The present invention relates to weightlifting equipment, and more particularly to a spotter platform which receives a weight bench.
Weightlifters perform various exercises for the purpose of developing particular muscles throughout the body. These exercises can be performed through the use of free weights, such as barbells, or with machines. Many weightlifters prefer free weights because free weights permit the lifter to perform the exercises in a natural motion while utilizing pure body leverage in performing the exercise. This facilitates isolation of particular muscle groups and simulates actual athletic sports motions.
Oftentimes when utilizing free weights, particularly when performing exercises on a weight bench, a spotter assists the weightlifter. The spotter stands behind the weightlifter—adjacent his head—while the weightlifter is lying on the weight bench. The spotter typically assists the weightlifter with the few final repetitions in each set such that the weightlifter is able to continue lifting past the fatigue point at which he would no longer be able to lift the current weight unassisted. The spotter thereby maximizes the weightlifters work out for that exercise.
As the spotter is standing on the floor, the spotter oftentimes must straddle the weightlifters head. Aside from being a somewhat uncomfortable position, the spotter also has reduced leverage to assist the weightlifter should assistance be required and the spotter is required to lift a significant portion of the weight. This may be of particular concern while spotting for a weightlifter that is bench pressing significant weight.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a weightlifting system that will better position the spotter while spotting the weightlifter.
A weightlifting system according to the present invention includes a spotter platform which flanks a weight bench. Each spotter platform is preferably attached to a base between upright frame members of a weight bar frame rack. The spotter platforms provide a surface raised above the deck upon which a spotter may stand. The spotter platforms provide a more comfortable position for both the spotter and the weightlifter while providing a leverage advantage to the spotter such that the spotter may more readily lift with his legs during spotting of the weightlifter. The spotter platform may be articulated to a vertical stowed position to clear an area on the deck for other exercises.
The spotter platforms also provide fixed receipt areas within which the weight bench is received to provide proper weightlifter positioning while minimizing any relative movement between the weight bench and the weight bar frame rack.
The present invention therefore desirable to provide a weightlifting system that will better position the spotter while spotting the weightlifter
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
The weight support assembly 14 supports the weight bar between sets as generally understood. For further understanding of other aspects of the rack system, attachment thereto and associated components thereof, attention is directed to U.S. patent application No. ______ filed ______ and entitled: WEIGHTLIFTING SUPPORT ASSEMBLY which is assigned to the assignee of the instant invention and which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
The frame rack 12 includes a multitude of openings O along an upright frame member 16 which receive the weight support assembly 14 such that the support assembly 14 may be located at various positions along the frame rack 12. Each opening O is separated from the next by approximately four inches to provide significant incremental adjustment, however, any separation will be usable with the present invention.
Each upright frame member 16 defines a longitudinal axis A which extends vertically relative to the ground. The upright frame member 16 is generally rectilinear in shape and is preferably manufactured of tubing which is rectangular or U-shaped in cross-section. The upright frame member 16 includes a front face 18 and a first and second side face 20, 22 (
The openings O are arranged in horizontally opposed pairs of openings Oa, Ob perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. That is, each pair of openings O includes a first opening Oa located through the front face 18 and the first side face 20 and a second opening Ob located through the front face 18 and the second side face 22 such that the openings Oa, Ob are aligned when viewed from one of the side faces 20, 22.
A lock opening 24 is located through the front face 18 between each vertically separated pair of openings Oa, Ob. Each lock opening 24 is displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis A and is generally square in shape. It should be understood that other shapes will also be readily usable with the present invention. Preferably, the lock opening 24 is longitudinally staggered above each pair of openings Oa, Ob.
A spotter platform 26 is located adjacent each upright frame member 16 to flank a weight bench 28. Each spotter platform 26 is preferably attached to a deck 30 between the upright frame members 16 and may be articulated to a vertical stowed position (
Referring to
The spotter platform 26RH generally includes a mount 32, a frame assembly 34 and a platform 36 mounted to the frame assembly 34 and mount 32 (also illustrated in
A handle knob assembly 42 is mounted to the frame assembly 34 generally between the first mount pivot 38 and a second mount pivot 40 for engagement with the mount 32 to lock the spotter platform 26RH, 26LH in either a down position (
The handle knob assembly 42 is mounted to the frame assembly 34 such that a biased latch member 44 (
Referring to
In use, the knob 52 of the handle knob assembly 42 is pulled and the platform and frame assembly 34 are pivoted about the first mount pivot 38 and a second mount pivot 40 to move the spotter platform 26RH, 26LH between the down position (FIGS. 1A and 4A-4C) and the stowed position (
Referring to
The front guide 64, a spacer guide 66 and a back stop guide 68 are preferably non metallic members to receive a transverse leg 74 of the weigh bench 28. That is, the transverse leg 74 is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis B defined along the length of the weight bench 28. That is, the transverse leg 74 is selectively inserted into either the first space 70 or the second space 72. Once located in either space 70, 72, the weight bench 28 is then movable fore/aft. That is, the weight bench frame 76 is moveable relative the transverse leg 74 as illustrated in
It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude and should not be considered otherwise limiting.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.