Tapered Weight Storage Peg for Stable Plate Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weight storage pegs for fitness equipment often fail to securely hold free weight plates, particularly the 45 lb. plates, due to their cylindrical shape and configuration, which can lead to instability and potential injury from the pegs during exercise and storage.

Innovation Solution

A weight storage peg design featuring a bar with a tapered exterior surface, formed by casting a softer material around a metal core weldment, which is small enough to fit within the weight plates and prevents sliding with a conical taper, providing a stable and secure storage solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard cylindrical weight storage peg is used, then the design is simple and easy to manufacture, but the free weight plates can slide off easily and stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of weight plate storageVSAvoidpeg structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a standard cylindrical peg to a tapered peg design. The tapered shape creates an asymmetric geometry where the diameter varies along the length of the peg, with one end being wider than the other. This asymmetric form prevents weight plates from sliding off by creating a physical barrier at the wider end, while maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity through conventional machining processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the peg is mounted horizontally to make it easier to place weight plates, then ease of operation improves, but the plates become unstable and can slide off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of placing weight platesVSAvoidstability of stored plates
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered peg design creates asymmetry in the contact surface between the peg and weight plate. When mounted horizontally, the tapered geometry ensures that the weight plate rests on the narrower portion while the wider portion extends beyond the plate edge, creating a mechanical stop that prevents sliding. This asymmetric configuration simultaneously enables easy plate placement and provides inherent stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Strength

If a cylindrical rod within a nylon casting is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the grip on weight plates is insufficient for heavier weights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip strength on weight platesVSAvoidpeg manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the peg from a uniform cylinder to a tapered form. The taper angle and diameter variations are optimized to increase friction and normal force between the peg and weight plate, thereby enhancing grip strength. This parameter modification improves holding capability for heavier weights while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9610490B2Weight storage peg for fitness apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.04.04 DYNAMIC FITNESS & STRENGTH LLC
  • US9610490B2 patent drawing
  • US9610490B2 patent drawing
  • US9610490B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A weight storage peg for supporting free weight plates from an exercise superstructure includes a bar extending from a fastener. An exterior surface of the bar is provided by a nylon casting around a cylindrical tube weldment. The nylon casting tapers from a wider portion adjacent the free end to a narrower portion nearer the fastener. The nylon casting also provides a mounting flange around the head of a female threaded mounting bolt, with the female threaded mounting bolt welded to a cylindrical tube to form the cylindrical tube weldment.