Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pulse monitor
device which provides a signal at regular timed periods
for purposes of measuring pulse or heart rate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many different situations in which it
is important For an individual to determine his or her own
pulse and heart rate. For example t during exercise
periods, persons performing the exercises should determine
whether or not they are working within their own target
heart rate zone which, of course, will vary from person to
person. This is particularly relevant in view of the
substantially increased trend toward physical fitness,
both in the home and in a gymnasium or health club.
In the past, pulse rates have generally been
measured by counting pulses over a time measured by a
wrist watch or the like. However, this presents problems
if the wrist watch does not have a second hand or if the
person is not wearing a wrist watch, which is often the
case when one is working out and removes the wrist watch
for purposes of exercising. Even if the wrist watch is
being worn and does have a second hand, the measurement
can still be difficult due to problems of knowing exactly
how long the pulse should be monitored for determining
heart rate which is measured in beats per minute.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT IN~ENTION
The present invention provides a pulse monitor
device specifically adapted to make measuring of the pulse
rate extremely easy while, at the same time~ helping to
3û arrive at an accurate measurement. More specifically, the
pulse monitoring device of the present invention comprises
signal means and a power source for operating the signal
means. The signal means is adapted to provide a time
count signal following regular timed intervals with each
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interval having a duration which is a full integer
quotient of 60, to provide a time base for measuring of
the pulse rate. A minimum duration for the timed interval
would be 5 seconds while a maximum duration would be 15
seconds with 10 seconds being the preferred duration.
Accordingly, when the signal means is set at a 10-second
interval, the person would count pulses between two
signals and multiply the number of pulses counted by 6 to
determine the total number of pulses in a 60-second period.
BRIEF D~SCUSSION OF TH~ DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages and
features o~ the present invention will be described in
greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of
the present invention in which: Figure 1 is a perspective
view looking do~Yn on a pulse monitor device according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2
is a perspective view showing the pulse monitor device of
Figure 1 in a gymnasium environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Figure 1, a pulse monitor device generally
indicated at 1, comprises a lower body section 3 and an
upper transparent body section 5 for visably displaying a
light 7. The upper body section is pre-ferably in the form
o~ a transparent plastic dome which allows viewing of the
2S light 7 from all areas around the device. ~his is
particularly important where the device is used in a
gymnasium or the like as sho~Yn in Figure 2, so that anyone
can easily see the device for purposes of measuring pulse
rate.
Lightbulb 7 of the pulse monitoring device is set
up to flash on and off following regular timed intervals.
The time between flashes must be adequate to take a
representative pulse count, yet it should not be so long
that persons watching the device wishing to take their
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pulse rate have to wait a lengthly period for an upcoming
flash.
It is generally accepted that pulses are counted
in 10-second intervals and then multiplied by 6 to provide
pulse rate per minute. Therefore 9 according to one
embodiment of the invention, flashbulb 7 is adapted to
flash on every lû seconds. However, other flash rates can
equally as well be used with different durations o~ time
intervals between flashes such as 9 for example, 5-second
intervals between flashes, in which case the number of
pulses would be multiplied by 12; a 6-second interval, in
which case the number of pulses would be multiplied by 10
(which is particularly easy from a mathematical
standpoint); a 12-second interval, in which case the
number of pulses would be multiplied by 5 and a 15-second
interval, in which case the number of pulses would be
multiplied by 4. Anything shorter than a 5-second
interval is not likely to provide a representative pulse
rate~ while anything longer than a 15-second interval
takes away from the appeal of the device.
The monitor shown in the drawings includes a
visual time count indicator. The device can equally as
well be set up to provide an audible rather than, or in
combination with, the visual indicator. Regardless, the
audible indicator would still signal after regular timed
intervals.
The pulse monitoring device includes an on/off
switch ~ which enables the device to be only used when
desired and to be turned off during inactive periods. The
3û device can be ~perated by a portable battery power source
wlth the battery being rechargeable for maintaining
battery life, or the device can equally be powered by an
AC source as indicated at 11 in Figure 1.
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From a practicality standpoint, the overall
device can be constructed from plastics whic~l makes the
pulse monitor extremely durable and capable of standing up
to the different types of knocks and bumps that may well
be encountered within th~ gymnasium. Furtherrnore, the
upper body portion or housing section 5 is readily
releasable from the lower body portion for gaining access
to and replacing the lightbulb 7.
It will now be seen that the pulse monitor device
of the present invention is one which can be used in
different types of environments and is particularly suited
for a gymnasium-type environment. In addition, the pulse
monitor enables the accurate determination of a pulse rate
by taking away the guesswork as to the time over which the
pulses are counted.
Although various preferred embodiments of the
invention have been described herein in detail, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations
may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of
the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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