Modular Assembly Device for Exercise Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sports exercise structures face issues with premature deterioration, safety concerns, and sustainability due to repeated insertions and extractions of exercise bars, leading to wear and tear, and unoccupied holes that can harbor foreign bodies, limiting their use in public and outdoor settings.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly device with a hollow main body and removable plugs that inserts into holes in the structure, allowing for secure connection of accessories like exercise bars without direct contact, sealing unused holes to prevent foreign intrusion, and facilitating easy assembly and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exercise bars are repeatedly inserted and extracted from cavities in posts, then the modularity and versatility of the structure is improved, but the posts deteriorate and wear prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemodularityVSAvoidstructure durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (the exercise bar with cavity and post with protrusion) that mediates between the user's need for repeated insertions/extractions and the structural integrity of the posts. The exercise bar's cavity absorbs the wear and tear instead of the posts, as the cavity is specifically designed to accommodate repeated mechanical stress while the posts remain protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having cavities in the posts that wear out, the invention inverts the design by placing the cavity in the exercise bar and the protrusion in the post. This reversal ensures that the wear occurs in the movable exercise bar component rather than in the fixed post structure, thereby preserving post durability while maintaining modularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If many cavities are made in posts to ensure modularity, then the versatility of the structure is improved, but the posts are exposed to deterioration and foreign body intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemodularityVSAvoidforeign body intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exercise bar acts as an intermediary that seals the connection between the post and the external environment. When the exercise bar is inserted into the post's protrusion, it creates a closed connection that prevents foreign bodies from entering the post's internal structure, thus protecting against deterioration while maintaining modularity through multiple connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the cavity function from the posts and relocates it to the exercise bars. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple open cavities in the posts, thereby preventing foreign body intrusion while preserving the modularity and versatility of the structure through the exercise bar's integrated cavity design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If cavities with notches are formed in posts to accommodate bars, then the ease of operation is improved, but sharp protrusions create safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar insertionVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional design by placing the cavity in the exercise bar and the protrusion in the post, rather than having cavities with notches in the post. This reversal eliminates the sharp protrusions that pose safety risks, as the exercise bar's cavity smoothly receives the post's protrusion, maintaining ease of operation while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of sharp notches and protrusions into a benefit by redesigning the connection geometry. The exercise bar's cavity and the post's protrusion are shaped to work together, transforming what would have been hazardous sharp edges into smooth, safe contact surfaces that facilitate easy insertion and extraction while eliminating safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10709921B2Assembly device and system for an exercise structure, and associated exercise system and mounting method

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 RISACHER STEPHANE REMY DANIEL SYLVERE JOSEPH

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly device (5) for assembling an accessory to an exercise structure (1), said structure comprising at least one hole (10). The device is characterized in that it comprises at least one hollow main body extending longitudinally between two ends, which body is provided with a first opening and is intended to be inserted into the hole (10) and to receive a removable male connector that is to be inserted into the hollow main body through the first opening in order to connect the accessory and the hollow main body. The main body (51) defines a continuous empty inner space that opens at each end in order to form the first opening (511) and a second opening (516). The device is further characterized in that it also comprises a first removable cap for closing the first opening when the male connector is not inserted into the hollow main body. The invention relates to assembly devices and systems for an exercise structure.