WO2016064754A1 - Rayonnage automatisé pour équipement d'haltérophilie - Google Patents

Rayonnage automatisé pour équipement d'haltérophilie Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016064754A1
WO2016064754A1 PCT/US2015/056268 US2015056268W WO2016064754A1 WO 2016064754 A1 WO2016064754 A1 WO 2016064754A1 US 2015056268 W US2015056268 W US 2015056268W WO 2016064754 A1 WO2016064754 A1 WO 2016064754A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dumbbell
dumbbells
weight
conveyor
automated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/056268
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Greg Zimmerman
Ben Zimmerman
Justin Hiskey
Aditya Karan SHARMA
Saurabh Arora
Original Assignee
Union Square Innovations LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Union Square Innovations LLC filed Critical Union Square Innovations LLC
Publication of WO2016064754A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016064754A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0036—Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/16—Sorting according to weight
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
    • B25H3/04—Racks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
    • A63B2071/0625—Emitting sound, noise or music
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B2071/0655—Tactile feedback
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
    • A63B21/072—Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like, e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
    • A63B21/0726—Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
    • A63B2220/51—Force
    • A63B2220/52—Weight, e.g. weight distribution
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/805—Optical or opto-electronic sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/15—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment with identification means that can be read by electronic means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/50—Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0087—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/06—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level
    • B65G1/08—Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level the articles being fed by gravity

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to systems, apparatuses, and methods for automatically sorting and racking gym equipment for use by gym users in an athletic gym facility.
  • Weights ifting uses one or more types of weights (e.g.. bar and plate, and/or dumbbell weights) for developing strength and muscle size.
  • Gym facilities store weights and other equipment for shared use amongst gym members, who may use weights having different sizes and masses based on personal goals and objectives.
  • weights e.g.. bar and plate, and/or dumbbell weights
  • Gym facilities store weights and other equipment for shared use amongst gym members, who may use weights having different sizes and masses based on personal goals and objectives.
  • Dumbbells are often stored on weight racks and generally have an intended location based on a weight rack layout (e.g., sequentially increasing weights from lowest to highest mass).
  • weights may not get reracked and/or get misplaced (e.g., one size of weight may be placed in a location designated for a different size of weight). Unsorted weights can result in members not efficiently locating their desired size and weight pairings (e.g., two 45 lbs. dumbbells) and can require gym employees and members to periodically scour gym facilities throughout the day to locate, move, use, sort and rack weights.
  • Figure 1 Is a block diagram of a basic and suitable computer that may employ aspects of the described technology.
  • Figure 2A is a block diagram of an automated dumbbell racking system that implements various aspects of the technology.
  • Figures 2B - 2G are various perspectives of one or more embodiments of an automated dumbbell racking system.
  • Figure 3A - 3C are various perspectives of an embodiment of a weight rack mechanism.
  • Figure 4A - 4C are various perspectives of an embodiment of a loading mechanism.
  • Figure 5A - 5C are various perspectives of a transport mechanism.
  • Figure 8A - 8C are various perspectives of a linear rail mechanism.
  • Figure 7 is a flow diagram depicting one or more features of the technology.
  • Figures 8A - 8E are various perspectives of one or more embodiments of the automated dumbbell racking system.
  • the technology is capable of detecting a weight's (e.g., a dumbbell's) characteristics (e.g., type, weight, material, brand, age, preferred use, dimensions, etc.), transporting the weight from a drop-off location to a desired weight location on a rack for easy access by a user.
  • a weight's e.g., a dumbbell's
  • characteristics e.g., type, weight, material, brand, age, preferred use, dimensions, etc.
  • the technology can reduce time and energy exerted by gym staff (and/or members) who must otherwise manually locate, lift and sort weights into a proper orientation/position on a rack.
  • the technology is an automated dumbbell racking system that includes various functions implemented into one or more weight rack mechanisms, linear rail mechanisms, transport mechanisms, loading mechanisms, and/or other mechanisms.
  • Each "mechanism” includes technology and functionality that can be implemented separately and couple to technology and functionality implemented by other mechanisms, and/or a single mechanism can implement the technology and functionality of one or more of the individual mechanisms.
  • Gym members leave weights at one or more drop-off locations of the loading mechanism.
  • the loading mechanism, transport mechanism, and/or conveyor is configured with technology for identifying dumbbell characteristics for determining a type, size, configuration and/or weight of a dumbbell, for example.
