U.S. patent application number 13/326382 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for handheld exercise device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ron Green. Invention is credited to Ron Green.
Application Number | 20130157817 13/326382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48607475 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130157817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Ron |
June 20, 2013 |
HANDHELD EXERCISE DEVICE
Abstract
A handheld exercise device having two pairs of opposing handles
that are coupled by resilient members that provide tension to
moving one pair of handles away from each other and to moving the
other pair of handles towards each other. One pair of the handles
are hingedly attached to the resilient members and the other pair
are fixedly attached. The exercise device is portable and can be
disassembled by detaching at least one pair of the handles from the
resilient members.
Inventors: |
Green; Ron; (Toronto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Green; Ron |
Toronto |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
48607475 |
Appl. No.: |
13/326382 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/1209 20130101;
A63B 21/045 20130101; A63B 21/026 20130101; A63B 21/00043 20130101;
A63B 2220/54 20130101; F41B 5/1476 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/122 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. A handheld exercise device comprising: a pair of resilient
members each having a handle portion located between two end
portions; a pair of opposing end-grips, each of the opposing
end-grips hingedly coupled to each of the pair of resilient members
at opposing sides of the opposing end-grip, wherein the pair of
resilient members provide tension to moving handle portions of the
pair of resilient members away from each other and the pair of
resilient members provide tension to moving end-grips towards each
other.
2. The handheld exercise device of claim 1, wherein each of the
pair of resilient members comprise a side-grip and two resilient
limbs fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the side-grip.
3. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein side-grip and
two resilient limbs are releasably coupled by a clamp down
binding.
4. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the end-grips
hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably
coupled.
5. The handheld exercise device of claim 3, wherein the end-grips
hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled by
a clevis pin.
6. The handheld exercise device of claim 3, wherein the end-grips
hingedly coupled to the resilient members are releasably coupled by
a Nordic ski-type binding having a bar and moveable jaw.
7. The handheld exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the end-grips and the handle portion of the pair of resilient
members have a plurality of handle positions.
8. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the side-grip
is rotatable about an axis of the side-grip.
9. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the side-grip
is curved any one of inwards or outwards.
10. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of camera-detectable markers to facilitate motion capture
of the device.
11. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein a sensor is
coupled to least one of the resilient members to measure a bend
amount of the at least one resilient member.
12. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the resilient
limbs are configured to attach resilient sub-members to increase
tension of the resilient limbs.
13. The handheld exercise device of claim 2, wherein the resilient
members have at least one attachment mechanism to attach a
resilient band between the resilient members to increase
tension.
14. The handheld exercise device of claim 1 wherein resilient
members provide tension to moving handle portions of the pair of
resilient members towards each other in a limited range of
motion.
15. A portable exercise device comprising: a first pair of opposing
handles each having two opposed fixed attachment portions; a second
pair of opposing handles each having two opposed hinged attachment
portions; at least four resilient limbs, each of the resilient
members having a fixed attachment portion for coupling with one of
the two opposed fixed attachment portions of one of the first pair
of opposing handles and a hinged attachment portion for hingedly
coupling with one of the two opposed hinged attachment portions of
one of the second pair of opposing handles, the fixed attachment
portion and the hinged attachment portion located at opposing end
portions of each of the resilient members.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an exercise
device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an exercise
device that is handheld and used for rehabilitation or fitness
training.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exercise equipment can be used for strength and fitness
training or rehabilitation purposes. Typically, an exercise device
provides some type of resistance in opposition to the user's
movement that requires the use of certain muscle groups to work
against the resistance.
[0003] With free weights, such as medicine balls, kettlebells,
dumbbells and barbells, the resistance is provided by the mass of
the weight. In order to provide different resistances, free weights
require a set of weights that occupy a large amount of space and
are not practicably portable due to their weight. Free weights can
also be dangerous to the unskilled since they allow a free range of
motion that could result in injury.
