Lever Weightlifting Belt with Adjustable Hook

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Weightlifting belts lack adjustable closure systems that allow for easy length adjustment without moving the entire latch system, providing limited flexibility in tightness adjustment and compatibility with various belt designs.

Innovation Solution

A weightlifting belt with a flexible strap and a lever-actuated hook assembly that engages an anchor assembly, allowing for lengthwise adjustability in ½ inch increments and easy on/off functionality, along with the ability to adjust tightness in small increments by engaging different notches or changing the mounting position of the hook and anchor assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional fixed closure system is used in weightlifting belts, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the belt cannot be adjusted for different lengths and tightness levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of belt length and tightnessVSAvoidcomplexity of closure system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into multiple notches (e.g., 5-7 notches) along the belt strap, each representing a discrete adjustment position. The lever assembly can engage with any of these notches to provide incremental length and tightness adjustment, transforming a continuous adjustment problem into discrete, manageable segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lever assembly is designed with a pivot point that allows it to rotate between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic mechanism enables the user to quickly transition between different notches by simply rotating the lever, providing adaptable closure without requiring complex tools or procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the entire latch system is moved to adjust belt length, then length adjustment is possible, but the adjustment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of belt length adjustmentVSAvoidtime required for adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment functionality is extracted from the entire latch system and concentrated into a small lever assembly that can independently engage with multiple notches. This allows length adjustment without moving the main support beam or repositioning the entire closure mechanism, significantly reducing adjustment time and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple notches are pre-positioned along the belt strap at predetermined intervals (e.g., ½ inch increments). This preliminary arrangement of adjustment positions allows the user to quickly select the desired length by simply engaging the lever with the appropriate pre-marked notch, eliminating the need for measurement and calculation during adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a lever-actuated hook assembly with multiple notches is implemented, then precise tightness adjustment in small increments is enabled, but the closure system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of tightness adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of closure system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notches are strategically positioned at specific locations along the belt strap to provide localized adjustment options. Each notch represents a precise tightness level, and the lever assembly is designed to engage specifically with these predetermined positions, providing measurement precision without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the belt design is standardized with a fixed closure system, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the belt is not compatible with various user preferences and body types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different body types and preferencesVSAvoidsimplicity of manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lever assembly is designed as a universal component that can engage with notches positioned at various locations along the belt strap. This single lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides length adjustment, tightness control, and compatibility with different user preferences, all while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the belt strap itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11986062B2Lever weightlifting belt

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 GENERAL LEATHERCRAFT MFG INC

AI summary

A weightlifting belt includes a flexible strap portion with a first major surface (e.g., a front), a second major surface (e.g., a back), a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. An anchor assembly is in contact with the first major surface of the flexible strap portion near the first longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion. A lever-actuated hook assembly is in contact with the first major surface of the flexible strap portion near the second longitudinal end of the flexible strap portion. The lever-actuated hook assembly is configured to engage the anchor assembly so as to hold the first longitudinal end of the strap portion close to, or in physical contact with, the second longitudinal end of the strap portion so as to form a loop that can fit around a waist of a human.