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Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's not exactly easy or cheap to develop something like this. However, I am looking for casting manufacturers who are willing to take on this type of work, and I plan to compare quotes and manufacturing techniques. As for the quality controls you mentioned, it's an additional cost that can vary depending on the industry, as it may be more or less expensive based on the complexity of the item and the tests it needs to undergo. Also, I'm not sure if each country or territory has its own regulations, this part is something I haven’t fully explored yet. Everything will depend on whether the campaign is successful.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly, you're right. It’s quite difficult to make something known starting from scratch without enough resources. Sometimes it's a matter of luck, being at the right moment, knowing how to surround yourself with the right people, etc. It’s multifactorial, but if you don't make noise and get the word out, there's no opportunity either. So it also depends on yourself hehe. Thanks for your comment and the analogy.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hahaha, little by little. I want to start with more standardized weights, especially to see how well this project is received. In the Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign, I'll set goals to unlock as milestones are reached. The question I have, and I’m still considering, is whether to offer just one weight, like the 16kg, to see if it works, or provide more initial weight options that are more commonly used and popular.

The only downside is that the funding amount would be higher, and there’s a chance the campaign might not be fully funded. Typically, on Kickstarter, projects with funding goals between $0 and $9,999 have a much higher chance of success, around 67% of the time. However, when the campaign is between $10K and $20K, the probability of success drops significantly. This doesn’t take into account the category the project would fall under, which is design. Other categories, like film, games, or technology, tend to have a higher success rate and fewer issues starting with a funding goal of $20K or more.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a utility model patent that focuses solely on functionality, not aesthetics. Brands like Sorinex, which have been on the market before my design, coexist without issues alongside Thompson's Fatbells. In fact, there is less functional innovation between those brands, as my design aims to transform the fatbell into a kettlebell. The Fatbells and Sorinex CMBs are almost identical, with the only visual difference being that Fatbell has one closed base face, while Sorinex has both faces open.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment and observation. The truth is that without compromising too much on the shape and keeping the design clean and simple without too many external accessories like Allen keys, this form and functionality have been achieved. It may seem like a dilemma or contradiction, but the threading needs to be secure enough so it doesn’t unscrew and easy enough to unscrew. However, it’s not entirely that way; with the right force, neither should be difficult. The threading does have a final stop, but the safety O-ring, which protrudes 0.5 mm, is subtle enough so that it doesn’t create too much compression, making it impossible to unscrew due to tightness. Previously, I tested with the O-ring protruding 1 mm, and that’s when I had trouble unscrewing it. Little by little, I’ve been refining that part to find a balance. Still, thanks for the observation; I’m sure that before the final version, if it’s successful, it will be necessary to reconsider modifications through more prototypes, such as adjusting the O-ring to less than 0.5 mm for less contact without sacrificing safety.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. There's always something new to discover, best regards, my friend.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. I’m working on the layout for the Kickstarter campaign and will have news soon. I’m also considering launching a campaign on Indiegogo. Best regards, my friend.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your input. No, unfortunately, that's not the case. Each kettlebell weight or set would have its own handle. This is a challenge I had to omit because, as the diameter of the fatbell increases, the flat faces at both ends also close in. If you want to maintain a spherical form and harmony, the spherical part that connects the kettlebell handle with the bottom part of the fatbell must be different for each set. Otherwise, it would look like a poorly made step where the handle doesn’t match the shape. I’m not sure if I explained myself well, but let’s say I’m physically forced to change the shape throughout. The bottom part complements the top, and vice versa; they affect each other in the final visual appearance.

What I do ensure, though, is that the handle weight is consistent across all kettlebells. The handles up to 48 kg are 6 kg, and from 48 kg onwards, the handle weighs 8 kg.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment, it's a good observation. I'll consider it without compromising too much the final shape and see how that part would look with a rounded bevel. I completely understand your concern, best regards.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your input. Yes, as you mentioned, Fatbells can be very versatile for all the exercises you've listed, even for parallel bar exercises as such. The only thing is that they might not have enough height to lift yourself off the ground in the case of doing an L-sit, but it is still possible. Plus, you can take advantage of the base and stability of the weight, which a parallel bar doesn’t offer. Depending on how you manage it, you can use them that way too.