[0004] Exercise machines can be used that limit the path of motion
but these machines are typically in a fixed location and require
time to adjust the machine for a particular movement, select the
appropriate resistance, and adjust the machine to the person's
height or limb length. In order to exercise a number of muscles,
different exercise machines must be used or the exercise machine
must be reconfigured. Using different machines and reconfiguring
them for exercises can also be time consuming. These types of
exercise machines also occupy a fair amount of space and are not
portable.
[0005] Most portable exercise devices are limited in the exercises
that can be performed because they usually provide resistance in a
single direction. For example, exercise devices that use springs,
elastics tubing or other resilient material typically only allow
for movement in a single direction against the resistance. These
types of exercise devices cannot be used to provide a full suite of
exercises that are normally required for rehabilitation or
exercising muscles and their antagonistic pairs. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,041,041 to Evans describes a securing structure that
holds resilient rods that are attached to straps to provide
resistance through the rods only when the straps are pulled away
from the device.
[0006] Physiotherapist incorporate exercises and strength training
to help rehabilitate their patients. Physiotherapist clinics have
limited space but require a number of exercise machines in order to
provide exercise therapy to the patients. Part of the prescribed
therapy often has a patient practicing exercise movements at home
(or while travelling) that require the patient to use expensive or
bulky equipment, or that require multiple exercise devices. There
is also a risk that unsupervised patients may injure themselves
using this equipment by exceeding the safe range of movement.
SUMMARY
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise device that can
be used for rehabilitation, strength, or fitness training to safely
provide a range of exercise movements. There is a further need for
an exercise device that is portable and can provide a range of
exercise movements. There is also a need for an exercise device
that provides a safe range of movement to help prevent injury.
[0008] According to a first aspect, a handheld exercise device is
provided that comprises a pair of resilient members each having a
handle portion located between two end portions; a pair of opposing
end-grips, each of the opposing end-grips hingedly coupled to each
of the pair of resilient members at opposing sides of the opposing
end-grip, wherein the pair of resilient members provide tension to
moving handle portions of the pair of resilient members away from
each other and the pair of resilient members provide tension to
moving end-grips towards each other. Preferably, the side-grip is
rotatable about a length-wise axis of the side-grip.
[0009] In another aspect, each of the pair of resilient members
comprise a side-grip and two resilient limbs fixedly coupled to
opposing ends of the side-grip. Preferably, the side-grip and two
resilient limbs are releasably coupled by a clamp down binding, and
the end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient members are
releasably coupled. The end-grips hingedly coupled to the resilient
members are releasably coupled by a Nordic ski-type binding having
a bar and moveable jaw.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the handheld exercise device further
comprises a number of camera-detectable markers to facilitate
motion capture of the exercise device by a motion capture system.
In a related aspect, a sensor can be coupled to one of the
resilient members to measure a bend amount of the resilient
member.
[0011] According to a second aspect, a portable exercise device is
provided that comprises a first pair of opposing handles each
having two opposed fixed attachment portions; a second pair of
opposing handles each having two opposed hinged attachment
portions; at least four resilient limbs, each of the resilient
members having a fixed attachment portion for coupling with one of
the two opposed fixed attachment portions of one of the first pair
of opposing handles and a hinged attachment portion for hingedly
coupling with one of the two opposed hinged attachment portions of
one of the second pair of opposing handles, the fixed attachment
portion and the hinged attachment portion located at opposing end
portions of each of the resilient members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a better understanding of the various embodiments
described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried
into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to
the accompanying drawings which show at least one exemplary
embodiment, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handheld
exercise device;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the handheld exercise device of
FIG. 1 in a deformed state;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the handheld exercise device of
FIG. 1 illustrating a twisting motion;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative attachment mechanism
to attach the resilient limb to the side-grip;
[0017] FIG. 5A is an alternative clevis pin hinge attachment;
[0018] FIG. 5B is an alternative hinge attachment having a bar and
mating jaw similar to a Nordic ski binding;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiments of a handheld exercise
device having resilient bands connected between the handle portions
to increase resistance;
[0020] FIG. 7A is an alternative concave side-grip;
[0021] FIG. 7B is an alternative convex side-grip;
[0022] FIG. 8A is an alternative end-grip having two hand grip
positions; and
[0023] FIG. 8B is an alternative end-grip having a single hand grip
position;
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0024] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where considered appropriate, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments described herein may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures and components have not been described in detail so as
not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this
description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the
embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely
describing the implementations of various embodiments described
herein.
