Finger-touch type sensor for an exercise apparatus

• US 7,753,824 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leao Wang
• Original Assignee: Leao Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Leao
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/890,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20090042696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482 55- 57, 482/54, 482/52, 482/70, 482/79
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated

Abstract

A finger-touch sensor for an exercise apparatus, comprising at least a detection recess formed at a handrail (or a swing arm) of the exercise apparatus for insertion of a human finger. At least one block-out short-wave sensor having an emitter and a corresponding receiver is fitted to the detection recess. The block-out short-wave sensor is coupled through a wire transmission line to an electronic console of the exercise apparatus such that an actual detection message obtained by the block-out short-wave sensor may conduct a pre-determined action by use of a built-in microprocessor. In this way, an easy control and adjustment of all factors (such as the exercise speed, slope or resistance, etc.) of the exercise apparatus is ensured by placing the human finger into the detection recess for blocking the emitting or reflecting signal.

Claims

1. A finger-touch sensor for an exercise apparatus, comprising:

one detection recess being formed at a handrail of the exercise apparatus for insertion of a user'"'"'s finger; and

at least one short-wave sensor having an emitter and a corresponding receiver being fitted to the one detection recess,

wherein the short-wave sensor is configured to transmit to a built-in microprocessor in an electronic console of the exercise apparatus,

wherein the short-wave sensor is further configured for a user to both increase and decrease an exercise factor of the exercise apparatus by placing the user'"'"'s finger into the one detection recess and moving the user'"'"'s finger within the one detection recess to selectively block the emitting or reflecting signal.

2. The finger-touch sensor for an exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the short-wave sensor is selected from a group consisting of a block-out short-wave sensor and a reflection short-wave sensor.

3. The finger-touch sensor for an exercise apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the exercise factor is selected from the group consisting of exercise speed, exercise slope, and exercise resistance.