Jump platform exerciser for strengthening the ankle extensors

• US 5,125,647 A
• Filed: 03/13/1990
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Smith
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US07/492,640
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 272/64-66, 272/69, 272/70, 272/93, 272/73, 272/96, 272/DIG. 5, 272/DIG. 6, 272/DIG. 9, 273/1 G, 273/1 GE, 273/1.5 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/1 GC, 434/247, 434/248, 434/255-257, 73/379, 364/561
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0035 on the spot

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for strengthening the ankle extensors which includes a platform on which a user jumps repetitively while monitoring the time that he is in contact with the platform and the time that he is out of contact with the platform. In one embodiment, the platform is hinged to a base platform along an edge with a spring and switch in between. The spring holds the platform and base panel slightly apart except when the user is standing on the platform. The switch has two sets of poles, one of which sets activates a circuit for timing the time in contact and the second of which sets activates the time of flight of each jump when the user is out of contact. Monitoring of each period can be performed by any one of several circuits. One circuit includes a clock and display for displaying the current flight or contact time. Another circuit includes structure for presetting target periods for flight and contact times. A respective signal is emitted if actual contact time or flight time exceeds target times respectively. Yet another embodiment measures the total in-contact time for a given number of jumps and the flight time is monitored by controlling jump height to a given value by looking in a mirror as the user jumps.

Claims

1. An apparatus with which a user may perform jumping exercises which comprises:

a platform means on which a user may stand and perform a succession of jumps in which, during each jump, the user is in contact with the platform means for a period of contact time and in flight for a period of flight time;

a first means in operable combination with said platform means for monitoring said contact time of said jumps;

a second means in operable combination with said platform means to monitor said flight time of said jumps; and

wherein said first and second monitoring means each comprise;

a clock having an output terminal means and that emits clock pulses on said clock output terminal means;

a means for counting pulses having an output terminal means and a first input terminal means connected to said clock output terminal means and a second input terminal means connected to said common terminal of said monitoring means thereby providing that a signal representing a number of pulses emitted from said clock corresponding to a timing period when said common terminal is at said first potential will be presented at said output terminal means of said counter;

a means for presetting a signal corresponding to an arbitrary target period;

a means for comparing signals having an input terminal means connected to said setting means and another input terminal means connected to said ouput terminal means of said counting means thereby providing that a comparator signal will be emitted from an output terminal means of said comparing means when said timing period exceeds said target period;

a means for latching said comparator signal for a recognition period connected to said output terminal of said comparator;

a means for signalling connected to said latch thereby emitting a signal to said user while said latch holds said comparator signal.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said signaling means is a light.

3. An apparatus with which a user may perform jumping exercises which comprises:

a platform means on which a user may stand and perform a succession of jumps in which, during each jump, the user is in contact with said platform means for a period of contact time and in flight for a period of flight time;

a first means in operable combination with said platform means for monitoring said contact time of said jumps including a contact switch having a common contact terminal that is connected to a first potential when said user is in contact with said platform means and to a second potential when said user is in flight from said platform, a clock having an output terminal means that emits clock pulses on said clock output terminal, a means for counting pulses having one input terminal means connected to said output clock terminal and another input terminal means connected to said common terminal and a counter output terminal, a decade counter having an input terminal means connected to said counter output terminal and an output terminal, a means for latching an input signal for a recognition period having an input terminal connected to said output terminal of said decade counter and an output latch terminal means, a means for decoding and segment displaying a decade count signal having an input terminal means connected to said latch output terminal means, thereby providing said contact period will be presented by said display means for a recognition period;

a second means in operable combination with said platform means for monitoring said flight time of said jumps including a flight switch having a common flight terminal connected to said second potential when said user is in contact with said platform and connected to said first potential when said user is in flight from said platform means, a clock having an output terminal on which are emitted clock pulses, a means for counting pulses having one input terminal means connected to said output clock terminal and another input terminal means connected to said common flight terminal, a decade counter having an input terminal means connected to said counter output terminal and an output terminal, a means for latching an input signal for a recognition period having an input terminal connected to said output terminal of said decade counter and an output latch terminal means, a means for decoding and displaying a decade count signal having an input terminal means connected to said output latch terminal, thereby providing that said flight period will be presented by said display means for a recognition period.

4. An apparatus with which a user may perform jumping exercises which comprises:

a platform means on which a user may stand and perform a succession of jumps in which, during each jump, the user is in contact with the platform means for a period of contact time and in flight for a period of flight time;

a contact clock;

a first means for switching in operable combination with said platform means and said contact clock to turn on said clock when said user is in contact with said platform thereby providing that said clock will display said contact time;

a flight clock;

a second means for switching in operable combination with said platform means and said flight clock to turn on said flight clock when said user is in flight from said platform means thereby providing that said clock will display said flight time.