Spotting System

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.

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.

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

are exemplary views of a spotting system having an input device in accordance with various embodiments.

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, a spotting systemis shown in accordance with various embodiments. The spotting systemprovides spotting support to an individual while performing a weightlifting exercise. For exemplary purposes, the spotting systemis 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 systemcan be associated with other exercise equipment and exercises and is not limited to the bench and bench press example.

In various embodiments, the spotting systemincludes support structures,(each generally referred to as a structure) that are each communicatively coupled to a control module. While two independent support structuresare 104b are shown, two, four, or any other number of support structurescan be coupled to the control modulein various embodiments.

Each support structuregenerally includes a base, a center post, and a cradle. Each support structureis substantially made of steel or other metal sufficient to withstand the force exerted from heavy weights. As shown, two support structuresandare provided with their own respective base. In various embodiments, two or more support structurescan be integrated via a common baseextending therebetween. In various embodiments, four support structurescan be integrated via a single common base or multiple common basesextending therebetween in accordance with various embodiments.

The baseis shown as a rectangular support plate or prism having sufficient dimensions and weight to support the center postextending 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 postis a hollow or partially hollow post extending upwards from the base. The center postmay be bolted to, fastened to, welded to, or formed as a part of the base. The center postis configured to receive a railthat is slidable in a positive or negative vertical direction (e.g., up, and down) within the center post. The railincludes the cradle. The cradleis configured to support an end of an elongated bar (i.e., a bench press bar) in a substantially horizontal resting position. The cradlecan include two or more bars configured in a U-shape, a V-shape, or an L-shape.

In various embodiments, each support structureis configured with a linear actuator. The linear actuatoras shown is an electric powered actuator having a motor and gear setthat is electrically driven to produce linear motion. In various other embodiments, the linear actuatoris 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 actuatoris a combination of an electric powered actuator and a fluid powered actuator.

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

In various embodiments, the linear actuatorfrom both support structures,is communicatively coupled to the control module. In various embodiments, the control moduleincludes any computing device capable of receiving and sending signals. Although one control moduleis shown, it is appreciated that the control modulemay include multiple distributed control modules in various embodiments.

In one example, the control moduleincludes a control box (12 VDC) that is couplable to a power sourceand that has at least two channels, with each channel coupled to one of the linear actuatorsthrough a wired coupling. In such example, the control box controls the linear actuator via signals generated through the respective channel and wire. The control modulesynchronizes the signals sent to each of the linear actuatorssuch that movement and thus, the position of each of the railsmoves and/or comes to a stop in a synchronized manner. The control modulegenerates the synchronized control signals based on signals received from a user input device. In various embodiments, as shown in, the user input devicecan include one or more sensors directly coupled to the control module. 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, when manipulated, generates sensor signals indicating a positive direction and/or speed, and a second pressure switch, 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 deviceis 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 deviceis 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 deviceis 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 deviceis configured within a mouthguard which is placed within the individual's mouth for interaction by the mouth.

In various other embodiments, as shown in, the user input devicecan include a remote-control devicethat includes one or more sensors,. In such embodiments, the remote-control devicefurther 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 moduleaccording to a wired or wireless (short range and/or long range) protocol.

In various other embodiments, as shown in, the user input deviceincludes an applicationon a user devicethat communicates with a user via a user interfaceand one or more input/output devices. The user devicecan 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 devicegenerally operates with any sort of conventional processing hardware, including, but not limited to, at least one processor, memory, an operating system, the input/output device, and a communication device. The processormay 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 memoryrepresents any non-transitory short- or long-term storage or other computer-readable media capable of storing programming instructions for execution on the processor, 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, cause the processorto create, generate, or otherwise facilitate one or more additional tasks, operations, functions, and/or processes described herein.

In various embodiments, the memoryincludes the instructions of the applicationfor execution by the processorand/or includes a data storage devicethat stores predefined parameters or calibrations used by the instructions of the application. As can be appreciated, the memoryrepresents one suitable implementation of such computer-readable media, and alternatively or additionally, the processorcould 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 systemincludes computer-executable programming instructions, when read and executed by the processor, cause the processorto operate the computer system's basic functions such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, memory allocation, and controlling the input/output devices. The input/output devicesgenerally 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 devicescan 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 applicationand transmitted by the communication deviceto the control module.

In accordance with the various embodiments, a spotting systemhaving a user input deviceis 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.