U.S. patent application number 14/230046 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for motorized weightlifting rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Conner Athletic Products, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Conner Athletic Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mitchell T. Mobley.
Application Number | 20140296040 14/230046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51621408 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140296040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mobley; Mitchell T. |
October 2, 2014 |
MOTORIZED WEIGHTLIFTING RACK
Abstract
A weightlifting rack includes a tower with a pair of arms
terminating in catches to support a weighted bar. An actuator
powered by an electric motor is connected to the arms to adjust the
vertical position of the arms to accommodate different height
weightlifters. After the bar is lifted from the catches, the
catches can be pivoted rearwardly out of the way while the
weightlifter performs exercises.
Inventors: |
Mobley; Mitchell T.;
(Jefferson, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Conner Athletic Products, Inc. |
Jefferson |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Conner Athletic Products,
Inc.
Jefferson
IA
|
Family ID: |
51621408 |
Appl. No.: |
14/230046 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61807405 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/0411 20130101;
A63B 2071/0081 20130101; A63B 21/0724 20130101; A63B 23/0405
20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 21/078 20130101; A63B 21/0783
20151001; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B
2071/0063 20130101; A63B 21/0058 20130101; A63B 21/00181
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/104 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/078 20060101
A63B021/078 |
Claims
1. A weightlifting rack for supporting a weighted bar, comprising:
a base; a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the base to
support the bar; and a powered system to move the arms upwardly and
downwardly relative to the base.
2. The rack of claim 1 with the system includes a linear
actuator.
3. The rack of claim 2 wherein the linear actuator is centered
laterally on the base.
4. The rack of claim 2 with the system includes an electric motor
operatively connected to the actuator.
5. The rack of claim 1 with the system includes a track on the base
to guide movement of the arms.
6. The rack of claim 1 further comprising a suspension system to
absorb shock to the powered system.
7. The rack of claim 6 wherein the suspension system includes at
least one spring.
8. The weightlifting rack of claim 1 wherein the arms are connected
so as to move in unison.
9. The weightlifting rack of claim 1 wherein the arms are pivotal
between a first operative position and a second inoperative
position.
10. A method of adjusting the height of a weight lifting bar,
comprising: setting the bar upon a pair of support arms; and then
moving the arms vertically with a powered assist to a selected
height.
11. The method of claim 10 with the powered assist includes a
linear actuator to adjust the vertical position of the arms.
12. The method of claim 10 further comprising using an electric
motor to control the powered assist to raise and lower the
arms.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising guiding the vertical
arm movement along a track.
14. The method of claim 10 further comprising absorbing shock to
the power assist.
15. The method of claim 10 further comprising moving the arms
simultaneously with the powered assist.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprising moving the arms
forwardly to a use position and rearwardly to a non-use
position.
17. A weightlifting tower for supporting a weighted bar comprising:
a frame having a pair of arms which are vertically adjustable along
the frame and being adapted to hold the weighted bar; a powered
actuator to move the arms to a selected vertical position without
removing the weighted bar.
18. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 further comprising a
suspension system on the actuator to absorb shock from the weighted
bar.
19. The weightlifting tower of claim 18 wherein the suspension
system includes at least one spring.
20. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 wherein the powered
actuator is a linear actuator.
21. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 further comprising an
electric motor to extend and retract the linear actuator.
22. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 further comprising a track
on the frame to guide movement of the actuator.
23. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 wherein the actuator is
centered laterally on the frame.
24. The weightlifting of claim 17 wherein the actuator the arms
extend forwardly from the frame and the actuator is spaced
rearwardly from the arms.
25. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 wherein the actuator raises
and lowers the arms together.
