Spotting System

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for providing spotting support to an individual while lifting weights.

In weight or resistance training, spotting is generally the role of a person who acts to support a person performing a particular exercise. Acting as a spotter generally includes intervening to support a portion of the weight load in order to assist with a lift when the person cannot themselves exert enough force to complete the lift, such as at the end of a series of repetitions and can also include intervening the support of the entire weight load if the person performing the exercise becomes incapable of doing so.

Spotting is particularly prevalent, and recommended, when performing weightlifting exercises where a person could accidentally drop a weight onto themselves if something goes wrong, such as the bench press, barbell squat, skull crushers, barbell military presses, or barbell push presses. In some instances, for example when lifting alone, a spotter may be unavailable. In some instances, a spotter capable of supporting the weight being lifted may be unavailable.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods for providing spotting support to an individual while lifting weights. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical description.

SUMMARY

A system and methods are provided for weightlifting. In various embodiments, a system includes: at least two support structures, each support structure including: a center post; a rail slidable within the center post, the rail comprising a cradle; and a linear actuator coupled at a first end to the center post and coupled at a second end to the rail; a user input device configured to generate a signal to the control module based on a user interaction; and a control module communicatively coupled to the linear actuator of each of the at least two support structures and configured to synchronize control of the linear actuators based on the signal.

In various embodiments, the user input device is coupled by one or more wires to the control module.

In various embodiments, the user input device is coupled wirelessly to the control module.

In various embodiments, the signal indicates a speed.

In various embodiments, the signal indicates a linear direction.

In various embodiments, the signal indicates a position.

In various embodiments, the user input device includes at least one switch coupled to the control module.

In various embodiments, the at least one switch includes at least one of a pressure switch, a toggle switch, and a rocker switch.

In various embodiments, the user input device includes a remote-control device including at least one switch and configured to communicate to the control module.

In various embodiments, the user input device includes an application comprising computer instructions stored in memory of a user device.

In various embodiments, the user input device includes a microphone that communicates sensed information to the application.

In various embodiments, the user input device includes a camera that communicates sensed information to the application.

In various embodiments, the application generates a user interface that is displayed by the user input device.

In various embodiments, the center posts of the at least two support structures are coupled to a base.

In various embodiments, each center post of the at least two support structures is coupled to a respective base.

In various embodiments, the linear actuator includes an electro-mechanical actuator.

In various embodiments, the linear actuator includes a pneumatic actuator.

In various embodiments, the linear actuator includes a hydraulic actuator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are exemplary views of a spotting system having an input device in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term module refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing logic, and/or processor device, individually or in any combination, including without limitation: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such block components may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and that the systems described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission, signaling, control, and other functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a spotting system 100 is shown in accordance with various embodiments. The spotting system 100 provides spotting support to an individual while performing a weightlifting exercise. For exemplary purposes, the spotting system 100 is described in an embodiment associated with a bench (not shown) where an individual could perform a bench press exercise. As can be appreciated, the spotting system 100 can be associated with other exercise equipment and exercises and is not limited to the bench and bench press example.

In various embodiments, the spotting system 100 includes support structures 104a, 104b (each generally referred to as a structure 104) that are each communicatively coupled to a control module 106. While two independent support structures 104a are 104b are shown, two, four, or any other number of support structures 104 can be coupled to the control module 106 in various embodiments.

Each support structure 104 generally includes a base 108, a center post 110, and a cradle 112. Each support structure 104 is substantially made of steel or other metal sufficient to withstand the force exerted from heavy weights. As shown, two support structures 104a and 104b are provided with their own respective base 108. In various embodiments, two or more support structures 104 can be integrated via a common base 108 extending therebetween. In various embodiments, four support structures 104 can be integrated via a single common base or multiple common bases 108 extending therebetween in accordance with various embodiments.

The base 108 is shown as a rectangular support plate or prism having sufficient dimensions and weight to support the center post 110 extending therefrom in a vertical, upright position. As can be appreciated, the support plate can be or according to other geometry such as, circular or cylindrical and is not limited to the present example. As can be appreciated, other base structures including one or more legs (not shown) angled (e.g., according to a tripod formation) or substantially horizontal can be implemented in various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the center post 110 is a hollow or partially hollow post extending upwards from the base 108. The center post 110 may be bolted to, fastened to, welded to, or formed as a part of the base 108. The center post 110 is configured to receive a rail 114 that is slidable in a positive or negative vertical direction (e.g., up, and down) within the center post 110. The rail 114 includes the cradle 112. The cradle 112 is configured to support an end of an elongated bar (i.e., a bench press bar) in a substantially horizontal resting position. The cradle 112 can include two or more bars configured in a U-shape, a V-shape, or an L-shape.

In various embodiments, each support structure 104 is configured with a linear actuator 116. The linear actuator 116 as shown is an electric powered actuator having a motor and gear set 118 that is electrically driven to produce linear motion. In various other embodiments, the linear actuator 116 is a fluid powered actuator such as, but not limited to a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a combination thereof. In various other forms the linear actuator 116 is a combination of an electric powered actuator and a fluid powered actuator.

