Weightlifting Support Apparatus

Abstract

A weightlifting support apparatus comprises a frame assembly, a bench disposed thereon, a movable rack movably attached to said frame assembly, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to said movable rack, and a control unit for selectively operating the actuation mechanism, The movable rack may support a barbell or heavy object thereon, and the actuation mechanism may impart a force on the movable rack to cause the rack to move in an upward or downward direction, thus assisting a user in lifting a barbell or heavy object when the user is incapable of lifting or moving the barbell or heavy object on his or her own. The apparatus reduces or eliminates the need for another person to standby while the user is lifting weights and improves the safety of the practice of lifting weights.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 294,318, filed on Jan. 12, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present disclosure relates to a support apparatus for a user of a barbell, and more particularly, to a support apparatus for catching or holding a barbell while a user is lifting weights, without a need for a separate person to assist the user that is weightlifting.[0003]Numerous innovations for weight lifting related devices exist in the prior art that are addressed to improving safety conditions for a user in the act of lifting weights while in a seated or reclined position, and particularly, when the user is lifting a barbell (also referred to as a “bench press.”) The bench press can be described as the act of raising and lowering a barbell above one's torso while the user is sitting or lying on a bench.[0004]Usually,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Accordingly there exists a need for a weightlifting support apparatus that is configured to overcome all of the disadvantages of the prior art, and specifically, one that reduces the risk of a barbell from falling on a user, while still retaining the freedom of movement of a barbell in a bench press exercise.

Problems solved by technology

These solutions have their drawbacks, however, in that they require precision on the part of the user (to place the barbell securely enough on the stands or supports before letting go of the barbell, such that the barbell does not fall off of the stands or supports) and they require strength on the part of the user to ensure that the barbell is lifted to a height that is sufficient to set the barbell on top of the supports or stands.

Requiring such strength can be particularly demanding upon a user at the end of a weightlifting session, when the user is fatigued and may have difficulty in raising the barbell to the height required by the supports or stands.

This situation has drawbacks in that it requires the presence of a second person at all times even, in a passive capacity, and, as such, a user would otherwise not be able to lift weights safely if a second person or spotter is not available.

While this patent shows a manner in which a user's safety may be addressed, this solution is cumbersome and mechanically complicated and may detract from the feel of lifting a barbell that is not so secured from above because of the lifting force exerted on the barbell by the patented device.

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