SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF TRADITIONAL WEIGHT STACK WEIGHTLIFTING MACHINES

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/678,860, filed on Aug. 2, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and method for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines. More specifically, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for retrofitting a traditional weight stack weightlifting machine with a pair of resistance bands that facilitate an improved weightlifting experience for a user.

When exercising, a person's muscles may experience both concentric contraction and eccentric contraction. During concentric contractions, a muscle shortens to overcome a force. During eccentric contractions, a muscle lengthens while resisting a force. In weightlifting, concentric contractions are often made in response to lifting a weight against the force of gravity (i.e., lifting the weight) and eccentric contractions are often made in response to resisting the force of gravity acting on the weight (i.e., slowly lowering the weight). For example, common concentric movements include the pressing portion of a bench press, standing up out of a squat, pulling the weight from the floor on a deadlift, or pushing down in a triceps pushdown. Common eccentric movements include lowering the weight towards your chest on the bench, the descent of a squat, or lowering the weight back to the floor on a deadlift, or the raising of the hands after a triceps pushdown.

Notably, concentric contractions may also be made when stretching a resistance band or resistance spring, while eccentric contractions are made in slowing the return of the resistance band or resistance spring to its unstretched length.

During a given exercise, a user's muscles are generally stronger in the eccentric phase of movement than in the concentric phase; however, they are also more susceptible to injury in the eccentric phase than in the concentric phase. As a result, controlling the eccentric portion of a lift rather than just letting the weight drop quickly can be an effective mechanism to overload muscles during a weightlifting exercise, as well as being important to help minimize the risk of injury.

When using traditional weight stack weightlifting machines, many weightlifters focus their effort during the concentric phase of the exercise, i.e., the raising of the weight stack, while making less of an effort to control the movement of the weight stack as it lowers back to rest. This leads to suboptimal strength gains and increases the risk of injury to the weightlifter.

Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines by promoting users to make a more focused effort of controlling the weight during the eccentric phase of each exercise, as taught herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines by providing an anchor pin that anchors to and below a weight plate at the bottom of a weight stack that connects, by way of a pair of resistance bands, to a pair of locking collars that fit onto vertical rails that guide the movement of the weight plates in the weight stack, above a weight plate at the top of the weight stack. This system adds the resistance of the resistance bands to a selected weight in the weight stack to increase the resistance of the machine to the user's movement.

Because resistance bands provide variable resistance depending on the degree to which they are stretched, i.e. the greater length a resistance band is stretched, the more resistance it provides, the systems and methods described herein provide peak resistance at the end of the concentric phase and the start of the eccentric phase for any given exercise. Adding this variable resistance, in addition to the more linear resistance provided by the traditional weight stack weightlifting machine alone, changes the feel of the exercise for weightlifters. In order to control the weight throughout the full range of movement, users must increase their efforts as they get deeper into the concentric phase of the movement and at the start of the eccentric phase of the movement. It is believed that requiring weightlifters to focus their peak efforts near and at the transition between the concentric and eccentric phases of the movement and then gradually decreasing the exercise's demands through the range of the eccentric movement will naturally help to guide users to make an effort to maintain control of the movement throughout the eccentric phase. Accordingly, the present invention allows users to modify traditional weightlifting machines to train under more optimal conditions by encouraging users to focus their efforts at controlling the weight during the eccentric phase of the exercise demands, helping users train more optimally and decreasing their risk of injury.

In one embodiment, the system includes: an anchor including an anchor body, a first anchor pin, a second anchor pin, a third anchor pin, a first anchor connection point, and a second anchor connection point, wherein each of the first anchor pin, the second anchor pin, and the third anchor pin extend from the anchor body in a first direction, wherein the second anchor pin and third anchor pin define a first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located above the first horizontal plane; a first locking collar comprising a first locking collar body, a first locking collar lock, and a first locking collar connection point; a second locking collar comprising a second locking collar body, a second locking collar lock, and a second locking collar connection point; a first resistance band spanning the first anchor connection point and the first locking collar connection point; and a second resistance band spanning the second anchor connection point and the second locking collar connection point.

The anchor and locking collars may be formed from any material capable of performing under the forces generated by the system. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the anchor and locking collars are formed from stainless steel.

