Resistance Band Measuring Device

Abstract

A load sensing device for use with an exercise band is disclosed. The load sensing device comprises a band of resilient material, a load sensor attached to the band and configured to measure an extension force applied to the band, and an electronic circuit configured to measure the applied extension force and to wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the applied extension force to a receiver. The band of resilient material protects the load sensor and the electronic circuit from damage by at least partially surrounding them.

Claims

1. A load sensing device for use with an exercise band, the load sensing device including: a band of resilient material; a load sensor attached to the band and configured to measure an extension force applied to the band; and an electronic circuit configured to measure the applied extension force and to wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the applied extension force to a receiver; wherein the band of resilient material protects, the load sensor and the electronic circuit, from damage, by at least partially surrounding them.

2. The load sensing device as claimed in claim 1, including a further band of resilient material, wherein the load sensor is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the band of resilient material and the further band of resilient material.

3. The load sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient material is selected from the group consisting of one or more of: rubber, elastic; or elastomer.

4. The load sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor is configured to measure a distortion in the band of resilient material.

5. The load sensing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the distortion is a thinning, or stretch, of the band of resilient material.

6. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein an electrical characteristic of the load sensing device varies as the band of resilient material is stretched.

7. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first removable fastener is included at a first end thereof, wherein the first removable fastener is configured, to removably attach, to a complementary fastener, attached to an exercise band.

8. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a second removable fastener, is included at an opposite end, to the first end, wherein the second removable fastener is configured, to removably attach to a complementary fastener, attached to an exercise band accessory.

9. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a microprocessor, configured to receive and decode the transmitted signal, representative of the applied extension force.

10. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor provides a feedback signal to a user of the load sensing device.

11. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the microprocessor provides a feedback signal to a user of the load sensing device, when a pre-determined level of extension force, has been applied to the load sensing apparatus.

12. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pre-determined level of extension force is configurable.

13. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the feedback signal is one or more of: an audible alert; a visual indication; or a tactile signal.

14. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the feedback signal is provided by way of an interaction with an avatar on a computer screen.

15. The load sensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the processor records a user's exercise routine to a non-volatile memory.

16. A method for measuring the extension force applied to an exercise band, the method including the steps of: a) measuring an extension force applied to the exercise band by way of a load sensing device; b) transmitting a signal representative of the measured extension force wirelessly from the load sensing device to a receiver; c) processing the signal representative of the measured extension force at the receiver; and d) providing a feedback signal to the user indicative of their performance.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 including the further step of: e) a user setting a pre-defined threshold of extension force at which a feedback signal is to be provided to a user.

18. An exercise kit, including: an exercise band including a clip fastener at one end; and a load sensing device including a clip fastener configured to connect to the exercise band clip fastener; wherein the load sensing device, is configured to measure an extension force applied to the exercise band, and to wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the extension force, to a receiver.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0081] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a load sensing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the load sensing device of FIG. 1 whilst in use;

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a visual indication as provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a further visual indication as provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0086] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a load sensing device for use with an exercise band, as generally indicated by designator 1.

[0087] The load sensing device 1 includes a band of resilient material in the form of a first elastic band 2 and a parallel second elastic band 3. A load sensor 4, not visible but shown as hidden detail, in the form of a Stretchsense sensor is attached between the first elastic band 2 and the second elastic band 3. The load sensor is configured to measure the extension force applied along the length of the parallel first elastic band 2 and second elastic band 3. An electronic circuit 5, not visible but shown as hidden detail, is provided which is configured to monitor the load sensor 4, to measure the extension force, that is applied thereto, and to wirelessly transmit a signal 6 representative of the applied force to a remote receiver 7. The receiver may take any number of forms, such as a laptop or desktop computer, a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone, or a dedicated hardware device; as such the type of receiver should not be seen as being limiting.

[0088] In use, the first elastic band 2 and second elastic band 3 surround the load sensor 4 and electronic circuit 5. Surrounding the load sensor 4 and electronic circuit 5, serves to protect them from damage such as shock from the load sensing device being dropped, knocked or stepped on.

[0089] The load sensing device 1 also includes a first removable fastener 8 in the form of a male clip fastener at a first end 10 and a second removable fastener 9 in the form of a female clip fastener at an opposite end 11. The first removable fastener 8 includes a recess into which an end of the first elastic band 2 and an end of the second elastic band 3 insert. Fasteners 12 attach the first elastic band 2 and the second elastic band 3 to the first removable fastener 8. Similarly the second removable fastener 9 includes a recess into which a further end of the first elastic band 2 and a further end of the second elastic band 3 insert. Fasteners 13 attach the first elastic band 2 and the second elastic band 3 to the second removable fastener 9.

[0090] With reference to FIG. 2, there is shown an exercise band 20, in use, with a first load sensing device 21 and a second load sensing device 22.

[0091] In FIG. 2 a user 23 is exercising with a human interface device in the form of bar 24. The bar 24 is attached to the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22 by way of a loop straps 25a and 25b. The loop of exercise band is held at a lowest position beneath the feet of the user. When the user pulls up on the bar, each of the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22, measure the extension force that is being applied to the exercise band 20.

[0092] It will be appreciated, that a single load sensing device may be used, in some embodiments, as the extension forces on each side of the exercise band will be roughly equivalent.

[0093] In FIG. 2 the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22 wirelessly transmit a signal representative of the extension force to receiver 26 in the form of a smart phone. The receiver 26 processes the signal and compares the measured tensile force to a pre-determined level of extension force programmed into the receiver by a therapist, personal trainer or the user. When the pre-determined level of extension force has been reached the receiver provides a feedback signal in the form of a vibration that indicates to the user that the current repetition of the exercise routine is complete.

[0094] In alternate embodiments the receiver may be a smart device or PC that provides a visual indication of the extension force measured on each of the first load sensing device 21 and the second load sensing device 22. In such embodiments the user can be notified of any imbalance in the action they are performing, such as right or left side dominance or a muscle imbalance. Alternatively the user may engage in a game, wherein the signals form the first load sensing device 21 and the second load sensing device 22 are used to control an action in the game, such as steering left or right by applying more or less force to one side or other of the bar, or jumping or moving forward by providing even upward pressure to the bar.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows one possible visual indication of the extension force measured by the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22 of FIG. 2, as generally indicated by designator 30. In FIG. 3 the extension force measured by each of the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22 is averaged to provide a single visual indication 31 of the extension force being applied. Each repetition of the exercise regime is indicated by peaks 32. As the user tires the peak extension force achieved decreases. The chart may be used to review endurance and peak output as well as to be compared with prior training history.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a further visual indication of the extension force measured by the first load sensing device 21 and second load sensing device 22 of FIG. 2, as generally indicated by designator 33. In FIG. 4 the extension force measured by the first load sensing device 21 is shown in bar graph 34 and the extension force measured by the second load sensing device 22 is shown in bar graph 35. The dual bar graph display is useful to identify muscle imbalance or weakness.

[0097] A further visual indication, not shown, is an arcade game view where an exercise can be combined with an interactive game. For example a user may control an avatar such as a race car, runner, swimmer, or the like. The user pushes evenly up on the bar to a first pre-defined threshold in order to move forward, releases tension applied to the bar to a further predefined threshold to slow down, creates a right-left imbalance on the bar to steer left and a left-right imbalance on the bar to steer right, jumping or the like may be performed by a sharp evenly applied upwards force on the bar. Pre-defined thresholds may be provided for various actions as may be required for the game.