Motor powered lifting rack system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power racks in gyms are inefficient due to manual adjustments required for barbell height and safety pins, lack of secure weight loading, and inability to accommodate multiple users performing different exercises with the same weight, leading to increased time usage and risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A motor-powered lifting rack system with linear actuators that selectively lifts and lowers barbells, safety bars, and actuating benches, securing the barbell with latches, and includes a redundant spotting system for enhanced safety and efficiency, allowing multiple users to perform different exercises with the same weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of barbell height and safety pins is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate due to continuous manual reconfiguration needed for each user and exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment systems with an automated motorized system. Motors are integrated into the rack structure to automatically adjust barbell height, safety pin positions, and bench positions electronically, eliminating the need for users to manually reconfigure equipment between exercises and users, thereby dramatically improving training throughput while accepting increased system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment through automated motors that reconfigure the rack based on programmed parameters. The equipment serves itself by automatically positioning bars, pins, and benches without human intervention, allowing rapid transition between different exercises and users, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity
2Reliability
If barbell is not secured on J-hooks, then ease of operation is improved for quick setup, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of barbell tipping over during uneven weight loading
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-secures the barbell to the J-hooks through motorized engagement mechanisms before weight loading begins. This preliminary securing action prevents the barbell from tipping during uneven loading, maintaining reliability while allowing users to load weights conveniently without worrying about security, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
3Loss of time
If multiple users share the same power rack, then loss of equipment resources is reduced, but loss of time increases due to continuous manual reconfiguration for each user and exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration capability where motors automatically adjust the rack configuration based on the current user and exercise requirements. The system can dynamically change bar height, safety pin positions, and bench positions electronically, enabling rapid transition between multiple users and exercises without manual intervention, thus reducing time loss while managing the complexity through automated control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces user time, maximizes equipment usage, and minimizes injury risk by automating adjustments and providing real-time active spotting, enabling efficient and safe multi-user training with the same barbell.
Implementation Method 1
A motor-powered lifting rack system with linear actuators that selectively lifts and lowers barbells, safety bars, and actuating benches
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized lifting rack that selectively lifts and lowers a barbell through linear actuators is provided. The powered lifting rack can engage a barbell at floor level. The linear actuators can also selectively raise and lower safety bars design to “spot” the barbell for a single user. The powered lifting rack is embodied in a system that includes a platform that the safety bars can nest in. The platform provides a plurality of actuating benches for a user of the barbell to utilize.