Weight Elevation Systems Using Angular Momentum for Automated Spotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weightlifting can be hazardous due to the risk of injury or death from lifting excessive weights or failing to lift weights when fatigued, especially when a human spotter is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vertical support, a lifting bar with a hook and lock pin, and an angular momentum imparting device, which allows the lifting bar to rotate and engage the weight, providing automatic spotting and weight lifting assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a human spotter is used to monitor weightlifting safety, then the safety and reliability of weightlifting is improved, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the lifting bar to automatically engage and disengage without human intervention. The bar rotates and engages the weight automatically when the user positions it, and the latch mechanism self-activates when the bar reaches the horizontal position, eliminating the need for a human spotter to manually operate the equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human spotter system with an automated mechanical system consisting of a rotating lifting bar, latch mechanism, and angular momentum imparting device. This substitution maintains safety functionality while eliminating the need for human operational intervention
2Reliability
If a human spotter is required for solo weightlifting safety, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the user to independently operate the equipment without requiring a spotter. The user simply positions the lifting bar and the system automatically completes the engagement process through its self-activating latch mechanism and angular momentum device, making solo operation safe and convenient
3Ease of operation
If the lifting bar is manually lowered to engage the latch pin, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and automation level worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The user performs a preliminary action by positioning the lifting bar in the downward position, which triggers the automated sequence. The angular momentum imparting device then automatically completes the rotation and engagement process, combining simple user input with automated execution to balance ease of operation with productivity
4Reliability
If the latch mechanism is continuously engaged to hold the weight, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to frequent engagement/disengagement cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously, engaging automatically when the lifting bar reaches the horizontal position and disengaging when the bar rotates downward. This periodic operation maintains safety during weight holding while simplifying operation during the lifting cycle, eliminating the need for continuous manual engagement
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 effectively reduces the risk of injury by automatically lifting weights when needed, providing a safe and reliable alternative to human spotters, and can be integrated with existing weightlifting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
An angular momentum imparting device is configured to continuously impart a torque to rotate the lifting bar towards the horizontal position
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for elevating weights are disclosed. A lifting bar rotates about a rotating joint attached to a vertical support. As the system is engaged, the lifting rotates from a downward position parallel to the vertical support to a horizontal position, a hook on the lifting bar engaging the weight and lifting it.