Safe Spot ME 4182 Patent/Product Search February 8, 2006 Drew Bartlett J.J. Couvillion Elisha Mellitz Manish Patel Nick Roberts

Objectives Review patents and products similar to SafeSpot ideas Compare to current conceptual designs Evaluate possible changes to design project due to patent restrictions

“Safe-spotting apparatus for free-weights” Patent # 6,893,381 May 17, 2005 Inventor: Michael D. Slawinski A weight support assembly and weight- responsive engagement assembly for a self-spotting free-weight apparatus. Utilizes the engagement of a pawl assembly in one of a plurality of vertically- spaced holes of a column to support a cable assembly The cable assembly attaches the bar of a free-weight assembly to the weight responsive engagement assembly by means of a cable attachment assembly and sheaves

“Safe-spotting apparatus for free-weights” Patent # 6,893,381 May 17, 2005

“Self-spotting bench press apparatus for progressive lift distance training” Patent # 6,926,648 August 9, 2005 Inventor: Kevin Capizzo A self-controlled modular bench press apparatus for progressive lift distance training including a pair of stands each with an upper translating assembly for vertical, incremental movement selectable by the user during exercise with no barbell attachments. The stands fit underneath the barbell and accommodate off-center loading of the barbell. Each stand includes a linear motion actuator to provide for the vertical movement and a quick connect/disconnect controller enables the user to provide input to each electrically controlled linear motion actuator to translate the upper translating assembly in an independent but parallel manner.

“Self-spotting bench press apparatus for progressive lift distance training” Patent # 6,926,648 August 9, 2005

“Self-Spotting Safety Bench Press” Patent # 6,746,379 June 8, 2004 Inventor: William Matthews Brawner Similar to traditional bench presses, but the uprights (1a/b) have lifters with arms (8a/b) inside them that are powered by a hydraulic system The lifters are compressed to a ‘starting position’ below the users range of motion and activated via a foot pedal. A restrictor valve allows the arms to ‘assist’ by removing a user-determined amount of weight so the user can continue to perform repetitions A second trigger can be activated that allows only upward motion should the user completely fail to complete the exercise

“Dual-guided exercise apparatus” Patent # 5,215,510 June 1, 1993 Inventor: John Baran Includes vertical and horizontal rods with bearings that slide along them. This mechanism can assist in lifting the bar. The horizontal and vertical motion allows for more freedom when lifting. Enables the user to simply discontinue if balance is lost or if the weight becomes too heavy Bearing mechanisms can be set at any height to suit specific user, as the final safety catch in case the lift is missed

“Automatic Spotting Weight Bench” Patent # 6,689,027 September 7, 2001 Inventor – David Gardikis Jr. An automatic spotting weight bench used to support a weight bar and create an escape opening after a failed bench press lift. 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

“Automatic Spotting Weight Bench” Patent # 6,689,027

Weider Pro 575 Weight Bench Self-spotting feature that allows you to exercise to failure. When you fail to return the weight press the power assist with legs and return weight to rack Manually powered Pulley and cable

Conclusion Presented current patents and products Compared with current conceptual ideas Evaluated possible SafeSpot design alterations needed due to patent restrictions Questions???