Patent Application
20110269600
This invention relates to a pressure sensitive roll-up mat and an associated counter means used to assist individuals in exercise routines and especially to relieve boredom during repetitive exercises.
Physical exercise routines have become popular among people whose occupations have become sedentary and are a means of maintaining and improving physical health and appearance and especially in exercising the heart. Running, jogging and walking are popular methods for maintaining cardiac health but are limited by weather and location, especially for travelers. An industry has developed around indoor exercise rooms, often labelled as gymnasia and often filled with specialized exercise machines. Many people who join these organisations find the experience boring and cease attending. Treadmills and other exercise machines sold for home use are bulky, often flimsy and/or difficult to use, and a challenge to store. Travelers often find it inconvenient to find a local exercise club where they feel comfortable.
The device of this invention and methods for using it make various exercises more readily available at home or on the road and relieve the boredom of repetitive exercises is sterile gyms.
Pressure activated electronic pads or mats are known. Some, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,083, 3,834,702, 4,189,588 and 4,218,958 are directed to mats for running in place. All of the disclosed devices are suitable for use in one location but are not readily packed for travel. Neither are they suitable for other exercise routines.
The exercise device of this invention consists of a flexible pad of at least three layers which contains a low-voltage pressure-detection layer or layers sandwiched between a slip-resistant base layer and a durable top layer, The pressure detection layer is electrically connected to a display and control unit preferably affixed to one end of the pad. Power is supplied to ire readout and control unit by batteries, a transformer, or a combination of both. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure detection layer is split into two halves so that individual pressures on opposite halves of the mat can be reported separately or accumulatively.
The primary use for the device of this invention is as a counting device. Most exercise routines involve multiple iterations of the same physical motions. Counting steps over thirty minutes or more is boring and lost counts are irksome. Likewise for stair-stepper exercises, sit-ups, jumping jacks etc. This device allows the user to watch television, listen to music, talk on the telephone or play games on an iPHONE as a distraction while exercising without the need to count mentally or verbally.
The invention is an exercise-assisting device which provides a counting function when performing repetitive, mind-numbing exercises such as walking and running in place, stair climbing, sit-ups, crunches, push-ups and various aerobic exercises and dance routines. The utility is not limited to exercise but applicable to any function when a pressure response indicates some use or event. Counting people coming through a doorway in a store or classroom is an alternative use unrelated to exercise. Multiple embodiments are envisioned.
The invention is shown in perspective in
The base layer 13 of rubberized material may be an impregnated fabric, a fabric with a rubberized layer adhered thereto or an unreinforced synthetic rubber layer. Examples of such materials include PVC coated polyester scrim and HYPALON.
The pressure-detection layer(s) may include any of the following combinations of components known to those skilled in the art such as pressure-sensing resistors, mat sensors as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,897,781. Most available sensor systems employ at least two layers to detect pressure.
The durable top layer 17 may be fabric, fabric-reinforced polymer or composite. The layer must be flexible enough that pressure above a threshold will be detected by the pressure-sensitive layer(s). A washable, non-slip top surface is preferred.
The control unit 5 contains a circuit board to perform the necessary switching functions, a power supply, storage batteries and a reference battery. A low voltage light or a flashing of the display may be used to indicate a low battery. Control and display devices of this type are well known in the art and no proprietary system is required. In one embodiment, the control unit 5 is attached to the end of the mat and connecting wires are concealed.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the left and right halves of the mat may be connected by a zipper or similar device so that they may be used separately to count events at a distance from each other such as jumping jacks or steps on a stair-climbing exercise. A longer cord connecting at least one mat to the control unit is required in such embodiments.
The invention in its preferred embodiment is as thin as practicable for lightness and low bulk. it should be reliable into a cylinder and secured with a strap such as one employing hook-and-loop fasteners. The end of the strap may be fixedly attached to the control unit 5. In the alternative, an embodiment allowing separation of the pads into two pieces which may be overlapped into a sleeve and carried and stored as flat luggage is contemplated.
The exercise device according to this invention is used on a flat surface, preferably a hard surface. The control unit is activated using switch 25 and the user begins to walk or run in place. Each contact by a foot is recorded and displayed at display windows 29 and 31. Running time is shown at display 37. The user continues the exercise until the selected time period has expired or a selected number of steps is accomplished. an alarm may be activated when the selected limit is reached.
To avoid the inevitable boredom of such an exercise, the user is free to watch television, listen to music or talk on a telephone. in some occupations such as night attendant at a refueling station, the device can be regularly used to add exercise to a sedentary job.
Some exercise routines require movement such as when climbing stairs (usually stepping onto a box or stair step. For this exercise, the mat may be split and one half placed on the step, the other on the bottom level. For kneeling exercises, the mat should be placed where the knees touch the floor. When running laps in a small gym, the device can be used as a lap counter.
The device of this invention can be used for floor exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups and leg lifts using contact with the mat on the floor.
In addition to exercises, this counting device may be used to count the number of people entering and leaving a store, school or church. Small modifications to the control unit to operate on house electricity using a plug-in transformer and to provide an output signal make the device useful in nursing homes to identify patients moving into inappropriate locations or moving at inappropriate times. Such uses may require the control unit to be physically separated from the mat while still connected by cable.
This invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, which in no way are considered to Limit the invention and all embodiments within the scope and spirit of this invention are considered to be encompassed herein.