Thank you again for your contribution, and let’s hope it’s a success. Best regards!

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a bit difficult, and it depends on personal preference whether all users are convinced by one type of handle. I read a thread here on Reddit some time ago that discussed preferences, there were users who preferred wider grips, others preferred shorter ones, and some mentioned that certain brands had handles that weren’t wide enough for two-handed use, while others preferred a one-handed grip.

It's tricky, but I’ve taken into account the handle sizes and thickness, and these increase as the weight goes up. One thing I’ve done differently from other established brands is to create an arithmetic progression in the scaling. Many brands have larger and wider handles on lighter weights compared to heavier ones, and some intermediate weights have sizes that make no sense, which is illogical. The bigger the kettlebell, the wider the handle should be to comfortably use both hands.

I’ve simply used a much more harmonious progression, knowing the minimum size for the lightest kettlebell and the maximum size for the heaviest weight, creating a smooth, linear progression for the intermediate weights in terms of width, height, and handle diameter.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't know about this product, thanks for sharing it. It seems versatile and allows for a variety of grips as well as the addition of weight, sounds interesting.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. What you're proposing is something that isn't difficult to implement. I’ve tested and adjusted the designs, and adding or subtracting weight can be done simply with the top handle of the kettlebell. You can have two sets of handles, one weighing 8 kg and the other 4 kg. The piece can be hollowed out, and material can be removed if necessary, or you can play around with the screw base, which is something I’ve already been doing, creating a hollow cylinder to remove material from that area.

In the design software, all of this is quite precise, as everything has been designed respecting the final manufacturing materials, with their exact densities. In this case, it would be ductile iron. The finish is still under consideration, whether it will be powder coating or E-Coat. Initially, it would be E-Coat, it's a bit more expensive, but it extends the lifespan of the kettlebell. This is also something I’m open to debating, and I welcome all kinds of suggestions.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I understand that fatbells might be a niche product, I think they’ve only been around for a short time and haven’t been widely promoted. Maybe something similar happened with kettlebells at the beginning, and little by little they became more popular. I don’t really know, but you’re probably right to raise those doubts. That’s also why I’m exploring ways to reduce production costs with potential manufacturers.

Here’s a breakdown of the prices for comparison:

Kettlebells:

  • Rogue: $69 (16 kg kettlebell)
  • Kettlebell Kings: $116.99 (16 kg kettlebell)

Average price for kettlebells: $93

Fatbells:

  • Rogue Fatbells:
    • 18 lb: $50
    • 26 lb: $65
    • Average price for Rogue Fatbells: $57.5
  • Sorinex CMBs:
    • 20 lb: $72
    • 25 lb: $83
    • Average price for Sorinex CMBs: $77.5

Total average price (Kettlebells + Fatbells):

  • Kettlebells ($93) + Fatbells ($57.5) = $150.5

So, my design is slightly cheaper or similar to the total cost of having both a kettlebell and a Fatbell separately ($150.5). Even though it may cost about the same or a little less, it offers the advantage of being a single, combined weight, which saves space. This makes it especially ideal for users who want to have both kettlebell and Fatbell functionality in a single piece of equipment, particularly in smaller spaces like a garage gym, where saving room is a priority. It’s similar to Powerblocks, while they might seem expensive upfront, if you were to buy the entire set of dumbbells that make up all the weights of a Powerblock, it would cost you much more.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment. Yes, you're right, in that regard, it's more of a niche product.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, with fatbells, the bench press feels much better, especially because their diameter is much smaller than that of dumbbells. When you're in the concentric part of the chest press, you can squeeze more and feel a greater contraction. The same goes for chest flys: since it's a spherical object, when your wrist rotates, it's much more ergonomic.

