Gymnastics Ring Guard Sleeve for Abrasion Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gymnastics ring users experience abrasions due to contact with the straps, buckles, and fasteners, which existing solutions fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A ring guard made from a smooth flexible material, such as neoprene, is designed to cover these components, using releasable connectors and an extension portion to secure around the gymnastics ring and strap, reducing friction and abrasions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If straps, buckles, and fasteners are used to secure gymnastics rings, then the rings can be firmly attached and adjusted, but these components cause abrasions to the user's skin during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective cover as an intermediary component that wraps around the straps, buckles, and fasteners. This cover is made from smooth, flexible material that prevents direct contact between the user's skin and the abrasive hardware components, thereby eliminating skin abrasions while maintaining the secure attachment function of the original components
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is constructed from a flexible material that can conform to the shape of the straps and buckles. This flexible shell envelops the rigid components, providing a smooth surface that reduces friction and prevents skin irritation during gymnastics ring exercises
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is added over the straps and buckles, then skin abrasions are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed as a simple flexible shell that wraps around existing components rather than a complex multi-part structure. This approach adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing skin abrasions, as the cover can be easily donned and removed without complicated assembly or disassembly procedures
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 ring guard significantly reduces the severity of abrasions by providing a smooth surface and secure coverage over the straps, buckles, and fasteners, enhancing user comfort and safety during use.
Implementation Method 1
The smooth outer surface serves to limit friction and thus abrasions to which a user may be subjected when the user's arms and torso contact the ring guard
Data Source
AI summary
A ring guard is provided as a sleeve with first and second width edges and a length extending between the width edge. The sleeve first width edge is open into an interior of the sleeve. The sleeve first width edge is configured to receive a strap of a gymnastics ring into an interior of the sleeve. The second width edge has a loop. The loop has a distal end with a releasable connector. The loop distal end releasable connector is releasably connectable with the sleeve at the second width edge in a manner such that when the loop is directed through an inner diameter of a gymnastics ring, the loop holds the sleeve in position relative to the gymnastics ring. The sleeve may have releasable connectors to allow the sleeve to be arranged around the gymnastics ring strap with the loop around the gymnastics ring.