Shrouded Exercise Spring Assemblies for Portable Pinch Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighted exercise devices are not easily transportable and limit the user's ability to perform exercises at various locations, restricting flexibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A shrouded spring assembly comprising a coil spring encapsulated by a shroud with expandable and retractable sleeve portions, allowing easy attachment to external devices and accommodating stretching and retracting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional weighted exercise devices are used, then exercise effectiveness is achieved, but portability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resistance from heavy weights to spring tension. The spring assembly provides resistance through its elastic properties, allowing the same device to be easily transported while maintaining exercise effectiveness. The spring's ability to store and release mechanical energy replaces the need for heavy weights, achieving both portability and exercise effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If spring assemblies are used for exercise, then portability is improved, but safety risks increase due to exposed spring components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible shroud that completely covers the spring assembly, creating a protective barrier between the user and the spring components. This shroud is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate spring expansion and contraction during exercise while maintaining continuous coverage to prevent pinch hazards. The shroud acts as a protective shell that allows motion while blocking access to dangerous spring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud serves as an intermediary element between the spring assembly and the user. It mediates the interaction by providing a safe interface that allows users to exercise with the spring assembly without direct exposure to the spring components. The shroud transfers the mechanical forces while maintaining safety, acting as a protective layer that enables safe user interaction with the potentially hazardous spring mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shroud is made stretchable to accommodate spring movement, then safety is improved, but the shroud may not provide sufficient protection during high-force exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the shroud by incorporating elastic materials and pleated structures. These modifications allow the shroud to dynamically adjust its shape and volume in response to spring expansion and contraction forces. The pleated design provides multiple layers of material that can deform and reform, maintaining protection during high-force exertion while accommodating the necessary movement for safe exercise.
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
Enables portable and versatile exercise solutions by preventing foreign objects from getting pinched, facilitating easy transport and use in diverse locations, and providing a safe and convenient exercising experience.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring having a cylindrical body that extends along a longitudinal axis... the sleeve portion being expandable and retractable along the longitudinal axis to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body responsive to opposing forces applied to the first and second attachment members
Implementation Method 2
the sleeve portion is made from a suitably flexible or stretchable material that enables the sleeve portion to expand in a lengthwise direction along the longitudinal axis as the coil spring is stretched by an exercising force, and then to contract again as the exercising force is relieved
Data Source
AI summary
A shrouded spring assembly comprises a coil spring and a shroud. The coil spring includes a cylindrical body having a first and second attachment members coupled to the ends thereof. The shroud includes a sleeve portion that substantially encapsulates the cylindrical body of the coil spring, the sleeve portion including first and second end portions configured to enable the first and second attachment members to be operatively couplable to one or more external devices. The sleeve portion of the shroud is expandable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the coil spring to accommodate stretching and retracting of the cylindrical body along a longitudinal axis.