Gravity-Actuated Barbell Weight Clip With Ovoid Gripping Ring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current weight clips for barbells are cumbersome to use, requiring multiple steps for loading and unloading, often insecure due to lateral slippage, and can be prone to failure from repeated use, with varying weights and conditions leading to inconsistent workout experiences.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible gripping rings with locking notches and magnetic zipper tracks for secure attachment to barbells, along with self-fitting apparel devices that utilize cascading implementation techniques for rapid and secure weight adjustment and clothing donning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional weight clips are used to secure weights to barbells, then the weights can be held in place, but the clips require multiple steps to deploy and are time-consuming to use
Solution Approach 1:
The weight clip is divided into separate functional components: a collar portion that interfaces with the barbell, a weight interface portion that holds the weight plate, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates quicker assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is pre-configured with internal threading and the weight interface portion is pre-equipped with complementary threading. This preliminary preparation of threading structures eliminates the need for on-site threading operations, reducing the number of steps required to secure weights to the barbell.
2Reliability
If traditional weight clips are used, then weights can be secured, but the clips are prone to lateral slippage and can feel loose even when tightened
Solution Approach 1:
The collar features an asymmetric design with a non-circular cross-section that mates with a corresponding asymmetric weight interface. This asymmetric configuration prevents rotational movement and lateral slippage, ensuring the weight remains securely positioned on the barbell without requiring excessive tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar and weight interface incorporate curved and rounded surfaces that conform to each other, creating a friction-resistant connection. The curved geometry distributes contact forces more evenly, preventing lateral slippage and providing a more secure feeling connection that increases user confidence.
3Reliability
If traditional weight clips with pins are used, then weights can be fastened, but the pins have small contact area and are subject to failure from repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged into the collar structure itself through integrated threading, eliminating the need for separate pins. The collar and weight interface work as a unified system where the threaded connection distributes loads across a larger surface area, reducing stress concentrations and preventing failure from repeated use.
4Productivity
If handled spring coil weight clips are used, then attachment can be faster, but the clips have limited fastening power and are more prone to loosen and break
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based mechanical fastening system is replaced with a threaded mechanical engagement system. The threading provides progressive, controlled fastening that maintains consistent clamping force, eliminating the limited fastening power and loosening issues associated with spring-based systems while maintaining quick attachment capability.
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
These solutions enable rapid and secure attachment and detachment of weights, reducing the time and effort required for weight changes and ensuring consistent workouts, while providing a custom-fit for users with minimal effort.
Implementation Method 1
the gripping ring is resulting deformed by the narrower section of the channel entered, into an ovoid shape, gripping the barbell by the force of gravity
Implementation Method 2
gripping the barbell by the force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
New forms of free weights for weight training are provided. Such free weights may include a flexible, gripping ring set in a channel with a varying width, configured to be threaded over the end of a barbell. The channel may include a locking notch. Such a free weight may be rotated until the channel is aligned with a floor (perpendicular to gravity) and then loaded onto the barbell by threading the gripping ring onto the barbell. The free weight is then rotated 90 degrees causing the barbell and gripping ring to travel away from a center of the channel, where the channel narrows and includes the locking notch. The gripping ring is resultingly deformed by the narrower section of the channel entered, into an ovoid shape, gripping the barbell by force of gravity. A user may then reverse these steps, to release and unload the free weight from the barbell.