[0025] Reference is first made to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a
handheld exercise device 100 is shown. Handheld exercise device 100
has opposing resilient members 110 and 120 that each have a handle
portion 112 and 122, respectively, that are located between the
ends of respective opposing resilient members 110,120. A pair of
opposing end-grips 130 and 140 are hingedly attached to connect
opposing resilient members 110 and 120 near their ends. Resilient
members 110, 120 are resilient, meaning that when deflected or bent
they provide some resistance to the force causing them to bend and
have memory so that they return to the original shape and position
when the force is removed.
[0026] Handheld exercise device 100 can be both expanded and
compressed to provide a range of different exercise movements.
Handle portions 112, 122 can be pulled away from each other to
provide an expansion movement. Opposition or tension to the
expansion movement is provided by the resilience of opposing
resilient members 110, 120.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of handheld exercise device
100 in a deformed state. The deformed state can be obtained by
applying inwards force, pushing end-grips 130, 140 together
according upwards and downwards arrows in FIG. 2, or the deformed
state can be obtained by applying an outwards force, pulling handle
portions 112, 122 away from each other according the right and left
facing arrows in FIG. 2. The deformation of resilient members 110,
120 provide an opposition or tension in the deformed state in the
opposite directions of the arrows in FIG. 2.
[0028] Forcing end-grips 130, 140 towards each other is referred to
as a compression movement, and forcing handle portions 112, 122
away from each other is referred to as an expansion movement. The
ability to provide both a compression movement and an expansion
movement allows handheld exercise device 100 to be used for more
possible exercises than current devices that typically only provide
either an expansion or a compression movement. Handle portions 112,
122 can also be pushed together or compressed to offer a
compression movement with a more limited range of motion. This
compressed movement can be utilized more for isometric muscular
effort that do not require a full range of movement.
[0029] Handheld exercise device 100 can be used for isotonic
strength movements, both concentric and eccentric, as resilient
members 110, 120 provide an almost constant tension. Isometric
strength exercises can also be used with handheld exercise device
100 by maintaining handheld exercise device 100 in a static
position (i.e. in a compressed or expanded state) for a period of
time. Resilient members 110, 120 also provide a safe limit to the
range of motion of handheld exercise device 100.
[0030] The configuration of handheld exercise device 100 lends
itself to a variety of exercises due to its ability to apply
tension in both the expansion and compression movements. Exercises
can be performed with handheld exercise device 100 in front of the
body, behind the body, overhead, or within handheld exercise device
100. Allowing a user perform exercises within handheld exercise
device 100 using either the compression or expansion movements
provides a wide range of exercises that cannot be performed with
existing handheld exercise devices, particularly portable
devices.
[0031] Handheld exercise device 100 does require reconfiguration
for different exercises and allows an easy to transition between
exercises (e.g. by moving handheld exercise device into another
position or orientation) which decreases the amount of time
required for a workout or rehabilitation session. Handheld exercise
device 100 can also exercise muscles that are not targeted by other
general purpose exercise devices, such as the pronators and
supinators of the forearms and rotator cuff muscles of the
shoulders. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a twisting motion that
can be performed while holding end-grips 130, 140 to strengthen the
forearms. Sport specific movements can also be performed with
handheld exercise device 100, such as a golf swing for example.
[0032] Opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be composed of a
single piece of material that can be configured for a specific
amount of tension. The handle portions 112, 122 can be more rigid
and the end portions, referred to as limb portions, of opposing
resilient members 110, 120 can provide the resilience. For example,
opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be composed of a high
density molded plastic that provides rigid handle portions 112, 122
using a thicker cross-section and the limb portions of opposing
resilient members 110, 120 can be provided using a thinner
cross-section to allow flexibility of opposing resilient members
110, 120. Alternatively, handle portions 112, 122 can be provided
with reinforcement from a more rigid material.
