Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Monitors exercise parameter
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-26
2003-06-24
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Monitors exercise parameter
C482S001000, C482S902000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06582342
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an exercise monitoring device and, more particularly, to an audible exercise monitoring device designed for stand-alone use, to be worn on a part of a user's body, for incorporation into an exercise mat or other surface, or as part of a piece of exercise equipment, such as one of the type having a displaceable member adapted to undergo reciprocal (i.e., cyclical) movement in response to a repetitive curling, bending, pushing, pulling, or pressing force of a user. More specifically, the present invention relates to an audible electronic exercise monitoring, coaching and training device which monitors the user's exercise performance and issues audible and optionally visual and textual indicia, such as a verbal count of the rate, distance, number of exercise repetitions, and the like, performed by the user and/or issues audible alarms, verbal instructions, verbal motivation and encouragement and other verbal or textual information and instruction.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
A wide variety of different types of equipment is available for exercising different individual muscles and muscle groups of the human body. Free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells, have long been widely used in both commercial and residential settings. Low cost universal-type weight training equipment has more recently become accessible to consumers for residential use, as have sophisticated cardiovascular exercise devices such as electromechanical stationary bicycles, motorized treadmills, hydraulic stair climbers, rowing machines, aerobic riders, aerobic flyers, and the like.
Many different types of cardiovascular exercise equipment are provided with electronic monitoring devices for tracking the user's performance and providing the user with a practical performance target or goal. Even inexpensive stationary bicycles, stair climbers and treadmills are often provided with built-in timers, pulsemeters, calorie counters, speedometers, odometers and/or pedometers. Such devices are relatively inexpensive to produce and are simple in design, relying upon the use of a single programmed microprocessor or application-specific integrated circuit to calculate various information using performance data acquired from standard sensors. For instance, the number of calories expended during an exercise may be determined using a simple calculation based upon the exercise resistance, exercise rate and elapsed time. Pulse rate monitoring devices are also of simple design and low cost. By monitoring the user's pulse, the number of calories expended and the like, the user may be provided with a practical indication of his or her exercise progress and performance.
The use of electronic monitoring instruments in conventional cardiovascular training equipment has had some beneficial fitness results, including a moderate increase in the level of user interest and an increased level of exercise performance. However, the most beneficial results of any exercise are obtained when an individual is given a specific, easily understandable performance target, is informed of his or her exercise progress, and is given verbal motivation, coaching, encouragement and instruction. When this is done, the individual is generally more interested in performing an exercise routine correctly and completely, and the results of the exercise routine are markedly improved.
While pulsemeters, calorie counters, odometers, pedometers, and the like, serve to increase user interest, they do not serve to directly motivate or coach the individual to complete an exercise program. Nor do such devices ensure that an individual is performing an exercise routine correctly or completely, or that the user is following an appropriate dietary regimen. Moreover, electronic monitoring devices of the type described above are of limited utility in connection with non-cardiovascular, strength training exercise equipment such as free weights and isometric exercisers. While such devices are useful for monitoring cardiovascular exercises, information such as pulse rate, elapsed time and calories expended is only of secondary importance in non-cardiovascular exercises, which are generally designed to increase muscle strength. While the primary goal of cardiovascular exercise is to maintain a target elevated pulse rate for a prolonged period of time, the goal of most non-cardiovascular exercises is the targeting of individual muscles for a relatively short period of time to increase strength. Such exercises do not generally result in prolonged heart rate elevation. Thus, even highly sophisticated non-cardiovascular training equipment is not generally provided with electronic monitoring equipment similar to that described above. Users of such equipment are therefore required to perform non-cardiovascular exercises in the presence of fitness professionals or are otherwise relegated to perform boring, strenuous exercise routines alone and to monitor their own performance. Additionally, exercise routines are often accompanied by dietary regimens requiring the intake of certain foods and food supplements at specific times and in specific quantities. Nor do conventional exercise monitoring devices provide the user with any dietary information to assist the user in maintaining a specific exercise and dietary program.
Although they are perhaps the most important part of any weight training exercise routine, the last one or two repetitions are also the most difficult to perform. At the point an individual reaches the last few repetitions of an exercise, the individual is under a great deal of physical stress. Despite the importance of the last few repetitions of such an exercise, these last repetitions are extremely difficult. In the absence of a spotter or personal trainer for providing verbal motivation and encouragement, many individuals have found it difficult to properly complete these last few repetitions of a weight training exercise due to the lack of self-motivation brought on by intense physical stress. Although prior art monitoring devices exist for monitoring the results of an exercise, no previously-available electronic exercise monitoring device has addressed the need for providing an individual with the motivation and encouragement needed to complete an exercise routine.
Another good example of this is situps and pushups. While pushups are a highly beneficial exercise, there are no electronic monitoring or coaching devices available for use in conjunction with pushups. Similarly, situps are generally the most straightforward and useful exercise motion for addressing the entire abdominal structure of the human body. However, they are also strenuous to perform, boring and very difficult to monitor. There are no electronic monitoring devices available for stand-alone-use in conjunction with situp or pushup type exercises, and the individual performing such exercises must either rely upon another person to monitor their performance or must somehow keep track of his or her own performance.
Even though several types of exercise devices have been developed for use in exercising the abdominal muscles by augmenting the natural resistive force of gravity against the human body, such devices are not generally provided with any type of electronic monitoring equipment similar to that provided in cardiovascular fitness equipment.
Although there are a virtually unlimited number of different types of mechanical devices designed to replace exercises such as pushups and situps, most of these devices, despite their high cost, provide little or no added benefit over fundamental exercises such as situps and pushups. Nor do any of these devices provide a means for monitoring, motivating, or coaching the user to correctly and completely perform an exercise.
For instance, various types of rotary movement abdominal exercise devices are available that target the abdominal muscles. Some such devices are designed to facilitate curling motion while a person is originally lying in a supine position. Other such dev
EPM Development Systems Corporation
Richman Glenn E.
Thomas P.C. John H.
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