Abdominal exerciser
First Claim
1. An abdominal tensioning device for promoting the tensioning of abdominal muscles of a user, the device comprising:
- a) an indicator device for generating an indicator output signal;
b) an abdominal electrical activity monitor having at least one sensor disposed upon an outer surface thereof, said sensor being operative to detect electrical signals representative of a users level of abdominal contraction, the monitor being operative to generate a monitor output signal in response to the level of detected electrical signals, and to attenuate the monitor output signal when the level of detected electrical signals fall below a preset threshold, the monitor being formed to be disposable upon the user'"'"'s body adjacent the abdominal muscles of the user; and
c) a sensor sensitivity circuit for adjusting the preset threshold;
d) wherein the indicator device is operative to generate an indicator output signal when the detected electric signals fall below the preset threshold.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise device conveniently measures, monitors, and reports electromyograph (EMG) information to the user, for use in effectively strengthening selected muscles. The exercise device includes a sensor circuit responsive to electrical activity in tensioning muscles, and a control circuit responsive to an output signal produced by the sensor circuit. In a preferred embodiment the control circuit regulates an audio device, by attenuating the audio device output signal when the sensor output signal declines to below a preset threshold. Alternatively, the control circuit selectively activates an indication device, such as a vibrator, when the sensor output signal falls too low. The exercise device provides information as to muscle activity to the user in an entertaining fashion, and in a way that the user is not required to pay constant attention and refer to an output meter or other conventional display.
40 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. An abdominal tensioning device for promoting the tensioning of abdominal muscles of a user, the device comprising:
-
a) an indicator device for generating an indicator output signal; b) an abdominal electrical activity monitor having at least one sensor disposed upon an outer surface thereof, said sensor being operative to detect electrical signals representative of a users level of abdominal contraction, the monitor being operative to generate a monitor output signal in response to the level of detected electrical signals, and to attenuate the monitor output signal when the level of detected electrical signals fall below a preset threshold, the monitor being formed to be disposable upon the user'"'"'s body adjacent the abdominal muscles of the user; and c) a sensor sensitivity circuit for adjusting the preset threshold; d) wherein the indicator device is operative to generate an indicator output signal when the detected electric signals fall below the preset threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification