Palm plates designed to be attached to the user's hands in an aquatic environment

• US 6,183,396 B1
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pascal Reynier
• Original Assignee: Pascal Reynier
• Inventors: Reynier, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/235,255
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 441/55-64, 482/1-9, 482/83-90, 482/121, 482/124, 434/247, 434/258
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 31/10 held by, or attachable to, the hands or feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/12 Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training

Abstract

A palm plate designed to be attached to the hand of a user. The palm plate has a surface of a fitted form upon which the hand rests. The plate is equipped with an attached mechanism having a sensor. The sensor can transmit a signal to a microprocessor capable of calculating a certain number of parameters which are displayed on a read-out screen. The microprocessor, its electronic system and the screen are carried by the plate.

Claims

1. A device for attachment to a hand of a swimmer comprising:

a plate having a surface suitable for receipt of the hand thereon;

attachment means affixed to said plate, said attachment means for securing the hand against said surface;

at least one pressure sensor affixed to said plate; and

a microprocessor means electrically connected to said sensor, said microprocessor means for receiving a signal from said pressure sensor, said microprocessor means for calculating a plurality of parameters from said signal, said microprocessor means having an electronic system and a read-out screen directly affixed to said plate, said microprocessor means for quantifying aspects of aquatic movements based on said signal from said pressure sensor and for displaying the quantified aspects on said read-out screen.

2. The device of claim 1, said surface having a boss thereon suitable for supporting a palm of the hand.

3. The device of claim 2, said sensor received by said boss.

4. The device of claim 1, said read-out screen being affixed to said plate at a side of said attachment means.

5. The device of claim 1, said plate having apertures formed therethrough so as to allow a passage of water therethrough.

6. The device of claim 1, said plurality of parameters comprising a supporting force, a number of arm cycles, a swimming force produced, a time, and a number of calories burned.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

control button means arranged on said plate and electronically connected to said microprocessor means, said control button means for selecting one of said plurality of parameters for display on said read-out screen.

8. The device of claim 1, said electronic system housed in an airtight housing attached to said plate, said read-out screen affixed to said airtight housing.