The present invention relates to a device designed to assist a user in exercising certain muscles within their body, and thus helping to manage/control the user's weight. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a system to provide multiple exercise therapies to a user, while also having a convenient and accessible user control device.
Many different exercise and weight loss devices currently exist. In addition to typical gym equipment (i.e. weights, treadmills, exercise bikes, etc.), examples include devices which apply electrical signals to produce involuntary contractions of targeted muscles and devices which subject muscles (and other body tissue) to a physical vibration signal. To focus the desired therapy on particular portion of the user's body, each of these devices include some type of attachment system which allows the device to be appropriately positioned.
When an exercise device includes electrical systems or components, it is often necessary to appropriately position a user interface or control panel so it is easily viewed or accessed by the user. Obviously, the positioning of this user interface should be at a location which is convenient and easy to use. Unfortunately, this may be difficult when the particular exercise device is positioned at certain locations. For example, if an exercise device is positioned adjacent a user's back, it is obviously difficult to include a convenient user interface on the device itself.
In addition to the placement of the user interface, the type of therapy provided and the effectiveness of the device can vary greatly. The effectiveness of the provided therapy is critically important and is a primary consideration for the design of exercise devices. Obviously, the device should be capable of effectively providing the desired therapy, and thus producing the desired results for the user. In this case, the device must provide appropriate therapies to exercise the user's muscle tissue.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient multi-therapy exercise device that is capable of providing targeted exercise therapies to desired locations of a user's body. The device of the preferred embodiment provides both vibration and electrical stimulation therapy to the user by appropriately positioning the device adjacent the desired area. The dual therapies more efficiently exercise those portions of the user's body using both exercise methodologies. In addition, convenience is provided by having a control panel for the device which is detachable. In this manner, a user can easily view and access the control panel, no matter where the device is positioned.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described in the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Generally speaking, the preferred embodiment includes a belt structure which is wearable by a user to allow for the application of multiple exercise therapies. In this embodiment, these therapies include vibration therapy, and electrical signal stimulation therapy. In addition, a convenient and removable control panel is provided which can facilitate operation of the exercise device while positioned at all possible locations. Further, structures are included within a housing of the exercise device to retain the control panel at a seated location so the control panel is contained and not swinging dangerously during use. To accommodate the above discussed features of the control panel, a cord take-up mechanism helps to appropriately contain the cord, which is attached between the exercise device housing and the control panel. This take-up mechanism allows the cord and attached control panel to be easily pulled away from the exercise device so the user can easily see and operate the device.
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To provide further convenience, top wall 18 also includes a recessed section 40 which is configured to receive control panel 20. In addition, a magnetic coupling system is utilized to hold control panel 20 in place when seated in recessed section 40. In this particular embodiment, a pair of magnets 42 are positioned immediately below recessed portion 40 while cooperating metal plates 44 are positioned in a lower portion of control panel 20. As anticipated, a magnetic coupling is created when control panel 20 is seated in recessed section 40. In this matter, control panel 20 will be securely held in place until selectively removed by the user.
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In addition, exercise device 10 also includes an electrical stimulation system 60 configured to provide low current electrical signals to the user's body. As generally discussed above, exercise device 10 includes electrodes 16 positioned on one side of belt structure 12. These electrodes are driven or powered by electrical signal stimulation system 60 based upon the desired and well understood methodologies. These electrical stimulation methodologies will induce muscle contractions, thus providing desired muscle conditioning. As will be further appreciated, the strength and frequency of the electrical stimulation signals will directly effect the muscle exercise encountered by a user.
The overall operation of exercise device 10 is controlled by a system controller 100 which is also contained within housing 14. System controller 100 communicates with control panel 20, vibration system 50 and electrical stimulation system 60 in an effort to provide coordinated operation of all of these components. System controller 100 may include any well understood microprocessor or microcontroller, or variations thereof. Additionally, control processor 100 may be located within the body of control panel 20, to more easily communicate with display 24 and control buffers 28.
As discussed above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide both effective exercise therapies to a user, while also being convenient and easy to use. Naturally, variations are possible which will still achieve the coordinated overall operation as discussed above. For example, the control panel could be physically coupled, using appropriate clips or related physical structures as opposed to the magnetic coupling discussed above. Alternatively, the control panel could be coupled to the various therapy devices via a wireless coupling system. Further, the electrodes could take many forms depending on the therapy desired, or coupld include a number of additional electrodes. Additionally, exercise device 10 could be configured as a smaller belt, thus accommodating attachment to the user's arms or legs, as opposed to around their waist. Many different variations are also contemplated depending upon the desired positioning of the device and the related body structure to which the exercise therapies are being applied. As an additional alterative, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative methods for generating the desired vibration generation could be used.
Although specific embodiments are discussed above and shown in the drawings, several additional variations exist. It is intended that all variations coming within the general scope and spirit of the following claims are necessarily included in this description.
This application is related to and claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Application 61/358,521, filed Jun. 25, 2010 and entitled “Dual Therapy Exercise Device with Tethered Control Panel”.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61358521 | Jun 2010 | US |