Wearable fitness device and fitness device interchangeable with plural wearable articles

• US 9,752,891 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barbara J. Merkel, Carolyn M. Merkel
• Original Assignee: Barbara J. Merkel, Carolyn M. Merkel
• Inventors: Merkel, Carolyn M., Merkel, Barbara J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stout, Michael C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kolderman, Nicholas E
• Application Number:
  US14/452,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 600595, 63 113
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fitness device comprising a display having plurality of lights that are configured for illumination as fitness intervals are achieved by a user. The fitness device is interchangeable with plural wearable articles. This functional fitness device allows a user to track their steps while at work, shopping, an evening out, or anytime one is on the move, even when it is interchanged between different wearable articles.

Claims

1. A fitness accessory kit comprising:

a first wearable article; and

a fitness device for measuring cumulative distance traversed or number of steps by a person selected from the group consisting of mechanical pedometers, electro-mechanical pedometers, electronic pedometers, and accelerometers, the fitness device

comprising a display having plurality of lights that are configured for illumination as fitness intervals are achieved by a user,

constructed and arranged to be removably attached to the first wearable article;

includes swivel connectors at two opposing lateral sides of the fitness device;

wherein each of the swivel connectors include a distal cross member having an internal stem extending therefrom with a shoulder, wherein a portion of a housing of the pedometer is rotatably seated on the internal stem, and an external stem extending from the shoulder with an aperture therethrough for receiving a ring, and wherein the wearable article includes end connectors that removably attach to the ring attached to each of the swivel connectors.

2. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, wherein the first wearable article is an anklet.

3. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 2, wherein the fitness device includes the display at a top portion thereof when the first wearable article is worn by a user.

4. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of rings are attached to each of the swivel connectors.

5. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 2, wherein the anklet is formed of chain links, beads, or rope chain.

6. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 2, wherein the anklet is formed of spandex fiber, knitted elastics, net elastics, rubber-based articles or stretchable cloth.

7. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 2, wherein the anklet includes an elastic or spring core.

8. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, comprising plural wearable articles including at least the first wearable article and a second wearable article, wherein the fitness device is constructed and arranged to be interchangeably connected between the first wearable article and the second wearable article.

9. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 8, wherein the plural wearable articles comprise plural types of wearable articles.

10. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 8, wherein the plural wearable articles comprise plural styles or colors of one type of wearable articles.

11. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, wherein the fitness device is a mechanical pedometer or an electro-mechanical pedometer.

12. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, wherein the fitness device is an electronic pedometer or an accelerometer.

13. The fitness accessory kit as in claim 1, comprising at least two connection structures on one or both sides of the fitness device, wherein the swivel connectors at the two opposing lateral sides of the fitness device form at least one of said connection structures the two opposing lateral sides of the fitness device, and the first wearable article comprises at least two end connectors on each end that removably attach to the at least two connection structures.