Spring-Assisted Arm Supports for Weight Lifting Bench
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight lifting apparatuses for bench presses often require complex pulley systems or a spotter to prevent arm collapse and assist in lifting weights, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A lift assist weight lifting bench with a pair of arm assists connected to strut members on either side of the bench, featuring compressible spring members that compress when the user lowers the weight and decompress to provide elastic assistance when raising the weight, eliminating the need for pulleys or a spotter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex pulley systems are used to assist weight lifting, then lifting assistance is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex pulley system from the weight lifting bench and replaces it with simple spring members directly connected to arm supports. This extracts the unnecessary complexity while retaining the essential function of providing lifting assistance through spring-loaded arm supports that contact the user's upper arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pulley system with a spring-based mechanical system. The spring members provide the necessary lifting force through elastic deformation rather than through pulley mechanics, simplifying the overall system while maintaining the assistive function.
2Reliability
If a spotter is used to assist weight lifting, then safety and lifting assistance are improved, but loss of time and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the weight lifting bench self-servicing by incorporating spring members that automatically provide assistance during the lifting motion. The spring-loaded arm supports activate automatically when the user performs the bench press, eliminating the need for external spotter intervention and allowing users to train independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring members are pre-loaded with elastic energy before each repetition, ready to provide assistance immediately when needed. This preliminary storage of energy in the springs ensures that lifting assistance is available on demand without requiring external intervention during the exercise.
3Ease of operation
If spring members are compressibly connected between arm assists and strut members, then lifting assistance is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spring members only at the specific locations where arm supports connect to the bench frame, rather than using a complex overall mechanism. This localized application of spring elements provides assistance exactly where needed (at the user's arm contact points) without requiring complexity throughout the entire structure.
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 efficient and assisted lifting of weights during bench presses by leveraging adjustable elastic force from the spring members, allowing users to lift weights more easily without additional support, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member, disposed compressibly connected between each arm assist and each strut member, compresses when each arm assist is moved to a lowered position, by action of a user lowering a weight, each spring member thence decompressing when each arm assist is moved to a raised position when said user raises the weight, whereby elastic force exerted by said spring members engages each arm assist to the dorsal side of each of a user's upper arms
Data Source
AI summary
A lift assist weight lifting bench that includes a pair of arm assists disposed connected to a pair of strut member laterally projected from a weight lifting bench proper, in position appropriate for each arm assist to supportively underlie and contact the dorsal side of each of a user's upper arms, whereby a spring member, disposed compressibly connected between each arm assist and each strut member, compresses when each arm assist is moved to a lowered position, by action of a user lowering a weight, each spring member then decompressing when each arm assist is moved to a raised position when said user raises the weight, whereby elastic force exerted by said spring members engages each arm assist to the dorsal side of each of a user's upper arms and thereby assists in lifting the weight without the use of pulleys or another person standing as spotter.