Response measurement device

• US 20060252608A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Kang
• Original Assignee: Brian Kang
• Inventors: Lee, Jonathan, Kang, Brian J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,331,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/84
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/215 Anthropomorphic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/322 to instruct user where to strike
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A response measuring device that can be used in equipment for personal training or exercise routines. This device includes a cylinder block; a chamber formed in the cylinder block and having first and second ends; a piston mounted for movement and positioned in the chamber; a detecting device mounted adjacent the first end of the chamber; and a hose having first and second ends with the first end in fluid communication with the second end of the chamber. The hose can direct a fluid into the device, with the velocity of the fluid moving the piston at least partially out of the first end of the chamber and into position for detection by the detecting device. Also, the detecting device can measure piston movement to provide data representative of user response time and amount of force applied to the sensor by the user.

Claims

1. A response measuring device comprising:

a cylinder block;

a chamber formed in the cylinder block and having first and second ends;

a piston mounted for movement and positioned in the chamber;

a detecting device mounted adjacent the first end of the chamber; and

a hose having first and second ends with the first end in fluid communication with the second end of the chamber;

wherein the hose directs a fluid into the device, the velocity of the fluid moves the piston at least partially out of the first end of the chamber and into position for detection by the detecting device, and the detecting device measures piston movement to provide data representative of user response time and amount of force applied to the sensor by the user.

2. The response measuring device of claim 1, wherein the detecting device includes a photodiode for measuring initial movement of the piston to determine a response time.

3. The response measuring device of claim 1, wherein the detecting device includes at least two photodiodes wherein one photodiode measures initial movement of the piston to determine a response time, and a second photodiode measures travel of the piston to determine response force.

4. The response measuring device of claim 1, further comprising a control unit in operative communication with the detecting device, wherein the control unit receives and processes the data measured by the detecting device to send a signal to the control unit to generate response information.

5. The response measuring device of claim 4, further comprising an impact sensor containing a fluid therein and having an outlet aperture;

wherein the second end of the hose is connected to the outlet aperture of the impact sensor so that when the impact sensor receives an impact force, the fluid is forced through the hose from the impact sensor to the device, the fluid moves the piston at least partially out of the first end of the chamber and into position for detection by the detecting device.

6. The response measuring device of claim 5, further comprising an impact receiving body, wherein the at least one impact sensor is associated with the impact receiving body and comprises a plunger housing in a cup-shaped form and formed from a resilient transparent or a semi-transparent material;

and a mounting plate that includes the outlet aperture;

wherein the mounting plate abuts the plunger housing.

7. The response measuring device of claim 6, wherein the control unit is programmed to utilize the signal sent by the detecting device to calculate the amount of force applied by the impact force.

8. The response measuring device of claim 6, further comprising an illuminable indicator associated with the impact sensor of the receiving body, wherein:

the control unit is programmed to illuminate the illuminable indicator to indicate to a user when to apply the impact force; and

the control unit is programmed to utilize the signal sent by the detecting device to calculate the response time required for the user to apply an impact force to the impact receiving body.

9. The response measuring device of claim 4, further comprising a display unit wherein the control unit operates the display unit to display a response program to be followed by the user.

10. The response measuring device of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of force sensors and associated illuminable indicators associated with the impact receiving body, wherein the control unit is programmed to:

illuminate the illuminable indicators in sequence to instruct the user to apply a plurality of impact forces to the impact sensors in the sequence indicated by the illuminable indicators;

utilize the signal sent by the detecting device to calculate the response time required for the user to apply an impact force and amount of force applied by an impact force; and

generate a signal.

11. The response measuring device of claim 10, wherein the signal is illumination of the illuminable indicators in a second sequence.

12. The response measuring device of claim 10, wherein the signal is sent to the display unit to display response information to the user or to provide a further response program for the user to follow.

13. The response measuring device of claim 10, wherein the calculated response time and amount of force is stored on a user-key capable of storing user data.