In use, a user selects a weight to lift by inserting a weight selection pin into a weight selection hole associated with the selected weight. The user also inserts the first anchor pin of the anchor into the weight selection hole associated with the weight at the bottom of the weight stack. The second anchor pin and third anchor pin fit beneath the bottom surface of the weight at the bottom of the weight stack. The second anchor pin and third anchor pin help to secure the anchor in place and prevent it from rotating about the axis created by the first anchor pin.

As a user lifts the selected weight in the stack, the first and second locking collars, located above the weight at the top of the weight stack along the vertical guide rails, move with the lifted weight along the guide rails while the anchor remains in place at the bottom of the weight stack. Accordingly, the first and second resistance bands that connect the locking collars to the anchor stretch, requiring an increasing amount of force by the user to continue to lift the selected weight. In other words, the further the user lifts the selected weight, the heavier the resistance becomes with resistance peaking at the end of the concentric phase and the beginning of the eccentric phase.

In some embodiments of the anchor, the first and second anchor connection points are eyelets. The eyelets may be located, for example, on either side of the first anchor pin above the second and third anchor pins. In other embodiments, the eyelets may be located centrally, below the first anchor pin and above the second and third anchor pins. In other embodiments, the eyelets may be located below the second and third anchor pins. In other embodiments, the anchor connection points may be aligned vertically along the central vertical axis of the anchor, rather than spaced apart horizontally. In other embodiments, the anchor may include a single anchor connection point to which each of the resistance bands connects. The one or more connection points may be any type of connection mechanism capable of maintaining stability as the resistance bands stretch, including various locking mechanisms.

In some embodiments, the three anchor pins form an upward pointing triangle with the first anchor pin located at the top vertex of the triangle. While primarily described as separate pins, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the second and third pins instead form a unitary bar, a plate, or a similar structure that fits beneath the lowest weight in the weight stack to secure the anchor and prevent the anchor from rotating about the axis formed by the first anchor pin.

In some embodiments, each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point is an eyelet. However, the connection point may be any type of connection mechanism capable of maintaining stability as the resistance bands stretch, including various locking mechanisms.

The resistance bands may be permanently secured to each of the anchor and the locking collars, to just the anchor, to just the locking collars. However, in a preferred embodiment the resistance bands are removably secured to the anchor and locking collars with releasable connections, such as clips resembling those used in carabiners.

The first, second, and third anchor pins may be of various lengths. For example, the first anchor pin may be shorter than the second anchor pin and the third anchor pin. The second and third anchor pins may be parallel to each other or may form an oblique angle between them. In one embodiment, the axial centerline of the second anchor pin is offset more than 1.5 inches from the axial centerline of the third anchor pin as measured along the first horizontal plane. In another embodiment, the second and third anchor pins form a unitary surface that is at least an inch and a half in width.

In some embodiments, the first locking collar body and the second locking collar body are C-shaped tubes. In a subset of these embodiments, each of the first locking collar body and the second locking collar body may include an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the first vertical guide rail and the second vertical guide rail of a traditional weight stack weightlifting machine, respectively. Functionally, the locking collar bodies are intended to slide freely up and down along the vertical guide rails with the movement of the weights in the weight stack.

The locking collars may be removably secured to the vertical guide rails using hinged locking arms. In other embodiments, the locking collars may be integral with the vertical guide rails of the weight stack weightlifting machine.

In some embodiments, each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point extend from a front surface of the respective first locking collar and second locking collar. However, the first and second locking collar connection points may located anywhere in relation to the body of the locking collars that enables unrestricted, unimpeded stretching of the resistance bands between the locking collars and the anchor.

In one embodiment, a method of improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines includes the steps of: inserting a first anchor pin of an anchor into a weight selection hole associated with a first weight plate located in a bottom position of a weight stack such that a second anchor pin and a third anchor pin are each located below a bottom surface of the first weight plate located at the bottom of the weight stack; securing a first locking collar to a first vertical guide rail in a position above a second weight plate located in a top position of the weight stack; securing a second locking collar to a second vertical guide rail in a position above the second weight plate located in the top position of the weight stack; connecting a first resistance band to a first anchor connection point of the anchor and to a first locking collar connection point of the first locking collar; and connecting a second resistance band to a second anchor connection point of the anchor and to a second locking collar connection point of the second locking collar.

