Exercising indicator

• US 5,064,192 A
• Filed: 12/24/1990
• Issued: 11/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur A. Smith
• Original Assignee: Arthur A. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Arthur A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US07/632,475
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/125, 272/DIG. 4, 272/DIG. 5, 128/721
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Abstract

A device for monitoring the exercising of body muscles or the like. The device has a body that is provided with a passageway from one side to the other through which can be passed any conventional belt-like member. Positioned within this passageway is a switch operator that is mounted so as to deform when increased tension is applied to the belt-like member. Upon adequate deformation, this operator causes a first switch contact to engage a second switch contact to complete a series electrical circuit containing both an audible and visual signal-generating unit. The spacing between the first and second switch contacts is adjustable by a user at any time, even while in use, to thus adjust the sensitivity of the device. The adjustment feature also provides an "on/off" switch for the device.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring body muscle movement, said device to be installed upon a conventional belt-like member to encircle a portion of a user'"'"'s body where said muscle movement is to be monitored, which comprises:

a housing member, said housing member provided with a passageway for receiving said belt-like member therethrough;

a switch operator positioned with passageway, said switch operator having a contoured surface for contact with said belt-like member, said switch operator having one edge thereof fixed within said housing member and an opposite edge movable upon pressure being applied to said contoured surface by said belt-like member as said belt-like member is tensioned by said muscle movement, said switch operator having a first electrical switch contact;

a second electrical switch contact positioned within said housing member and aligned for engaging said first switch contact;

a source of electrical current positioned within said housing member;

an intermittent light producing member positioned in said housing member and visible from exterior said housing member;

an audible intermittent sound producing member positioned within said housing member;

circuit means within said housing member connecting, in series, said source of electrical current, said intermittent light producing member, said audible sound producing member, said first switch contact and said second switch contact; and

means for adjusting spacing between said first switch contact and said second switch contact, said means for adjusting spacing including actuating means therefor that at least partially extends exterior said housing member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said intermittent light producing member is a blinking light emitting diode including a built-in timing circuit;

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said intermittent sound producing member is a piezo buzzer including a built-in driver circuit.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said source of current is a d.c. battery.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts comprises:

a rotatable shaft member within said housing member, said shaft member having exterior threads;

a thumbwheel attached to said rotatable shaft member whereby rotation of said thumbwheel by a user of said device rotates said shaft member; and

a travelling nut member threadably engaged with said treads of said shaft member whereby rotation of said shaft member causes said travelling nut member to move axially along said shaft member, said second switch contact being attached to said travelling nut member whereby movement of said travelling nut member causes movement of said second switch contact relative to said first switch contact.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said switch operator has a substantially convex contoured surface for engaging said belt-like member.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts is an "on/off" switch means for said device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing member comprises:

a front body portion, said front body portion provided with apertures proximate said sound producing member, with an aperture proximate said light producing member, and with an opening to receive said at least one portion of said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts; and

a rear body portion for attachment to said front body portion;

wherein said front body portion and said rear body portion are provided with complementary notches to form said passageway through said housing member.

9. A device for monitoring body muscle movement, said device to be installed upon a portion of a user'"'"'s body where said muscle movement is to be monitored, which comprises:

a housing member, said housing member provided with a passageway for receiving said belt-like member therethrough;

a switch operator positioned within said passageway, said switch operator having a convex contour surface for contact with said belt-like member, said switch operator having one edge thereof fixed within said housing member and an opposite edge movable upon pressure being applied to said convex contoured surface by said belt-like member as said belt-like member is tensioned by said muscle movement, said switch operator having a first electrical switch contact;

a second electrical switch contact positioned within said housing member and aligned for engaging said first switch contact;

a d.c. battery for providing a source of electrical current positioned within said housing member;

a blinking light emitting diode with a built-in timing circuit positioned in said housing member and visible from exterior said housing member;

a piezo buzzer with a built-in driver circuit for producing intermittent sound positioned within said housing member;

circuit means within said housing member connecting, in series, said battery, said blinking light emitting diode, said piezo buzzer, said first switch contact and said second switch contact; and

means for adjusting spacing between said first switch contact and said second switch contact, said means for adjusting spacing including actuating means therefor that at least partially extends exterior said housing member.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts comprises:

a rotatable shaft member within said housing member, said shaft member having exterior threads;

a thumbwheel attached to said rotatable shaft member whereby rotation of said thumbwheel by a user of said device rotates said shaft member; and

a travelling nut member threadably engaged with said treads of said shaft member whereby rotation of said shaft member causes said travelling nut member to move axially along said shaft member, said second switch contact being attached to said travelling nut member whereby movement of said travelling nut member causes movement of said second switch contact relative to said first switch contact.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts is an "on/off" switch means for said device.

12. A device for monitoring body muscle movement, said device to be installed upon a conventional belt-like member to encircle a portion of a user'"'"'s body where said muscle movement is to be monitored, which comprises:

a housing member, said housing member provided with a passageway for receiving said belt-like member therethrough;

a switch operator positioned within said passageway, said switch operator having a convex contour surface for contact with said belt-like member, said switch operator having one edge thereof fixed within said housing member and an opposite edge movable upon pressure being applied to said convex contoured surface by said belt-like member as said belt-like member is tensioned by said muscle movement, said switch operator having a first electrical switch contact;

a second electrical switch contact positioned within said housing member and aligned for engaging said first switch contact;

a d.c. battery for providing a source of electrical current positioned within said housing member;

a blinking light emitting diode with a built-in timing circuit positioned in said housing member and visible from exterior said housing member;

a piezo buzzer with a built-in driver circuit for producing sound positioned within said housing member;

circuit means within said housing member connecting, in series, said battery, said blinking light emitting diode, said piezo buzzer, said first switch contact and said second switch contact;

a rotatable shaft member within said housing member, said shaft member having exterior threads;

a thumbwheel attached to said rotatable shaft member, at least a portion of said thumbwheel being exterior to said housing member, whereby rotation of said thumbwheel by a user of said device rotates said shaft member; and

a travelling nut member threadably engaged with said treads of said shaft member whereby rotation of said shaft member causes said travelling nut member to move axially along said shaft member, said second switch contact being attached to said travelling nut member whereby movement of said travelling nut member causes movement of said second switch contact relative to said first switch contact.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein rotation of said thumbwheel moves said second switch contact to a position such that no engagement with said first switch contact occurs when said switch controller is deformed by said belt-like member whereby said device is in an "off" condition.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said housing member comprises:

a front body portion, said front body portion provided with apertures proximate said sound producing member, with an aperture proximate said light producing member, and with an opening to receive said at least one portion of said means for adjusting spacing between said first and second switch contacts; and

a rear body portion for attachment to said front body portion;

wherein said front body portion and said rear body portion are provided with complementary notches to form said passageway through said housing member.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein said driver circuit includes a blinking LED which serves as a time to intermittently interrupt the piezo buzzer thereby producing an intermittent sound.