Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Pace setting indicator
Patent
1997-11-14
1999-07-13
Richman, Glenn E.
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Pace setting indicator
434254, 351 43, 2426, G04B 4700
Patent
active
059218908
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a programmable pacing device which emits audible signals to a user at regular time intervals, the time intervals being pre-programmed by the user. The user may for example be a swimmer and the regular audible signals for pacing the swimmer's strokes, providing split times and informing the swimmer of his expected progress.
Proper pacing of athletes during training can permit accurate control of the energy being expended by the athletes and is an aid to improve performance. Top swimmers for example often use what are termed lactate training timetables. Lactate training timetables are tables that a swimmer uses as a guideline for predicting the amount of Lactic Acid produced during aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Entry points into the tables by individual swimmers are calculated from blood samples taken from swimmers after performing predetermined threshold swimming sets (i.e. sets designed to produce lactic acid production in the volume expected to be at the threshold of aerobic and anaerobic intensity for the individual swimmer). The Tables provide an accurate set of target times for particular swims with specified rest interval times, designed to control the intensity of training sets. Taking advantage of this facility enables swimmers and coaches to achieve more accurate physiological adaption throughout a training programme. By accurately pacing a swimmer it is easier to achieve the required lactate level as defined in the tables. Training regimes dictate when a particular lactate level is to be reached and the lactate training timetables tell a swimmer how far and at what pace they must swim in order to achieve the particular lactate level. At a lower level pacing may still lead to overall improvements in performance of the swimmer and can also simply be a fun and effective way in which to learn to swim.
A small ring lap counter and sports timer is available under the name SPORTCOUNT. The SPORTCOUNT (registered trademark) fits around an athlete's index finger and is secured thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,987 describes swimming goggles which comprise a stopwatch mounted in a lens of the goggles. The swimmer can observe the elapsed time in a digital display, but is given little assistance in pacing strokes. Moreover, the swimmer may be distracted while looking at the display and/or by mentally calculating times, resulting in a loss of concentration.
EP584919 discloses swimming goggles which incorporate a visual signalling device. The visual signalling device is typically an LED (light emitting diode) which is set to flash a periodic signal in front of the swimmer's eyes. While the periodic signal can be set to help the swimmer achieve a desired pace, it still suffers from the disadvantage that it may be distracting to the swimmers vision and concentration.
WO 86/07644 describes a training device which can be set by a sportsman to emit signal so as to help the sportsman during training. The device is intended to be worn as a wristwatch, pocket watch or on a neck strap.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate at least some of the above described disadvantages.
Generally speaking the present invention is concerned with an improved pacing device that may be programmed to emit audible signals to a user at time intervals which have been input and stored in the device by the user.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable electronic programmable pacing device for location on or adjacent a user's head, for assisting a user in maintaining a desired pace or tempo, the device comprising: each pacing set comprising at least two different time intervals, each time interval corresponding to selected pacing information; audible signals, each series corresponding to one of said pacing sets of time intervals; and switch means coupled to the clock for activating the audible signal output device at said time intervals.
The pacing device can be used for many sports and activities where pacing and/or timing are an important fac
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Pham Chinh H.
Richman Glenn E.
Vincent Matthew P.
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