Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COUNTING DEVICE FOR A PUSH-UP EXERCISE
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0001] Example embodiments in general are directed to a counting device for
push-up
exercises.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Push-ups are one of the oldest and perhaps most effective exercises for
a
human being. The push-up exercise is employed by the military and competitive
sports
teams around the world to gauge overall fitness.
[0003] When exercising, many users desire to keep a count of repetitions
performed.
Historically, when the user desired to time the number of repetitions
performed, the user
typically had to maintain a mental count and observe a clock or watch; and/or
set a timer
on the clock or watch. If the user was performing a pushup exercise, counting
repetitions
within a specified time period proved difficult.
[0004] Counting devices have been developed to address this problem. In
general for
a push-up exercise, counters have been developed in which a user contacts a
sensor (such
as a button) with his or her chest. The sensor actuates a switch or counter
within housing.
The counted repetition could be embodied by an audible sound or an incremented
count on
a display. Other counters include a proximity sensor which does not contact
the person's
body.
[0005] However, conventional physical-touch sensor counters do not both count
push-
up repetitions and time the exercise. Additionally, conventional counters do
not provide
for "give-way" where an exerciser cannot support themselves in the push-up
position; the
contact surface is typically a static pad and the counter body is generally
rigid. Proximity
sensors are inapplicable to and hence ineffective for counting push-up
exercises.
SUMMARY
[0006] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
counting device
for a push-up exercise. The device includes a device body and a counter
assembly having
a display and a plurality of actuation buttons thereon. The counter assembly
fits within a
deformable foam ring that forms the top of the device. During exercise, a user
depresses
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the foam ring downward with their chest a given distance so as to trigger at
least one
sensor in the counter assembly to register a repetition count on the display,
along with an
elapsed time of the exercise.
[0007] Another example embodiment is directed to a counting device for a push-
up
exercise that includes a device body including a sensor and a first
transceiver in electrical
connection with the sensor, a deformable foam ring attached to the device body
so as to
form the top of the counting device, and a removable counter display unit
having a second
transceiver that is configured to fit within the foam ring. With the counter
display unit
remote from the device, the sensor senses depression of the foam ring by a
user during a
push-up exercise and sends a count signal to the first transceiver, which is
transmitted to
the second transceiver to register a repetition count on the counter display
unit along with
an elapsed time of the exercise.
[0008] Another example embodiment of the present invention is directed to an
exercise system. The system includes a pair of handle devices to be grasped by
a user for
performing a push-up exercise, a counting device positioned under the user's
chest and
including a sensor for detecting depression of a foam ring on the counting
device by a
user's chest, and a remote display unit in view of the user. Upon the sensor
sensing
contact therewith by a ring holder holding the foam ring, the counting device
transmits a
wireless signal that is received by the display unit and displayed as a
repetition count
along with an elapsed time of the exercise thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed
description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like
elements are
represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration
only and
thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a counting device for a push-up
exercise in
accordance with the example embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the counting device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the counting device to illustrate
constituent
components in more detail.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the counting device to illustrate
connection of the
top screen to the bottom cup.
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[0014] FIG. 5 is a top view of a counting device for a push-up exercise in
accordance
with another example embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the counting device shown in FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the counting device of FIG. 5 to
illustrate
constituent components in more detail.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the counting device of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exercise system incorporating a counting device in
accordance
with another example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Example embodiments in general are directed to a counting device for
push-up
exercises. In one example, the device includes a device body and a counter
assembly.
The device body includes a central aperture for receiving the counter
assembly. The
counter assembly includes a display for displaying repetition count and time
elapsed. In
an example, the counter assembly can be configured to have a set time period
which
counts down to zero. The counter assembly fits within the device body and
includes a
foam ring that forms the top of the device to expose a plurality of counter
buttons. The
device iterates a count when the user depresses the foam ring downward,
triggering a
count that registers on the display along with the elapsed time. The elapsed
time of
exercise can be understood as a time that decrements to zero from a given set
exercise
time, or as a time increasing from zero to a set ending time, for example. The
device body
itself may be deformable under the weight of the user to permit depression of
the counting
device beyond the distance required to trigger a count. A deformable device
body may
also provide a safety feature to prevent injury in the event a user loses
muscle control
during exercise, and to protect the device electronics.
