V-Bar Spotter

Votes: 2
Views: 4173

The problem with bench pressing is that you may actually exhaust yourself to the point that you can not push the barbell off of you or high enough to place it back on the supports. My design completely eliminates this problem, because the barbell remains within the support structure at all times – refer to the drawing.

I believe this concept could be incorporated into current exercise machines and methods. It might also serve as an attachment. It would allow the individual to safely perform an important muscle building exercise without assistance. If such a device exists, I am not aware of it.

The material used should conform to ASTM standard A283C-A steel – 0.25” thick. Basically the support consists of a steel sleeve around a steel channel, with a bolt-type latching mechanism to support the weight. The support platforms are critical because of stability and balance. The V-Bar stability is based upon the base stability.

The indicated weights shown on the drawing are for extra stability depending upon the extent of the workout. They are not necessary for most.

This design is intended for currently operating entities that sell exercise equipment. Incorporation of this design could easily mean an increase in sales, because of its appeal to those who prefer to exercise alone. Let’s face it, more and more of us are turning up alone. We work out to appeal once more! So this device is applicable to today’s world.

So manufacturing is a function of existing companies engaged in the exercise industries endorsing and applying this design into their products. I am proposing it to them as an improvement over current designs, at least for the sake of us individuals.

One last disclaimer:
Although I believe this design will work, I am not a structural design engineer. The intent is for a company’s own design engineers to evaluate and adjust the specific values.

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  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    Brian Wiggin
  • Type of entry:
    individual
  • Profession:
    Engineer/Designer
  • Number of times previously entering contest:
    1
  • Brian's favorite design and analysis tools:
    MPLAB IDE
    MS Visual C++
    Dynamic C
    ExpressPCB & ExpressSCH
    Alibre CAD Design Tools
  • For managing CAD data Brian's company uses:
    None
  • Brian's hobbies and activities:
    Robotics, electronics, gardening, dancing, chess
  • Brian belongs to these online communities:
    Flickr
  • Brian is inspired by:
    Usually I look toward practicality - what would make this better. Other times, it is simply about testing a concept out. During the process of doing that, is when the ideas come along.
  • Hardware used for this entry:
    Muscle
    Software used for this entry:
    ExpressSCH
  • Patent status:
    none