Open Barbell with Angled Central Bar and Counterweights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barbells, particularly hexagonal and closed designs, pose challenges such as requiring users to step inside, limiting accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and making exercises like split squats impossible due to backside bars, as well as difficulties in easily changing weights.
Innovation Solution
An open barbell design with straight bar ends and a central bar angled relative to the longitudinal axis, featuring counterweights and foot members that protrude sufficiently to allow users to stand aligned with the center of gravity and easily change weights, while maintaining balance and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a closed hexagonal barbell design is used, then structural stability is improved, but user accessibility and safety deteriorate because users must step inside the hexagonal bar which creates tripping hazards and excludes users with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the central bar from the closed hexagonal structure, creating an open barbell design where the central bar is removed or significantly reduced. This allows users to stand inside the barbell without tripping hazards while maintaining structural stability through the remaining hexagonal frame and foot members.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbell is segmented into separate functional components: the hexagonal frame structure for stability, the foot members for support and weight changing, and the bar ends for weight attachment. This segmentation allows the central area to be open for user safety while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If a closed hexagonal barbell design is used, then structural integrity is improved, but exercise versatility deteriorates because exercises like split squats become impossible due to the backside bar
Solution Approach 1:
By removing or reducing the central bar portion that extends backward, the invention eliminates the obstruction that prevents split squat exercises. The hexagonal frame remains intact to maintain structural integrity, while the open central area allows full range of motion for various exercises.
3Device complexity
If very small foot members are used in a closed barbell design, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates because the foot members do not provide sufficient distance from the floor to allow easy weight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The foot members are designed to protrude significantly downward from the hexagonal frame in the vertical dimension, creating sufficient clearance between the floor and the barbell structure. This allows users to easily slide weights on and off the bar ends without the structure interfering with the weight changing process.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the central bar is positioned close to the longitudinal axis, then balance is improved, but user safety deteriorates because it creates tripping hazards and prevents proper user positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The central bar is extracted or significantly reduced in length, removing the tripping hazard that extends toward the user. Balance is maintained through the symmetric hexagonal frame structure and properly positioned foot members that provide stable support points.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
A barbell (1) comprises first and second bar ends (10, 11) being substantially straight and extending along a first longitudinal axis (X-X). A central bar (20) is connected to the bar ends (10, 11) in an angle, and with a mid-portion (25) protruding a first distance (a) from the first longitudinal axis (X-X). First and second handles (30, 31), are connected to at least the central bar (20) and protrudes in an open area (60) between the bar ends (10, 11). First and second counterweights (40, 41), protruding a second distance (b) from the first longitudinal axis (X-X), substantially in an opposite direction relative the central bar (20). The first and second counterweights (40, 41) and the second distance (b) are selected so as to weight-balance the central bar (20) and each counterweight (40, 41) comprises a respective foot member (40a, 41a) which protrudes a third distance (c) from the first longitudinal axis (X-X).