[0020] In another example, the device includes a removable counter that
remotely
communicates with the device body. The device body includes a sensor that
senses
depression of the foam ring during a push-up exercise. The sensor is attached
to a
transceiver that transmits a signal that is received by a transceiver of a
remote counter.
The signal causes the counter to iterate a count that the user can view on a
display thereof
along with the time elapsed.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a counting device for a push-up
exercise in
accordance with the example embodiments, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of
the
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counting device 10. The counting device 10 includes a device body 150 that
supports a
counter assembly 100. In an example, the device body 150 may be configured as
a tripod
stand with spaced apart legs 152, 154, 156 to provide stability for the device
10. In an
example, the height of the counting device 10 may approximate the width of a
fist.
Military and fitness teams use buddies to count pushups by placing a fist
sideways on the
ground under their partner's chest. Device 10 simulates the height of the fist
in order to
count repetitions.
[0022] The device body 150 maybe composed of a suitable plastic or rubber
material
that allows for some deformation. An example material may be thermoplastic
rubber
(TPR). This material provides for deformation or give of the device body 150
under
stress. This prevents the device 10 from being destroyed in the event the user
cannot hold
their position above device 10. The counter assembly 100 in this example
includes a foam
rubber ring 105 which supports a top screen 110 and a display unit 120, as
well as a
plurality of actuation buttons 121, 123, 125 extending through bores formed in
the top
screen 110. In an example, display unit 120 may include an LED display.
[0023] In general during operation, a user making a downward movement during a
push-up exercise contacts the foam rubber ring 105. The foam rubber ring 105
sits within
a ring holder 107. As the foam ring 105 deforms, this causes the ring holder
107 to
depress downward a given distance before a count is registered. For example,
as the foam
rubber ring 105 deforms so that the holder 107 is displaced downward to about
0.5" (3 mm
travel) a count sequence is initiated to register the count on the display
unit 120. This is
merely an example; deformation of the foam ring 105 so as to displace the
holder 107 a
distance in a range of about 2 - 7 mm could initiate a count sequence. At the
given
deformation distance, an underside of the holder 107 contacts one or more
sensors in the
device electronics so as to register a repetition. This count is displayed on
display unit 120
along with the time elapsed. The time elapsed can be a time count down from a
given
starting time or a time count up from zero, for example.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the counting device to illustrate
constituent
components in more detail. The counter assembly 100 includes a top screen I10
that
encircles a display 120. The top screen 110 includes a plurality of bores 111
through
which the actuation buttons 125 extend. The counter assembly 100 includes a
bottom cup
130 which in this example threads onto the device body 150 via a threaded
column 155.
The bottom cup 130 includes a series of holes 131 designed to receive the legs
112 of top
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screen 110. The bottom cup 130 includes a cavity 132 designed to receive a
battery holder
140 for batteries 142. The batteries 142 power a PC board 117 of the display
unit 120 so
as to display count and time elapsed thereon.
[0025] The actuation buttons 121, 123, 125 extending through holes 111 in the
top
screen 110 can have given functions. One of the buttons may be an "On/Reset"
button
121. Another button 123 is provided for an "Increase time" function to
increase the
exercise time displayed on the display 120, and a third button 125 is
dedicated for a
"Decrease time" function to decrease the exercise time displayed on display
120.
