BARBELL WITH INTEGRATED SENSOR

Abstract

Disclosed is a smart barbell (1) which comprises a first bar part (10) and a second bar part (20), each arranged for carrying one or more weights, the first bar part (10) and the second bar part (20) extends along a longitudinal axis (X-X). The barbell (1) further comprises a central bar part (30) arranged between the first and the second bar parts (10, 20) and which is connected to the first bar part (10) and the second bar part (20) and extends along the longitudinal axis (X-X). At least one of the first bar part (10) and the second bar part (20) comprises a cavity (12, 22), in which at least one sensor (40, 50) is arranged for registration of movements of the barbell (1) and for wireless communication with a data analyzing unit (100).

Claims

1. A barbell comprising: a first bar part and a second bar part each arranged for carrying one or more weights, the first bar part and the second bar part extending along a longitudinal axis, a central bar part arranged between the first and the second bar parts, which central bar part is connected to the first bar part and the second bar part, the central bar part extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the barbell is a straight barbell with a common longitudinal axis, wherein at least one of the first bar part and the second bar part comprises a cavity, at least one sensor arranged for registration of movements of the barbell and for wireless communication with a data analyzing unit, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged in the cavity.

2. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein the first bar part comprises a first cavity and the second bar part comprises a second cavity, and the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor arranged in the first cavity and a second sensor arranged in the second cavity.

3. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein the first bar part extends between a first end connected to the central bar part and a free second end, and the second bar part extends between a first end connected to the central bar part and free second end, and the cavity is arranged at the free second end of the first and/or second bar part.

4. The barbell according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first bar part and the second bar part is a hollow tube, and the central bar part extends into the hollow tube a distance that is shorter than a length of the hollow tube thereby leaving a free space at the free second end of the hollow tube, the free space constituting the cavity for the at least one sensor.

5. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the cavity along the longitudinal axis exceeds a height of the sensor such that the sensor fits inside the cavity and thereby is protected inside the cavity.

6. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein an enclosing side surface of the sensor faces an interior sidewall of the cavity, and wherein the enclosing surface of the sensor is arranged to engage with the interior sidewall of the cavity for retaining the sensor in the cavity, wherein the interior sidewall of the cavity comprises at least one recess which comprises one seal arranged for retaining the sensor in the cavity by friction force between the seal and the enclosing side surface of the sensor.

7. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein an enclosing side surface of the sensor faces an interior sidewall of the cavity, and wherein the enclosing surface of the sensor is arranged to engage with the interior sidewall of the cavity for retaining the sensor in the cavity, wherein the sensor is arranged for threaded engagement with the interior sidewall of the cavity by that the enclosing surface of the sensor is arranged with a first thread and the interior sidewall of the cavity comprises a corresponding second thread arranged for cooperation with the first thread of the sensor.

8. The barbell according to claim 4, wherein a short distance of the tubular bar part is available at the free end of the bar part, and the short distance of the tubular bar part is divided from a longer distance of the tubular bar part by a divider, wherein the divider constitutes a bottom of the cavity, and when the sensor is inserted into the cavity from the free end a bottom of the sensor is close to the divider, wherein the sensor is retained in the cavity by a magnet and corresponding magnetic material, wherein either the bottom of the sensor or the bottom of the cavity comprises the magnet and the one of the bottom of the sensor or the bottom of the cavity that not comprises the magnet comprises the magnetic material.

9. The barbell according to claim 1, wherein an enclosing side surface of the sensor faces an interior sidewall of the cavity, and wherein the enclosing surface of the sensor is arranged to engage with the interior sidewall of the cavity for retaining the sensor in the cavity, wherein the sensor is arranged for bayonet engagement with the interior sidewall of the cavity by that the enclosing surface of the sensor is arranged with first bayonet means and the interior sidewall of the cavity comprises a corresponding second bayonet means arranged for cooperation with the first bayonet means of the sensor.

