AUTOMATED RACKING OF WEIGHT LIFTING EQUIPMENT
First Claim
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1. A method for an automated weight rack, comprising:
- receiving at least one weight at a first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor is configured to simultaneously hold a plurality of different types and masses of weights;
delivering the at least one weight via the first conveyor to a second conveyor of a transport mechanism, wherein the second conveyor is configured to move weights about a first axis, wherein the transport mechanism is configured to move the second conveyor about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
identifying a characteristic of the at least one weight by the first conveyor and/or by the second conveyor, wherein the characteristic is one or more of a mass, size, type, color, ago and history;
determining a position along a weight rack for delivering the at least one weight to a weight holder that is accessible to a user for retrieving the weight, based on the identified characteristic;
moving the transport mechanism about the second axis and relative to the weight rack such that the second conveyor is at a location approximate to the determined position of the weight holder; and
operating the second conveyor to move the at least one weight along the first axis to the determined position of the weight holder such that the at least one weight is delivered to the weight holder at a location available for retrieval by the user.
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Abstract
Automated gym equipment sorting technology is presented for receiving, measuring, sorting, delivering and inventorying weights (dumbbells) used in a gym facility. Various mechanisms are employed for efficiently replacing weights on a rack accessible to gym members. Weights are randomly dropped off at and dynamically sorted by the technology based on dumbbell characteristics and an optional schema so that members can more efficiently find desired weights.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for an automated weight rack, comprising:
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receiving at least one weight at a first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor is configured to simultaneously hold a plurality of different types and masses of weights; delivering the at least one weight via the first conveyor to a second conveyor of a transport mechanism, wherein the second conveyor is configured to move weights about a first axis, wherein the transport mechanism is configured to move the second conveyor about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; identifying a characteristic of the at least one weight by the first conveyor and/or by the second conveyor, wherein the characteristic is one or more of a mass, size, type, color, ago and history; determining a position along a weight rack for delivering the at least one weight to a weight holder that is accessible to a user for retrieving the weight, based on the identified characteristic; moving the transport mechanism about the second axis and relative to the weight rack such that the second conveyor is at a location approximate to the determined position of the weight holder; and operating the second conveyor to move the at least one weight along the first axis to the determined position of the weight holder such that the at least one weight is delivered to the weight holder at a location available for retrieval by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An automated dumbbell sorting method, comprising:
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receiving one or more dumbbells at an automated dumbbell sorter; determining, by the dumbbell sorter, a mass of the one or more dumbbells; identifying, by the automated dumbbell sorter, one or more dumbbell holders for holding the one or more dumbbells for user access; transporting, by the automated dumbbell sorter, the one or more dumbbells to the one or more dumbbell holder locations, based on the mass of the one or more dumbbells; and delivering, by the automated dumbbell sorter, the one or more dumbbells to the identified one or more dumbbell holder locations for user retrieval. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An automated dumbbell racking system, comprising:
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a weight rack including dumbbell holders, each dumbbell holder is configured to hold a dumbbell for retrieval by a user; and a dumbbell sorting apparatus including a loading mechanism configured to receive dumbbells; a transport mechanism movable to transport dumbbells from the loading mechanism to corresponding dumbbell holders of the weight rack. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automated dumbbell racking system, comprising:
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a weight rack means, the weight rack means including dumbbell holders, each dumbbell holder is configured to hold a dumbbell for retrieval by a user; and a dumbbell sorting means, the dumbbell sorting means including a loading means configured to receive dumbbells; a transport means movable to transport dumbbells from the loading mechanism to corresponding dumbbell holders of the weight rack. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification