Basic ring shape

~ 16” - 17.5”

~ 18”-23”

~ 16” - 17.5”

~ 32”- 38”

Handles ~5” long

Double ring shape Multiple options exist for using combination of any two-shapes for the device…

Fixed diameter (~size as 45lb plate / 450mm), across inside or outside, with the inside being wide enough to comfortably claim overhead presses can be done without risk of hitting any part of the head (probably best to fix inside diameter across various weight sizes of ring)

A. Rubber coating (ideally textured for grip)B. Solid rubber (enables same overall size but holds shape, ie firm not “squishy”)C. Steel core (variable size & weight starting at ~8-10lb minimum)

*If we went with a double-ring system, we would envision a fixed inner ring size and more variability for more/less weight driven by the outer ring size and/or number of handles and weight of handles connecting the inner and outer ring

Potential side profile

Potential shape of rings (inner and/or outer shape)

Most likely shape of outer core…

Most likely shape of inner core

A

B

C

Potential side profile showing core, padding and coating

~8-10lb? ~12-15lb? ~15-25lb?

x

For the actual exterior (A. from above), I envision a textured rubber coating. I believe it is called ‘knurling’ where they carve diamond like shapes into the surface to provide better grip. Alternatively we could use a sticky rubber surface (and rubber interior for B.) like that used by ViPR fitness products – this may be significantly cheaper but I don’t think would work as well. The coating definitely needs to have more grip than a solid / slippery kettleball type of coating.

‘Knurling’ texture examples

ViPR fitness grip example(for texture only – not handle style)

Too slippery

I like the idea of two different shapes, particularly a three quarters circle on the outside and rectangle on the inside where the inside width and feel is similar to that of a 45lb plate and the outer ring feel requires a wider grip around a circular shape (a three-quarter circle shape on the outer ring enables a flat inside that may be easier to use to attach handles to, depending on method used to attach handles

Potential combinations of inner/outer shape and various steel core sizes for each could lead to multiple final product weights. If there are handles, size requirements

may vary and certain combinations may work better than others

In the future, I could see various ways to add additional weight to the product with a modular design sort of similar to the way the larger PowerBlocks have the option to add more weight to some of the handles. For instance, perhaps we could have indentations on the outer edge of the inner ring and inner edge of the outer ring where we can add weight via additional handle like bars that can be inserted if they are built like a toilet paper role holder / spindle using weighted tubes and a spring system. You could also have holes drilled through the entire inner ring and insert weighted tubes or cylinders and then screw or cap the end of them on the inner side of the inside ring but that would likely shrink the amount of space you have inside the device and/or protrude and become hazardous.

A

B

C

High level issues for consideration:

Assuming even a basic single ring like shape, for these to be useful for studio classes they probably need to start at a very light weight (<10lbs). If we intend to keep the size/volume of the product uniform across multiple weights, creating a light weight ring will require a fairly small ring of steel and a significant amount of substance ‘B.’ compared to the larger weights (25lb+). Will this be costly? Is there a material we can find that won’t add too much weight but still hold a very firm consistency? Are there any structural integrity issues with a small steel ring that is close to the same size as a 45lb plate (my rough calculations lead me to believe that even a 1.25” thick ring with a diameter of 450mm would probably weigh close to 10lb), therefore is there a combination of metal and rubber and coating that can keep the total weight to something as light as 8lb?

Is a two-ring system possible to manufacture? It feels like in order to differentiate this ‘ring’ idea and add unique uses and functionality we need to have more than just a plain ring otherwise the ability to patent it may be very difficult. Will there be any structure integrity issues with welding or screwing handles together to hold these two rings or shapes? Are there any issues we would come across if the size of one is significantly different than the other (like if the outer ring is 2x or 3x heavier than the inner)?

Are there any measurements or dimensions or shapes we should fix while allowing certain other dimensions or measurements to be the variables when moving from one weight to another? I see the actual circumference of any ring as one potential limit where the max would be ~11” –anything bigger becomes too difficult to obtain a good grip with. Since we are copying a lot of workouts traditionally done with standard plates, perhaps the inner ring should be more box-like on the edges and have a max width of something around 1.25” so it feels similar to a plate? That is why I like the idea of a three quarters cylinder shape on the outside, a plate like edge shape on the inside, and handles (3 or 4) to add other possible grip positions for carrying, lifting, curling, etc. Using these three provides a lot of options.

Are there significant costs associated with using different shapes for each ring? Ie will an 20lb piece of metal in an octagon shape cost more/less than a circular shape? Would we be able to fix the handles and/or inner ring and only change the size of the outer ring and still be able to get to multiple final weights (ranging from <10lb to 45lb+)?

Would it be possible to pursue production of a combination of shapes and sizes with the same manufacturing partner at the same cost per pound for any given product? For instance, could we start with 3 different sizes of the basic ring (same volume / shape / size but different weight – maybe 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, 15lb, 20lb) and then in parallel pursue the idea of a two ring shape for the larger sizes (25lb, 35lb, 45lb, 60lb) whilst doing one using two rings and one using a ring/octagon shape? Doing this would allow us to fill out an entire shipping container with a variety of inventory to begin with.

How do go about testing prototypes of various sizes/shapes in a cost effective manner? Would we need to physically go to the site of the manufacturing partners to pick up these various prototypes and test on property or is there a better way to get prototype production done?

Storage. Not addressed yet in this short deck but it is another thing we need to figure out.

~8-10lb?

vs

~15-25lb?

Alternate shapes (solid or hollow with variable wall thickness):

Size specifications:Diameter of center (inside wall to inside wall): 425mmDiameter of entire ring (outside wall to outside wall): 545mm

Actual ring diameter: 60mmWall thickness (assuming hollow object): 6.0mm / 8.0mm / 10.0mm (multiple sizes needed)

Questions:1) What metal options are available? If you have density for each metal that would

be ideal. The specifications above are intended for an aluminum alloy or alternate metal with a density of ~2,800 kg/m3

2) Do you know if an object with a wall thickness of <10mm will be rigid?3) Do you have alternate shapes of metal that you can bend into a ring / torus

shape like the image shown in top left corner?

4) Assuming no ability to customize wall thickness, could you still provide this type of product but in a solid form with various diameters for the ring shape and ring thickness?

5) Time needed to produce such products?6) Minimum order quantity?7) Cost estimates?

Looking for final metal product to be in a ring (or torus) shape like this. Ignore the texture in graphic

below.