  • Various techniques are implemented by the technology for determining weight characteristics, such as one or more loading cells, scales or scanners (e.g., bar-code, QR-code, RF-ID detectors, etc.). Weight characteristics are stored (e.g., in RAM, a database, file or other means to store information), in some embodiments, for use by other mechanisms of the technology.
  • the loading mechanism includes a feed assembly (e.g., a conveyor) with compartments for holding dumbbells while the feed assembly sequentially delivers dumbbells from the compartments to a transport mechanism.
  • a feed assembly e.g., a conveyor
  • the technology moves and releases (e.g., drops/pushes/releases/etc.) a dumbbell onto the loading mechanism and/or conveyor, which moves (e.g., in a forward/backward direction) one or more dumbbells to the transport mechanism (e.g., by allowing gravity to drop the dumbbell onto the transport mechanism after the dumbbell reaches the end of the conveyor).
  • the transport mechanism in various embodiments, includes a load cell (e.g., a strain gage), lift and conveyor.
  • the transport mechanism is configured to travel about a rail (discussed below) for moving dumbbells to dumbbell holders of a weight rack mechanism.
  • Dumbbells are received at the transport mechanism's conveyor, which is configured to hold and move a dumbbell from a first end (i.e., a "receiving end") of the conveyor to a second end (i.e., a "delivery end”) of the conveyor.
  • the delivery end of the conveyor is positionable about a back end of a dumbbell holder of the weight rack mechanism, such that one or more dumbbells move on the conveyor from the delivery end of the conveyor onto the back end of the dumbbell holders (e.g., the conveyor can release, drop, push and/or otherwise reposition the dumbbell).
  • a lift is coupled to the transport mechanism and is configured to move dumbbells between an upper and a lower position of the transport mechanism for releasing weights at corresponding upper or lower levels shelves of dumbbell holders at the weight rack mechanism.
  • the transport mechanism is equipped with technology for causing the transport mechanism to move to one or more assigned dumbbell holders based at least on one or more dumbbell characteristics.
  • the transport mechanism can independently move between various dumbbell holder locations via one or more motorized devices (e.g., a computer configured to operate a motor to move, via wheels or tracks, between one or more dumbbell holder locations).
  • the transport mechanism is configured to operate with a belt drive assembly of a rail (e.g., a guide rail system) that moves the transport mechanism about the length of the weight rack.
  • a dumbbell rests on the conveyor's transport mechanism as the transport mechanism moves (e.g., via the rail) a dumbbell to a location of the rack assigned to the dumbbell.
  • the rail mechanism can include one or more rails (e.g., linear guide rails) to directly or indirectly couple to the weight rack mechanism.
  • a desired location e.g., a position on the rail that is in back of a dumbbell holder location
  • the technology automatically initiates operation of the transport mechanism's conveyor to transport the dumbbell from the transport mechanism into the designated dumbbell holder. If the dumbbell holder is at a lower/higher shelf than the conveyor is currently positioned, the technology, in one or more embodiments, automatically initiates operation of the lift to, for example, cause the actuator to move the conveyor to the lower/higher position.
  • the transport mechanism can be implemented without a lift.
  • the transport mechanism in some embodiments, can retrieve dumbbells from a dumbbell holder by reversing the conveyor in a direction opposite the direction used to move the dumbbell into a holder, for example, to move and/or resort dumbbells to new/different locations according to a schema based and/or dumbbell availability.
  • the weight rack mechanism in some embodiments, is a stationary or semi- stationary weight rack that includes one or more dumbbell holders configured to store at least one dumbbell for manual retrieval by a user in a similar manner as weights are retrieved from traditional weight racks.
  • the weight rack mechanism can include one or more racks configured to be stacked on top and/or side ⁇ by ⁇ side other weight racks. This is useful because it allows a facility to custom configure racks based on the facilities' particular requirements (e.g., a weight rack mechanism with two levels of racks versus two single shelf racks configured in a side-by-side configuration).
  • Each rack includes one or more dumbbell holder that is configured to receive one or more dumbbells from the transport mechanism (as described above), Dumbbell holders can be uniform in dimensions or be sized in accordance with a particular dumbbell configuration.
  • dumbbell holders are manually or automatically sized to store different types of dumbbells by, for example, automatically or manually moving dumbbell holder dividers closer together (e.g., for the 5 lb. dumbbell) or further apart (e.g., for the 85 lb. dumbbell).