10. The barbell according to claim 4, wherein a short distance of the tubular bar part is available at the free end of the bar part, and the short distance of the tubular bar part is divided from a longer distance of the tubular bar part by a divider, wherein the divider constitutes a bottom of the cavity, and when the sensor is inserted into the cavity from the free end a bottom of the sensor is close to the divider and an opposite outer end of the sensor is just inside the free end, wherein the sensor comprises grooves at the outer end, which grooves are arranged for cooperation with a dismounting tool for dismounting of the sensor from the cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1a is a front view of a barbell according to the invention.

[0019] FIG. 1b is a section view of the barbell of FIG. 1a with integrated sensors at the barbell ends, which sensors communicates with a data analyzing unit.

[0020] FIG. 2a-b are section views of the barbell ends arranged with a cavity for the sensor.

[0021] FIG. 2c-d are section views of the barbell ends arranged with a sensor in each cavity.

[0022] FIG. 3a is an exploded view of the barbell end of FIG. 2c and a tool for pulling out the sensor from the cavity of the barbell end.

[0023] FIG. 3b is a section view of the exploded view of FIG. 3a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Briefly described, a barbell with at least one integrated sensor is provided, which barbell comprises at least one protected and for the athlete invisible sensor for registration of movements of the barbell and for wireless communication with a data analyzing unit.

[0025] FIG. 1a-b shows a barbell 1 in a front view (FIG. 1a) and a section view (FIG. 1b), which barbell 1 communicates with a data analyzing unit 100 via a communication protocol like for example Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like. The barbell 1 comprises a first bar part 10 and a second bar part 20 distal from the first bar part 10 and which are each arranged for carrying one or more weights (not visible). The first and second bar parts 10, 20 extends along a common longitudinal axis and between the first and the second bar parts 10, 20 is a central bar part 30 arranged. The latter is connected to the first bar part 10 and the second bar part 20 and extends in the preferred embodiment along the longitudinal axis X-X. The barbell 1 could of coarse be a so-called open barbell which has a central part 30 arranged with an offset from the longitudinal axis X-X for allowing an athlete to stand “in-line” with the longitudinal axis X-X. The preferred and here described embodiment is however a straight barbell 1 with a common longitudinal axis X-X. In the preferred embodiment, both the first bar part 10 comprises a first cavity 12 and the second bar part 20 comprises a second cavity 22. Further, a first sensor 40 is arranged in the first cavity 12 and a second sensor 50 is arranged in the second cavity 22. The sensors 40, 50 are arranged for registration of movements of the barbell and for wireless communication with a data analyzing unit 100. The first bar part 10 extends between a first end 13 which is connected to the central bar part 30 and a free second end 14. In the same way, the second bar part 20 extends between a first end 23 which is connected to the central bar part 30 and free second end 24. Further, the first bar part 10 and the second bar part 20 are hollow tubes, and the central bar part 30 extends into the respective hollow tube 10, 20 a distance that is shorter than a length of the hollow tube 10, 20 and thereby leaves a free space at the free second ends 14, 24 of the respective hollow tubes 10, 20. The free space constituting the first and the second cavity 12, 22 for the first and second sensor 40, 50 respectively.

[0026] The first and second sensors 40, 50 each comprises a transmitter and receiver for wireless transmitting and receiving of electronic signals over a communication protocol like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like. The first and second sensor 40, 50 also each comprises a battery and a processor (not visible) wherein the battery provides power to the processor and the processor controls the function of the transmitter and receiver. The data analyzing unit 100 also comprises corresponding transmitter and receiver for wireless transmitting and receiving of electronic signals. As mentioned above, the data analyzing unit 100 may be a computer, a cell phone, a tablet or the like and preferably the data analyzing unit comprises an interface for displaying and analyzing the data and for interaction with the program. For example, if the load on the barbell is specified, a calculation of barbell kinematics and kinetics of the center of the barbell may be performed and displayed, this with high precision since data from two synchronized sensors is used to analyze the “midpoint” motion. Further, since two sensors are used, also the difference between the two ends may be calculated and tracked, by calculating and presenting the data of the two ends individually. All values may be calculated and presented in real time and the values may be presented on any kind of device, for example, computers, cell phones, tablets etc. Since the first and the second sensor 40, 50 each comprises a battery which is to be charged from time to time, it is an advantage that the sensors 40, 50 are dismountable from the barbell 1, which will be explained below.

