Weight Training Equipment with Elastomeric Noise Absorption

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weight training equipment faces a tradeoff between noise reduction and bounce control, with low durometer elastomers being quiet but causing high bounce and high durometer elastomers being loud and damaging to surfaces, necessitating a design that minimizes both noise and bounce while being gentle on impact surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A weight object designed with a high-durometer material core and a lower durometer elastomeric outer portion featuring spaced holes for noise absorption, which can be shaped as a bumper plate with a handle for lifting, allowing the elastomeric material to absorb noise upon impact without increasing bounce significantly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If low durometer elastomers are used, then noise is reduced, but bounce increases leading to injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidbounce control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The weight object incorporates different durometer materials in different regions: a high-durometer core for structural integrity and bounce control, and a low-durometer outer portion for noise reduction. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The weight object is constructed as a composite structure combining high-durometer and low-durometer elastomeric materials. This composite approach enables the weight to simultaneously achieve low noise generation through the soft outer layer while maintaining controlled bounce characteristics through the rigid core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high durometer elastomers are used, then bounce is reduced, but noise increases to over 130 dB

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebounce controlVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weight object incorporates different durometer materials in different regions: a high-durometer core for structural integrity and bounce control, and a low-durometer outer portion for noise reduction. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The weight object is constructed as a composite structure combining high-durometer and low-durometer elastomeric materials. This composite approach enables the weight to simultaneously achieve low noise generation through the soft outer layer while maintaining controlled bounce characteristics through the rigid core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If high durometer weights are used, then bounce is reduced, but floor damage increases due to tremendous force in small areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebounce controlVSAvoidfloor damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weight object incorporates different durometer materials in different regions: a high-durometer core for structural integrity and bounce control, and a low-durometer outer portion for noise reduction. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The weight object is constructed as a composite structure combining high-durometer and low-durometer elastomeric materials. This composite approach enables the weight to simultaneously achieve low noise generation through the soft outer layer while maintaining controlled bounce characteristics through the rigid core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design effectively reduces noise and bounce, minimizing damage to surfaces while maintaining the structural integrity and usability of weight training equipment, as demonstrated by decibel reduction and increased durability in testing.

Implementation Method 1

a second portion made of elastomeric material having lower durometer than the first portion, where the second portion includes spaced holes within the elastomeric material for absorbing noise generated when the weight object is dropped on the ground surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNoise absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

Low durometer elastomers (e.g. 70) used in such equipment are relatively quiet, but they have a high bounce which can lead to injury. High durometer elastomers (e.g. 90) have a low bounce

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11969618B2Modified weight training equipment

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 SOUND SHORE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A weight object configured to be lifted from a ground surface includes a first portion made of high-durometer material, a second portion made of elastomeric material having lower durometer than the first portion, and a handle for holding the weight object and lifting the object from the ground surface, where the second portion includes spaced holes within the elastomeric material for absorbing noise generated when the weight object is dropped on the ground surface. Alternatively, a weight object is disclosed which is configured to be lifted from a ground surface, comprising at least one layer of elastomeric material having spaced holes therein for absorbing noise generated when the weight object is dropped on the ground surface, and an opening configured to receive a handle.