  • a dumbbell holder can be predefined to store dumbbells based on one or more of dumbbell characteristics. For example, in a given row of dumbbell holders, each of several sets of holders can be configured to store progressively higher weight dumbbells (e.g., a set of two 5 lb. dumbbell holders, next to a set of two 10 lb. dumbbell holders, and up to, e.g., a set of two 85 lb. dumbbell holders.). Additionally and/or alternatively, dumbbell holders can store random dumbbells based on, for example, whether the dumbbell holder is a spare, not designated for a particular dumbbell, or designated for storing 'random' dumbbells.
  • dumbbell holders can store random dumbbells based on, for example, whether the dumbbell holder is a spare, not designated for a particular dumbbell, or designated for storing 'random' dumbbells.
  • each dumbbell holder can be assigned an address (e.g., a unique ID) which can be mapped to one or more dumbbell characteristics.
  • a dumbbell holder having an address of rack 1 , shelf 2, location 4 of 10 (R1 S2L4) can be assigned to store only 15 lb., unpadded dumbbells that are less than 2 years old.
  • a dumbbell holder e.g., R2S2L9
  • R2S2L9 can have a blank address or be assigned to bold 'random' dumbbells to indicate that the dumbbell holder can store more than one type of dumbbell (e.g., both 45 lb. and 50 lb. dumbbells).
  • Simple or complex mappings can be created by a user or dynamically determined by the technology to. e.g., partition portions of one or more racks to store newer/older weights, weights of a certain masses/sizes, padded/unpadded weights, gender-preferred weights, weights of the same brand, and/or other characteristics (e.g., color). Mappings can be manually or automatically programmed (e.g., via a computing device) and stored for retrieval by the technology for configuring new or modified rack layout schemas.
  • the technology can identify particular dumbbell holders (e.g., empty versus occupied dumbbell holders) using a variety of identification techniques, such as optical scanning (e.g., LED, LASER, or other light-based techniques), weight (e.g., an actuator and/or scale in the dumbbell holder configured to indicate whether the location is occupied), history (e.g., a log that stores present and past dumbbell placements), transducers (e.g., hall effect sensors), electrical switches (e.g., reed switches) and/or other detection/identification technologies and/or methodologies.
  • identification techniques such as optical scanning (e.g., LED, LASER, or other light-based techniques), weight (e.g., an actuator and/or scale in the dumbbell holder configured to indicate whether the location is occupied), history (e.g., a log that stores present and past dumbbell placements), transducers (e.g., hall effect sensors), electrical switches (e.g., reed switches) and/or other detection/identification technologies
  • programmable circuitry programmed or configured by software and/or firmware, or entirely by special- purpose circuitry, or in a combination of such forms.
  • special-purpose circuitry can be in the form of, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), logic boards, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.
  • ASICs application-specific integrated circuits
  • PLDs programmable logic devices
  • PLCs programmable logic controllers
  • FPGAs field-programmable gate arrays
  • Figure 1 and the following discussion provide a brief general description of a suitable computing environment (e.g., a logic board) in which aspects of the technology can be implemented. Although not required, aspects of the technology may be described herein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by a general- or special-purpose data processing device.
  • a suitable computing environment e.g., a logic board
  • aspects of the technology may be described herein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by a general- or special-purpose data processing device.
  • aspects of the technology described herein may be stored or distributed on tangible computer-readable media, including magnetically or optically readable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, or other data storage media,
  • computer-implemented instructions, data structures, screen displays, and other data related to the described technology may be distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks) on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., an electromagnetic wave, a sound wave, etc.) over a period of time.
  • the data may be provided on any analog or digital network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme).
  • the described technology employs a computer 100, such as a PCB having one or more processors 101 coupled to one or more input devices 102 and data storage devices 104.
  • the computer 100 is also coupled to at least one output device such as a display device 106 and one or more optional additional output devices 108 (e.g., printer, plotter, speakers, tactile or olfactory output devices, etc.).
  • the computer 100 may be coupled to external computers, such as via an optional network connection, a wireless transceiver, or both.
  • the input devices 102 may include a keyboard, a microphone, a sensor, a pointing device such as a mouse, and described technology for receiving human voice, touch, and/or sight (e.g., a microphone, a touch screen, and/or smart glasses). Other input devices are possible such as a joystick, pen, game pad, scanner, digital camera, video camera, and the like.