26. The weightlifting tower of claim 17 further comprising a handle
operatively connected to the arms to extend and retract the arms
between use and non-use positions, respectively.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to provisional application Ser. No. 61/807,405 filed Apr. 2, 2013,
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Weightlifting racks are well known for use with
weightlifting bars and weight plates, particularly for squat and
similar exercises. Many athletes and weightlifters use substantial
weight for squats, which may be several 100 pounds or more. The
squat exercise starts with the weighted bar being supported by the
rack at a height slightly below the weight lifter's shoulders when
the lifter is standing under the bar, so that the lifter can lift
the bar and weights off the rack for squat movements. With
conventional racks, a pair of spaced apart bar catches or hooks are
attached, one on each side of the rack, and these hooks must be
separately raised and lowered for different height lifters. Such
change in the catch height requires the weight plates to be removed
from the bar, the bar removed from the catches, the catches moved
up or down independently, the bar replaced on the catches, and the
weight plates replaced on the bar. Such changing of the catches is
time consuming, and creates risk of injury since the heavy weight
plates are being moved to and from the bar.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an improved rack assembly
which minimizes the time and risk associated with changing the
height of the bar catches.
[0004] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is
the provision of a motorized weightlifting rack which allows quick
and easy adjustment of the bar height.
[0005] Another objective of the present invention is a provision of
a weightlifting rack with an electrically adjustable bar
support.
[0006] A further objective of the present invention is the
provision of an electric tower assembly which can be quickly and
easily coupled to a conventional weight lifting rack for quickly,
easily, and safely changing the height of the bar catches and
weight lifting bar.
[0007] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of an improved weightlifting rack which can raise and
lower the bar catches without removing the weighted bar.
[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a tower assembly with spaced apart hooks for holding a
weightlifting bar, wherein the tower can be coupled with a
conventional weightlifting rack for use in weightlifting squat
exercises.
[0009] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a weightlifting rack wherein the bar catches can be
simultaneously raised and lowered to accommodate different height
users.
[0010] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of an automated weightlifting rack wherein the bar
catches can be moved in unison while supporting a weighted bar.
[0011] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a weightlifting rack with motorized bar catches which
can be vertically adjusted for different weight lifters.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a weightlifting rack with a bar catches which can be extended to
a use position and retracted to a non-use position.
[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a weightlifting rack which is safe and durable in
use.
[0014] These and other objectives will become apparent from the
following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The weight lifting rack of the present invention includes a
tower with a linear actuator powered by an electric motor. The
tower includes a pair of spaced apart arms extending forwardly with
a bar catch on the end of each arm to support a weightlifting bar
loaded with weight plates. The height of the catches can be quickly
and easily adjusted by actuating the motor to raise or lower the
catches, while the weighted bar is on the catches, to accommodate
weightlifters having different heights. The actuator includes a
track to guide movement of the arms, and a suspension system to
absorb shock when a weighted bar is set upon the catches. The bar
catches can also be pivoted forwardly to a use position for
supporting the weight bar and pivoted rearwardly out of the way of
a weightlifter who has removed the bar from the catches to do
exercises.
[0016] The present invention includes a method of adjusting the
height of a weightlifting bar, including the steps of setting the
bar upon a pair of spaced apart catches or hooks, and then
actuating a powered assist unit to move the arm vertically upwardly
or downwardly to a selected height, depending upon the height of
the weightlifter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the motorized weightlifting
rack, according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the rack, according to
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the rack, according to
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the rack, with the back
panel removed from the tower assembly to show the linear
actuator.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken in the circle line A of
FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a
conventional rack and the electric tower assembly of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the electric tower assembly
with the bar catches in an extended position for supporting a
weight bar.
[0024] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the electric tower assembly
with the bar catches in a retracted position for a user to do
squats or other exercises.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the electric tower
assembly.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the motorized weightlifting rack assembly 10 of
the present invention. The assembly 10 includes a conventional
weightlifting rack 12 and an electric tower system 14. The assembly
10 can be used for various weightlifting exercises using a free
weightlifting bar 16 and weight plates 18 which are selectively
mounted and secured on the bar 16.
[0028] The rack 12 includes a base 20, with primary and secondary
uprights 22, 24, respectively. The primary uprights 22 include a
plurality of notches 26 to selectively receive adjustable safety
arms 27 at a desired height along the uprights 22 which can be used
to support the bar 16 in the event a lifter can't stand up after a
squat. The secondary uprights 24 include a plurality of pegs 28 to
hold weight plates 18 when the plates are not in use on the bar 16.
