Free weight assistance and training device
First Claim
1. A free weight assistance and training device comprising:
- a base;
a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over said base;
a free weight support bar;
a computer-controlled weight tensioning device mounted on said base generally adjacent said upright weight support structure;
at least two cables movably mounted on said upright weight support structure and extending between and connecting said free weight support bar and said computer-controlled weight tensioning device;
said computer-controlled weight tensioning device, said at least two cables and said free weight support bar operatively cooperating such that tensioning force applied by said computer-controlled weight tensioning device via said at least two cables to said free weight support bar controllably decreases the amount of downwards force exerted by said free weight support bar due to the weight of said free weight support bar and weights thereon whereby a user of said free weight assistance and training device may receive assistance during lifting of said free weight support bar via said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; and
a bar position detector device including two interconnected elements, a cable angle detection device and a bar position detection light curtain, each connected in information transmission connection with said computer-controlled weight tensioning mechanism, said cable angle detection device and said bar position detection light curtain cooperating to determine the position of said free weight support bar during a lift, said cable angle detection device mounted on said generally upright weight support structure generally adjacent each of said cables to detect the angles at which said cables depend from said generally upright weight support structure, said cable angle being computed in combination with the length of said cables to track the location of the free weight support bar thereby permitting the user of said free weight assistance and training device to maintain a better lift track during the lift thus reducing the chance of injury from improper lifting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A free weight assistance and training device includes a base and a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over the base. A free weight support bar is connected to a computer-controlled weight tensioning device which is mounted on the base generally adjacent the upright weight support structure, the connection between the free weight support bar and the computer-controlled weight tensioning device consisting of at least two cables movably mounted on the upright weight support structure. The computer-controlled weight tensioning device, the at least two cables and the free weight support bar operatively cooperate with each other such that tensioning force applied by the computer-controlled weight tensioning device via the at least two cables to the free weight support bar controllably decreases the amount of downwards force exerted by the free weight support bar and weights thereon.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A free weight assistance and training device comprising:
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a base; a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over said base; a free weight support bar; a computer-controlled weight tensioning device mounted on said base generally adjacent said upright weight support structure; at least two cables movably mounted on said upright weight support structure and extending between and connecting said free weight support bar and said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; said computer-controlled weight tensioning device, said at least two cables and said free weight support bar operatively cooperating such that tensioning force applied by said computer-controlled weight tensioning device via said at least two cables to said free weight support bar controllably decreases the amount of downwards force exerted by said free weight support bar due to the weight of said free weight support bar and weights thereon whereby a user of said free weight assistance and training device may receive assistance during lifting of said free weight support bar via said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; and a bar position detector device including two interconnected elements, a cable angle detection device and a bar position detection light curtain, each connected in information transmission connection with said computer-controlled weight tensioning mechanism, said cable angle detection device and said bar position detection light curtain cooperating to determine the position of said free weight support bar during a lift, said cable angle detection device mounted on said generally upright weight support structure generally adjacent each of said cables to detect the angles at which said cables depend from said generally upright weight support structure, said cable angle being computed in combination with the length of said cables to track the location of the free weight support bar thereby permitting the user of said free weight assistance and training device to maintain a better lift track during the lift thus reducing the chance of injury from improper lifting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A free weight assistance and training device comprising:
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a base; a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over said base; a free weight support bar; a computer-controlled weight tensioning device mounted on said base generally adjacent said upright weight support structure; at least two cables movably mounted on said upright weight support structure and extending between and connecting said free weight support bar and said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; rotatably mounted reel means operatively connected to said computer-controlled weight tensioning device for winding said at least two cables thereon to extend and retract said at least two cables; drive means operatively connection with said reel means for rotation thereof; at least one sensor unit operatively connected to said computer-controlled weight tensioning device and said reel means operative to detect rotation of said reel means and signal said computer-controlled weight tensioning device regarding speed and direction of rotation of said reel means; said at least one sensor unit comprising a rotatable optical disk including alternating light and dark radial sections, said at least one sensor unit further including a sensor device operative to count the number and speed of the rotations of said optical disk via said alternating light and dark radial sections and forward that information to said computer-controlled weight tensioning device whereby the speed, direction and number of rotations of said reel means is processable by said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; said computer-controlled weight tensioning device, said at least two cables, said reel means, said at least one sensor unit and said free weight support bar operatively cooperating such that upon detection of stoppage of rotation of said reel means by said sensor means prior to completion of a lift, tensioning force is applicable by said computer-controlled weight tensioning device via said at least two cables to said free weight support bar to controllably decrease the amount of downwards force exerted by said free weight support bar due to the weight of said free weight support bar and weights thereon whereby a user of said free weight assistance and training device may receive assistance during lifting of said free weight support bar prior to completion of a lift via said computer-controlled weight tensioning device.
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16. A free weight assistance and training device comprising:
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a base; a generally upright weight support structure mounted on and extending upwards from and over said base; a free weight support bar; a weight tensioning device mounted on said base generally adjacent said upright weight support structure; a computer-based control device operatively connected to said weight tensioning device, said computer-based control device including software programming operative to control engagement and disengagement of said weight tensioning device in response to selected movement of said free weight support bar; at least two cables movably mounted on said upright weight support structure and extending between and connecting said free weight support bar and said weight tensioning device; rotatably mounted reel means operatively connected to said weight tensioning device for winding said at least two cables thereon to extend and retract said at least two cables; drive means operatively connection with said reel means for rotation thereof; at least one sensor unit operatively connected to said weight tensioning device, said computer-based control device and said reel means, said at least one sensor unit operative to detect rotation of said reel means and signal said computer-based control device regarding speed and direction of rotation of said reel means; said at least one sensor unit comprising a rotatable optical disk including alternating light and dark radial sections, said at least one sensor unit further including a sensor device operative to count the number and speed of the rotations of said optical disk via said alternating light and dark radial sections and forward that information to said computer-controlled weight tensioning device whereby the speed, direction and number of rotations of said reel means is processable by said computer-controlled weight tensioning device; said computer-based control device, said weight tensioning device, said at least two cables, said reel means, said at least one sensor unit and said free weight support bar operatively cooperating such that upon detection of stoppage of rotation of said reel means by said sensor means prior to completion of a lift, said computer-based control device commands said weight tensioning device to apply tensioning force to said free weight support bar via engagement of said drive means to apply rotational force to said reel means thus tensioning said at least two cables connected to said free weight support bar to controllably decrease the amount of downwards force exerted by said free weight support bar due to the weight of said free weight support bar and weights thereon whereby a user of said free weight assistance and training device may receive assistance during lifting of said free weight support bar prior to completion of a lift.
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Specification