  • the data storage devices 104 may include any type of computer- readable media that can store data accessible by the computer 100, such as magnetic hard and floppy disk drives, optical disk drives, magnetic cassettes, tape drives, flash memory cards, digital video disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, smart cards, etc. Indeed, any medium for storing or transmitting computer-readable instructions and data may be employed, including a connection port to or node on a network, such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet (not shown in Figure 1 ).
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an automated dumbbell racking system that includes various mechanisms 300, 400, 500 and 600 which can function independently and/or in combination to implement various aspects of the technology.
  • loading mechanism 400 is configured to receive dumbbells (e.g., via a user) and to deliver the dumbbells to a transport mechanism 500 that, in various embodiments, moves along a rail mechanism 800 to reach and deliver a dumbbell to a dumbbell holder of a weight rack mechanism 300.
  • Figures 2B - 2G are various perspectives of one or more embodiments of the automated dumbbell racking system 200 depicted in Figure 2A.
  • Figures 2B - 2G include a weight rack mechanism 300 for at least providing dumbbells to users, a loading mechanism 400 for receiving and loading one or more dumbbells 203a dropped off by a user, and transport mechanism 500 that, in some embodiments, is configured to deliver, via rail mechanism 800, dumbbells to the weight rack mechanism 300
  • Figure 2B is a top- front perspective of an embodiment of the technology in a loading configuration
  • Figure 2C is a top-back perspective of an embodiment of the technology in a loading configuration
  • Figure 2D is a top-back perspective of an embodiment of the technology in a delivery configuration
  • Figure 2E is a top perspective of an embodiment of the technology in a loading configuration
  • Figure 2F is a side perspective of an embodiment of the technology in a loading configuration
  • Figure 2G is a side perspective of an embodiment of the technology indicating a delivery configuration 204b for
  • FIG. 3A - 3C depict exemplary views of one or more embodiments of the weight rack mechanism 300 that includes one or more weight racks 302a-302n, which can include one or more shelves 304a - 304n having one or more dumbbell holders 308a - 308n supported by legs 306, Dumbbell holders 308a - 308n are configured to hold one or more dumbbells 203a - 203n.
  • Each dumbbell holder 308a-308n has an end for receiving a dumbbell (a "receiving end") 310b via the transport mechanism 500 and an end accessible to a user for removing a dumbbell (a "user end”) 310a.
  • a single dumbbell holder 308a-308n can hold two or more dumbbells (not shown), such that when a front dumbbell is removed a next dumbbell is revealed and ready to be removed by a user.
  • the following Figures depict embodiments that support a single dumbbell (e.g., 203a) per dumbbell holder (e.g., 308a- 308n).
  • Figures 4A - 4C depict exemplary views of an embodiment of the loading mechanism 400, which in one or more embodiments, includes a loading conveyor 404 connected together via stabilizers 408 and an optional loading cell 403, in addition to or as an alternative to a load cell associated with the transport mechanism 500 (as described below).
  • Figure 4A is a side perspective of the loading mechanism 400
  • Figure 4B is a top- front perspective of the loading mechanism 400 for transporting a dumbbell 203a down the loading conveyor 404
  • Figure 4C is a side perspective of the loading mechanism 400 in approximation to the weight rack mechanism 300.
  • transport mechanism 500 and rail system 600 The loading mechanism 400 is configured to receive one or more dumbbells 203a - 203n from gym members and/or staff.
  • the loading mechanism 400 includes one or more dumbbell templates 405 for orientating dumbbells into a proper position for inserting the dumbbell into the loading mechanism 400.
  • the optional loading cell 403 or other component of the loading mechanism 400 includes technology for determining various characteristics of the dumbbell for use in determining which of several dumbbell holders to store the dumbbell. Dumbbell characteristics describe features of a particular dumbbell and/or dumbbell class, such as a size, shape, weight, material, color, brand, age, preferred use, preferred storage location, ID, group ID or other feature.
  • the loading cell 403 can include technology for determining one or more characteristics for use in determining where to rack the dumbbell, such as a scale for measuring weight and/or optics for scanning one or more features of the dumbbell or a dumbbell ID (e.g., a bar code, QR code or other identifier) attached the dumbbell.
  • the dumbbell ID can be a unique identification such that when scanned it can be used for triggering the technology to reference stored data that describes attributes previously defined for a particular dumbbell (e.g., an unpadded 501b dumbbell made by manufacturer 'A' and in service in the gym facilities for 3.5 years).
