Biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus

• US 6,384,729 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irwin Plotkin
• Original Assignee: Irwin Plotkin
• Inventors: Plotkin, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/703,579
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/573.7, 340/575, 600/592, 600/594, 600/595, 600/545, 600/546
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0244 with signalling or indicating means, e.g. of incorrect posture, for deep-breathing exercises

Abstract

A biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus for sensing the state of the abdominal muscles and providing feedback signals to a user when the user relaxes the contraction of their abdominal muscles. The housing of the apparatus is configured to be readily inserted inside a waistband of the user and is self-retaining when positioned behind the waistband. The apparatus has a back side for positioning against the user and a front side with the self-retaining configuration. A sensor mechanism is positioned in proximity to the self-retaining configuration that detects the increased pressure between the user and the waistband when the user relaxes their abdominal muscles. The sensor mechanism is connected with a signal mechanism for the sending of a feedback signal, such as a light, sound, vibration, or electrical signal to the user that the abdominal muscles have been relaxed. The housing of the apparatus is configured to be readily slipped inside the waistband of the user and held in position by the shape of the housing. The apparatus can be configured to appear like a cellular telephone or beeper.

Claims

1. A biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus comprising:

a housing having a front side which is oriented to face away from an abdomen of a user when in use and a rear side which is oriented to face toward the user'"'"'s abdomen when in use;

an upper section including a power source and at least one signal mechanism for signaling the user;

a mid section including a front surface which is configured and dimensioned to be self-retaining when positioned inside a waistband of a user, and a rear surface, the mid section including a sensor mechanism connected with the at least one signal mechanism of the upper section such that the sensor mechanism is actuated by pressure applied by the user'"'"'s waistband upon expansion of the user'"'"'s abdomen; and

a lower section having a streamlined shape configured for ease of positioning inside the waistband of the user.

2. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a light.

3. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 2, wherein the light has at least two different colors.

4. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a vibration signal to the user.

5. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a sound signal to the user.

6. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor mechanism is positioned on the front of the mid section.

7. A biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus comprising:

a housing having a front side which is oriented to face away from an abdomen of a user when in use and a rear side which is oriented to face toward the user'"'"'s abdomen when in use;

an upper section including a power source and devices for signaling the user;

a mid section having a front side configured and dimensioned for being self-retaining when positioned inside a waistband of a user, the front side of the mid section including a sensor mechanism connected with the devices of the upper section for positioning in apposition with the waistband such that the sensor mechanism is actuated by pressure applied by the user'"'"'s waistband upon expansion of the user'"'"'s abdomen; and

a lower section configured as a ballast to assist in the retention of the apparatus within the waistband of the user.

8. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a light.

9. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light is a light emitting diode with at least two different colors.

10. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a vibration signal to the user.

11. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a sound signal to the user.

12. A biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus for positioning inside a waistband of a person comprising:

a housing having a front side which is oriented to face away from an abdomen of a user when in use, front side being configured and dimensioned to be held in position by a waistband of a user and a rear side configured to fit against the user, the front side including a sensor mechanism connected with at least one signal mechanism and a power source, such that the sensor mechanism is actuated by pressure applied by the user'"'"'s waistband upon expansion of the user'"'"'s abdomen.

13. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a light.

14. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light is a light emitting diode with at least two different colors.

15. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a vibration signal to the user.

16. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a transducer that provides a sound signal to the user.

17. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensor mechanism is positioned to be in apposition with the waistband.

18. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one signal mechanism includes a low voltage electrical stimulation signal connected to the person.

19. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus has a mid section with a front side that includes the sensor mechanism.

20. The biofeedback exercise stimulation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus includes a lower section and a upper section and the dimension between the front side and a rear side of the mid section is less than the dimension between a front side and a rear side of the upper section and the lower section.