Skipping Rope Handgrip with Modular Ballast and Spring Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skipping rope handgrips lack a simple and agile method for weight modification that prevents disruption of exercise rhythm and avoids creating points of inertia, especially when incorporating ballasts.
Innovation Solution
A handgrip design featuring a hollow handle with internal and external ballasts, a plug ballast for retaining the external ballast, and a connection mechanism with a retaining bushing and spring for easy rope replacement, ensuring secure and comfortable weight adjustment and balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If ballasts are incorporated into the handgrip to modify weight, then the weight of the skipping rope can be adjusted, but the exercise rhythm may be interrupted due to complex modification procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The handgrip is divided into modular components: a handle, removable internal ballasts, and external ballasts that can be independently added or removed. This segmentation allows users to quickly adjust weight by simply attaching or detaching modules without complex procedures, resolving the contradiction between weight adjustability and modification agility
Solution Approach 2:
The connection means employs a dynamic spring-loaded retaining bushing system that automatically locks ballasts in place during exercise but allows quick release when needed. This dynamic mechanism enables rapid weight modification while ensuring secure attachment during use, preventing rhythm interruption
2Device complexity
If ballasts are arranged at one end of the handle to simplify structure, then the handgrip structure becomes simpler, but points of inertia are created that cause problems for the athlete
Solution Approach 1:
The handle features an asymmetric hollow cavity design that strategically positions internal ballasts to counterbalance external ballasts attached at one end. This asymmetric arrangement creates a balanced center of gravity, eliminating harmful points of inertia while maintaining simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
Internal ballasts positioned within the hollow handle act as counterweights to external ballasts attached on the outside. This counterbalancing arrangement neutralizes the creation of points of inertia, allowing simple one-end attachment while preventing athletic performance issues
3Ease of operation
If the gripping surface is increased to improve comfort for heavy intensity exercises, then user comfort is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external ballast is designed to fit over the handle in a nested configuration, with the external ballast's inner surface receiving the handle. This nesting approach increases the gripping surface area for comfort while maintaining a compact, integrated structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The external ballast serves multiple functions: it increases weight, expands the gripping surface for comfort, and provides structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality achieves grip comfort enhancement without proportionally increasing complexity, as one component delivers multiple benefits
4Reliability
If a spring mechanism is used to keep the connection closed during exercise, then connection reliability is improved, but the ease of rope replacement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bushing acts as an intermediary between the spring force and the coupling elements. It transmits the spring's locking force during exercise but can be temporarily displaced by user action to allow rope replacement, then automatically returns to the locked position. This intermediary mechanism reconciles connection reliability with replacement ease
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is dynamic rather than static: the retaining bushing can be in a locked state during exercise or an unlocked state during replacement. The spring provides continuous locking force that can be temporarily overcome and automatically re-engages, creating a dynamic system that adapts between reliability and ease of operation modes
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 quick and secure weight customization of the handgrip without disrupting exercise rhythm, providing improved grip and balance by distributing weight evenly and preventing points of inertia, enhancing user safety and comfort during physical activity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that acts axially against the retaining bushing to keep the bushing in the coupling closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A handgrip for skipping ropes having a hollow handle, for gripping the handgrip and configured for housing at least one internal ballast; and a connection element for connecting the handle to a rope; an external ballast able to be fixed to the handle, surrounding and configured for gripping the handgrip.