Weight Rack Accessory Coupling With Pivot and Releasable Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight racks lack efficient and secure mechanisms for attaching various accessories, such as J-cups, lat pull down seats, and dip handles, which can lead to instability and obstruction during exercises.
Innovation Solution
A weight rack accessory coupling comprising a first and second wall with an intermediate wall forming an open channel, a pivot pin, and a releasable pin, allowing secure attachment of accessories to upright rails via pivot and pin insertion, preventing obstruction and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If accessories are secured to weight rack upright rails using conventional attachment methods, then accessories can be attached to the weight rack, but the attachment may be unstable or obstructive during exercises
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into multiple functional components: a first wall member with a pin portion for engaging the upright rail, a second wall member forming an open channel, and an intermediate wall member providing attachment surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the pin portion provides secure engagement with the rail while the open channel and intermediate wall provide stable attachment for accessories without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary component between the upright rail and the accessory. The pin portion of the first wall member engages with the upright rail, while the intermediate wall member provides a stable platform for accessory attachment. This intermediary structure transfers loads effectively from the accessory through the coupling to the upright rail, ensuring stability without creating obstructions during exercise movements.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented for accessories, then attachment stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device merges multiple functions into a single integrated component structure. The first wall member with pin portion, second wall member with open channel, and intermediate wall member are combined into one coupling assembly that simultaneously provides rail engagement, accessory attachment, and structural stability. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall attachment mechanism while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed as a universal attachment mechanism that can secure various types of accessories (J-cups, lat pull down seats, dip handles, spotter arms) to the weight rack. The open channel and intermediate wall member provide versatile attachment surfaces that accommodate different accessory shapes and sizes, making the coupling structure multi-functional without requiring multiple specialized components.
3Reliability
If accessories are securely attached to prevent obstruction, then exercise safety is improved, but the ease of installation and removal may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates dynamic engagement through the pin portion that can be inserted into and removed from the upright rail apertures. The open channel structure allows for easy positioning and insertion of accessories while the pin portion provides secure engagement during use. This dynamic design enables quick installation and removal operations while maintaining safety during exercise.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for use with a conventional weight rack having a first wall, a second wall and an intermediate wall that together form an open channel, a pivot pin extending orthogonally from a pin portion of the first wall towards the second wall and a releasable pin tethered to the coupling and sized to be received through aligned apertures in the first wall and second wall. Upon insertion of the releasable pin into the aligned apertures, the releasable pin and the pivot pin are spaced apart one from the other. Both of the pivot pin and the releasable pin are sized to be received into apertures in an upright rail of a conventional weight rack. The exterior side of the intermediate wall may be secured to a wide variety of weight rack accessories.