Pin Cover for Inversion Table Rotation Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inversion tables with pin-based rotation stops create pinch points that pose a risk of injury and do not provide consistent rotation limitation.
Innovation Solution
A pin cover system that secures to the frame, featuring clamshell housings to enclose the pin and prevent objects from entering, with adjustable pin locations and a protective lip to safeguard against accidental contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin is used to limit rotation of the inversion table, then rotation can be stopped at a desired position, but it creates a pinch point where the frame makes contact with the pin, posing a high potential for pinching and injury
Solution Approach 1:
A pin cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the pin and the frame. The pin cover encloses the pin and provides a smooth contact surface that the frame interacts with, eliminating the direct contact between the frame and the pin that creates the pinch point. This mediator allows the rotation limitation function to be maintained while removing the harmful pinch point effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assembly is segmented into multiple components: the pin itself, the pin cover that encloses the pin, and the frame. By dividing the originally simple pin structure into these separate elements, the design allows the pin to maintain its rotation-stopping function while the pin cover protects against pinch point injuries by providing a smooth external surface.
2Ease of operation
If a pin is used to limit rotation, then rotation can be controlled, but towels or other items can get caught at the rotation stop
Solution Approach 1:
The pin cover serves as a mediator between the rotation control mechanism and external objects like towels. It provides a smooth, enclosed surface that prevents towels from catching on the pin assembly, while still allowing the pin to effectively control rotation by limiting the frame's movement to predetermined positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin cover acts as a protective shell that encloses the pin. This shell structure allows rotation control to function internally while presenting a smooth, continuous external surface that prevents external objects from catching or entangling with the mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sliding connections are used in the inversion table, then movement is enabled, but rubbing parts cause wear and create locations where objects can get caught
Solution Approach 1:
The pin cover acts as a mediator that protects the sliding connection interface. It provides a smooth external surface that reduces wear by distributing contact forces and prevents objects from catching on the sliding parts, while still allowing the necessary movement capability of the inversion table to function.
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in a cover for a pin used in an inversion table that prevents the inversion table from rotating beyond a desired amount of rotation. The cover is secured to the fixed frame and has a slot for the rotating frame to move within the slot. The cover prevents debris, sweat, body parts, towels or clothing from entering into the locking pin area. The cover makes the inversion table safer to operate by covering a pinch-point where the rotating component of the inversion table contacts the rotation stop. The cover can take a variety of shape and material configurations to provide the coverage and protection for the user of the inversion table.