[0026] In general, power to the counting device 10 is turned on by pressing
the
On/Reset button 121. In one example, the display 120, upon power on, defaults
to
display 2 minutes and 0 reps. When the first repetition is registered, the
timer begins
counting down, beeping on each repetition and registering the repetition by
incrementing
the count. The 2 minute exercise time is the basic exercise duration used by
Navy SEALs,
for example, although the default time could be set to a different default
time. The user
may increase the time using button 123 or decrease the time with button 125
before or
during exercise. Alternatively, the counting device 10 may be set to a count
up timer
mode. In this mode, once power is on, the counting device 10 waits for the
user to begin
exercising with a default display of 0:00 minutes/0 reps. As the first
repetition is
performed, the timer would begin counting up on the display 120. The display
120 has an
automatic power-down function to save the batteries 142. For example, after 4
minutes of
non-use, display 120 powers down.
[0027] In operation, as the foam ring 105 is deformed under the weight of the
user, it
presses ring holder 107 down against one or more micro-switches 119. This
action
registers a count. A plurality of springs 144 are secured between bosses 147
formed on an
underside of the ring holder 107 and on a top surface of a spring plate 146.
The springs
144 provide a counterforce against the downward force of the ring holder 107
toward the
micro-switches 119. The micro-switches 119 are in electrical communication
with the
display 120 via PC board 117 and provide the count signal to the PC board 117
so as to
register the count on the display 120.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the counting device to illustrate
connection of the
top screen to the bottom cup. Threaded engagement of the bottom cup 130
threads 133
onto the threaded column 155 of device body 150 secures the bottom cup 130 to
the
device body 150. The legs 112 of the top screen 110 include threaded bores 113
therein.
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By aligning the holes 131 of the bottom cup 130 with the bores 113 within the
legs 112,
fasteners 134 may be inserted to engage the threaded bores 113 so as to secure
the top
screen 110 and display 120 to the bottom cup 130. In FIG. 4, one of the
springs 144 is
shown compressed between the spring plate 146 and ring holder 107.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of a counting device for a push-up exercise in
accordance
with another example embodiment; FIG. 6 is a side view of the counting device
shown in
FIG. 5. Referring collectively to FIGS. 5 and 6, the counting device 10' in
this example is
similar to that shown in the previous embodiment, with the exception of the
device body
150'. In this example, the device body 150' includes a hard plastic ring 160
around the
bottom to connect legs 152, 154, 156. The ring 160 is provided to add
stability to the
device 10' as the user presses down to deform the foam rubber ring 105. The
device body
150' is also deformable under user weight.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the counting device of FIG. 5 to
illustrate
constituent components in more detail, and FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the
counting
device of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the component arrangement within
device
10' is slightly different then shown in FIGS. 1-4. The bottom cup 130 contains
a battery
compartment 135 to receive batteries 142, with a cover 137 to enclose the
batteries 142
therein. The micro-switches 119 are shown in greater detail in their relation
to the
underside of the ring holder 107. Each of the On/reset button 121, increasing
time button
123 and decreasing time button 125 is also shown in more detail relative to
their
connective positions on PC board 117 (not shown, but beneath spring plate
146).
[0031] In an example, the device 10' is configured to enable an additional 1-
4" of
deformation due to the elasticity of the device body 150'. A durometer is a
measurement
indicating the hardness of a material or the material's resistance to
permanent indentation.
There are several measuring scales; the two most common are the ASTM D2240
type A
and type D scales. The A scale is for softer plastics, while the D scale is
for harder ones.
In this example, the materials composing device body 150' can have a hardness
of
between 60-100 durometers using the type A scale, with a desired hardness
range of
between about 65 to 75 durometers. In one example, the device body 150' can be
composed of a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) that has a measured hardness of
approximately
65 durometers. The entire device body 150' can be compressed or deformed
downward
(analogous to depressing a toilet plunger for example) until the hard plastic
battery cover
137 on the underside of the bottom cup 130 bottoms out. This provides a safety
feature to
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prevent injury in the event a user loses muscle control during exercise, and
protects the
device electronics as well.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an exercise system incorporating a counting device in
accordance
with another example embodiment. The counting device 10" is similar to that
described in
FIGS. 1-8; differences are noted in detail below. The system 1000 includes a
pair of
handle devices to use for push-ups. In one example, these may be rotatable
push-up
exercise devices 200, although the counting device 10" may be used with no
hand devices,
raised surfaces for the hands and/or as shown in FIG. 9.
