Patent Application
20100179033
This invention relates to exercise equipment and methodology.
More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for storing and using free weights.
Racks for storing free weights are well known in the art. However, as has been demonstrated many times in the Patent Office, existing apparatus and methods often can be improved by utilizing an unidentified, unanticipated combination which provides functions that are unpredictable in view of the prior art.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved system to store and utilize free weights.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved system to store and utilize free weights.
These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention are set forth below, in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Briefly, in accordance with the invention, we provide an improved method to prepare for and conduct an exercise using free weights while minimizing the risk of injury to an individual during the acquisition, use, and return of the free weights. The individual has a power zone. The improved method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of cylindrically-shaped free weight plates including a least one pair of said plates comprised of plates of equivalent shape, dimension, and weight, each of the free weight plates having a center of gravity and including a generally cylindrically shaped peripheral edge; and, providing a staging station. The staging station includes a horizontally oriented support surface located above the ground; and, a plurality of detent units each located above the ground and adjacent the horizontally oriented support surface and shaped and dimensioned to support one of the free weight plates in an upright orientation on a portion of said peripheral edge of the one of the plates such that the one of the free weight plates can be rolled on the peripheral edges of the one of the free weights out of the detent unit onto the horizontally oriented support surface, and such that the center of gravity of each of the free weight plates is at an elevation above the ground in the power zone of the individual. The improved method also includes the steps of mounting each of the free weight plates on edge in an upright orientation in one of the detent units of the staging station; manually grasping at least a first one of the free weight plates and rolling the first one of the free weight plates from the detent unit of the one of the free weight plates onto the horizontally oriented support surface; manually removing the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface; utilizing the first one of the free weight plates to perform an exercise; returning the first one of the free weight plates to the support surface; and, rolling the first one of the free weight plates on the peripheral edges of the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface into one of the detent units.
In another embodiment of the invention, we provide an improved method to prepare for and conduct an exercise using free weights while minimizing the risk of injury to an individual during the acquisition, use, and return of the free weights. The individual has a power zone. The improved method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of cylindrically-shaped free weight plates including at least one pair of the plates comprised of plates of equivalent shape, dimension, and weight, each of the plates having a center of gravity and including a cylindrically shaped peripheral edge; and, providing a staging station. The staging station includes a horizontally oriented support surface generally located above the ground at a first elevation; and, a plurality of detent units. The detent units are each located above the ground and adjacent to the horizontally oriented support surface and are shaped and dimensioned to support one of the free weight plates in an upright orientation on a portion of the peripheral edge of one of the plates such that each of the free weight plates can be rolled on the peripheral edge of the free weight plate out of the detent unit onto the horizontally oriented support surface; such that the center of gravity of each of the free weight plates is at a second elevation above the ground in the power zone of the individual; and, such that at least one of the free weight plates in a first one of the detent units is laterally offset from another of the free weight plates in a second one of said detent units. The horizontally oriented support surface maintains the center of gravity of each of the free weight plates above the ground in the power zone of the individual when each of the free weight plates is rolled on the peripheral edge of said free weight plate out of the detent unit onto the horizontally oriented support surface. The improved method also includes the steps of mounting each of the free weight plates on edge in an upright orientation in one of the detent units of the staging station; conducting a precision movement by manually grasping the first one of the free weight plates and rolling the first one of the free weight plates from the detent unit of the first one of the free weight plates onto the horizontally oriented support surface; conducting a gross movement by manually removing the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface and transferring the full plate load to the individual for transport; utilizing the first one of the free weight plates to perform an exercise; conducting a gross movement by manually returning the first one of the free weight plates on to the support surface; and, conducting a precision movement by manually rolling the first one of the free weight plates on the peripheral edges of the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface into one of the detent units.
Turning now to the drawings, which are presented by way of explanation and not limitation of the invention, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views,
Free weights 50 and 51 are stored on sloped shelf 52 and each weigh ten pounds. The shape and dimension of a shelf 52 can be varied as desired to facilitate the storage of weight on the shelf, the removal of weights from the shelf, and the return of weights to the shelf. Free weights 60 and 61 each weigh five pounds and are stored on sloped shelf 62. The shape and dimension of a shelf 62 can be varied as desired to facilitate the storage of weights on the shelf, the removal of weights from the shelf, and the return of weights to the shelf.
Each detent unit, or slot, 18 has a flat, arcuate bottom surface that has a radius of curvature that generally is equivalent and conforms to the radius of curvature of the free weight 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41 that seats in the detent unit. Accordingly, the radius of curvature of the concave bottom surface of a detent unit that receives and conforms to a portion of the arcuate convex peripheral edge of a forty-five pound weight 20,21 is greater than the radius of curvature of the concave bottom surface of a detent unit 18 that receives and conforms to a portion of the arcuate convex peripheral edge of a thirty-five pound weight 30 to 33, i.e., the diameter of a forty-five pound cylindrical weight 20, 21 is greater than the diameter of a thirty-five pound cylindrical weight 30 to 33. And, the diameter of a thirty-five pound weight 30 to 33 is greater than the diameter of a twenty-five pound weight 40, 41. A detent unit 18 is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support a free weight 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41 such that the free weight is maintained in an upright, free standing orientation comparable to that illustrated in
In
A detent unit 18 can extend above and/or below a support surface 15, 16, as long as a free weight 20, 21, 30-33,40, 41 can be rolled from a surface 15, 16 into the detent unit. Accordingly, the detent unit and adjacent support surface 15, 16 can be formed such that a cylindrical shaped weight 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41 rolls from a support surface 15, 16 directly down into a detent unit, or such that a cylindrically shaped weight 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41 rolls from a support surface 15, 16 up and over a lip or ridge and then into a concave detent unit.
Free weights 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41, 50, 51, 61 illustrated in
Each detent unit 18 is, as noted, shaped and dimensioned to conform to a portion of the peripheral edge of a free weight 20, 21, 30-33, 40, 41, 50, 51, 61 such that detent unit 18 supports the free weight on edge in an upright orientation in the manner illustrated in
In
Detent units 18 preferably, but not necessarily, are formed such that adjacent free weights 20 and 21 are laterally offset from one another in the manner illustrated in
Support surfaces 15 and 16 can be located at any desired elevation above the ground, but preferably are located at an elevation that falls within the power zone of an individual 60, 70, 80 that is standing upright in the manner depicted in
One method of use of the apparatus of
Upon manipulation of the free weight 33 to a position indicated by dashed lines 33A, movement of the weight 33 is no longer constrained by the detent unit 18 and the individual 60 can utilize kinesthetically-driven, gross motor movements to secure the free weight 33 while it is still in the power zone, to remove weight 33 from the support surface 16, and to proceed to the desired exercise location. Gross motor movements are required and appropriate here because the individual must now support the full load of the free weight. Moreover, the movement restrictions during a gross motor movement are on the scale of meters and are much expanded in comparison to the significantly more restrictive movements associated with manipulating a weight 33 to insert it in and remove it from a detent 18.
The ability of the staging station of the invention to provide precise movements is important because injuries tend to occur when an individual is holding above the ground a heavy free weight and is attempting to align the center aperture of the free weight with a rod on which the free weight is stored. Current art requires individuals to orchestrate strength and precision simultaneously, levying significant burdens on muscular endurance, fine motor movements, and visual attention. In the staging station of the invention, such alignment is carried out while the free weight is supported in large part by a surface 15 and 16.
After the individual 60 removes free weight 33, he or she places the free weight 33 on a bar bell or free weight machine and performs an exercise, or otherwise utilizes weight 33 to perform an exercise. After the exercise is completed, or at some other desired time, individual 60 performs a gross movement by carrying weight 33 to table 10 and placing weight 33 on surface 16. The individual then performs a precise movement by, while the weight 33 is in an upright orientation on edge, aligning the weight 33 with detent 18 and rolling weight 33 on edge over surface 16 into detent 18 in an upright orientation with a lower portion of weight 33 seated in detent 18.
Unless reasons exist to the contrary, judicial notice is taken of the following facts:
One definition of common sense is what people in common would agree upon, that which they “sense” as their common natural understanding or would consider in most people's experience to be prudent and of sound judgment. This definition assumes a country with a population with a particular baseline language, customs and knowledge. The baseline knowledge is knowledge available and known by a large majority of the population, and is knowledge that typically does not require specialized knowledge or study; such baseline knowledge can change over time depending on the success of educational institutions, changing societal climes, etc. Under the people in common (PIC) definition, common sense often has been wrong and, for example, at one time held that the earth was flat. Even today it evidently is estimated that 60% of the people on earth believe the sun revolves around the earth. Others today use common sense to make the judgment that heavier bodies fall faster than light bodies.
A second definition of common sense is sound judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. Sound judgment means sensible judgment based on valid reasoning. This suggests that a common sense judgment, if reliable, is subject to evaluation to see if there are reasons or criteria that support and justify the judgment. This definition assumes a country with a population with a particular baseline language, customs and knowledge. The baseline knowledge is knowledge available and known by a large majority of the population, and is knowledge that typically does not require specialized knowledge or study; such baseline knowledge can change over time depending on the success of educational institutions, changing societal climes, etc. What might be common sense to an American might not be common sense to a person living in another country. An individual could move to the United States from India and what might appear common sense to an American would, because of the culture of India, make absolutely no sense to the Indian. In evaluating obviousness, however, it is usually, for better or worse, assumed that the Indian has the same baseline knowledge as individuals who have grown up in the United States.
A third definition of common sense is sound judgment by one of ordinary skill in the art based on a perception of the situation or facts in the context of the baseline knowledge in CMSJ and of specialized knowledge that is over and above said baseline knowledge and is attributed to one of ordinary skill in the art. As noted, sound judgment means sensible judgment based on valid reasoning. This suggests that a common sense judgment by one of ordinary skill in the art is, if reliable, subject to evaluation to see if there are reasons or criteria that support and justify the judgment. This definition assumes a country with a population with a particular baseline language, customs and knowledge. The baseline knowledge and specialized knowledge comprise knowledge available and known by a large majority of those of skill in the art; such baseline knowledge and specialized knowledge can change overtime depending on the success of educational institutions, advances in the art, changing societal climes, etc. What might be common sense to an American of ordinary skill in the art might not be common sense to a person that lives in another country and appears to be one of ordinary skill in the art. In evaluating obviousness, however, it is usually, for better or worse, assumed that the person of ordinary skill in the art from India has the same baseline knowledge as individuals of skill in the art who have grown up in the United States. In some technically simple inventions, the ordinary skill sound judgment (OSSJ) may be commensurate with common man sound judgment (CMSJ) because there is little if any specialized knowledge required. For example, a new Christmas tree ornament design might not require any particular specialized knowledge over and above the baseline knowledge of the large majority of people. In contrast, many inventions obviously require a specialized knowledge over and above commonly held baseline knowledge, in which case such specialized knowledge will be utilized in the sound reasoning involved in ordinary skill sound judgment common sense.
As used herein, relying on common sense judgment requires that valid reasoning justifying such judgment be set forth. Hence, the common man sound judgment (CMSJ) and ordinary skill sound judgment (OSSJ) definitions are generally relied on herein with respect to determining the obviousness of an invention. Further, in evaluating the obviousness of the invention it is believed some specialized knowledge over and above the baseline knowledge is required; namely, at least some knowledge in connection with the construction and use of FWCSP storage racks. CMSJ and OSSJ common sense do not appear reasonably to suggest the invention.
Typical long existing problems associated with prior art FWCPS storage racks are cost of manufacture, simplicity of construction and use, non-ergonomic design, durability, and adjustment and placement of FWCPSs on CSRs.
Typical, long-existing solutions to problems associated with a prior art FWCPS storage racks are utilization of a simple, durable, easy-to-assemble units.
