Punching Bag Clamp Assembly for Impact Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Free standing punching bags face catastrophic failures due to concentrated impact loads acting on centrally located internal plastic components, which fail to disperse these loads effectively across a broader structural area, compromising their structural integrity and resistance.
Innovation Solution
A clamp assembly with arcs and tabs that can be flexibly connected and secured in a channel on the base, distributing impact loads across a larger surface area by attaching the foam top to the base via a cover that compresses the foam and secures the clamp assembly, reducing reliance on a central plastic post for load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a centrally located internal plastic post is used to connect the top to the base, then the bag structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the impact loads are concentrated on a small area causing catastrophic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple segments: an upper clamp with teeth that engage with the top, a lower clamp with teeth that engage with the base, and a central stem. This segmentation distributes the impact loads across multiple contact points rather than concentrating them on a single central post, thereby improving structural integrity while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a single-point central connection to a distributed multi-point connection system. The upper and lower clamps extend radially outward from the central stem, creating a three-dimensional load distribution network that engages both the top and base at multiple locations, effectively dispersing impact forces across a broader structural area.
2Reliability
If impact loads are concentrated on a centrally located plastic post, then the connection system is simple, but the resistance and durability of the bag are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates flexible elements and engagement teeth that are designed to deform and absorb impact energy before it reaches the central stem and base connection. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects the critical connection points from catastrophic failure by dissipating impact loads through controlled deformation of the clamp components.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly utilizes composite construction with rigid engagement teeth for load transfer and flexible body portions for energy absorption. This combination of rigid and flexible materials allows the connection system to simultaneously provide structural strength for load bearing and compliance for impact energy dissipation, thereby improving durability without excessive complexity.
3Force
If a heavily weighted base is used to provide resistance, then the bag maintains its resistance characteristics, but the concentrated impact forces still cause failure at the base connection point
Solution Approach 1:
The base connection system is segmented into multiple engagement points through the lower clamp teeth that contact the base at different locations. This segmentation distributes the reaction forces from the weighted base across multiple contact points, preventing stress concentration at any single base connection point while maintaining the overall resistance force provided by the base weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design disperses impact energy across a greater structural area, enhancing the bag's resistance and durability by converting kinetic energy into tensile stability, reducing the risk of catastrophic failures and maintaining the desired resistance characteristics of punching bags.
Implementation Method 1
distributing impact loads across a larger surface area by attaching the foam top to the base via a cover
Implementation Method 2
a cover that compresses the foam and secures the clamp assembly
Implementation Method 3
converting kinetic energy into tensile stability
Data Source
AI summary
A structurally unified free standing bag joined by its exterior skin to effectively absorb impact energy. The bag may comprise a foam top; a base with a rim and a channel below the rim, where the channel has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rim; a cover, where the foam top attaches to the base via the cover; and a clamp assembly attached to the cover. The clamp assembly may have an open position and a closed position. The clamp assembly may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the rim when in the open position and smaller than the diameter of the rim when in the closed position, and the clamp assembly may be capable of being placed in the channel and secured in the closed position to attach the foam top to the base.