The rack 12 may have various conventional forms, such as the Power
Lift .RTM. rack manufactured and sold by applicant, Conner Athletic
Products, Inc.
[0029] The tower assembly 14 includes opposite sides 32, a front
panel 34 and a rear panel 36. The tower assembly 14 is secured to
the rack 12 in any convenient means, preferably in several
locations, such as near the bottom and the top of the tower 14. In
FIG. 4, the rear panel 36 is removed to show the interior of the
tower assembly 14. A linear actuator 38 with an extendable and
retractable arm 40 is mounted in a vertical orientation within the
tower assembly 14. A suspension system 42 with springs 44 is
provided at the top of the arm 40.
[0030] The tower assembly 14 also includes a pair of horizontal
arms 46 which extend forwardly beyond the front panel 34 and are
bolted or otherwise secured to a pair of carriage members 48. As
best seen in FIG. 5, each carriage members 48 includes a wheel or
roller 50 rollably received within a vertical track 52 extending
along each side 32 of the tower assembly 14. The carriage members
48 are operatively connected to the arm 40 of the actuator 38 via
the suspension system 42, as also seen in FIG. 5. A bar catch or
hook 54 extends downwardly from the forward or outer ends of each
horizontal arm 46. The bar catches 54 supports the weight bar 16,
as best shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0031] An electric motor 56 controls the actuator 38 and the
position of the arm 40, and thus the height of the horizontal arms
46 and bar catches 54. The motor 56 is actuated by a control box 58
having a rocker switch 60 and an emergency stop button 62. Pushing
the switch 60 upwardly actuates the motor 56 so as to rotate the
screw actuator 38 and extend the arm 40, so as to simultaneously
raise the bar catches 54. Pushing the rocker switch 60 downwardly
reverses the motor 56 so as to retract the arm 40 and lower the bar
catches 54 in unison. Thus, the height of the bar catches 54 and
the weight bar 16 can be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate
the height of the lifter, without removing the bar 16 from the
catches 54.
[0032] The upper ends of the bar catches 54 are mounted on a rod or
axle 64 for movement between a lift starting position, as shown in
FIG. 1, and a retracted position during the squat exercises. The
catches 54 can be pivoted rearwardly from the start position shown
in FIG. 7A to a retracted position shown in FIG. 7B, by a second
person or spotter via a handle 66 operatively connected to the axle
64. A toggle clamp 67 and arms 68, 69, 70 between the handle 66 and
the axle 64 transfer movement of the handle 66 to the bar catch
axle 64. Thus, moving the handle 66 rearwardly after a weightlifter
has lifted the weight bar from the bar catches 54 pivots the axle
64 and bar catches 54 rearwardly, as seen in FIG. 7B. Moving the
handle 66 forwardly pivots the axle 64 and catches 54 forwardly, as
seen in FIG. 7A, so the weightlifter can set the bar back onto the
catches 54. The clamps 67 and linkages 68-70 may be covered with a
housing or plate (not shown). The toggle clamp 67 has an
over-center locking function, so as to lock the handle 66 in the
forward position and precluding movement of the handle 66 due to
jarring action on the catches 54, such as when a weight bar is set
onto the catches. When the handle is moved to the rearward
position, the spring 72 pulls the linkage arm 69 down so that the
handle will stay without a person holding the handle. As seen in
FIG. 7A, there is a slot in the forward end of arm 69 to slidably
receive the pin in the rear end of arm 70. The suspension system 42
absorbs shock when a weight lifter places the bar 16 back on the
hooks 54 after completing an exercise.
[0033] With the tower system 14 of the present invention, the
weight bar 16 fully loaded with weight plates 18 can remain on the
bar catches 54 while the motor 56 and actuator 38 raise and lower
the bar 16. Thus, the tower system 14 saves time and minimizes risk
when changing the height of the bar 16, as compared to the prior
art lifting racks.
[0034] The invention has been shown and described above with the
preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many
modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are
within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the
foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes
at least all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *