Barbell and dumbbell safety spotting apparatus

• US 6,669,607 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prospot Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Prospot Incorporated
• Inventors: Olsson, Mikael L. E., Slawinski, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULCAHY, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US10/100,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 482/93, 482/104, 482/106-108
• US Class Current: 482/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0783 Safety features for bar-bells, e.g. drop limiting means

Abstract

A barbell and dumbbell safety spotting apparatus [30] comprises a frame [32], two booms [54] pivotally mounted to and supported by the frame, two cables [72] extending from the booms, two reciprocating drives [96] operably connected to the cables and a clutch [116] operably connected to the reciprocating drives to provide independent reciprocating movement of the cables. The cables are connectable to a free-weight assembly comprising a barbell assembly [22] or dumbbell assembly [26] to provide reciprocating vertical movement of the weight assembly in a free-weight fashion. The free-weight assembly comprises at least one hand switch [88] for engaging and disengaging the free-weight assembly from the reciprocating drives.

Claims

1. A free-weight assembly for use with a safety spotting apparatus comprising a engagement element for selectably engaging a cable attached to the free-weight assembly to a supporting frame, the free-weight assembly comprising;

a bar comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end configured for attachment of free-weights;

a first engagement actuator attached to the bar and disposed between a center of the bar and the first end;

a second engagement actuator attached to the bar and disposed between the center of the bar and the second end; and

;

a connector disposed on a collar rotatably attached to the first end of the bar for operably connecting the first engagement actuator and the second engagement actuator to the engagement element of the self-spotting apparatus, the collar comprising a means for limiting rotation of the collar a predetermined amount with respect to the bar.

2. The free-weight assembly of claim 1 wherein said connector is an electrical plug receptacle disposed on the collar.

3. A free-weight assembly for use with fitness equipment, the free-weight assembly comprising:

a bar comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end configured for attachment of free-weights;

a first hand switch attached to the bar and disposed between a center of the bar and the first end;

a second hand switch attached to the bar and disposed between the center of the bar and the second end; and

an electrical connector disposed on a collar rotatably attached to the first end of the bar for operably connecting the first hand switch and the second hand switch to an engagement element of the fitness equipment, the collar comprising a stop limiting rotation of the collar a predetermined amount relative to the bar.

4. The free-weight assembly of claim 3 wherein said electrical connector is an electrical plug receptacle disposed on the collar.