AU2008267756B2 - A thumb mountable device for holding equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a thumb mountable device (10) for holding equipment such as, for example, a digital music player or a heart rate receiver. The device (10) also includes in one form, a casing (14) for holding the equipment and an information display (16) for displaying information to the wearer. For example, the information display (16) may display a heart rate reading from the wearer of the device (10). The device (10) has a flexible body (12) arranged to fit over a wearer's thumb (100). The casing (14) and information display (16) are connected to the flexible body (12). The flexible body (12) flexes to allow the wearer substantially normal thumb movement when the device (10) is located on the wearer's thumb (100).

Description

WO 2009/000024 PCT/AU2008/000913 1 A THUMB MOUNTABLE DEVICE FOR HOLDING EQUIPMENT Cross reference 5 This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007903466 filed on 27 June 2007, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference. Field of the Invention 10 The invention relates to a thumb mountable device for holding equipment required by the wearer. The invention has particular, but not exclusive application, in the sports industry where the equipment being held by the device includes some form of information display. 15 Background of the Invention Heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, sports watches and the like are commonly worn by athletes and/or exercise enthusiasts so that they can 20 monitor various particulars during the performance of an activity. For example, some athletes endeavour to maintain their heart beat within a specific heart rate range whilst they exercise. Accordingly, they need to constantly be advised of their current heart beat rate so that they can adjust their effort level and maintain the desired heart beat rate. Other athletes are interested in knowing 25 the distance they have travelled or the number of calories they may have used to a particular point in time. Most monitors currently available to measure particulars of interest to an athlete are of the sort that are worn on the wrist or are attached to the body of the 30 athlete or to their clothing. A significant drawback of these types of monitors is that viewing the display of the monitor whilst actually exercising is often quite difficult. Accordingly, the athlete may need to adjust the positioning of the monitor or twist or bend his body so as to better sight the information display.

WO 2009/000024 PCT/AU2008/000913 2 This not only detracts from the performance of the athlete but may, in some circumstances, actually be quite dangerous. For example, if a cyclist is required to reposition a monitor in order to read the display properly or to change a function of the monitor, the distraction associated with removing a hand from 5 the handle bar and taking his eyes off the path he is travelling, could result in a collision or the cyclist driving off the path. Similarly, the distraction of having to adjust the positioning or function of a monitor whilst running could result in the runner tripping or twisting an ankle. 10 Various prior art devices have been developed in an attempt to address the above mentioned problems. For example, US patent 6,745,069 describes an electronic wrist-worn device such as a heart rate monitor or a diving computer. The wrist-worn device includes multiple information displays so that the wearer can view displayed information from one of the information displays during 15 exercise without the need to bend or turn the arm. However, the actual displays are necessarily quite small, making the displayed information difficult to read, especially when swimming or running. Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple information displays increases the cost of such a device. 20 Another prior art device includes a heart rate monitor in the form of a finger ring. Such rings have a rigid construction. They are sized so as be positioned on one of the wearer's finger's proximal phalange so that they do not interfere with normal movement of the finger. The functional size of the ring and hence the size of the information display it can contain is thus limited. This means that the 25 displayed information is necessarily small in size, making it difficult to read. Still another prior art device adopts the form of a glove having a heart rate monitor mounted thereon. The display of such a device is mounted on the glove so that, in use, it is located on the back of the wearer's hand. The display 30 is difficult to sight when the wearer's hand is in certain positions. Additionally, the glove can restrict movement of the wearer's hand and fingers making it uncomfortable to wear and unsuitable for some sporting activities.

3 One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a thumb mountable device for holding equipment that can be positioned on the wearer's thumb and that does not substantially restrict normal thumb movement. 5 Another aspect of the invention aims to provide a thumb mountable device for holding equipment that can be positioned on the wearer's thumb in such a manner that an information display can be readily sighted by the wearer without the need to adjust the positioning of the device on the wearer's thumb and/or the need to twist or turn the wearer's body from a current activity position. 10 The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application. 15 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a thumb mountable device for holding equipment, said device including a flexible body with a tubular like 20 portion arranged in use to fit over a wearer's thumb and a longitudinal portion extending from the tubular portion and arranged to extend between the interphalangeal joint and the carpometacarpal joint of the wearer's thumb, said longitudinal portion further arranged in use to overlie the thumb's metacarpal bone, said flexible body arranged to allow the wearer substantially normal 25 thumb movement when the device is in use and wherein equipment is contained within or on the longitudinal portion of the flexible body. Preferably, the equipment is electronic equipment and/or an information display. The equipment may be located in a casing. The casing is also preferably 30 located away from the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