Since FWCPSs and their storage racks have existed for many years, the market has functioned to winnow out and determine the kinds of FWCPS storage racks that survive. Today, and for some time, there has been one basic kind of FWCPS storage rack in the market. The rack comprises a substantially rigid stand with one or more fixed CSRs, typically arranged vertically, on which FWCPSs are stored. This concept has persisted in the form of stand-alone structures and that CSRs are also common as appendages on large exercise structures such as squat racks and smith machines with no variance in their structure or function.
C. Rapidity with which Innovations are Made.
The appearance of innovations in the market appears unusually slow. The basic FWCPS rack design noted above has dominated the market for at least fifty (50) years.
Innovations in the art generally appear to be accepted slowly. This is believed in part to be because of the focus on behalf of fitness equipment manufacturers to develop motorized equipment (i.e. treadmills and elliptical machines) and selectorized equipment, dominance of the basic FWCPS rack design in the market, and because free weights are preferably stored on fixed, rigid racks.
E. Patents.
The prosecution and issuance of a patent often is an isolated event which concerns a product that has no effect in the market, does not reach the market, fails in the market, or is not consciously taken into serious consideration by those of ordinary skill in the art. In such instance, a patent or patent application supplies little, if any, impetus to innovate.
F. Sophistication of the Technology.
A FWCPS storage rack typically comprises parts made from metal, polymers, or other material utilizing well known manufacturing techniques. A FWCPS storage rack ordinarily is of simple construction. Consequently, as a general rule the technology is not sophisticated.
G. Education of Active Workers in the Field
The education level of individuals that utilize a FWCPS storage rack can range from a middle school education to a college education. Few professional baseball players or other professional athletes gain a college degree, and these individuals utilize FWCPS storage racks as part of their daily regimen of fitness activity. A large percentage of individuals that utilize a FWCPS storage rack are teenagers that have not yet graduated high school and are involved in sports. Only a minority of high school athletes subsequently participate in college sports. However an increasing number of individuals, considered “baby boomers”, are participating in free weight exercise.
The education level of individuals that manufacture or design FWCPS storage racks can vary from an elementary school education to a college education. And the segregated nature of such individuals' knowledge can range from those in the fields of, but not limited to, ergonomics, engineering, industrial design, cognitive science, and anthropology. The large majority of FWCPS storage racks utilize metal shelves and other components that are produced using long utilized conventional manufacturing techniques. Many FWCPS storage racks are produced in territories such as China or other out-sourcing rich countries that utilize poorly paid laborers who have a minimal amount of education.
Some fields of endeavor, for example engineering, specifically encourage innovation. Other fields of endeavor do not focus on innovation. An individual utilizing a FWCPS storage rack normally is not encouraged to innovate but is only encouraged to properly utilize or assemble the FWCPS storage rack. Further there are impediments to innovation as the industry holds numerous other parameters top priorities such as cost and size.
The person of ordinary skill in the art is also a person of ordinary creativity, not an automaton. Due to the stagnant development in the industry, and success of putative design, there is little inspiration/incentive for creativity.
Consequently, a worker of ordinary skill in the art
(1) Is aware of typical long existing problems associated with prior art FWCPS storage racks.
(2) Is aware of typical long existing solutions to long existing problems associated with prior art FWCPS storage racks.
(3) Realizes that the appearance of FWCPS storage rack innovations in the market is slow.
(4) Is aware that one basic kind of FWCPS storage rack has dominated the market; namely, a substantially rigid unit with one or more fixed CSRs that are arranged vertically.
(5) Realizes that innovations in FWCPS storage racks ordinarily are accepted slowly and do not survive in the market.
(6) Ordinarily does not have a high degree of sophistication with respect to the manufacture, assembly, and use of prior art FWCPS storage racks, in particular with respect to such racks that are actually present in the market.
(7) Has, in the majority of cases, not graduated high school.
(8) Normally is not encouraged to innovate.
(9) Is a person of ordinary creativity.
(10) Has accepted a primary industry recognized problem as having to do with storing the weights, and thus attempting to innovate on a product-centered problem (as in managing a fitness facility) has taken priority over recognizing a user-centered solution.
(11) Accords a lesser amount of importance to industry recognized problems more associated with the user (safety and ergonomics) whereby any innovations directed at such problems have often failed to be accepted into the market place
