Competitive weightlifting machine and methods for using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a competitive weightlifting system capable of interacting with and comparing weightlifting performances of multiple users, and creating competition between such users by displaying a ranked list of performances by those users. The system may include a frame for supporting and guiding a lift bar, sensors mounted to the frame for measuring and refereeing the performance of a user, a controller housed in the frame for tracking and ranking user performances with an interface for creating and logging into user profiles, and a communication device for sharing user performance data with other remote competitive weightlifting systems (e.g., competitive weightlifting systems in other gyms or homes) in order to create a wide-ranging competition between, and ranked leaderboard of, the many users.

Claims

1. A competitive weightlifting system for tracking and comparing weightlifting performance of a user with weightlifting performances of other users, the system comprising: a. a frame including a rack for a lift bar and having a plurality of sensors positioned thereon operable to determine a position of the lift bar as said user moves said lift bar during said weightlifting performance; b. at least one tampering sensor for detecting a person at an end of said lift bar while said lift bar is weighed by at least one weight sensor; c. a controller in electronic communication with said plurality of sensors and operable to identify positions of said lift bar during said weightlifting performance and generate positional data based on data from said plurality of sensors; and d. a user interface operable to allow said user to create a user account and sign into said user account prior to said weightlifting performance, wherein said controller collects said data from said weightlifting performance and stores said data in said memory.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one spotter sensor for detecting a spotter assisting said user in lifting said lift bar.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises bar position sensors for detecting the position of said lift bar positioned on said frame at intervals along a vertical or substantially vertical path.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one equipment sensor for sensing a piece of equipment under said lift bar.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface is operable to allow said user to select a weightlifting exercise type and a performance type, and to clear an alert, wherein said user interface is operable to display information related to said user account.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second interface operable to display information regarding said weightlifting performance of said user and to allow a subsequent user to select a subsequent user account of said subsequent user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises at least one bar holder mounted over said at least one weight sensor, said at least one weight sensor being operable to determine a weight of said lift bar.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising said memory being operable to store data regarding a user profile of said user account and said positional data, said data regarding said user profile comprising a user identification, a password, an image of said user, and said data from said weightlifting performance.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication device in electronic communication with said controller, wherein said communication device is operable to connect said controller to the internet and communicate with a remote computing device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said controller is operable to: a. receive information from said remote computing device, said information regarding at least one of a competitive user profile and a performance of a competitive user, b. record said information from said remote computing device in a memory, and c. display said information from said remote computing device via said user interface.

11. A method of using a competitive weightlifting system, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing said competitive weightlifting system comprising a frame, a lift bar, a controller having a memory, at least one equipment sensor, and a user interface; b. logging into a user profile stored in said memory via said user interface; c. selecting a type of weightlifting exercise via said user interface; d. measuring a weight of said lift bar; e. performance of said type of weightlifting exercise by a user; f. sensing for an object under said lift bar during said type of weightlifting exercise, and if a presence or absence of said object violates a rule of said type of weightlifting exercise, sounding an equipment alert; and g. recording data related to said performance in said memory.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: a. creating said user profile via said user interface; b. storing data related to said user profile in said memory; and c. displaying said data related to said performance via said user interface.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said data related to said performance comprises information regarding at least one of said type of weightlifting exercise, said weight of said lift bar, and a number of valid repetitions of said type of weightlifting exercise performed by said user.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said competitive weightlifting system further comprises at least one tampering sensor, at least one spotter sensor, and at least one bar position sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: a. sensing a position of said lift bar during said type of weightlifting exercise; b. counting a number of valid repetitions of said type of weightlifting exercise; and c. sounding a bar position alert if a repetition of said type of weightlifting exercise is not valid.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of transmitting said data related to said performance to a remote computer via a communication device.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving competitive data from a remote computer via a communication device, said competitive data being related to a competitive user profile and a weightlifting exercise performed by a competitive user.