  • the technology can determine (e.g., based on a desired layout for the rack) a dumbbell holder for storing that dumbbell.
  • the loading conveyor 404 includes dumbbell positions 409a-409n that hold one or more dumbbells as the loading conveyor 404 moves dumbbells from a first position (e.g., a loading position) 408a to a second position (e.g., a delivery position) 408b for delivering the dumbbell to transport mechanism 500.
  • Figure 5A - 5C depicts exemplary views of the transport mechanism 500 which receives dumbbells from the loading mechanism 400, transports dumbbells, via a rail mechanism 800, to a position in back of the dumbbell holders 308a-308n and delivers the dumbbells to the dumbbell holders 308a-308n for pickup by a user.
  • Figure 5A depicts a front-side perspective of the transport mechanism 500;
  • Figure 5B depicts a top side perspective of the transport mechanism 500 in approximation to the weight rack mechanism 300 and rail system 800;
  • Figure 5C depicts a backside perspective of the loading mechanism 500.
  • Transport mechanism 500 in various embodiments, includes a delivery conveyor 503, stabilizers 508 and, in one or more embodiments, a lift/actuator 504.
  • the transport mechanism 500 is configured to receive, at the delivery conveyor 503, one or more dumbbells 203a-203n from the loading mechanism 400 and further configured to transport the dumbbell 203 to a location in the back of a dumbbell holder 308a ⁇ 3G8n,
  • the loading mechanism 500 in one or more embodiments, has technology (e.g., a motor) (see, Figures 8A-8E) for moving itself about the weight rack mechanism 300 to a determined dumbbell holder 308a-308n.
  • the transport mechanism 500 is moved by an external force such as a rail mechanism 600 and is not required to have its own motor.
  • the delivery conveyor 503 is configured to activate and move the dumbbell 203 toward and into the dumbbell holder 308a-308n.
  • the actuator 504 such as a vertical linear actuator, raises and lowers the delivery conveyor 503 for reaching shelves of dumbbell holders at different heights (e.g., when racks are vertically stacked).
  • the actuator 504 can automatically activate when the technology determines that a dumbbell is at a higher/lower shelf than the current position of the delivery conveyer 503.
  • a loading cell (not shown) is couplable to the transport mechanism 500 for determining various dumbbell characteristics (e.g., mass), as detailed above and further below.
  • Figure 6A - 6C depicts exemplary views of a rail mechanism 800 that, in various embodiments, guides the transport mechanism 500 to and from various dumbbell holders 308a-308n of the weight rack mechanism 300.
  • Figure 8A and Figure 6B depict front-side perspectives of the rail mechanism 800 and Figure 6C depicts a front side perspective of the rail mechanism 600 in approximation to the weight rack mechanism 300.
  • the rail mechanism 600 includes, in one or more embodiments, an actuator 804 (e.g., a belt actuator, linear rail drive/actuator, pneumatic actuator, etc.) for moving the transport mechanism 500 along one or more rails 606 attached via support stabilizers 602.
  • an actuator 804 e.g., a belt actuator, linear rail drive/actuator, pneumatic actuator, etc.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 700 depicting one or more features of the technology.
  • Flow diagram 700 depicts an example sequence of steps 702-718 for moving a dumbbell into a dumbbell holder, The flow diagram 700 starts at step 701 and, at step 702, a dumbbell is received at the loading mechanism 400.
  • the loading mechanism 400 and/or transport mechanism 500 an determine one or more characteristics, such as the weight of the dumbbell.
  • the technology determines if the dumbbell is assigned a predefined dumbbell holder (e.g., based on querying a database inventory of dumbbells). ⁇ f there is not a predefined dumbbell holder, at step 708, a new dumbbell holder is identified for storing the dumbbell. For example, the technology may determine one or more unoccupied dumbbell holders that can store the dumbbell.
  • the transport mechanism 500 moves the dumbbell along the rail mechanism 600 to a position approximate to the weight rack mechanism 300 and, at step 712, delivers the dumbbell to the appropriate dumbbell holder (e.g., by moving the dumbbell down the delivery conveyor).
  • the location of the delivered dumbbell is optionally recorded (e.g., in a file, database and/or other recording means) and inventoried for reference by the technology in determining one or more other dumbbell holders for other dumbbells.
  • Figures 8A-8E depict embodiments that utilize, among other things, a horizontal loading conveyor 802, in opposed to the angled loading conveyor 404 in Figures 4A-4C.
