Interactive Step-Type Gymnastics Practice Device

• US 20100216598A1
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bigben Interactive, SA
• Original Assignee: Bigben Interactive, SA
• Inventors: Claudel, Frederic, Nicolas, Frederic
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The invention relates to an interactive gymnastics practice device which is used together with an image and sound system forming the gymnastics program to be followed by a user, comprising a first level of generally-pressure-sensitive surfaces, the surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one second level of surfaces which are pressure sensitive or which can control an action in response to a pressure, the second level surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane.

Claims

1. A device for doing interactive gymnastics in association with an image and sound system constituting the gymnastics program to be followed by a user, said device comprising a first level of pressure-sensitive surfaces which extend substantially continuously and substantially in the same plane, said device being characterized in that it further comprises at least a second level of surfaces that are pressure-sensitive or that are suitable for causing an action to take place in response to pressure, said surfaces of said second level extending substantially continuously and substantially in the same plane.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first level of pressure-sensitive surfaces is in the form of a mat provided with pressure-sensitive means.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that pressure-sensitive means are installed on a top face of a parallelepiped block so as to form said second level of pressure-sensitive surfaces.

4. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that a parallelepiped block is installed on a zone of said mat, which zone is provided with pressure-sensitive means so as to form said second level of pressure-sensitive surfaces.

5. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the parallelepiped block is situated in the center of a mat.

6. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said block has a length lying in the range 70 centimeters (cm) to 100 cm, a width lying in the range 20 cm to 40 cm, and a height lying in the range 10 cm to 30 cm.

7. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the block is provided with a height adjustment mechanism suitable for increasing or for reducing the height of said block, e.g. by raising or lowering the top face of the parallelepiped block.

8. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that it has four pressure-sensitive surfaces on said block.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the pressure-sensitive surfaces consists in at least part of the periphery of the top face of the block, and surrounds, at least in part, the other pressure-sensitive surfaces situated on the top face of the block.

10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least four pressure-sensitive surfaces in the first level.

11. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that it has eight pressure-sensitive surfaces in the first level, which surfaces are disposed symmetrically about a center of symmetry, namely two in front of the block, two behind the block, two on the right and two on the left.

12. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the mat has a central rectangular portion not provided with said pressure-sensitive surfaces and for receiving and optionally for fastening to a parallelepiped block.

13. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of the first level and the surfaces of the second level are connected to the image and sound system via an electrical wired network.

14. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of the first level and the surfaces of the second level are connected to the image and sound system via a wireless link, said system then having a specific receiver.

15. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one control button situated on the first level, on the second level of pressure-sensitive surfaces, or on a face of a block, and suitable for acting on the image and sound system.

16. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one vibration or impact sensor optionally connected to at least one pressure-sensitive surface in order to compare different pressures.

17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that the information recorded by the sensor is sent to the image and sound system for processing or is transmitted directly to the user.

18. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the parallelepiped block is provided with at least one recess suitable for stowing the mat and connectors between the first and second levels and the image and sound system.