Gymnastic Handle With Flexible Inner Sheath for Cable Wear Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gymnastic machine handles cause cable wear and potential breakage due to bending and sliding on rigid outer shells, and suffer from impact damage when the cable is restored, leading to reduced handle and cable lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A handle design featuring a hollow outer casing and a less stiff inner sheath that couples via a shape-coupling mechanism, allowing the sheath to fold over the casing and absorb cable tension, while a closure member secures the cable and cushions impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid outer shell is used to house the cable, then the handle structure is strong and stable, but the cable wears and breaks due to sliding contact with the rigid shell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle structure strengthVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into two separate components: a rigid outer casing that provides structural strength and a flexible inner sheath that houses the cable. This segmentation allows each component to perform its optimal function - the rigid casing maintains handle integrity while the flexible sheath protects the cable from wear by preventing direct contact with the rigid surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible inner sheath acts as an intermediary between the cable and the rigid outer casing. It mediates the interaction by providing a compliant interface that prevents the cable from sliding against the rigid casing, thereby eliminating wear while maintaining the structural benefits of the rigid outer shell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid outer shell is used for the handle, then the handle maintains its shape during exercise, but the handle breaks due to impact with the machine frame during cable restoration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle shape stabilityVSAvoidhandle impact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the handle into a rigid outer casing and a flexible inner sheath, the design allows the rigid casing to maintain shape stability during exercise while the flexible sheath absorbs impact forces during cable restoration, preventing handle breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible inner sheath serves as a pre-positioned cushioning element that absorbs impact forces before they can damage the rigid outer casing or the cable. This beforehand cushioning prevents the handle from breaking during the cable restoration phase when impact with the machine frame occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cable is allowed to bend freely during exercise, then the exercise range of motion is maximized, but the cable slides on the handle edge causing wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise range of motionVSAvoidcable lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible inner sheath is designed as a compliant housing that allows the cable to bend freely during exercise, maximizing the range of motion. At the same time, this flexible shell prevents the cable from sliding against the rigid outer casing by providing a smooth, compliant surface that accommodates cable movement without causing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The handle effectively protects the cable from wear and the outer casing from impact damage, extending the lifespan of both the cable and the handle by preventing direct contact and absorbing restoration forces.

Implementation Method 1

the stiffness of said at least one sheath is less than the stiffness of said at least one casing, so that said pre-established portion is able to fold over said upper end of said at least one casing, when the cable is operated by the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said sheath comprises an abutment... said casing comprises a relief therein... the coupling between said casing and said sheath occurs by a shape-coupling between said abutment and said relief

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20250041656A1Handle for a gymnastic machine and a gymnastic machine comprising the improved handle

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 TECHNOGYM SPA

AI summary

An improved handle that is couplable to at least one cable of a gymnastic machine of the type including a resistance unit operable by a user by the cable for performing a gymnastic exercise, including at least one hollow outer casing, including an upper end and a lower end, grippable by a user to perform a gymnastic exercise. The handle also includes at least one hollow inner sheath, insertable into the cavity of said at least one casing and couplable to the at least one casing, the at least one sheath being able to house the at least one cable into the cavity thereof; where the at least one sheath exits by a pre-established portion with respect to the upper end of the at least one casing.