18. A method of using a competitive weightlifting system, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing said competitive weightlifting system comprising a frame, a lift bar, a controller having a memory, and a user interface; b. logging into a user profile stored in said memory via said user interface; c. selecting a type of weightlifting exercise via said user interface; d. measuring a weight of said lift bar; e. performance of said type of weightlifting exercise by a user; f. recording data related to said performance in said memory; and g. generating a comparison of said performance of said type of weightlifting exercise of said user to one or more competitive users and displaying said comparison on said user interface.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: a. transmitting said data related to said performance to a remote computer via a communication device, and b. receiving competitive data from said remote computer via said communication device, said competitive data being related to one or more competitive user profiles and weightlifting exercises respectively performed by said one or more competitive users.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said comparison comprises a leaderboard providing performance of said one or more competitive users based on said competitive data, and said data related to said performance.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said data related to said performance comprises information regarding at least one of said type of weightlifting exercise, said weight of said lift bar, and a number of valid repetitions of said at least one of said type of weightlifting exercise performed by said user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3A shows a rear view of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3B shows a rear view of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention:

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a high-level diagram of the sensor wiring of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a high-level diagram of the circuitry of a competitive weightlifting system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without all of the specific details provided.

(9) The present invention may provide a competitive weightlifting system 100 capable of interacting with and comparing weightlifting performances of multiple users, and creating competition between such users by displaying a ranked list of performances thereby. The system 100 may comprise a lift bar 140, a frame 110, a controller 150 with an interface and a communication device 158, and at least one each of a tampering sensor 153, an equipment sensor 154, a spotter sensor 155, and a bar position sensor 156.

(10) The lift bar 140 may comprise a shaft made from a strong and rigid material (e.g., metal, a metal alloy, and the like), the shaft having a first sleeve 140a and a second sleeve 140b for receiving and supporting weights (e.g., weight plates). In some embodiments, the bar may comprise a first latch 143a at or near said first sleeve 140a for engaging with a hook, peg, or other bar support structure 132 of a first bar holder 130a, and a second latch 143b at said second sleeve 140b for engaging with a hook, peg, or other bar support structure 132 of a second bar holder 130b. In some embodiments, the lift bar 140 may comprise a first guide sleeve 142a for engaging with a first guide shaft 113a of the frame 110, and a second guide sleeve 142b for engaging with a second guide shaft 113b of the frame. The first and second guide sleeves 142a, 142b may each comprise a vertical cylindrical passage for engagement with (e.g., slidably encircling) their respective guide shaft 113a, 113b, and a bar mount 144 (e.g., a horizontally oriented sleeve or ring) engaged with the lift bar 140, such that the lift bar 140 may be raised and lowered freely along the guide shafts 113a, 113b, and rotated freely despite engagement with the guide shafts 113a, 113b. The lift bar 140 may thus be rotated by the user in order to move the first and second latches 143a, 143b from an engagement position with hooks 132 of the bar holders 130a, 130b (e.g., a substantially or nearly horizontal orientation), to a lifting position (e.g., a vertical orientation). The lift bar 140 may further comprise a detection plate 145 which acts like a location marker for the lift bar 140 as it moves along the guide shafts 113a and 113b. The detection plate 145 may be easily detected by the at least one proximity sensor 156 such that the proximity sensor 156 may accurately sense the position of the lift bar 140. The detection plate 145 may comprise a dense material (e.g., a metal) such that it may be easily detected by the proximity sensor 156 (e.g., the sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, capacitive sensor, etc.).

(11) The frame 110 may comprise a first side 110a and a second side 110b, the first and second sides 110a, 110b being located opposite of each other. Each of the first and second sides 110a, 110b may each comprise a weight rack 111a, 111b, a bar holder, 130a, 130b, a guide shaft 113a, 113b, and a front panel 115a, 115b, each connected to an upper horizontal support member 117a, 117b and a lower horizontal support member 116a, 116b. The first side 110a may be connected to the second side 110b via a plurality of horizontal cross-members 118, 119, 120 such that frame 110 comprises an open, substantially rectangular prism outer shape. The support members 111a, 111b, 115a, 115b, 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b and cross-members 118, 119, 120 of the frame 110 may be mechanically connected to each other via at least one of a welds, bolts and nuts, rivets, screws, bolts with cotter pins, heat fusion, and other similar devices and methods for connecting parts. The frame may further comprise a plurality of access doors 123, each positioned to allow access to an inner compartment of the frame 110 which houses the wiring and/or circuitry of a sensor 153, 154, 155. The plurality of access doors 123 may each comprise a handle and lock to preventing tampering with the sensor's circuitry and/or wiring. The first and second sides 110a, 110b may each further comprise a front extension 121 and rear extension 122, each supporting and housing a tampering sensor 153.

(12) The weight racks 111a, 111b may each comprise a plurality of weight support members 112 for holding weights (e.g., weight plates of varying sizes, including but not limited to 5 lbs., 10 lbs., 25 lbs., 35 lbs., and 45 lbs.).