[0033] In this embodiment, the display unit, referred to in this example as
counter
display unit 300, is shown removed and remote from the device 10". The counter
display
unit contains its own electronics to power the display. The device body 150,
with bottom
cup 130, foam rubber ring 105, PC board 107 and micro-switches 119 arranged on
the
spring plate 146, and springs 144 between the spring plate 146 and the ring
holder 107,
remain beneath the user in the contiguous counting device 10".
[0034] In this embodiment, the counter display unit 130 and device 10" can
communicate remotely via wireless communications, such as RF, IF, etc. In one
example,
RF data communications can be performed between transceivers in the device 10"
and
counter display unit 300, such that a wireless signal is transmitted from the
device 10" to
the counter display unit 300. The dotted line 500 represents the wireless
signal
communicated between the counting device 10" and the counter display unit 300.
The
signal path is shown in two directions to signify that the display unit 300,
in one
embodiment, could transmit a confirmation wireless signal back to the
transmitter at
device 10". Example transceivers suitable for the device 10" and counter
display unit 300
can include the 900-MHz AC4490-lxl FHSS transceiver by AeroComm, which
measures
1 in 2 and is a self-contained PCB-mountable radio modem module; and the
MICRF505 by
Micrel, a self-contained transceiver that fits into a 5mm2 footprint.
[0035] In operation, a user grasps the push-up exercise devices 200 and begins
a
downward movement of the push-up exercise so as to contact the foam rubber
ring 105.
The foam rubber ring 105 deforms a given distance downward against the springs
144
such that the micro-switches 119 come into contact with the underside of the
ring holder
107, generating a signal to the device 10" transceiver. The device 10"
transceiver transmits
this signal 500 to the receiver at the counter display unit 300. This signal
500 is
recognized as a count and is displayed on the display along with the time
elapsed.
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[0036] In other words, the counting device 10" with removable counter display
unit
300 registers a count in exactly the same way as counting devices 10, 10",
once signal 500
is received. The only difference in this embodiment is that the display unit
300 can be
removed and repositioned away from the device body 150, providing an easier
reading
position. The foam ring 105 and device electronics (PC board 107 and micro
switches
119) remain in the device body 150. It would be evident to one skilled in the
art that each
of the counting devices 10 and/or 10' in FIGS. 1-8 could be configured with a
removable
display having a transceiver therein.
[0037] In a further variant, the counting device 10" and/or counter display
unit 300
may communicate with other remote devices, such as a hand-held or personal
coniputer, a
laptop, etc. Further, the counting device 10" and/or counter display unit 300
could be
configured with memory to store records of repetitions by the user during
exercise events.
Connectivity with a computing device provides for the download of records
and/or the
upload of workout routines, for example, which could be displayed on the
counter display
unit 300. For example, the counter display unit 300 could have its own
microprocessor
and advanced display features to display examples of aerobic workouts and to
give the
user a set number of reps to perform, a rest period, then another set of reps.
[0038] Any of the counting devices 10, 10', 10" described herein may be used
with a
user performing an exercise with their hands on the floor, by grasping a
handle bar or by
placing their hands on other raised surfaces. The example of FIG. 9
illustrates use of the
counting device with just one example of push-up exercise devices for the
hands. The
push-up exercise device 200 includes a single molded housing 210 with a
circular lower
base 212. The housing 210 includes an integral facing 214 formed around a
circumference
of the lower base 212. In an example, the facing may incline slightly downward
and
outward from the base 212. The housing 210 includes a pair of columns 215
formed into
part of the base 212 of the housing 210, with a lower end of each column 215
forming part
of the facing 214 at opposing sides thereof to receive an end of a handle 220
there
between. In an example, each column 215 slopes upward from the lower base 212,
gradually narrowing to secure the handle 220 at its upper end.