[0027] FIG. 2a-b are section views of an end of the first bar part 10 to the left and an end of the second bar part 20 to the right. As mentioned above, the first bar part 10 and the second bar part 20 are hollow tubes, and as seen in the figures, the central bar part 30 extends into the respective hollow tube 10, 20 a distance that is shorter than a length of the hollow tube 10, 20.

[0028] Relating to the first bar part 10, this means that a short distance 10a of the tubular first bar part 10 is available at the second free end 14 of the first bar part 10, which free space comprises the first cavity 12. The short distance 10a of the tubular first bar part 10 is divided from a longer distance 10b of the tubular first bar part 10, by a first divider 15. The first divider 15 thereby constitutes a bottom of the first cavity 12. An interior sidewall 16 of the first cavity 12 comprises two recesses 18 arranged around the circumference of the interior sidewall 16 at a distance from each other along the longitudinal axis X-X. Both recesses 18 comprise one seal 44 each, which are arranged to guide the first sensor 40 to a correct positioning inside the first cavity 12 as well as retaining the first sensor 40 in the first cavity 12 by friction force between the interior sidewall 16/the seals 44 and the outside of the first sensor 40 (see description below). Further, different bearings and/or bushings may be seen around the end of the central bar part 30, for fixation of the same in the tubular first bar part 10.

[0029] Relating to the second bar part 20, a short distance 20a of the tubular second bar part 20 is available at the second free end 24 of the second bar part 20, which free space comprises the second cavity 22. The short distance 20a of the tubular second bar part 20 is divided from a longer distance 20b of the tubular second bar part 20, by a second divider 25. The second divider 25 thereby constitutes a bottom of the second cavity 22. An interior sidewall 26 of the second cavity 22 comprises two recesses 28 arranged around the circumference of the interior sidewall 26 at a distance from each other along the longitudinal axis X-X. Both recesses 28 comprise one seal 54 each, which are arranged to guide the second sensor 50 to a correct positioning inside the second cavity 22 as well as retaining the second sensor 50 in the second cavity 22 by friction force between the interior sidewall 26/seals 54 and the outside of the second sensor 50 (see description below). In the same way as described above regarding the first bar part 10, different bearings and/or bushings may be seen around the end of the central bar part 30, for fixation of the same in the tubular second bar part 20.

[0030] FIG. 2c-d are section views of an end of the first bar part 10 to the left, with the first sensor 40 inserted into the first cavity 12. To the right is an end of the second bar part 20 with the second sensor 50 inserted into the second cavity 22.

[0031] Relating to the first bar part 10, the first sensor 40 is in FIG. 2c (to the left) inserted into the first cavity 12 from the free second end 14, such as a bottom 46 of the first sensor 40 is close to the first divider 15 and an opposite outer end 45 of the first sensor 40 is just inside the free second end 14 such as the sidewalls protrudes a bit outside the first sensor 40. In other words, the depth of the first cavity 12, along the longitudinal axis X-X, exceeds a height of the first sensor 40 such that the first sensor 40 fits inside the first cavity 12, and thereby the first sensor 40 is protected inside the first cavity 12. An enclosing first side surface 42 of the first sensor 40 faces the interior sidewall 16 of the first cavity 12, and the enclosing surface 42 engages with the interior sidewall 16, i.e. the seals 44 of the first cavity 12, for retaining the first sensor 40 in the first cavity 12.

[0032] Relating to the second bar part 20, the second sensor 50 is in FIG. 2d (to the right) inserted into the second cavity 22 from the free second end 24, such as a bottom 56 of the second sensor 50 is close to the second divider 25 and an opposite outer end 55 of the second sensor 50 is just inside the free second end 24 such as the sidewalls protrudes a bit outside the second sensor 50. In the same way as described above regarding the first bar part 10, the depth of the second cavity 22, along the longitudinal axis X-X, exceeds a height of the second sensor 50 such that the second sensor 50 fits inside the second cavity 22, and thereby the second sensor 50 is protected inside the second cavity 22. An enclosing second side surface 52 of the second sensor 50 faces the interior sidewall 26 of the second cavity 22, and the enclosing surface 52 engages with the interior sidewall 26, i.e. the seals 54 of the second cavity 22, for retaining the second sensor 50 in the second cavity 22.

