Weight Plate Locking Cartridge With Rotating Toggle Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weightlifting equipment systems require a separate locking pin to engage or disengage weight plates from a center post, which complicates the process of selectively attaching and detaching weight plates during exercises.
Innovation Solution
A weight plate design featuring a locking cartridge with a rotatable toggle lever switch arm and a curved fork that moves between locked and unlocked positions within a channel, allowing for secure coupling and decoupling from a center post or series of coupling inserts without the need for a separate locking pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate locking pin is used to engage or disengage weight plates from a center post, then the weight plate can be securely attached, but the process becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking pin function directly into the center post by forming a recess in the center post that receives a protrusion on the weight plate. This integration eliminates the need for a separate locking pin component while maintaining secure attachment, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The center post is designed with multiple functions: it provides structural support for the weight lifting equipment and simultaneously serves as the locking mechanism through its recess feature. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, addressing the complexity issue while maintaining secure attachment
2Reliability
If a separate locking pin is used for engagement, then the weight plate can be securely coupled, but the number of parts and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the center post structure itself through the recess-feature integration. This reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, making the system easier to manufacture while maintaining coupling security
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin component is extracted from the system entirely and its function is implemented through the geometric features (recess and protrusion) of the remaining components. This elimination of unnecessary parts simplifies manufacturing and reduces maintenance needs
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 seamless and user-controlled attachment and detachment of weight plates to a center post or inserts, allowing for adjustable weight lifting during exercises, reducing complexity and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
A manually-operated toggle lever switch arm is connected to a pivot and adapted to rotate within the housing between locked and unlocked positions
Data Source
AI summary
A weight plate for use with physical fitness weightlifting equipment so that the weight plate may be coupled to other weight plates and lifted together in a stack. Each weight plate includes a pivotal switch arm including a first end at which to receive a pushing force to cause the switch arm to rotate relative to the weight plate and an opposite end at which a curved fork is carried. In one embodiment, a center post runs continuously through the center bore holes of the weight plates. In another embodiment, an insert is located in the center bore hole of each weight plate to be mated to the insert from an adjacent plate. When the pivotal switch arm of any weight plate is rotated to a locked position, the curved fork is rotated with the switch arm into surrounding engagement with the center post or the insert.