(13) The bar holders 130a, 130b may each comprise a housing 138 enclosing a weight sensor 137a, 137b and central support 131 having a plurality of vertically oriented hooks 132 for engaging with and securing a latch 143a, 143b of the lift bar 140. The plurality of hooks 132 may be arranged in a vertical row for securing the lift bar 141 at different heights. Each bar holder 130a, 130b may further comprise a plurality of support sleeves 133 slidably mounted around a plurality of support posts 134, the plurality of support posts 134 being mounted vertically to the frame 110. The plurality of support posts 134 may each have a shock absorber 136 (e.g., a spring) statically mounted at a lower end thereof to absorb the shock when a user transfers the lift bar 140 back onto the bar holders 130a, 130b after an exercise. In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3B, the system 200 may comprise the bar holders 230a, 230b may each comprise a housing 238 enclosing a shock absorber 236 mounted between an upper portion 231 and a lower portion 234, the upper portion 231 comprising the hooks and the support post sleeves 233 and the lower portion 234 being operable to contact the weight sensor 237.

(14) The first and second guide shafts 113a, 113b may limit the path of the lift bar 140 (via the first and second guide sleeves 142a, 142b) to vertical movement, preventing a user from falling forward or backward with the lift bar 140. The first and second guide shafts 113a, 113b may each also have a bump-stop 114 near its lower end, the bump-stop 114 providing a lower limit to the movement of the lift bar 140, and preventing a user from being trapped under or injured by a dropped lift bar 140. Each of the bump-stops 114 may comprise a sleeve for encircling the guide shaft 113a, 113b, and a tightening device (e.g., a threaded pin for tightening against the guide shaft) and may be adjustable in height along the length of the guide shaft 113a, 113b.

(15) The first side 110a may comprise a first front panel 115a and the second side 110b may comprise a second front panel 115b. The second front panel 115b may comprise a housing with an access door 125 having a handle 124, and may house the bar position sensors 156 and a second interface 157. The first front panel 115a may also comprise a housing with an access door 125 having a handle 124, and may house the controller 150 and support a first interface 151 having an enunciator integrated therein, and an imaging device 152. The controller 150 may comprise a central processing unit and a memory, and may be in communication with and be operable to send information to and receive information from each of the memory, the interface first and second interfaces 151, 157, the communication device 158, and the plurality of sensors (e.g., the weight sensors 137a, 137b, the tampering sensors 153, the equipment sensor 154, the spotter sensors 155, and the bar position sensors 156).

(16) The plurality of tampering sensors 153 may each comprise an infrared sensor operable to measure infrared radiation being emitted from a relatively warm object (e.g., a human, as opposed to a lift bar or weight plate) in the sensor's field of view (e.g., the area around the first or second end 140a, 140b of the lift bar). The plurality of tampering sensors 153 may be mounted to the frame at the front extension 121 and the rear extension 122 of each of the first side 110a and the second side 110b. These sensors may prevent a person from positioning themselves at the side of the frame 110 while someone is in the process of an exercise, such that such person cannot aid the lifter by applying force to the sleeves 140a or 140b. In other words, it prevents aiding or spotting of the lifter from the sides of the frame 110 during exercise.

(17) The equipment sensor 154 may comprise a photo eye sensor operable to determine the presence and distance of a piece of equipment (not shown) underneath the lift bar 140. The equipment sensor 154 may be mounted to the frame 110 at a lower crossbar 120.

(18) The plurality of spotter sensors 155 may each comprise a motion sensor operable to detect the motion of a spotter entering the area within the generally cubic shape of the frame 110 (e.g., the area between the first and second front panels 115a, 115b and the area between the first and second bar holders 130a, 130b). The plurality spotter sensors 155 may be mounted to the frame at the front upper crossbar 119 and the rear upper crossbar 118. In other words, the spotter sensors prevent aiding or spotting of the lifter during exercise from within the frame 110.

(19) The bar position sensor 156 may comprise a plurality of proximity sensors arranged in a vertical stack, each proximity sensor being operable to detect the proximity of the lift bar 140 via the detection plate 145 as it passes vertically along the path of the first and second guide shafts 113a, 113b. The plurality of vertically arranged proximity sensors may be connected in parallel to a termination block 158, the termination block 158 being in electronic communication with the controller 150.

(20) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.