Speed/distance measuring assembly for runner

• US 5,689,099 A
• Filed: 09/12/1996
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nicolaas Domburg
• Original Assignee: Nicolaas Domburg
• Inventors: Domburg, Nicolaas
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US08/676,281
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 364/410, 364/413.27, 364/560, 364/561, 364/565, 367/99, 235/105, 235/106, 340/323 R, 377/24, 377/24.2, 482/74, D10/70, 73/488, 73/489, 73/490
• US Class Current: 235/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/02 by conversion into electric waveforms and subsequent integration, e.g. using tachometer generator G01C22/002, G01C22/004, G01C22/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/50 for measuring linear speed G01P3/56 takes precedence

Abstract

Method and assembly for measuring the speed of or distance covered by a runner. According to the invention, the angular displacement of the foot is measured, and the distance of the trunk from a reference, such as the foot or the ground, is determined. On the basis of these data it is possible to calculate the speed or distance.

Claims

1. Speed/distance meter assembly for a runner/walker, comprising angular speed-measuring means for determining the speed of the angle change in the straight line drawn between the foot of the runner and a point near the pivot point of the leg in question in the pelvis relative to a reference, distance-measuring means for constantly measuring the current distance of the trunk from a further reference, and processing means which on the basis of the angular speed and the current distance determine the distance travelled and/or the speed achieved.

2. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, in which said reference comprises the vertical.

3. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, in which said further reference comprises a foot.

4. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, in which the angular speed-measuring means for determining the speed of the angle change of the leg relative to the trunk comprise sensor means fitted near the pivot point of the thigh with the trunk, and sensor means interacting therewith and fitted on the runner'"'"'s foot.

5. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, in which contact means are provided which determine the contact of the body with the ground, and which are connected to the processing means.

6. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, arranged in such a way that when there is no contact between the foot and the ground the speed of the body is taken as essentially corresponding to the speed during the last moment of contact with the ground.

7. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, in which an angular speed-measuring means and a distance-measuring means are fitted for each leg.

8. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 1, comprising a shoe provided with a sensor for determining the distance from the trunk.

9. Speed/distance meter assembly according to claim 8, in which said sensor is fitted in the toe part of the shoe.

10. Method for measuring a speed of a runner or the distance covered by a runner, comprising:

measuring the distance between a part of the body of the runner which moves essentially uniformly during forward movement and a reference, and

measuring the angular speed of an imaginary part formed by the straight line drawn through the contact point of the runner'"'"'s foot with the ground from the pivot point of said leg of the runner in his pelvis.

11. Method according to claim 10, in which measuring the distance to the ground comprises measuring the distance to the contact point of the runner'"'"'s foot with the ground.