Gymnastics Bar and Method of Making the Same

Author:  Martha Nichols-Ketchum, Jefferson, IA
Source:  US Patent 6,475,118 B1
Doc ID:  2002084
Year of Publication:  2002
Abstract:  
A gymnastic bar has a textured non-smooth surface throughout its length to enhance its strength and to facilitate the gripping thereof by gymnasts. The texture of the bar is created by subjecting the bar to a shot peening process wherein the bar is subject to being impacted by a plurality of high velocity, hard particulate material to create indentations in the surface thereof throughout the substantial area of the surface. The bar, of stainless steel material, is heat treated before being subjected to the peening process. The bar is subjected to the process until it achieves a tensile strength of approximately 190,000 p.s.i.