4 Preferably, the information display is positioned to enable the wearer to readily view the information being displayed whilst performing an activity without the need to adjust the positioning of the thumb for the primary purpose of viewing the information display. 5 The flexible body is preferably sized so as to extend substantially between the joint of the distal and proximal phalanges of the wearer's thumb and the carpometacarpal joint and is arranged to allow substantially normal movement of the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joint. 10 In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the flexible body includes a tubular like portion through which the tip of the wearer's thumb can be passed and a longitudinal portion arranged to be positioned during use substantially over the metacarpal of the thumb. The flexible body is preferably configured so that it is 15 easily retained on the wearer's thumb without the need of any additional attachment devices. However, it is recognised that attachment devices, such as a belt, strap, hook and loop device, may be included to attach the thumb mountable display device to the wearer. 20 Preferably, an underside portion of the longitudinal portion of the flexible body is arranged to be positioned in contact with the skin of the wearer's thumb in the area of the metacarpal. The peripheral edge of the flexible body is preferably graded towards the surrounding skin of the thumb. 25 The casing is preferably made of a rigid or semi-rigid material so that it can protect the equipment contained therein from impact forces. The casing may be formed in more than one part so as to allow it to be opened to facilitate servicing or, for example, battery change. Seal means may be provided to waterproof the casing and thereby prevent damage to the equipment or other items housed 30 therein.

5 In embodiments including an information display, the information display is preferably mounted in or on the casing. However, it is envisaged that the information display may be separate from the casing and may also be flexible. 5 The thumb mountable device preferably further includes a function control. The function control is preferably mounted in the flexible body and arranged to control one or more functions of the equipment held in the casing or one or more functions of remote equipment related to the equipment in the casing. The function control is preferably sized so that it can be readily operated by the 10 wearer during physical activity. Preferably, the electronic equipment and/or information display is contained in the flexible body when it is initially moulded and thus a casing (as per the first and second aspects of the invention) is not required. Such an arrangement is 15 envisaged as being particularly suitable if the device is considered as disposable or if a power source other than a replaceable battery is used. The equipment may be fully embedded within the flexible body (e.g. so as to be fully encased) or may have one or more surfaces exposed so as to be visible/partially exposed. 20 The equipment held within the casing or within the flexible body will vary depending on the nature of the thumb mountable device, and more particularly, when the thumb mountable device includes an information display, the nature of the information to be displayed. For example, the thumb mountable device may 25 be arranged to display information of the type normally obtainable from, for example, a heart rate monitor, a pedometer, a blood pressure monitor, a sports watch, a stop watch, speciality timing equipment, a skydiving altimeter, a scuba diving depth gauge/timer, a GPS, a compass, other personal monitoring devices, a communication device, imaging equipment, digital personal 30 information storage and/or a computer. Accordingly, the casing would include equipment relevant to providing the display of the relevant information. That equipment may or may not work in conjunction with other remote equipment, for example, a chest strap heart rate measurement device arranged to transmit 6 data to the equipment held in the casing or contained within the flexible body by moulding. The casing or flexible body may also contain other equipment such as, for 5 example, a digital music player, communication equipment, goods and/or services payment equipment. Description of the Drawings 10 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a thumb mountable device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention being worn by a user. The user's thumb is 15 shown in the resting position; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the user's thumb outstretched; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 with the user's thumb in 20 the resting position; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the user's thumb outstretched; Figure 5 is another view of the device shown in Figure 1 with the user's arm in a 25 different orientation; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 but the device is shown in cross-section and the casing is shown as being empty; 30 Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but shows the casing holding equipment and an information display; and Figure 8 illustrates the anatomy of a human hand.

7 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The Figures illustrate a thumb mountable device in the form of a thumb 5 mountable heart rate display device 10. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to thumb mountable devices that only display the user's heart rate. A thumb mountable device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be arranged to display various different data of interest to the wearer and/or may incorporate a wide 10 variety of different equipment for a variety of different purposes. That different equipment may include, but is not limited to, equipment used to provide information normally measured by a conventional pedometer, blood pressure monitor, sports watch, stop watch, speciality timing equipment, skydiving altimeter, scuba diving depth gauge/timer, GPS, compass, personal monitoring 15 devices, communication devices, imaging equipment, digital personal information storage and/or a computer. The thumb mountable heart rate display device 10 shown in the Figures includes a body 12 arranged to fit over a wearer's thumb 100, a casing 14 (best 20 shown in Figures 6 and 7) for holding equipment, an information display 16 for displaying information to the wearer and a function button 18. The line 19 (shown in Figure 7) schematically represents electronic components connecting the function button 18 to equipment in the casing 14. Such electronic components are preferably included within the body 12 when it is moulded. In 25 accordance with this embodiment, and as illustrated in Figure 7, the equipment held within the casing 14 includes a heart rate receiver 20 and a pair of batteries 22. The heart rate receiver 20 receives data from a transmitter (not illustrated) 30 attached to the user's chest. That data is processed by the heart rate receiver 20 and the user's heart rate is displayed on the information display 16. In the Figures, the information display 16 shows a heart rate reading of 132.

