Safe SpotME 4182 Midterm Presentation

February 22, 2006

J.J. Couvillion - Drew Bartlett - Manish Patel - Nick Roberts - Elisha Mellitz

Objectives

• Project Selection

• Problem Statement

• Conceptual Designs

• Selection Analysis

• Proposed Direction

• Conclusion

Project Selection

• The bench press is a common free weight exercise• Users often need assistance, or a “Spot”, to reduce the risk

of injury• Proper spotting currently requires the presence of another

individual

Problem Statement

• The bench press is an unsafe exercise when performed without a spot

• There is a need for a bench press system or apparatus which allows the user to safely spot themselves

• Apparatus must be safe, simple, reliable and durable

Design Goals

• Must be compatible with standard Olympic weight sets

• Should allow freedom of motion in all directions

• Self contained system requiring no external power source

Patent Search: Baseline ConceptHydraulic Arms on Track

•Similar to traditional bench presses •Lifter arms are powered by a hydraulic system•Activated via a foot pedal

Conceptual DesignsLifter Arms-Leg Pump Powered

•Pedal pumps air into pneumatic compressor which lifts mechanism that catches and assists bar

Conceptual DesignsMotorized Jack Lifters

•Pedal activated motors connected to shafts turn gears, extending jacks•Jacks lift arms that catch and assist weight bar

Conceptual DesignsBench Drop with Catch

•Foot trigger removes pin, causing bench to drop at an angle •Safety arm catches bar•Height of catch is set by user

Conceptual DesignsHook and Cable Leg Extension

•Hooks powered by leg extension are connected by cable•Hooks catch and assist in raising weight bar•Allows user to control degree of weight assist

Selection AnalysisPair-wise Comparison

•Safety ranked as most important design criteria

•Weight portability ranked least important

Selection AnalysisHouse of Quality

Selected Design:Hook and Cable Leg Extension

Proof of Concept:

Conclusion

• Project selection• Problem statement• Patent research/baseline• Conceptual ideas • House of Quality analysis of concepts• Design selection• Questions?