Patents by Inventor Christopher S. O'CONNOR

Christopher S. O'CONNOR has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12194331
    Abstract: A weight training apparatus includes an electrical hoist and a cable coupled to the electrical hoist. A first end of the cable is coupled to the electrical hoist and a second end is configured to attach to a barbell assembly. A sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a lift position of the barbell assembly. A controller is programmed to compare the lift position to an predetermined vertical locations and activate the electrical hoist to change the lift position of the barbell assembly based at least in part on at least one of the lift position or vertical lift velocity relative to the predetermined vertical locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20220323812
    Abstract: A weight training apparatus includes an electrical hoist and a cable coupled to the electrical hoist. A first end of the cable is coupled to the electrical hoist and a second end is configured to attach to a barbell assembly. A sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a lift position of the barbell assembly. A controller is programmed to compare the lift position to an predetermined vertical locations and activate the electrical hoist to change the lift position of the barbell assembly based at least in part on at least one of the lift position or vertical lift velocity relative to the predetermined vertical locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 10478659
    Abstract: A variable radius cam mechanism is configured for use in a weight lifting apparatus. The variable radius cam mechanism includes a disk configured to rotate about an axis. The cam mechanism includes a cable guide coupled to the disk and defining a path for a cable and a radial tangent distance between the cable and the axis. The cam mechanism further includes one or more actuators coupled to the disk and the cable guide and configured to move the cable guide relative to the disk to change the radial tangent distance during rotation about the axis. The cam mechanism includes a controller programmed to operate the one or more actuators to cause the one or more actuators to move the cable guide to change the radial tangent distance thereby changing a force transferred through the cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20190126090
    Abstract: A variable radius cam mechanism is configured for use in a weight lifting apparatus. The variable radius cam mechanism includes a disk configured to rotate about an axis. The cam mechanism includes a cable guide coupled to the disk and defining a path for a cable and a radial tangent distance between the cable and the axis. The cam mechanism further includes one or more actuators coupled to the disk and the cable guide and configured to move the cable guide relative to the disk to change the radial tangent distance during rotation about the axis. The cam mechanism includes a controller programmed to operate the one or more actuators to cause the one or more actuators to move the cable guide to change the radial tangent distance thereby changing a force transferred through the cam mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'CONNOR
  • Patent number: 10265581
    Abstract: A weight training apparatus includes a telescoping pivot arm comprised of a concentric arrangement of an outer tube and an inner tube and configured to pivot about an axis and receive a weight at a predetermined position. The weight training apparatus further includes an actuator attached to the telescoping pivot arm and configured to cause relative motion between the inner tube and the outer tube to change a length between the predetermined position and the axis. The weight training apparatus further includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of an angular position of the telescoping pivot arm about the axis and a controller programmed to operate the actuator to cause the length to change based on the signal to achieve a target resistance profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20170319905
    Abstract: A weight training apparatus includes a telescoping pivot arm comprised of a concentric arrangement of an outer tube and an inner tube and configured to pivot about an axis and receive a weight at a predetermined position. The weight training apparatus further includes an actuator attached to the telescoping pivot arm and configured to cause relative motion between the inner tube and the outer tube to change a length between the predetermined position and the axis. The weight training apparatus further includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of an angular position of the telescoping pivot arm about the axis and a controller programmed to operate the actuator to cause the length to change based on the signal to achieve a target resistance profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher S. O'CONNOR