Spotting apparatus for assisting a weightlifter

A weightlifting apparatus for providing spotting assistance to a weightlifter, said apparatus comprising:

• a support structure including a first support arm attached to said support structure and a first bar spotting unit attached to said support arm, wherein said bar spotting unit is adapted to receive a weightlifting bar such that the bar may be moved from a lower position within said bar spotting unit to an upper position within said bar spotting unit;
• position sensor means associated with said bar spotting unit for providing a lower position output signal indicative of the presence of said bar at said lower position;
• a weightlifting bar storage rack for storing the bar when not in use, and storage rack position sensor means for producing a rack position output signal indicative of the presence of said bar on said bar storage rack;
• assisting means for providing lifting assistance to the weightlifter;
• and
• control means for controlling said assisting means responsive to said lower position output signal.

A weightlifting apparatus for providing spotting assistance to a weightlifter, said apparatus comprising:

• a support structure including a first support arm attached to said support structure and a first bar spotting unit attached to said support arm, wherein said bar spotting unit is adapted to receive a weightlifting bar such that the bar may be moved from a lower unsafe area within said bar spotting unit to an upper safe area within said bar spotting unit;
• weight sensor means associated with said bar spotting unit for producing a weight output signal indicative of the gravitational force exerted by the weightlifting bar on said spotting unit within said lower unsafe area;
• assisting means for providing lifting assistance to the weightlifter;
• and
• control means for controlling said assisting means responsive to said weight sensor output signal such that said assistance is terminated if said bar is in said upper safe area.

A weightlifting apparatus for providing spotting assistance to a weightlifter, said apparatus comprising:

• a support structure including a support arm slidable along said support structure, and a bar spotting unit attached to said support arm, wherein said bar spotting unit is adapted to receive a weightlifting bar such that the bar may be moved from a lower unsafe area within said bar spotting unit to an upper safe area within said bar spotting unit;
• speed sensor means for producing a speed output signal indicative of the speed of movement of said support arm along a vertical portion of said support structure;
• weight sensor means associated with said bar spotting unit for producing a weight output signal indicative of the gravitational force exerted by the weightlifting bar on said spotting unit;
• position sensor means associated with said bar spotting unit for providing a lower unsafe area output signal indicative of the presence of said bar at said lower position;
• assisting means for providing lifting assistance to the weightlifter;
• and
• control means for controlling said assisting means responsive to said position, speed and weight sensor output signals, wherein said assistance is initiated responsive to said speed sensor output signal, the amount of said assistance is adjusted responsive to said weight sensor output signal, and said assistance is terminated if said bar is in said upper safe area.