Rotating Attachment Coupling to Prevent Unintended Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional attachment methods for exercise equipment and similar applications are often cumbersome, time-consuming, and unsafe, lacking the ability for free 360° rotation and adequate safety precautions against unintentional decoupling.

Innovation Solution

An attachment mechanism comprising a first connector for a stable or unstable base, a second connector for a body-secured or gripped object, and a coupling allowing for free 360° rotation between the connectors without decoupling, utilizing threaded components for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional removable connection methods (carabiners, buckles) are used, then the attachment can be easily connected and disconnected, but the connection process becomes difficult, clunky, and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is divided into separate modular components: a first connector for the base, a second connector for the object, and a coupling element that joins them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables quick assembly by simply connecting the modular parts together without complex manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling element serves as an intermediary component between the first connector and second connector. This mediator enables the connection between two objects without requiring direct engagement between the connectors themselves, simplifying the connection process and reducing the time required to establish a secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional removable connection methods are used, then the connection can be detached, but the method becomes unsafe and allows unintentional decoupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against unintentional decouplingVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element incorporates a safety mechanism that preemptively prevents unintentional decoupling through features such as locked positions or friction-resistant design. The coupling is designed to require deliberate action to disconnect, thereby counteracting accidental forces or movements that might otherwise cause unintended separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic elements such as spring-loaded locking features or friction-based holding mechanisms that automatically adjust to maintain secure connection. These dynamic features continuously adapt to forces applied to the connection, maintaining reliability without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a secure threaded connection is used, then the attachment becomes safe and reliable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded connection mechanism is segmented into dedicated threading features on the coupling element and corresponding threaded receptacles on the connectors. This segmentation isolates the complexity of the threaded engagement to specific components, allowing the rest of the attachment mechanism to remain simple and easy to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling element combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the threaded connection for secure attachment, enables rotational movement, and maintains the connection between connectors. By merging these functions into one element, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to having separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If free 360° rotation is enabled, then the usability and adaptability improve, but the risk of unintentional decoupling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation freedomVSAvoiddecoupling prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element incorporates dynamic locking features that allow free rotation during normal use but automatically engage to prevent decoupling when excessive force or separation attempts are detected. The spring-loaded or friction-based mechanisms continuously monitor the connection state and adaptively respond to maintain both rotation freedom and decoupling prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12320406B2Attachment mechanism between a base and a body secured or gripped object

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 EXEMPLAR DESIGN LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein attachment mechanisms and methods of using the same. The attachment mechanism includes a first connector, a second connector, and a coupling positioned between and coupled to each of the first and second connectors. The first connector is adapted to be mounted to a stable or unstable base. The second connector is adapted to be mounted to a body-secured or gripped object. The coupling is adapted for free 360° rotation relative to at least one of the first and second connectors without decoupling therefrom. A method of using an attachment mechanism includes mounting a coupling to a first connector and mounting the coupling to a second connector opposite the first connector. The coupling is adapted for free 360° rotation relative to at least one of the first and second connectors without decoupling therefrom.