The method may further include the step of lifting the second weight plate vertically against the force of gravity along a path defined by the first vertical rail and the second vertical rail such that the first resistance band and the second resistance band each stretch an increasing amount as the second weight plate moves vertically against the force of gravity.

The first resistance band may stretch along an axial length that runs at an oblique angle with respect to the first vertical guide rail and the second resistance band may stretch along an axial length that runs at an oblique angle with respect to the second vertical guide rail. The first anchor connection point and second anchor connection point may be located on opposite sides of the first anchor pin. Each of the first resistance band and the second resistance band may be removably connected to the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point, respectively.

In another embodiment, a system may include: an anchor including an anchor body, first anchor pin, a second anchor pin, a third anchor pin, a first anchor connection point eyelet, and a second anchor connection point eyelet, wherein each of the first anchor pin, the second anchor pin, and the third anchor pin extend from the anchor body in a first direction, wherein the second anchor pin and third anchor pins define a first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located above the first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is located between the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point, wherein the first anchor connection point and the second anchor connection point are each located above the first horizontal plane, wherein the first anchor pin is shorter than the second anchor pin and the third anchor pin, wherein an axial centerline of the second anchor pin is parallel to an axial centerline of the third anchor pin and the axial centerline of the second anchor pin is offset more than 1.5 inches from the axial centerline of the third anchor pin as measured along the first horizontal plane; a first locking collar in the form of a C-shaped tube comprising a first locking collar body, a first locking collar lock, and a first locking collar connection point; a second locking collar in the form of a C-shaped tube comprising a second locking collar body, a second locking collar lock, and a second locking collar connection point, wherein each of the first locking collar connection point and the second locking collar connection point is an eyelet; a first resistance band removably secured to and spanning the first anchor connection point and the first locking collar connection point; and a second resistance band removably secured to and spanning the second anchor connection point and the second locking collar connection point.

An object of the subject matter disclosed herein is to provide systems and methods for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines.

Another object of the subject matter disclosed herein is to provide systems and methods that encourage users to bring focus to the eccentric phase of weightlifting exercises.

Another object of the subject matter disclosed herein is to enable users to custom tailor the amount of resistance to add to a given exercise by using different resistance bands.

Another object of the subject matter disclosed herein is to provide a system that easily retrofits to common, existing weightlifting machines.

Another object of the subject matter disclosed herein is to provide a variable weight resistance that encourages users to lift the appropriate weight for their given level of fitness rather than select a weight that they are able to move at the start of the concentric phase (and end of the eccentric phase) but find difficult to control during the more dangerous end of the concentric phase and beginning of the eccentric phase.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front side isometric view of a system for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines including an anchor pin, a pair of resistance bands, and a pair of locking collars.

FIG. 2 is a front side isometric view of the system shown in FIG. 1, in which the weight stack is lifted from its resting position, increasing the tension in the pair of resistance bands.

FIG. 3 is a front side isometric view of the example of an anchor pin used in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front side isometric view of the example of a locking collar used in the system shown in FIG. 1, with the hinged latch shown in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the anchor pin connection in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a locking collar connection in the system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of system for improving performance of traditional weight stack weightlifting machines 100 (“system 100”) including an anchor 102, a pair of resistance bands 104, and a pair of locking collars 106. The system 100 is shown in FIG. 1 for use with a traditional weight stack weightlifting machine 108 (“weightlifting machine 108”), including a weight stack 110 comprising a plurality of individual weight plates 112, each including a weight selection hole 114 for receiving a weight selection pin 116. In use, in response to effort input by the user, the weight plates 112 move vertically against the force of gravity along a pair of vertical guide rails 118.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 in which a user is lifting a selected weight. As shown in FIG. 2, as the user lifts the selected weight, the selected weight plates 112 (selected by the insertion of the weight selection pin 116 into the appropriate weight selection hole 114) move upward against the force of gravity, guided by the pair of vertical guide rails 118. As the selected weight plates 112 move upward, the pair of locking collars 106 move upward as well, causing the resistance bands 104 to stretch, increasing the effective weight the user is acting against.