  • Figure 8A is a front side perspective of the technology
  • Figure 8B is a back side perspective of the technology
  • Figure 8C is a side perspective of the technology
  • Figure 8D is a top perspective of the technology
  • Figure 8E is a left side perspective of the technology.
  • the horizontal loading conveyor 802 includes optional weight separators 804 for partitioning weights (e.g., dumbbells) for transport, via motor 805, along the horizontal loading conveyor 802 to the delivery conveyor 808 (similar to delivery conveyor 503) of transport mechanism 806 (similar to transport mechanism 500).
  • weights e.g., dumbbells
  • transport mechanism 808 vertically rises, via motor 814, to accept one or more weights (e.g., dumbbells) from the horizontal loading conveyor 802 onto the delivery conveyor 808.
  • delivery conveyor 808 can simultaneously hold multiple weights (e.g., dumbbells) that are positioned side-by-side, top-on-top and/or lengthwise front ⁇ to-back, etc. This allows the delivery conveyor 808 to automatically and simultaneously move, position and/or sort multiple weights to various positions within the weight rack mechanism 810.
  • Weight rack mechanism 810 is similar to weight rack mechanism 300, however, weight rack mechanism 810 optionally does not include partitioning (e.g., horizontal dividers) between its dumbbell holder positions 812 as depicted between dumbbell holder positions 308a - 308n in Figures 3A and 3B.
  • Figure 8B depicts features discussed above for Figure 8A (e.g., elements 802, 804, 805, 806, 808, 810, 812 and 814) from a backside perspective.
  • Figure 8C is a front side perspective of the technology which depicts, among features discussed above for Figure 8A (e.g., elements 802, 805, 806, 810 and 814) and, in addition, a loading cell (e.g., strain gauge) 816 (similar to loading cell 403).
  • a loading cell e.g., strain gauge
  • the loading cell 816 in some embodiments, is located at a position beneath the transport mechanism 808 and/or delivery conveyor 808 (not shown) for determining a weight's mass by measuring the strain caused by, e.g., a dumbbell positioned on the transport mechanism 806. As discussed above, determining a weight's mass at the loading cell 816 is useful when determining which of the dumbbell holders 812 of the weight rack mechanism 810 to reposition each respective dumbbell.
  • Figure 8D depicts a top view of the technology that includes elements described above for Figures 8A - 8C (e.g., elements 802, 804, 806, 808 810 and 812) and Figure 8E depicts a left side view of the technology that includes elements described above for Figures 8A - 8D (e.g., elements 802, 808, 810 and 814).
  • ASICs application-specific integrated circuits
  • PLDs programmable logic devices
  • PLCs programmable logic devices
  • FPGAs field- programmable gate arrays
  • Machine-readable medium includes any mechanism that can store information in a form accessible by a machine (a machine may be, for example, a computer, network device, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), manufacturing tool, any device with one or more processors, etc.).
  • a machine-accessible medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM)); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.).
  • logic can include, for example, special-purpose hardwired circuitry, software and/or firmware in conjunction with programmable circuitry, or a combination thereof.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une technologie de tri automatisé d'équipement de salle de sport servant à recevoir, mesurer, trier, distribuer et inventorier les poids (haltères) utilisés dans une installation de salle de sport. Divers mécanismes sont utilisés pour remettre efficacement les poids en place sur un rayonnage accessible aux membres de la salle de sport. Des poids sont remis en place de manière aléatoire et triés de manière dynamique par la technologie en fonction des caractéristiques des haltères et d'un éventuel schéma de sorte que les membres peuvent trouver les poids souhaités de manière plus efficace.
PCT/US2015/056268 2014-10-20 2015-10-19 Rayonnage automatisé pour équipement d'haltérophilie WO2016064754A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201462066237P 2014-10-20 2014-10-20
US62/066,237 2014-10-20

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US9814922B2 (en) * 2014-12-31 2017-11-14 Nautilus, Inc. Weight sensing base for an adjustable dumbbell system
US20200005027A1 (en) * 2018-06-27 2020-01-02 Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd. Weight training intelligence system
WO2023004410A2 (fr) * 2021-07-22 2023-01-26 Nautilus, Inc. Système d'exercice avec dispositif d'affichage mobile en translation et en rotation
US11857827B2 (en) 2021-11-19 2024-01-02 Nautilus, Inc. Plate-sensing base for a connected adjustable free weight system

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