In various embodiments, the linear actuator 116 couples at a first end to the center post 110, and couples at a second end to the rail 114. The linear actuator 116 may be welded, fastened, and/or bolted to the center post 110 and/or the rail 114. When actuated, the linear actuator 116 causes the rail 114 to move in a positive or negative vertical direction relative to the center post 110. In other words, the linear actuator 116 causes the rail 114 to slide up or down relative to the ground and within the center post 110. Each linear actuator 116 is further configured to provide a stationary supporting force according to a desired poundage. Likewise, the mounting elements, if implemented, between the linear actuator 116, the center post 110, and/or the rail 114 are configured to provide a stationary supporting force according to a desired poundage.

In various embodiments, the linear actuator 116 from both support structures 104a, 104b is communicatively coupled to the control module 106. In various embodiments, the control module 106 includes any computing device capable of receiving and sending signals. Although one control module 106 is shown, it is appreciated that the control module 106 may include multiple distributed control modules in various embodiments.

In one example, the control module 106 includes a control box (12 VDC) that is couplable to a power source 120 and that has at least two channels, with each channel coupled to one of the linear actuators 116 through a wired coupling. In such example, the control box controls the linear actuator via signals generated through the respective channel and wire. The control module 106 synchronizes the signals sent to each of the linear actuators 116 such that movement and thus, the position of each of the rails 114 moves and/or comes to a stop in a synchronized manner. The control module 106 generates the synchronized control signals based on signals received from a user input device 122. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the user input device 122 can include one or more sensors directly coupled to the control module 106. In such embodiments, the sensor(s) can include a user operated electro-mechanical switch, such as, but not limited to a rocker switch, a pressure switch, a toggle switch, or a combination thereof that generates input signals based on user manipulation. For example, a first pressure switch 124, when manipulated, generates sensor signals indicating a positive direction and/or speed, and a second pressure switch 126, when manipulated, generates sensor signals indicating a negative direction and/or speed. As can be appreciated, such sensor signals can be generated via a combined switch, in various embodiments, as the disclosure is not limited to the present examples.

In various embodiments, the input device 122 is configured in a position relative to the exercise equipment and the user such that the interaction is convenient by the user performing the exercise. For example, the input device 122 is mountable to the horizontal elongated bar used in performing a bench press in a position relative to the individual's thumb or index finger for interaction by the thumb or finger. In another example, the user input device 122 is configured within a footplate resting on the floor in a position relative to the individual's foot for interaction by the foot. In another example, the user input device 122 is configured within a mouthguard which is placed within the individual's mouth for interaction by the mouth.

In various other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the user input device 122 can include a remote-control device 200 that includes one or more sensors 202, 204. In such embodiments, the remote-control device 200 further includes one or more interpreter modules, and/or one or more transmitter modules. The interpreter module(s) interprets the sensor signals as commands from the user and generates command signals based thereon. The transmitter module(s) transmits the interpreted command signals to the control module 106 according to a wired or wireless (short range and/or long range) protocol.

In various other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the user input device 122 includes an application 300 on a user device 302 that communicates with a user via a user interface 304 and one or more input/output devices 306. The user device 302 can include, but not limited to, a cell phone, a smartwatch, a tablet, or other smart devices such as, smart speakers, or smart screens, etc.

In such embodiments, the user device 302 generally operates with any sort of conventional processing hardware, including, but not limited to, at least one processor 310, memory 312, an operating system 314, the input/output device 306, and a communication device 318. The processor 310 may be implemented using any suitable processing system, such as one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, processing cores and/or other computing resources spread across any number of distributed or integrated systems, including any number of “cloud-based” or other virtual systems. The memory 312 represents any non-transitory short- or long-term storage or other computer-readable media capable of storing programming instructions for execution on the processor 310, including any sort of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical mass storage, and/or the like. The computer-executable programming instructions, when read and executed by the processor 310, cause the processor 310 to create, generate, or otherwise facilitate one or more additional tasks, operations, functions, and/or processes described herein.

In various embodiments, the memory 312 includes the instructions of the application 300 for execution by the processor 310 and/or includes a data storage device 320 that stores predefined parameters or calibrations used by the instructions of the application 300. As can be appreciated, the memory 312 represents one suitable implementation of such computer-readable media, and alternatively or additionally, the processor 310 could receive and cooperate with external computer-readable media that is realized as a portable or mobile component or application platform, e.g., a portable hard drive, a USB flash drive, an optical disc, or the like.

The operating system 314 includes computer-executable programming instructions, when read and executed by the processor 310, cause the processor 310 to operate the computer system's basic functions such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, memory allocation, and controlling the input/output devices 306. The input/output devices 306 generally represents the interface(s) to mass storage, display devices, user input entry devices, and/or the like. For example, in such embodiments, the user input/output devices 306 can include (in addition to or as an alternative to other sensors) a microphone and/or camera that senses acoustic conditions or visual conditions from the user. For example, a user may speak commands such as “spotter up,” “spotter down,” “spotter stop,” “spotter faster,” etc. The sensor(s) senses the user conditions, which are then interpreted as commands by the application 300 and transmitted by the communication device 318 to the control module 106.

In accordance with the various embodiments, a spotting system 100 having a user input device 122 is provided which enables spotting support to an individual lifting weights without the need for a second individual to provide the support.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.