Back training device

• US 20060047232A1
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lorenzo Hyland, Robert Bourne
• Original Assignee: Lorenzo Hyland, Robert Bourne
• Inventors: Bourne, Robert, Hyland, Lorenzo
• Granted Patent: US 7,843,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Abstract

A novel back training device is disclosed. The back training device includes a control box; a detector mounted to the control box, for detecting when a person bends at the waist; and an alert means, operatively connected to the detector for alerting the person when the person bends at the waist.

Claims

1. A back training device, comprising:

a control box;

a detector mounted to the control box, for detecting when a person bends beyond a set point at the waist; and

an alert means, operatively connected to the detector for alerting the person when the person bends beyond the set point at the waist.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector is housed within the control box.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the alert means includes a power source, and a logic/counter memory chip, wherein the power source is electrically connected to the logic/counter memory chip and the alert means for powering the alert means and the logic/counter memory chip.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the alert means is a vibrator.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the alert means is a buzzer.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the power source includes at least one battery.

7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a display connected to the power source.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display readout.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the display displays the date and time that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal screen.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the display automatically records and graphs the number of times that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist over a period of time, and the degree of bend.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the period of time is 30 days.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the period of time is 24 hours.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a strap, which holds the device to the person.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the strap is worn directly on the skin, under the clothing.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is mounted within a holster worn by the person.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector includes a strain gauge.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes a thin plastic piece wherein the strain gauge is attached to the surface of the thin plastic piece and is held against the body of the person.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the device includes a thin metal piece wherein the strain gauge is attached to the surface of the thin plastic piece and is held against the body of the person.

20. A miniature training device, comprising:

a miniature control box;

a miniature detector, for detecting when a person bends beyond a set point at the waist;

a miniature alert means, operatively connected to the detector for alerting the person when the person bends beyond the set point at the waist; and

a power source for providing power to the miniature control box, miniature detector, and miniature alert means;

said miniature detector adapted to be directly attached to the skin of the person and in communication with the miniature control box.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the miniature detector is mounted within an adhesive patch which is directly attached to the skin of the person, and wherein the miniature control box includes a key fob which is in wireless communication with the miniature detector.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the miniature detector includes a strain gauge device.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the miniature alert means includes one of a vibrator, a buzzer, and a shocking device.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the miniature detector is mounted proximate to the base of the neck.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the miniature detector is mounted proximate to the spine.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the strain gauge is epoxied to a thin piece of plastic which is directly attached to the skin of the person.

27. The device of claim 22, wherein the strain gauge is epoxied to a thin piece of metal which is directly attached to the skin of the person.

28. A back training device, comprising:

a goniometer detector for sensing when a person bends beyond a set point at the waist; and

an alert means, operatively connected to the goniometer for alerting the person when the person bends beyond the set point at the waist.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the alert means includes a power source, and a logic/counter memory chip, wherein the power source is electrically connected to the logic/counter memory chip and the alert means for powering the alert means and the logic chip.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the alert means is a vibrator.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the alert means is a buzzer.

32. The device of claim 29, wherein the power source includes at least one battery.

33. The device of claim 29, further comprising a display connected to the power source.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display readout.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the display displays the date and time that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist, and the degree of bend.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display screen.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the display automatically records and graphs the number of times that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist over a period of time, and the degree of bend.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the period of time is 30 days.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the period of time is 24 hours.

40. The device of claim 28, further comprising a strap, which holds the device to the person.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the strap is worn directly on the skin, under the clothing.

42. The device of claim 28, wherein the goniometer detector includes an optical indexer and a weight and drive gear.

43. The device of claim 28, wherein the goniometer detector includes a micro electromechanical system chip.

44. A back training device, comprising:

a control box;

a detector mounted external to, and operatively connected to, the control box, for detecting when a person bends beyond a set point at the waist;

an alert means, mounted within the control box, operatively connected to the detector for alerting the person when the person bends beyond the set point at the waist.

45. The back training device of claim 44, wherein the detector comprises a strain gauge.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the strain gauge is epoxied to a thin piece of plastic which is directly attached to the skin of the person.

47. The device of claim 45, wherein the strain gauge is epoxied to a thin piece of metal which is directly attached to the skin of the person.

48. The back training device of claim 45, further comprising a wire connecting the strain gauge to the alert means within the control box.

49. The back training device of claim 45, wherein the strain gauge is in wireless communication with the alert means within the control box.

50. The back training device of claim 48 or 49, further comprising a belt worn by a person, wherein the control box, strain gauge and wire are mounted on the belt.

51. The back training device of claim 50, wherein the belt is a wide belt.

52. The back training device of claim 50, wherein the strain gauge is worn at the base of the spine of the person.

53. The device of claim 44, wherein the alert means includes a power source, and a logic/counter memory chip, wherein the power source is electrically connected to the logic/counter memory chip and the alert means for powering the alert means and the logic/counter memory chip.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein the alert means is a vibrator.

55. The device of claim 53, wherein the alert means is a buzzer.

56. The device of claim 53, wherein the power source includes at least one battery.

57. The device of claim 53, further comprising a display connected to the power source.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display readout.

59. The device of claim 58, wherein the display displays the date and time that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist, and the degree of bend.

60. The device of claim 57, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal screen.

61. The device of claim 60, wherein the display automatically records and graphs the number of times that the detector detected the person bending beyond the set point at the waist over a period of time, and the degree of bend.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein the period of time is 30 days.

63. The device of claim 61, wherein the period of time is 24 hours.

64. A miniature training device, comprising:

a miniature control box;

a miniature detector, for detecting when a person bends beyond a set point at the waist, and attached to the person;

a miniature alert means, operatively connected to the detector for alerting the person when the person bends beyond the set point at the waist; and

a power source for providing power to the miniature control box, miniature detector, and miniature alert means.

65. The device of claim 64, wherein the miniature detector includes a MEMS chip, and wherein the miniature control box includes a key fob which is in wireless communication with the miniature detector.

66. The device of claim 65, wherein the miniature alert means includes one of a vibrator, a buzzer, and a shocking device.

67. The device of claim 66, wherein the miniature detector is mounted on the waist on the side of the person.

68. The device of claim 66, wherein the miniature detector is mounted on the side of the neck, for detecting when the person bends too far at the neck.