Retractable Weight Stand Assembly with Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional weight stands often require users to lift weights from a distant rack, exerting energy and increasing the risk of injury due to awkward positioning, and can obstruct exercise movements, limiting the user's ability to perform full sets of repetitions.

Innovation Solution

A retractable weight stand assembly with a lever mechanism that allows weights to be lifted from a higher starting point, providing a stable and adjustable platform for secure weight placement and retracting backward once weights are lifted, allowing for unobstructed exercise movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If weights are staged on a conventional weight stand, then weights can be positioned closer to the bench, but the stand obstructs exercise movements and limits full range of motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight staging convenienceVSAvoidexercise movement obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The weight stand is designed with a pivotable base that allows it to dynamically change position from a forward-facing staging position to a backward-retracted position. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction by enabling the stand to provide weight staging convenience when needed, then move out of the way during exercise movements to prevent obstruction and allow full range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If weights are lifted from ground level, then proper exercise form can be achieved, but users expend excessive energy before the exercise set begins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise form correctnessVSAvoidenergy expenditure before exercise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The weight stand performs preliminary action by pre-positioning weights at an elevated staging height before the exercise begins. This allows users to start their exercise movements from a higher, more advantageous position rather than lifting from ground level, thereby maintaining proper exercise form while reducing the preliminary energy expenditure required to get into position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional weight stands are positioned behind or to the side of the user, then weights do not contact the stand during exercise, but users must lift from awkward positions increasing injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise safetyVSAvoidweight lifting position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable base enables the weight stand to dynamically transition from a side/behind position during exercise (when safety is prioritized) to a forward position during weight staging (when accessibility is prioritized). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the stand to be in the optimal position for each phase of use, ensuring both safety and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables users to conserve energy and perform more repetitions by starting exercises from a position of strength, reducing the risk of injury and improving exercise efficiency by allowing a full range of motion without interference from the weight stand.

Implementation Method 1

stand member comprises a lever having a load that causes said stand member to pivot and fall away from said user in a backward direction towards a ground surface after said weights have been removed from said stand member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

stand member comprises a lever having a load that causes said stand member to pivot and fall away

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10226660B2Weight stand assembly

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 WILKINS ROBERT C

AI summary

A weight stand assembly for use in assisting a user prior to performing an exercise movement or repetition by way of holding exercise weights used by the user in a relatively stable and proper starting position for the user. More particularly, the weight stand assembly is retractable in that it pivotally falls in a relatively backwards direction away from the user and towards a ground surface after the exercise weights have been lifted by the user, thereby preventing injury and thus enhancing performance of the user by allowing the user to complete a full set of exercise repetitions without being inhibited by a placement and location of the weight stand assembly.