Modular self-spotting safety device for weightlifting

摘要

An embodiment of a barbell and dumbbell safety spotting apparatus is a weight support cable (34a) wrapped around a rotating drum (44a) with the drum is mounted vertically above a weight lifter. The cables are connectable to a barbell assembly (24) or dumbbell assembly to provide reciprocating vertical movement of the weight assembly in a free-weight fashion. The drum has a ratcheting mechanism (55) that normally prevents downward movement of the weight assembly. The ratchet is connected to a user-operated control mechanism (28) so that the user can disengage the ratchet, allowing the weight assembly to be freely lowered. Other embodiments are described and shown.

主权项

1. A self spotting apparatus for use in connection with a support structure and a weight assembly, comprising:
an enclosure defining a first and second side walls, where the enclosure is secured to the support structure; a cable drum; an axle extending between the first and second side walls to support the cable drum for axial rotation; a weight support cable having a first end secured to the weight assembly and a second end secured to the cable drum, where the enclosure is supported by the support structure above the weight assembly such that the weight support cable extends substantially vertically between the enclosure and the weight assembly during use of the self spotting apparatus; a tensioning assembly supported by the enclosure to apply tension to the weight support cable, where the tensioning assembly engages the cable drum
to allow the cable to spool off of the cable drum as the weight assembly moves away from the enclosure, andto spool the cable onto the cable drum as the weight assembly moves towards the enclosure; a brake assembly supported within the enclosure
to allow rotation of the cable drum such that cable spools off of the cable drum when in a disengaged configuration, andto engage a portion of the cable drum to prevent cable from spooling off of the cable drum when in an engaged configuration; and a control assembly supported by the weight assembly and operably connected to the brake assembly such that arranging the control assembly in a first position places the brake assembly in the disengaged configuration and arranging the control assembly in a second position places the brake assembly in the engaged configuration.