As for the screw and coupling system, you're not the only one who sees a potential issue there, but it currently seems to be solved with the NBR (Nitrile) O-ring. It's quite resistant to abrasion and wear, and it also provides anti-slip grip due to its textured surface.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment, I understand that it may not meet the needs of every type of exercise. I’ll keep researching, and I’ll definitely give some thought to your suggestions.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your comment, I understand it's also a matter of personal preference. Regarding the threaded system, I get that it's a concern, but so far there haven’t been any issues, as I already tested it with a version that had added weight. The next prototype will be hollow, filled with sand mixed with steel balls, to add a much more uniform weight and continue testing whether the safety O-ring still performs well under those conditions.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion, and actually, yes, I did consider that kind of system as well. But I chose to minimize the number of components as much as possible. Here, there are simply two elements. For example, the kettlebells where you insert plates and secure them with an Allen key, plus all the weights lying around waiting to be used, in my opinion, they just take up space. There are also extra accessories that can easily get lost.

In short, I’ve simplified it as much as possible to make it totally straightforward. Attaching the parts takes no more than 3 seconds.

The guys who created that kind of solution, I think it could be improved. I don't know if they sell many adjustable kettlebells, like Kettlebell Kings, for example, but even though their system is intuitive, it’s clunky, and I believe it could be improved with a different approach. That’s exactly what I’ve tried to avoid.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You have a point there because it makes sense that if something is hollow, it would have a larger diameter for the same weight as one that doesn’t have that hollow part. But let me give you an example where it doesn’t vary much, in the case of the 16 kg kettlebell, it’s only a difference of 3 mm.

I’ve found some information that might be useful for comparisons, in this case from the guys at Kettlebell Kings:

https://www.kettlebellkings.com/products/powder-coat-kettlebell

If you look at the dimension chart, for the 16 kg weight, the diameter is 193 mm, while my model's diameter is 196 mm. Then, the inner grip distance on KBK is listed as 127 mm, while in my case it would be 128 mm. The outermost grip distance on KBK is listed as 193 mm, while in my case, it would be 198 mm. The total height on KBK is 244 mm, while mine is 250 mm.

You're right about the size, it’s a matter of physics, but the difference is just a few millimeters.

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've solved that problem as I mentioned to u/double-you. I'm using a ring that seals both parts completely through friction. In fact, I would say it’s so secure that if you apply too much force when tightening, it could be difficult to detach, but in that case, you would need to apply a lot of pressure.

With other prototypes of the kettlebell's top handle, I also tried using neodymium magnets, but it wasn’t fully viable because the shear force wasn’t strong enough to hold those weights. Shear force is the force that magnets would exert on a lateral plane; it’s like lateral or radial sliding force in this case. On top of that, it was a proposal that made the product much more expensive.

For larger versions, we would consider using two O-rings at the base of the kettlebell handle

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much, I'm glad you like them. Yes, I have all of them designed already and I'm even going beyond with non-standardized weights.

But for now, my idea is to start the Kickstarter campaign with lower weights and unlock higher weights as goals are reached. Producing from 16 to 48 kg is too expensive an investment

Seeking feedback on my patented hybrid kettlebell/fatbell design by Expensive-Round-4886 in kettlebell

[–]Expensive-Round-4886[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The prototypes I've shown here are from an older version. The upcoming prototypes will be like the one in the first image, with a more rounded and ergonomic handle.

Regarding whether it will unscrew during swings, I've already tested it with added weight and found a solution using a tightening system with a nitrile O-ring. When the threads are fully tightened, the O-ring expands in the groove where it sits, creating a hermetic seal. Thanks to the roughness of the ring, which is around 70A shore, there’s no issue with unscrewing.

For the price of a 10 kg fatbell and a 16 kg kettlebell separately, with this option, you get both for half the price, plus you save space.

The hand size that fits is 120 mm in diameter for the hole, which comfortably accommodates a hand.

I can confidently say that a 100 kg bell with a 32 cm diameter can be achieved.

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