Triangular Neoprene Pouch for Exercise Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise weights attached to body suits face issues with discomfort due to swinging, limited positioning options, and size incompatibility across different users, despite advancements in Velcro-based attachments and pocket designs.
Innovation Solution
A triangular pouch made of resilient material with a Velcro edge and flexible stainless steel weight elements, allowing for snug fit, flexibility, and adjustable positioning on body suits, using injection mold Velcro for secure yet smooth attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If weights are attached using spring clips or pockets, then weights can be attached to body suits, but the weights swing which causes discomfort and is disconcerting
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is made of resilient material (neoprene) that flexes to conform to the body surface, allowing the weight to move with the body rather than swing independently. This flexible encapsulation eliminates the harmful swinging effect while maintaining attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight elements are designed to be free to flex within the pouch, creating a dynamic system that adapts to body movement. The resilient pouch material allows the weight to dynamically conform to changing body positions during exercise, preventing rigid swinging.
2Reliability
If Velcro type surfaces are used for weight attachment, then weights can be positioned more securely, but the rigidity of weights prevents positioning in every possible position and orientation on the suit
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible neoprene pouch with Velcro edge combines secure attachment (through Velcro) with positioning flexibility (through pouch flexing). The pouch can conform to any body contour or surface orientation, allowing weights to be positioned anywhere on the suit while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch material properties (resilience and flexibility) allow the weight to adapt its shape and position parameters to match different body areas. The Velcro fastening strength can also be adjusted by varying the attachment surface area, providing both security and versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size weight pouches are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the suits are not universally useful for users of different shape and body size
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient neoprene pouch naturally stretches and conforms to different body sizes and shapes without requiring multiple sizes. The material's elasticity allows a single pouch design to universally fit various users while maintaining the same manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pouch design creates a universal weight attachment solution that works for all body types. The same pouch can be used on different body parts and by different sized users, eliminating the need for multiple specialized pouch designs.
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
The solution provides a comfortable and universally adaptable exercise weight system that allows for precise muscle targeting with flexible positioning and secure attachment, addressing the discomfort and size limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a generally triangular pouch having a convex configuration at each end and formed of a resilient material
Implementation Method 2
on one side of the pouch has its outer surface formed at least partially of the other part of the fastener
Data Source
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AI summary
An exercise weight for attachment to a partial or complete body suit having an outer surface comprising one part of a Velcro type fastening comprises a generally triangular pouch having a convex configuration at each end and formed of a resilient material that on one side of the pouch has its outer surface formed at least partially of the other part of the fastener, and a plurality of generally flat weight elements in the pouch in an array that conforms to the shape of the pouch and is of such size that it fits snugly within the pouch while being free to flex, the array of weight elements being in two equal rows about the axis of the pouch, the elements being of gradually decreasing size from the wide end of the pouch to the narrower end.