material (e.g., rubber and/or a rubber-like material), such that as the weightlifting accessory rolls, pivots, and/or swivels about the contact point on the surface, the accessory resists sliding across the surface
Implementation Method 2
The cylindrical sleeve and the circular opening are configured to receive the first end of the weightlifting bar (e.g., with a compression fit between the two)
Data Source
AI summary
A weightlifting accessory includes a housing that defines a first (sleeve) portion and a second (rounded) portion. The first (sleeve) portion of the housing has one or more surfaces that define a cylindrical sleeve with a circular opening at an upper end thereof. The cylindrical sleeve and the circular opening are configured to receive a first end of a weightlifting bar (e.g., a barbell). The second portion of the housing defines a rounded exterior surface at a lower end of the first portion of the housing. In a typical implementation, coupling the weightlifting accessory to a barbell produces an assembly that is able to be used for exercises, for which the barbell alone would not be suitable.