Safety apparatus for use with barbell assembly
First Claim
1. A safety apparatus for use in connection with a barbell assembly comprising:
- a. cable means securable to said barbell assembly;
b. support means for supporting said cable means at a point above said barbell assembly so that said cable means normally extends upwardly from said barbell assembly to said support means;
c. winch means actuatable for selectively longitudinally retracting and releasing said cable means;
d. tension sensing means for determining the tension in said cable means relative to predetermined upper and lower threshold tension values;
e. velocity sensing means for sensing the speed and direction of longitudinal travel of said cable means relative to said winch means; and
f. control means responsive to said tension sensing means and said velocity sensing means for controlling said winch means to normally maintain the tension in said cable means between said upper and lower threshold tension value unless the speed of travel of said cable means in a release direction exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity value, said control means controlling said winch means for increasing the tension in said cable means to a level above said upper threshold tension value in the event that the speed of travel of said cable means in a release direction exceeds said predetermined threshold velocity value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A safety apparatus for use with a barbell assembly includes a support frame, a pair of cables which are securable to opposite ends of the barbell assembly, a winch assembly on the support frame for retracting and releasing the cables, a pair of tension sensors for sensing the tension in the cables, a velocity sensor for sensing the speed and direction of movement of at least one of the cables and a controller for controlling the operation of the winch assembly. The controller is responsive to the tension sensors and the velocity sensor for normally releasing and retracting the cables during a weight lifting routine so that the safety apparatus is normally unnoticeable to a weightlifter. The controller is also responsive to the sensors for detecting an abnormal condition during an exercise routine and it is operative in responsive to an abnormal condition for taking control of the barbell assembly to reduce the risk of injury to the weightlifter.
109 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A safety apparatus for use in connection with a barbell assembly comprising:
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a. cable means securable to said barbell assembly; b. support means for supporting said cable means at a point above said barbell assembly so that said cable means normally extends upwardly from said barbell assembly to said support means; c. winch means actuatable for selectively longitudinally retracting and releasing said cable means; d. tension sensing means for determining the tension in said cable means relative to predetermined upper and lower threshold tension values; e. velocity sensing means for sensing the speed and direction of longitudinal travel of said cable means relative to said winch means; and f. control means responsive to said tension sensing means and said velocity sensing means for controlling said winch means to normally maintain the tension in said cable means between said upper and lower threshold tension value unless the speed of travel of said cable means in a release direction exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity value, said control means controlling said winch means for increasing the tension in said cable means to a level above said upper threshold tension value in the event that the speed of travel of said cable means in a release direction exceeds said predetermined threshold velocity value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification