Abstract:
An automatic spotting weight bench used to support a weight bar and create an escape opening after a failed bench press lift. In one of the embodiments, a foot release mechanism and mechanical knuckle work in conjunction to drop the head end of the weight bench so that the weights are resting on a pair of support bars. In one embodiment, there is a means of controlling the drop of the weight bench so that it is lowered gently.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/230,740, filed Sep. 7, 2000, and is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of physical exercise equipment, and more particularly to a safer weight bench design. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Resistance exercises are a form of strength training that stimulates the muscle by requiring a body part to overcome resistance against opposing force. Typically, the body part is challenged by using dumb bells, barbells, and other forms of weights. The goal of the program is to increase the muscle mass, and in bench pressing, the effort is concentrated on the upper body area. 
     By subjecting the upper body to strength training, a person develops not only muscular strength and endurance, but improved physical appearance and metabolism. This means that a person who exercise regularly not only reduces risks of injuries caused by activities such as heaving lifting but view life with a healthier attitude. Attractive physical appearance is conducive to a fruitful social encounter and successful business life. In addition, for many people, exercise relieves stress that may trigger diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. 
     While the benefits of strength training are well recognized, not everyone has the time to go to the gym. Or, some just prefer to work out alone or at home. In either case, a safety issue arises when a lifter wants to bench press alone. This is especially true during bench presses when the lifter is positioned on his/her back. As the exhaustion from  30  repetitive cycles sets in, the probability of not being able to lift the weight off the person&#39;s chest increases. This is especially true as weights and repetitions are increased to add rigor to the workout. Thus, instead of improving muscle fitness, the lifter becomes subject to serious risks of injury. 
     To address the concern of lifters who like to workout alone, various contraptions have been designed to prevent the lifter from being pinned under the weight bar after a failed lift. One such device is a platform height adjusting mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,193. A lifter actuates the device when the barbell can no longer be safely lifted from the lifter&#39;s chest. The safety device causes a pivotal displacement of the support platform that creates an opening between the lifter and the barbell between from which the lifter now can emerge. 
     There are numerous other safety devices such as cables that are hooked to pulleys and operate to keep the weights from falling below a certain level. Other methods use support bars to raise the weights off the lifter&#39;s chest. 
     However, none of these other devices address the problem of protecting the lifter from the jarring motion of the safety devise itself. The safety of the prior art devices is questionable, and generally the prior art devices were cumbersome to use and deploy. What is needed is a means for protecting the lifter not only from the barbell weights, but from the impact when the safety device is triggered and the barbell weights are restrained. Such means should be not only be cost effective, but add minimal amount of bulk or weight to the equipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a safe environment for an individual involved in bench-pressing weights. The present invention employs several novel features including a mechanical safety device when the operator needs to escape being pinned by the barbell. There is a controlled lowering motion with a mechanical knuckle, and a double safety bar support among other features. 
     The present invention provides a means of reducing the effects created when the safety mechanism is actuated by the lifter after a failed lift. Spatial disorientation is minimized when the lifter&#39;s head drops back simultaneously with the head portion of the bench. Likewise, lifter&#39;s back is protected as the head drops below a horizontal plane. 
     One embodiment of this invention is to provide a conventional weight bench with a tilting means to allow the head portion of the bench to pivot gently as the barbell is secured on a resting member running along the side of the bench. The tilting means is actuated by a foot lever and is attached to the body support pad and the frame. The cushioning effect is accomplished by interconnecting the mechanical knuckle and hydraulic cylinder with a pair of horizontal bars, and with a rubber or neoprene stopper at the end of travel. The frame is also fitted with pins on both ends that are used as resting pads for the weight bar as the body support pad is lowered. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide motivation to continue with the exercise regiment. Once the lifter becomes secure in knowing that in the event of a failed lift, an escape hatch can be created with a simple action of kicking the foot lever, the lifter&#39;s exercise regiment can be increased in order to achieve maximum physical and mental condition. Furthermore, the lifter may become motivated to exercise even when tired or not simply feeling at best. 
     In comparison to prior art devices, a mechanical safety knuckle that is a safer mechanism when the weights are being pressed. Whereas hydraulic cylinders can fail, the mechanical knuckle does not rely on hydraulics. The mechanical knuckle supports the person ina superior manner when the arms are extended. And, the automatic return also aids in mitigating human error in leaving the device in good working operation. 
     Yet another object is to provide a safety feature should a cylinder fails as the lifter is in a start position. A cylinder failure at such moment can cause serious injury in that the lifter&#39;s arms are locked in fully extended position as the lifter&#39;s head pivots with the body support pad. Extensive damage to the equipment and the operator may result in as the 
     weight slams against the support arms. The bars are supported on both ends to increase rigidity and weight capacity of the bars. 
