Instrumented Article of Fitness and Method of Determining Caloric Requirements

• US 20130005534A1
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Rosenbaum
• Original Assignee: Robert Rosenbaum
• Inventors: Rosenbaum, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 10,238,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0252 Load cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle

Abstract

Disclosed is a force measuring article of athletic equipment and method of monitoring caloric output during a physical exercise. Force transducers are positioned within the palm region of a lifting glove or sole portion of an athletic shoe for measuring force versus time data and storing the data for later retrieval and analysis. The force output for a given exercise is analyzed such that the user is able to monitor and gauge energy output during an activity without the use of a heart rate monitor or larger, external equipment. The data can be used to determine caloric output, from which the user can directly measure the energy required for a specific exercise and the necessary calories required to complete the exercise. The method involves gather this information and using it as means to further understand caloric output, and thus meter caloric intake and maintain a proper daily caloric balance.

Claims

1. ) An article of fitness for measuring caloric output, comprising:

a pair of lifting gloves comprising a palm region having at least one imbedded force sensor and at least one imbedded accelerometer;

said force sensor adapted to measure force input onto said palm upon activation thereof and during a physical exercise and creating force versus time data;

said gloves further comprising a data storage means for storing force versus time data;

said gloves further comprising a data transfer means of transferring said data from said storage means to a computer workstation;

said workstation having a means of displaying, manipulating and storing said force data.

2. ) The device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one accelerometer adapted to measure positional data of said lifting gloves;

said data storage means capable of storing said positional data;

said data transfer means capable of transferring said positional data from said storage means to said computer workstation;

said workstation having a means of displaying, manipulating and storing said positional data.

3. ) The device of claim 1, wherein said workstation further comprises a means of calculating caloric requirements of said physical exercise base.

4. ) The device of claim 2, wherein said workstation further comprises a means of calculating caloric requirements of said physical exercise base.

5. ) An article of fitness for measuring caloric output, comprising:

a pair of shoes comprising a sole region having at least one imbedded force sensor and at least one imbedded accelerometer;

said force sensor adapted to measure force input onto said palm upon activation thereof and during a physical exercise and creating force versus time data;

said shoes further comprising a data storage means for storing force versus time data;

said shoes further comprising a data transfer means of transferring said data from said storage means to a computer workstation;

said workstation having a means of displaying, manipulating and storing said force data.

6. ) The device of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one accelerometer adapted to measure positional data of said shoes;

said data storage means capable of storing said positional data;

said data transfer means capable of transferring said positional data from said storage means to said computer workstation;

said workstation having a means of displaying, manipulating and storing said positional data.

7. ) The device of claim 5, wherein said workstation further comprises a means of calculating caloric requirements of said physical exercise base.

8. ) The device of claim 6, wherein said workstation further comprises a means of calculating caloric requirements of said physical exercise base.

9. ) A method of determining caloric output of a given exercise and maintaining daily caloric balance, comprising the steps of:

utilizing an article of fitness equipment for gathering force measurements during an exercise;

transferring said measurements to a workstation for analysis;

calculating energy output during said exercise using said measurements;

determining caloric requirements for said exercise.

10. ) The method of claim 9, wherein said article of fitness is a pair of lifting gloves having force sensors for force data.

11. ) The method of claim 9, wherein said article of fitness is a pair of lifting gloves having accelerometer sensors for positional data.

12. ) The method of claim 9, wherein said article of fitness is a pair of shoes having force sensors for force data.

13. ) The method of claim 9, wherein said article of fitness is a pair of shoes having accelerometer sensors for positional data.

14. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

using said caloric requirements as a means of monitoring daily caloric balance.