Telescoping Hurdle Arm for Single-Point Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional track hurdle systems require adjusting multiple vertical arms for each hurdle, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when multiple hurdles need to be adjusted for different athlete events, often necessitating repeated adjustments for varying heights.
Innovation Solution
A single-armed track hurdle system with a telescoping interior arm and a non-telescoping exterior arm, allowing for height adjustment of the hurdle cross bar with a single vertical arm that maintains a horizontal position without becoming lopsided, and includes a counterweight for stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional track hurdle systems use two height adjustable vertical arms to raise and lower the hurdle cross bar, then the hurdle cross bar can be adjusted to desired height, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive requiring multiple steps and repeated adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical arm is segmented into two functional portions: a telescoping interior arm for height adjustment and a non-telescoping exterior arm for structural support. This segmentation allows the height adjustment function to be isolated to the telescoping portion, enabling independent operation and faster adjustment without requiring manipulation of multiple separate arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior arm is designed with telescoping capability, allowing it to dynamically change length by extending or retracting. This dynamic structure enables smooth, continuous height adjustment through a single motion rather than requiring discrete steps of dislodging and repositioning multiple arms, significantly reducing adjustment time and effort.
2Ease of operation
If the user adjusts the first vertical arm independently, then the adjustment process can be simplified, but the hurdle cross bar becomes lopsided relative to the second vertical arm
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping interior arm and non-telescoping exterior arm are merged into a single integrated vertical arm structure. This unified design ensures that height adjustment occurs symmetrically on both sides of the hurdle, maintaining horizontal alignment of the cross bar while allowing the user to operate only one arm. The merged structure eliminates the lopsided condition by ensuring both sides move together.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple track hurdles are adjusted for different events with varying height requirements, then the system becomes versatile, but the repeated adjustment process increases labor intensity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping interior arm provides dynamic height adjustment capability that can be quickly modified between events. The arm can be extended or retracted in a single continuous motion to achieve different heights, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different athletic events without requiring complete disassembly or complex multi-step adjustment procedures, thereby significantly improving productivity.
4Ease of operation
If the telescoping interior arm is designed with specific cross sectional dimensions, then the telescoping mechanism can function properly, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interior arm is designed with specific cross-sectional dimensions that are optimized for the telescoping mechanism to function properly. By carefully selecting and standardizing these dimensional parameters, the design achieves reliable telescoping functionality while minimizing manufacturing complexity. The parameters are chosen to allow for straightforward fabrication processes and standard material specifications, balancing functionality with ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A hurdle system and method. The hurdle system has a telescoping interior arm and a non-telescoping exterior arm. The telescoping interior arm has spaced-apart cylindrical apertures that allow the height of the telescoping interior arm to be locked. A hurdle cross bar support fixedly attaches to a distal end of the telescoping interior arm. A hurdle cross bar is supported by the hurdle cross bar support in a parallel relationship. A bottom cross bar is placeable on the ground as support base for the hurdle. A proximal end of the non-telescoping exterior arm and the bottom cross bar are fixedly attached. A pair of bottom cross bar extensions extend from opposite ends of the bottom cross bar to provide additional stability. A position adjustable counterweight at the bottom cross bar maintains the hurdle in an upright position.