8 Various methods for measuring a user's heart rate and telemetrically transferring that data to a remote receiver, such as a wrist located receiver, are disclosed in the prior art and are well understood by a skilled addressee. Additionally, methods for measuring the heart rate without the use of a chest 5 strap style reader/transmitter such as touch sensitive pads located upon the body of the device, or pulse sensing capabilities mounted within the device are also well known and understood by the skilled addressee. Hence, descriptions of such methods/apparatus are not included herein. However, it should be understood that any of such known methods/apparatus may be incorporated 10 into a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the casing 14 is moulded to the body 12 during manufacture. The casing 14 is made of a rigid material so that it can protect the equipment contained therein (including the information display 16) 15 from impact forces. The casing material is preferably a rigid plastics material or a metal. The casing 14 includes a clear upper face through which the information display 16 can be viewed. The upper face of the casing 14 may be arranged so as to 20 magnify the information being displayed by the information display 16. An ability to access the equipment within the casing 14 is desirable to enable, for example, the change of a battery 22, a repair to the equipment, or interchange of the equipment or information display for an alternative device. 25 This ability may be achieved by fitting the equipment and/or the information display 16 within the casing 14 in a removable manner. Alternatively, for example, the casing 14 may be formed in two or more parts that can be separated to allow access to the equipment housed therein. This could be achieved by forming the casing 14 with a removable base that could be 30 unscrewed or otherwise detached from the casing 14. A seal (not shown) would be provided between the removable base and the casing 14 to provide water tightness. This is particularly desirable where the device 10 is used by a swimmer or where climatic conditions may be such that moisture can form 9 within the casing 14, possibly resulting in damage to the equipment and/or information display 16 located therein. The device 10 is configured so that during use it allows the wearer substantially 5 normal thumb movement. To allow this "substantially normal thumb movement", the body 12 has the ability to flex about a primary flex axis F. This enables the wearer to flex his thumb 100 from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. Axis F is shown in Figure 1. In accordance with the described embodiment, the ability to flex about the primary flex axis F is 10 achieved by making the body 12 from a flexible material, for example, a plastics or silicone/rubber material. It is envisaged that the body 12 of the device 10 would be shaped so as to match the resting position of the wearer's thumb 100. This resting position is 15 that position of the thumb 100 depicted in Figures 1 and 3. Accordingly, the body 12 is preferably moulded from a flexible material, as a single piece, to the shape shown in Figures 1 and 3. As best shown in Figure 2, body 12 includes a tubular like portion 12a through 20 which the tip of the wearer's thumb 100 can be passed and a longitudinal portion 12b arranged to be positioned during use substantially over the metacarpal bone B of the thumb 100. The body 12 extends substantially between the interphalangeal joint C and the carpometacarpal joint E (Figure 8). 25 In an alternative arrangement, the tubular like portion 12a may adopt the form of a sock like portion that encases an end part of the wear's thumb. The flexible body 12 is configured so that it is easily retained on the wearer's thumb 100 without the need for any additional attachment devices. This may be 30 achieved, for example, by careful selection of the type, surface finish and thickness of the material of the flexible body 12. However, it is recognised that various different forms of attachment could otherwise be used to attach the display device 10 to the wearer. These include, but are not limited to, a single 10 circular band of flexible material the user stretches over the thumb 100, a long band to stretch around the thumb 100 and through a clasp and hook device similar to standard watches, a long band which stretches around the thumb 100 and clips onto a protrusion, a short band which stretches around the thumb 100 5 and fastens onto a hook or a convoluted flexible band to stretch over the thumb 100 or a stretchy "sock" that covers over the thumb 100 in a way similar to a glove. The "sock" could be made of a thin plastics material. Preferably, an underside portion 12c (Figure 6) of the flexible body 12 of the 10 device 10 is arranged to be positioned in contact with the skin of the wearer's thumb 100 in the area of the metacarpal bone B. The periphery of the flexible body 12 is preferably graded or feathered to enhance contact with the skin during use. 15 The casing 14 is connected to the body 12 so that it is positioned away from the metacarpophalangeal joint A (see Figure 8) and above the metacarpal bone B of the thumb 100. As best shown in Figure 6, the casing 14 is located to lie "over" the metacarpal bone B. Hence, movement of the metacarpophalangeal joint A is not restricted by the rigid casing 14 or the information display 16 that is 20 mounted on the casing 14. The information display 16 can be quite large in comparison to the information displays of some prior art devices because of the comparatively large width W of the longitudinal portion 12b of the body 12. Hence, the information being 25 displayed on the information display 16 can be quite large and thus more readily viewed by the wearer. Figure 1 also shows that the function button 18 is positioned between the metacarpophalangeal joint A and the interphalangeal joint C between the 30 proximal P and distal D phalanges of the thumb 100. Hence, the function button 18 is positioned so that it does not restrict movement of the metacarpophalangeal joint A. It will be appreciated that the function button 18 is arranged to enable control of the equipment within the casing 14 or remote 11 equipment (not illustrated). For example, the function button 18 may be an on/off button that controls either equipment held in the casing 14 or remote equipment such as an associated chest strap mounted heart rate monitor. More than one function button 18 may be included and the positioning of such a 5 button 18 may vary. It should be understood that the positioning of the device 10 on the wearer's thumb 100 as described above and the positioning of the information display 16 is such that the information display 16 is more readily viewable by the wearer 10 during activity than prior art devices. This can be better appreciated by considering the example of a runner. A runner swings her arms in rhythm with her body as she runs, thereby maintaining balance and fluidity. She swings her arms in a forward motion arriving at a front limit of movement, the direction of movement of the arms then changes to a backward motion which also arrives at 15 a rear limit of movement thereafter the arm begins to move forward again. If we freeze her movement when her arm reaches its front limit of movement, this is approximately the point whereby a user normally begins the additional movements of rolling the arm, bending the elbow and elevating the arm from the shoulder so as to bring a prior art watch style heart rate monitor into her line of 20 view. The user may also be required to turn their head and adjust their focal point to sight such a prior art watch style heart rate monitor. It will thus be appreciated that at that front limit of movement, the surface of the body/arm/hand whose perpendicular projection most closely falls into the user's natural line of sight, without altering natural movement, is the outer area of the 25 thumb. Accordingly, by positioning the device 10 on the wearer's thumb 100 it WO 2009/000024 PCT/AU2008/000913 12 can be more readily viewed by the user than prior art devices and thus represents a significant improvement over prior art devices. The thumb positioning of the device 10 means that it is constantly in the field of 5 view of a cyclist. In the case of runners and swimmers, it regularly comes into the user's field of view by way of their natural running arm movement or arm stroke movement. Additionally, by falling regularly within the user's field of view (peripheral vision) the information displayed by the device may be received by the wearer's eye in a subliminal fashion preventing the user from needing to 10 consciously examine the device 10. The information display 16 of the device 10 can be quite large in comparison to prior art devices because the space available on the longitudinal portion 12b of the body 12 of the device 10 is relatively large. Hence, a relatively large 15 information display 16 can be provided without restricting movement of the thumb 100. It is envisaged that embodiments of the invention may offer different advantages/features to the wearer and may be constructed differently to 20 achieve those advantages/features. For example: 1. A pair of devices according to an embodiment of the invention could be worn by the user, one on the right hand thumb and one on the left hand thumb. Each device could have multiple modes/information types. For 25 example, the left hand device may display heart rate, time and stopwatch modes, whilst the right hand device might display calories consumed, distance covered or steps taken modes. Accordingly, two different sets of information can be displayed at any one time alleviating the need for the user to scroll through the device's modes. This may be particularly 30 advantageous for a cyclist because it prevents the cyclist from having to remove his hand from the handlebars to display information of interest. Similarly, the use of two such devices may be advantageous for a WO 2009/000024 PCT/AU2008/000913 13 swimmer. One device could display heart rate, whilst the other device could display a stopwatch. 2. A device according to an embodiment of the invention could have multiple modes/information types and mode changeover could be 5 achieved by bringing the device to within close proximity of a chest strap transmitter causing the display mode to be changed from, for example, heart rate to stopwatch mode. Alternatively, mode changeover could be achieved by a predetermined movement of the device which is detected by a sensor or which otherwise initiates mode change. 10 3. A device according to an embodiment of the invention could be used in conjunction with a wrist-worn watch style data collector, sold to suit or as a set. The signal sent from the wearer's chest strap heart monitor to the device could also be picked up by the wrist-worn data collector and that data stored therein. The data stored on the wrist worn data collector 15 could be analysed after the exercise to help improve the wearer's performance. 4. A device according to an embodiment of this invention could be configured to have the ability to invert the display layout from the standard horizontal layout illustrated in the Figures to a vertical layout 20 more suitable for cyclists. Activation of this feature may preferably be achieved by holding the device against or near the chest strap for a set period of time or by a predetermined movement of the device or the pushing of a button. 5. A device according to an embodiment of the invention could be arranged 25 so that the casing contains equipment such as a digital music player, communications equipment, payment method equipment etc. The device would not necessarily include an information display but could be worn by the user during activity without restriction to normal thumb movement. 30 The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims (20)