[0033] Preferably, handheld exercise device 100 has opposing
resilient members 110, 120 than can be disassembled for increased
portability. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate resilient member 110 being
comprised of side-grip 114 that has resilient limbs 116, 118
attached to each end of side-grip 114. Resilient member 120 is
similarly comprised of side-grip 124 that has resilient limbs 126,
128 attached to each end of side-grip 124. Resilient limbs 116, 118
are fixedly attached to side-grip 114 so that there is no movement
between resilient limbs 116, 118 and side-grip 114 at the
attachment point. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 where compression
is provided by the flex of resilient limbs and hinged motion
between end-grips 130, 140 but a fixed position is maintained
between resilient limbs and side-grips 114, 124.
[0034] Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are shown attached to
side-grips 114, 124 by clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 that
apply a compressive force to the ends of resilient limbs 116, 118,
126, 128 to hold them in a fixed position. Clamp-down bindings 152,
154, 156, 158 have a levered handle that is used to apply and
release the compressive force similar to the operation of some ski
boot binding systems. Clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158 allow
resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to be quickly attached and
released from side-grips 114, 124. The ends of resilient limbs 116,
118, 126, 128 that are inserted into clamp-down bindings 152, 154,
156, 158 can also be shaped to provide a secure fit within
clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158. For example, the ends may
have a protrusions, grooves, or holes that fit with a mating
structure inside clamp-down bindings 152, 154, 156, 158.
[0035] By providing the tension through the assembly of resilient
limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 instead of a weight or pulley systems
allows handheld exercise device 100 to be easily disassembled and
carried in small bag. Handheld exercise device 100 can provide
adjustable resistance by modifying the set of resilient limbs 116,
118, 126, 128. Light resistance can be provided by a set of
resilient limbs for rehabilitation exercises, children or the
elderly, and higher resistance can be provided by another set of
resilient limbs for muscle building.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of an alternative resilient
limb fixed attachment mechanism is shown. Resilient limb 116 has a
hole or channel 410 to allow the passage of threaded fastener, such
as thumbscrew 420, that mates with an internal thread 430 of
side-grip 114. Resilient limb 116 is seated in groove 440 and held
in place by thumbscrew 420. The effective length of resilient limb
116 (i.e. the distance between the fixed attachment and hinge
attachment) can be adjusted depending on where thumbscrew 420
impinges upon resilient limb 116. Resilient limb 116 can have a
series of holes or a channel 410 with accompanying markings to
indicate the effective length of the resilient limb 116 so that the
other limbs 118, 126, 128 can be attached with a similar length.
Adjusting the effective length of resilient limb 116, 118, 126, 128
can provide a way of adjusting the tension of exercise device 100
and adapting handheld exercise device 100 to users of different
heights.
[0037] Opposing resilient members 110, 120 can be comprised of many
different assemblies. Some assemblies can include a two-part design
where resilient limbs are attached to one another or a three-part
design that includes a handle connecting the resilient limbs as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Assemblies used for take-down archery
bows provide a number of examples. U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,075 to Hoyt,
Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,790 to Hoyt, Jr., hereby incorporated
by reference, both illustrate a take-down archery bow with a handle
having sockets formed in each end for accepting the limb and a
thumb screw to fix the limbs to the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,675
to Treadway, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches a two-part
take-down archery bow design that joins the limbs of the bow using
an abutment joint with an alignment post in one limb that mates
with an alignment bore in the other limb. U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,348
to Karbo, hereby incorporated by reference, teaches joining the
pair of archery bow limbs with stepped interior ends which are
adapted to be locked in mated position by a threaded bolt. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,957,027 to Drake, hereby incorporated by reference,
teaches limbs that can be folded towards the handle of the bow.
[0038] Further resilient member designs 110, 120 can include
take-down archery bow assemblies illustrated by U.S. Pat. No.