     One object includes a weight bench assembly with safety features, comprising a bench frame having a first pair of vertical members disposed parallel to a second pair of vertical member, wherein the first and second vertical members are fixedly attached to an elongated base. There are a pair of support elements disposed between the first and second vertical members. A platform with a head end and foot end is pivotally connected to the frame at the foot end, and there is a means for angularly declining the platform. 
     Another object is the weight bench assembly, wherein the pair of support elements are angularly disposed within the first and second vertical members. 
     Yet a further object is the weight bench assembly, wherein the means for declining is a knuckle mechanism having three pivoting points for collapsing a unitary support. There is a foot operated lever interconnected to the knuckle mechanism, wherein the foot operated lever actuates the knuckle mechanism. And, a middle pivot point of the knuckle mechanism has an offset center pin. Additionally, the weight bench assembly can further comprise a knuckle brace. 
     An object includes the weight bench assembly, further comprising a spring for providing tension on the release mechanism. Also, further comprising a shock absorber connected between the horizontal platform and the frame. In addition, the weight bench assembly, further comprising a return spring connected between the horizontal platform and the frame. 
     An object of the invention is a method for automatic spotting when using a weight bench, comprising the steps of laying on the bench in a substantially horizontal position, bench pressing a set of weights attached to a barbell from the horizontal position, pressing a foot lever when unable to lift the set of weights to a secure position, pivoting a head end of the weight bench, wherein the pivoting drops the head end to a safe position, and securing the set of weights on a pair of support bars. 
     A final object is a method for automatic spotting when using a weight bench, further comprising the step of returning the weight bench to a substantially horizontal position. 
     Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description. As will be realized numerous modifications, alterations and adaptations can be made for achieving an integral sheath positioned on the outer surface of a container or cup, without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements: 
     FIG. 1 Automatic Spotting Bench in normal position 
     FIG. 2 Automatic Spotting Bench in lowered Position 
     FIG. 3 Start Position with person depicted on bench 
     FIG. 4 Stuck position showing person trapped by weights 
     FIG. 5 Escape position showing drop down bench with weights resting on support bars 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a weight bench  5  has a support pad  10  with a surface that is cushioned normally for comfort and is mounted to a horizontal support  15 . There is a first pair of vertical supports  70  near the head of the bench  5  that is fitted with at least one pair of angled brackets  100  to hold the barbell and weights  50  until the lifter is ready to pump or after the lifter is finished. The height of the pair of first vertical supports  70  conforms to the standard industry accepted height. When there are several brackets  100  mounted on the vertical support  70 , the user can select where to place the weights. 
     There is a second pair of vertical supports  80  located approximately at the midsection of the support pad  10 . This set of vertical supports  80  is positioned so as not to interfere with the normal bench pressing operations. A pair of emergency support bars  60  extends between the first pair of vertical supports  70  and the second pair of vertical supports  80 . The position of the support bars  60  are adjustable within a series of slotted brackets  90  between the first and second pair of vertical posts  70 ,  80 , so that the bars  60  are at a slight angle toward the head end of the bench to help the weight roll back behind the persons head, thus allowing additional space to exit. Although this is a preferred embodiment of the support bars, it is well within the scope of the invention to have bars approximately parallel to the floor and the weights resting on the substantially horizontal bars. 
     The emergency support bars  60  are placed into the same corresponding set of holes  90  so that both bars  60  are at the same height on each end. In the preferred embodiment the emergency support bars  60  are a pair of one inch diameter pins that are approximately sixteen inches long and are secured in place by clips. The corresponding holes  90  on the vertical supports  70 ,  80  are in two inch increments to compensate for the torso and chest differences of the users. The vertical supports  70 ,  80  are made from 3″×1.5″×⅛″ wall tubing in a preferred embodiment. 
     In operation, the support bars  60  are adjusted so that the bars  60  are two inches below the lowest travel of the barbell and weights  50 , which is about two inches above the chest of the user when lying on the pad  10 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 1, is a square bar  55  mounted on the front end of the bench proximate to the mechanical knuckle  75 , and situated to keep the knuckle  75  from bending. On the upper portion of the square bar  55  is a rubber stopper  65  upon which the lowered bench rests when lowered. 
     There is a shock member  301  pivotably connected to between the lower frame  12  and the horizontal support  15  that provides controlled motion of descent In one embodiment a 90/10 hydraulic automotive drag racing shock is used. Also pivotably interconnecting between the horizontal support and the lower frame is a return spring  300 . The return mechanism  301  provide sufficient force to return the horizontal support  15  back to the original position with the knuckle  75  engaged. The shock absorber and return mechanism can be interconnected by pivoting connections or via a wheel and track assembly. 