In the position shown in FIG. 2, the user is either nearing the end of the concentric phase of the movement (i.e., lifting the weight), or is in the early stage of the eccentric movement (i.e., returning the weight to its resting position). In contrast, in the position shown in FIG. 1, the user is either at the beginning of the concentric phase of the movement or at the end of the eccentric phase. In the position shown in FIG. 1, the user is in the strongest position, capable of lifting the most weight. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the user is in a position in which it is more difficult to lift and control the selected weight. In addition, the system 100 makes the selected weight lightest in the position shown in FIG. 1 and heaviest in the position shown in FIG. 2. As a result, use of the system 100 encourages the user to focus their efforts at the end of the concentric phase and the beginning of the eccentric phase, where the user is most susceptible to injury and the resistance is heaviest. The variable weight resistance provided by the system 100 encourages users to lift the appropriate weight for their given level of fitness rather than select a weight that they are able to move at the start of the concentric phase (and end of the eccentric phase) but find difficult to control during the more dangerous end of the concentric phase and beginning of the eccentric phase.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the anchor 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the anchor 102 includes an anchor body 120, a first anchor pin 122, a second anchor pin 124, a third anchor pin 126, and one or more anchor connection points 128. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first anchor pin 122, the second anchor pin 124, and the third anchor pin 126 extend from the anchor body 120 in a first direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the top surfaces of the second anchor pin 124 and third anchor pin 126 define a first horizontal plane. The first anchor pin 122 is located above the first horizontal plane. The vertical distance between the first anchor pin 122 and the first horizontal plane enables the second anchor pin 124 and third anchor pin 126 to slide into place below the bottom surface of the bottom most weight plate 112 in the weight stack 110. In position, the second anchor pin 124 and third anchor pin 126 prevent the anchor 102 from rotating about the axis formed by the first anchor pin 122 when it is inserted into the weight selection hole 114 of the bottom most weight plate 112. This improves the stability of the anchor 102 in use.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the one or more anchor connection points 128 include a first anchor connection point 128a and a second anchor connection point 128b. In this example, each of the first anchor connection point 128a and the second anchor connection 128b point is an eyelet. As shown, the first anchor pin 122 is located between the first anchor connection point 128a and the second anchor connection point 128b. However, it is contemplated that there may be various embodiments of the one or more anchor connection points 128 and they may be located in various positions relative to the anchor body 120.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first anchor pin 122 is shorter than the second anchor pin 124 and the third anchor pin 126. The longer second anchor pin 124 and the third anchor pin 126 are provided to increase the stability of the anchor 102. While shown as being parallel in FIG. 3, the second anchor pin 124 and the third anchor pin 126 may be at angles to each other, such as, for example, forming a more V-like shape between them.

In the example provided in FIG. 3, the second anchor pin 124 and third anchor pin 126 are about an inch and a half apart, as measured from centerline to centerline. This offset help to provide an anti-rotational stabilizing force. It is understood that the width of the spacing of the second anchor pin 124 and the third anchor pin 126 may be increased to more easily counter any torque forces applied to the second anchor pin 124 and the third anchor pin 126.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of one of the locking collars 106. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking collar 106 includes a locking collar body 130, a locking collar lock 132, and a locking collar connection point 134. The locking collar lock 132 includes a hinged locking arm 136 and a hinged locking arm stop 138. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking collar body 130 is in the form of a C-shaped tube with an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the vertical guide rails 118. This enables the locking collar 106 to connect to one of the vertical guide rails 118 while maintaining the ability to glide up and down along the vertical guide rail 118 in response to the movement of the selected weight from the weight stack 110.

As shown, the hinged locking arm 136 may be raised to move the locking collar body 130 into or out of position with respect to the vertical guide rails 118. The hinged locking arm 136 locks the locking collar 106 into position when it is lowered and secured against the hinged locking arm stop 138.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the collar connection point 134 extends from a front surface of the locking collar 106. However, it is understood that the first collar connection point 134 may be positioned anywhere along the lock collar body 106 that does impede the stretching of the resistance bands 104 between the locking collars 106 and the anchor 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of the connection between the anchor 102 and the resistance bands 104. As shown in FIG. 5, the resistance bands 104 each include a carabiner-style clip 140 that attaches to the one or more anchor connection points 128. Similarly, FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of the connection between the locking collars 106 and the resistance bands 104. As shown in FIG. 6, the resistance bands 104 each include a carabiner-style clip 140 that attaches to the locking collar connection point 134 of each collar 106.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.