5,546,923 to Duncan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,508 to Black et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 4,674,468 to Izuta, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,196 to Karbo,
all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0039] Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be configured for a
specific tension for handheld exercise device 100. Tension of
handheld exercise device 100 can be adjusted by using a different
set of resilient limbs that are either more rigid for increased
tension or more flexible for decreased tension. Alternatively,
resilient limbs may be combined together, for example, so that two
resilient limbs are doubled up to connect the handle of resilient
members to opposing handles. Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can
also provide attachments for a clip-on resistance band that can be
affixed to resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 to increase
resistance.
[0040] Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be composed of a
plastic or other composites based on plastic, resin or epoxy.
Preferably resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are composed of a
fiber reinforced plastic or resin that can use fiberglass, carbon
fibers or aramid fibers, such as glass-reinforced polyester for
example. The strength of the material used and its resistance to
deformation in the compressed and expanded states of exercise
device 100 will determine the tension forces required to operate
exercise device 100. Different material compositions can be used to
provide an exchangeable set of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128
to provide different tension. A set of limbs can be marked or
color-coded to indicate its tension.
[0041] Resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 are illustrated having a
rectangular cross-section, but other cross-section could be used,
such as having cylindrical resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128. The
cross-sectional area of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 also
determines the tension of exercise device 100, and an exchangeable
set of resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can be provided having
differing cross-sections to provide different tensions.
[0042] The end portion of resilient members 110, 120 are hingedly
attached to end-grips 130, 140. The hinged attachment preferably
provides a uni-planar hinge joint so that exercise device 100 is
restricted in the plane of motion illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3.
Using a uniplanar hinge joint eliminates unwanted rotation that
could affect the stability of the movement of handheld exercise
device 100 and potentially cause injury.
[0043] Hinge attachment can be provided by mated knuckles on
end-grips 130, 140 and resilient members 110, 120 that are attached
by removable clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 as illustrated in FIGS.
1, 2 and 3. Clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 can be held in place
with a removable pin, such as a R-clip, cotter pin or split pin.
Alternatively, clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 can have a resilient,
integral button that can be depressed for insertion or removal in
mated knuckles so that clevis pins 162, 164, 166, 168 remain in
place. Other known clevis pin designs can also be used.
[0044] An alternative clevis pin 502 is illustrated in FIG. 5A
having a threaded section 504 that mates with internal threading
506 in the knuckle of end-grips 130, 140, or alternatively,
resilient members 110, 120. Head 508 of clevis pin 502 can be
knurled or have wings to allow clevis pin 502 to hand tightened
without the need for tools.
[0045] An alternative hinge attachment using a bar 512 for mating
with jaw 514 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. This hinge attachment is
similar to Nordic ski bindings where a bar in the toe of the shoe
is hooked into catch in the binding to allow the show to hinge with
respect to the ski. Jaw 514 is moveable between a bar-accepting
position and a bar-engaging position. In the bar-engaging position,
the member having bar 512 (i.e. either resilient members 110, 120
or end-grips 130, 140) can hinge about the member having jaw 514.
Preferably, end-grips 130, 140 have jaw 514 and bar 512 can be
integrated with resilient members 110, 120.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative handheld exercise
device 600 is illustrated with resilient bands 672, 674 connected
between handle portions 612, 614 of resilient members 610, 620.
Handheld exercise device 600 shares a similar construction to
handheld exercise device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and
similar parts are similarly numbered. Resilient bands 672, 674 can
be added or removed to adjust the tension of handheld exercise
device 600 and affects the tension of both the compression and
expansion movements of handheld exercise device 600. Resilient
members 610, 620 can have an attachment mechanisms coupled to
handle portions 612, 622 illustrated as u-shaped loops 682, 684,
686, 688 in FIG. 6. Resilient bands 672, 674 can have hooks or
clips on each end that attach to u-shaped loops 682, 684, 686, 688
on opposing handle portions 612, 622. Resilient bands 672, 674 can
be composed of rubber or latex to provide elasticity.
[0047] Alternatives to side-grips 114, 124 are illustrated in FIGS.
7A and 7B. Concave side-grip 702 bends inwards towards the opposing
side grip of the handheld exercise device 100. Convex side-grip 704
bends outwards away from the opposing side grip of handheld
exercise device 100.