     One embodiment includes a gas spring  85  that is affixed to the bar  200  on a first end and connected to the vertical foot lever support tube  25  at the second end. The gas spring  85  provides tension on the foot lever release mechanism so that a sufficient force in the proper direction is required to actually activate the drop down safety option. This aids in preventing accidentally engaging the release. Another embodiment replaces the gas spring with a spring extension, wherein the spring extension connects to a retention post and to the bar  200  to accomplish the same desired effect. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the horizontal support  15  with the body support pad  10  is pivotably connected on a pin  20  mounted at the foot end of the bench  5 . The horizontal support  15  also interconnects with the knuckle  75  near the head end of the bench  5 . In one embodiment, the support pad  10  drops approximately ten inches below the start position so the user can escape from the barbell and weights  50 . The barbell and weights  50  are retained by the pair of emergency support bars  60  that extend from the first pair of vertical posts  70  to the second pair of vertical posts  80 , permitting about eight inches of space between the user and the barbell and weights  50 . 
     The motion to drop the head section of the support pad  10  is created when a lifter activates a lever  30 . A horizontal actuating member  200  is pivotally connected to the foot activated lever  30  at a pivot point  205 , which is approximately the mid-section of the foot activated lever  30 . The actuating member  200  extends from the foot activated lever  30  to the lower arm  210  of the 3-pivot knuckle  75 . The lower arm  210  has a pivot point  250 , wherein the pivot point  250  is pivotally connected to a lower vertical member  230  that is fixedly attached to the frame of the bench  12 . The actuating member  200  connects to the lower arm  210  at approximately the mid-section of the lower arm  210 . 
     The upper arm of the 3-pivot knuckle  220  rotates at the middle pivot point  260  and is also pivotally connected to an upper vertical member  240  at pivot point  270 . In this embodiment the middle pivot point  260  has an offset center pin  265  to aid in keeping the knuckle in the vertical position until the foot-activated release lever  30  is pressed with sufficient force to activate the knuckle  75 . The upper vertical member  240  is fixedly attached to the horizontal support  15  on a first end and pivotably connected to the upper pivoting member  220  at the upper pivot point  240 . The lower vertical member  230  is fixedly connected to the lower frame  12  on a first end and pivotably connected to the lower pivoting member  21  at the lower pivot point  250 . 
     When the user is unable to safely return the barbell and weights  50  to the angled retaining clips  100 , the user can let the barbell and weights  50  fall to the support bars  60 . Since the support bars  60  are only slightly lower than the users chest, the user would essentially be trapped. However, by pressing on the foot lever  30 , the vertical alignment of the knuckle  75  is broken. This causes the head section of the body support pad  5  to drop creating an opening between the lifter&#39;s chest and the weight bar  50 . 
     A hydraulic shock  301  is used to provide a controlled motion that is not jarring to the lifter and minimizes the risks of injury. In one embodiment a 90/10 hydraulic automotive drag racing shock is used. 
     Once the user is clear of the barbell and weights  50 , the user can safely avoid injury or embarrassment. In one embodiment a the nitrogen gas return spring  300  is mounted between the base and the body support platform  15 , and returns the platform  15  to the original horizontal position when the user is off the bench. As the knuckle components  220 , 210  return to their original position, they snap into place and create the solid vertical member as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     In FIG. 3, a person  350  is depicted on the bench  10  in the start position to establish the spatial relationships. The weights  50  are held by the user  350 , who has full mobility to press the weights without any interference from the safety mechanisms. This is particularly useful for those that perform serious weight training and prefer to have the weights touch the chest during each repetition. As noted, the bars  60  are slightly below the chest of the user  350  and have no impact on the weight training. 
     The ‘stuck’ position is demonstrated in FIG. 4, wherein the user  350  is unable to press the weights  50  up on the barbell hook  100 . The weights  50  are resting on the chest of the user—an unsafe condition. Normally, the user would have to slide out from under the weights or dump the weights off to the side. Both acts carry some risk of injury to the person, equipment, or surroundings. 
     The escape position is shown in FIG. 5, wherein the weights  50  are safely secured on the bars  60  and the user  350  is lying angularly declined. The user  350  activates the safety position by pressing the safety lever  30  with the user&#39;s foot. The activation actuates the knuckle mechanism  75  that declines the bench  10 , at the foot end pivot  20 . The shock absorber  301  provides a slow downward movement as opposed to a sudden and potentially damaging jarring movement. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments of features. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.