[0039] Each rotatable device 200 includes a fixed base support 230 operatively
attached to the housing 210. The device 200 further includes a bearing
assembly (not
shown) operatively attached within the housing 210 to permit rotation of the
contiguous
handle 220 and housing 210 by a user, with the fixed base support 230 resting
on a planar
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surface. Example bearing assemblies are described in detail with regard to
FIGS. 3, 8A,
8B and the associated description thereof in the co-pending and commonly
assigned
application Ser. No. 11/996,152 to Hauser, et al., filed January 18, 2008 and
entitled
"PUSH-UP EXERCISE UNIT AND DEVICE", the relevant contents describing device
200 being hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0040] In general, the housing 212 can be formed by an injection molding
process
from a medium or heavy gauge impact plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene
(ABS). ABS is an easily machined, tough, low-cost, rigid thermoplastic
material with
medium to high impact strength, and is a desirable material for turning,
drilling, sawing,
die-cutting, shearing, etc. ABS is merely one example material; equivalent
materials
include various thermoplastic and thermoset materials that have
characteristics similar to
ABS. For example, polypropylene, high-strength polycarbonates such as GE
Lexan,
and/or blended plastics may be used instead of, or in addition with ABS. The
materials
comprising device 200 (plastic such as ABS, rubber and lightweight metal
materials)
provide for a light yet durable construction. An exemplary injection molding
system for
forming molded plastic articles included in device 200 may be the Roboshot
injection
machine from Milacron-Fanuc. The Roboshot is one of many known injection
molding
machines for forming plastic injection molds.
[0041] The handle 220 may be composed of a metal handle-rod (not shown)
sheathed
within a grip 225. For example, the handle 220 may have a chrome steel handle-
rod
overlaid with or sheathed within a rubberized grip 225. The handle-rod may
alteinatively
be comprised of an aluminum hollow member and is received within corresponding
recesses (not shown) formed in the columns 215. The grip 225 may be made of a
foam
rubber or suitable elastomeric material and has a wider or thicker center
portion which
tapers down to the end portions of grip 147.
[0042] Device 200 includes a solid rubber gripping surface configured as a non-
slip
pad (not shown herein, but shown and described in detail with regard to FIG. 5
and the
associated description thereof in the co-pending and commonly assigned `152
application).
The non-slip pad is provided on the underside of the base support 230 and
offers a friction
surface when the device 220 is resting on a flat surface. The pad may be
adhered to the
underside of the base support 230 via suitable epoxy or adhesive, for example.
The non-
slip rubber pad grips well on carpet and hard floor surfaces.
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[0043] A gap (not shown herein, but shown and described in detail with regard
to FIG.
2 and the associated description thereof in the co-pending and commonly
assigned `152
application) is provided between the lower base 212 of housing 210 and the
base support
230 to assist in permitting rotational movement of the housing 210 and handle
220,
ostensibly by providing clearance for the bearing assembly while the base
support 230
remains fixed in place.
[0044] Therefore, the example embodiments provide for a counting device for
push-up
exercises that is compact, accurate and which provides both the count of
repetitions and
time-elapsed on a single display. Remote communications between the counting
device
and a removable counter display unit facilitate the user's ability to track
repetitions and
time elapsed. Moreover, the height of the counting device prevents a user from
cheating,
they must lower their chest sufficiently to engage the foam ring 105 and
register a
repetition on the display.
[0045] The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same
may be varied in many ways. For example, the counting devices 10 and 10' can
be
configured with or without a removable counter display unit. The counting
devices
described herein are applicable to user's performing conventional push-ups as
well as for
use with the system of FIG. 9. Such variations are not to be regarded as
departure from
the example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one
skilled
in the art are intended to be included herein.