[0048] Side-grips 114, 124 can also rotate about their axis as
illustrated by arrows 115 and 125 in FIG. 2. Rotatable side-grips
114, 124 can alleviate stress on the wrist complex including the
joint, tendons and ligaments because it provides a soft or
give-able end-feel by providing another plane of movement as
opposed to a hard non-give end-feel. The hinge joint coupled to
end-grips 130, 140 provides the same function. This extra movement
at the end of the range of an exercise will prevent the wrist and
tendons from absorbing the stress to compress or expand handheld
exercise device 100. This provides an improvement over the
Bullworker exercise devices that are known to commonly causes
tendonitis in the wrists and forearms.
[0049] Alternatives to end-grips 130, 140 are illustrated in FIGS.
8A and 8B. Double handgrip end-grip 802 has two hand-grip positions
802 and 804 that accommodate users with different arm spans and
allows for variability in possible exercises. The inner handgrips
can have a smaller diameter for those with smaller hands. Single
handgrip end-grip 812 has a single hand-grip 812. The outer edge of
end-grips 130, 140 can also be adapted to make contact with the
ground and be held in position on the ground by the user's foot.
End-grips 130, 140 can also be configured to have a hand-grip and a
flat foothold, optionally with a foot strap, to allow exercises
where at least one end-grip is attached to the feet of the user of
handheld exercise device 100.
[0050] Handheld exercise device 100 can also have a number of
camera-detectable markers that facilitate motion capture of the
movement of handheld exercise device 100 when used with a motion
capture system. The camera-detectable markers can facilitate
detection by a camera by have a contrasting color to that of
handheld exercise device 100, or by having markers composed of
reflective or retro-reflective material. The motion-capture system
can have one or more cameras and a computer processor to capture
and track the movement of the camera-detectable markers on handheld
exercise device 100. The camera can detect the orientation of
handheld exercise device 100 by relative distances and visibility
of each of the camera-detectable markers.
[0051] The motion-capture system can provide real-time feedback on
the movement of handheld exercise device 100 to interact with a
software program. The software program can provide applications for
handheld exercise device 100 for military, entertainment, sports
and medical applications.
[0052] The software program can provide a physiotherapy program
that includes a list of exercises that are part of a rehabilitation
program. The physiotherapy program can provide feedback on the
proper exercise physiology for each exercise, including, for
example but not limited to range of motion, speed of repetition,
length of time for holding isometric positions, work performed
(e.g. Joules), calories expended and poundage moved. The
physiotherapy program can also track the patient's progress with
the rehabilitation program by providing a logging function of
exercises completed (and any deviances from the program or
exercises) that can be shared with the rehabilitation specialist,
such as using a secure portal on the internet that receives the log
of the exercises that can then be accessed by the rehabilitation
specialist.
[0053] The software program can also be implemented as a video
game. The motion capture system could include a video game console
that incorporates a camera, such as, for example, the Microsoft
Kinect or the Playstation Eye. Movement of handheld exercise device
100 can correspond to certain game functions. For example, the
orientation, expansion and releasing expanded state could
correspond to aiming, drawing and releasing an arrow from a bow in
the game. Other game functions could include orienting handheld
exercise device 100 to act as a shield; to steer, accelerate, and
decelerate a vehicle; or otherwise control the movements of an
onscreen avatar.
[0054] Handheld exercise device 100 can also incorporate a sensor
that is embedded within or attached externally to at least one of
the resilient members 110, 120 to measure the amount of bend or
flex of resilient members 110, 120. For example, one or more of
resilient limbs 116, 118, 126, 128 can have a piezoelectric sensor
embedded between layers making up resilient limbs 116, 118, 126,
128, and the sensor can be connected to a communications interface
of handheld exercise device 100 for communicating with a motion
capture system. The sensors can also be used in conjunction with
camera-detectable markers.
[0055] While the exemplary embodiments have been described herein,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments. The invention is intended to cover various
modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims, and scope of the claims is
to be accorded an interpretation that encompasses all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
* * * * *