[0033] The first and second sensors 40, 50 are as said above positioned just inside the ends of the first and second bar part 10, 20 of at least two reasons. The first is as already discussed above, to protect the sensor inside the barbell 1. The second reason is the importance to keep the sensors 40, 50 as near the ends of the barbell 1 as possible, to achieve the best antenna performance/communication performance. That's why the electronics needs to be as close to the end of the barbell 1 as possible.

[0034] FIG. 3a is an exploded view of the first bar part 10, but the second bar part 20 is a “copy” of the first bar part 10. In the figure, the first bar part 10 with its first cavity 12 is visible. The interior sidewall 16 of the first cavity 12 comprises the two recesses 18 which in turn each comprises one seal 44. The first cavity 12 is as told before arranged for the first sensor 40, which in the figure is just about to be inserted into the first cavity 12. Since the sensors 40, 50 are battery powered, it is an advantage to be able to quick and easy mount and dismount the sensors 40, 50 to/from the barbell 1, to for example unplugging and charging the sensors 40, 50. To facilitate this, the first sensor 40 as well as the second sensor 50 comprises grooves 48 at an outer end 45 which is opposite the bottom 46 of the sensor 40, which grooves 48 are arranged for cooperation with a dismounting tool 60, for the dismounting of the sensor 40 from the first cavity 12. In the preferred embodiment, a first end cap 70 is covering the first sensor 40 in its mounted position inside the first cavity 12, which first end cap 70 comprises corresponding through holes 71 arranged for the dismounting tool 60 to reach and engage with the grooves 48.

[0035] FIG. 3b is a section view of the first bar part 10 presented in FIG. 3a. The most preferred embodiment is the alternative presented above, in which the first and the second cavity 12, 22 comprises recesses 18, 28 with seals 44, 54, for the easy mounting and dismounting of the sensors 40, 50 in combination with a tool 60. One option could of course be to skip the tool and replace it with some kind of handle or the like on the outer ends 45, 55 of the sensors 40, 50. An enclosing side surface 42 of the first sensor 40 faces the interior sidewall 16 of the cavity 12 when the first sensor 40 is arranged in the first cavity 12. The enclosing surface 42 is arranged to engage with the interior sidewall 16 of the cavity 12 or the seals 44, for retaining the first sensor 40 in the cavity 12. As may be seen in the figure, also the enclosing side surface of the first sensor 40 may comprise shallow recesses arranged for engaging with the seals 44, and thus provide a positioning of the first sensor 40 in the first cavity 12. As understood, all features described above regarding the first bar part 10 with the first sensor 40 is also applicable on the second bar part 20 with the second sensor 50 etc.

[0036] A number of other possible engaging possibilities between the sensors 40, 50 and interior sidewalls 16, 26 of the cavities 12, 22 are also possible. For example may the sensors 40, 50 be arranged for threaded engagement with the interior sidewalls 16, 26 of the first and second cavity 12, 22 wherein the enclosing surfaces 42, 52 of the sensors 40, 50 are arranged with a thread and the interior sidewalls 16, 26 of the cavities 12, 22 comprises a corresponding thread, for screw attachment of the sensors 40, 50 to the barbell 1.

[0037] Another embodiment may be that the sensors 40, 50 are retained in the respective cavities 12, 22 by magnets and corresponding magnetic material, wherein either a bottom 46, 56 of the sensors 40, 50 or the dividers 15, 25 comprise the magnet or vice versa.

[0038] Yet another embodiment may be that the sensors 40, 50 are arranged for bayonet engagement with the interior sidewalls 16, 26 of the cavities 12, 22 by that the enclosing surfaces 42, 52 of the sensors 40, 50 are arranged with first bayonet means and the interior sidewalls 16, 26 of the cavities 12, 22 comprise a corresponding second bayonet means arranged for cooperation with the first bayonet means of the sensors 40, 50.

[0039] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein and are intended to be encompassed hereby.