1. A thumb mountable device for holding equipment, said device including a flexible body with a tubular like portion arranged in use to fit over the wearer's 5 thumb and a longitudinal portion extending from the tubular portion and arranged to extend between the interphalangeal joint and the carpometacarpal joint of the wearer' thumb, said longitudinal portion further arranged in use to overlie the thumb's metacarpal bone, said flexible body arranged to allow the wearer substantially normal thumb movement when the device is in use and 10 wherein equipment is contained within or on the longitudinal portion of the flexible body.

2. A thumb mountable device according to claim 1 wherein the equipment is electronic equipment and/or an information display. 15

3. A thumb mountable device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the equipment is contained within the flexible body during moulding of the flexible body. 20

4. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the equipment is located away from the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

5. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims 25 further including a casing for holding the equipment.

6. A thumb mountable device according to claim 5 wherein the equipment includes an information display. 30

7. A thumb mountable device according to claim 6 wherein the information display is positioned to enable the wearer to readily view the information being displayed whilst performing an activity and without the need to adjust the 15 positioning of the thumb or other part of the wearer's body for the primary purpose of viewing the information display.

8. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims 5 wherein the flexible body includes a sock like portion arranged in use to receive at least an end part of the wearer's thumb.

9. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims further including an attachment device for securing the device to the wearer's 10 thumb.

10. A thumb mountable device according to claim 9 wherein the attachment device includes a belt, strap or hook and loop device. 15

11. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an underside portion of the longitudinal portion of the flexible body is arranged to be positioned in contact with the skin of the wearer's thumb in the area overlying the metacarpal bone. 20

12. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a periphery of the flexible body is graded towards the surrounding skin of the thumb.

13. A thumb mountable device according to claim 5 wherein the casing is 25 made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

14. A thumb mountable device according to claim 5 wherein the casing is formed in more than one part. 30

15. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims further including a function control for controlling one or more functions of the equipment or one or more functions of remote equipment related to the equipment. 16

16. A thumb mountable device according to claim 15 wherein the function control includes a function button connected to said flexible body. 5

17. A thumb mountable device according to claim 16 wherein the function button is located in use substantially above the proximal phalange of the wearer's thumb.

18. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims 10 wherein the flexible body is formed by moulding.

19. A thumb mountable device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the longitudinal portion does not extend beyond the carpometacarpal joint. 15

20. A thumb mountable device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.