GB2453312A

GB2453312A - Touch counting physical training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2453312A
Application number: GB0709006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Crooks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-10
Filing date: 2007-05-10
Publication date: 2009-04-08
Also published as: GB0709006D0

Abstract

A physical training apparatus includes a pad 10, the pad having a touch sensitive insert 12, a variable set period timer 22 and a counter 24 being provided to count the number of times the touch sensitive area is touched in a set period. Preferably there will be a display means 26 to provide a read out of the time period, a countdown of the period and a count of the number of touches. Switches may be provided for setting the timer and counter.

Description

PHYSICAL TRAINING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to physical training apparatus and in particular an apparatus for monitoring repetitive actions.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a physical training apparatus comprises a pad, the pad having a touch sensitive area, a variable set period timer and a counter being provided to count the number of times the touch sensitive area is touched in a set period.

The touch sensitive area may be sensitive to pressure, load, or impact and may be actuated by any part of a human body or an inanimate object, such as a ball.

1 5 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the timer and counter are built into the pad. However, alternatively the pad may be hardwired or more preferably wirelessly connected, to a separate control module including the timer and counter. S..

"20 The apparatus may also include, countdown means to indicate when the set period commences. Alternatively the timer may be actuated to commence the set period by actuation of the touch sensitive area, at the commencement of the exercise. S..*

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* *25 According to a further embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may also include display means, for indicating the set time period and for displaying the count. Alternatively or in addition, the apparatus may also include means for downloading the information from the counter and the timer to a computer.

A plurality of such pads may be used together in spaced relationship, the pads each having separate timers and counters, or being connected to a common control module including a timer and one or more counters. A plurality of slave satellite pads having a touch sensitive area and built in communication means may be linked to a central pad including the timer and one or more counters and communication means for receiving signals from the slave satellite pads.

In accordance with the present invention the pads may be used to monitor repetitive actions, counting the number of times the touch sensitive area is touched during a period which may be set on the timer.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention, may be used in various ways as a training/coaching aid in various sports, to develop key skills. For example, a single pad may be used to record repetitions of a movement within a set time period, over a predefined distance, for speed 1 5 training. Alternatively, a plurality of pads may be placed in a predetermined step pattern to record repetitions of the step pattern over a set period in order to improve agility and foot speed. Alternatively the :. pads may be arranged to monitor repetitive movements of other parts of the body, for example shoulder turns or arm movements as required in *S.. . racket and throwing sports. According to a further alternative one or more pads may be arranged as targets to improve accuracy in ball games ** etc.. Furthermore, by setting relevant targets for the number of repetitions in a set period, an athlete may improve their endurance and stamina.

The invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 illustrates diagramatically, and apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of the apparatus illustrated in figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a modification to the circuit diagram shown in figure 2.

As illustrated in figure 1 a physical training apparatus comprises a pad 1 0 made of resilient plastics material. The pad 10 is typically of the order of 300mm in diameter with a thickness of upto about 20mm. The pad 10 1 0 has sufficient weight and may advantageously be made of non-slip material or have a non-slip under surface, so that it will not move about when subjected to impacts. Furthermore the pad 10 is preferably weather proof and is resistant to knocks and scratches.

1 5 A touch sensitive insert 1 2 is provided on the pad 10, the insert 1 2 covering typically 50% of the upper surface area of the pad. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the pad 1 0 itself may be :. made from a touch sensitive material. The touch sensitive insert 12 may be of any suitable structure which will produce a change which may be detected electronically when the insert 12 is touched. However, the insert 12 is preferably formed from a flexible material, the electrical characteristics, for example the resistance, conductivity or capacitance, of which are modified by the application of pressure, load or an impact to the material. Alternatively, a flexible piezoelectric material, which will S.'...

* 25 generate an electrical current when touched, may be used.

As illustrated in figure 2, the insert 1 2 is connected to an electric circuit 14, which is housed within the pad 10. The electric circuit 14 comprises a power source 1 6 which may be a battery, which is preferably rechargeable in-situ. Alternatively a photo-electric power source may, for example, be used. A power switch 18 is provided to switch the apparatus on and off.

The insert 12 is connected to a central processor unit (CPU) 20, which includes a variable set period timer 22 and a counter 24.

Display means 26 is connected to the CPU 20, to provide a read out of the time period, a count down of the period and/or a count of the number of touches in the set time period.

Switches 28,30 are connected to the CPU 20, which may be used to set a required period on the timer 22, initiate a count down to start the timer 22 and to reset the system. These actions may be carried out using a menu driven system and/or by using the switches to cycle through various options, for example different time periods.

1 5 A series of light emitting diodes (LED's) 32,34,36,38 are also connected to the CPU 20, to indicate; power on, count down to the start of the timed period, the start of the timed period, actuation of the touch sensor :. 1 2, a predetermined sub period (e.g. five seconds) before end of timed period, and/or the end of the timed period. For example, power on may be indicated by permanent illumination of one of the LED's 32,34,36,38; countdown to the start of the timed period may be indicated by a plurality of the LED's 32,34,36,38 flashing in sequence; touch sensor actuation may be indicated by flashing of one of the LED's 32,34,36,38; five seconds to go may be indicated by the flashing of one of the leads at *S....

* 25 second intervals; and the end of the time period may be indicated by the flashing of one of the LED's 32,34,36,38. A loud speaker 40 is also provided, so that some of the indications may be accompanied by an audible warning. Visual indications may also be provided by the display means 26 in addition to or in place of the LED's 32,34,36,38.

In addition to the display means 26, a connection (not shown) may be provided by which data relating to the time period and count may be downloaded to a computer for analysis and display purposes.

In the modification illustrated in figure 3, wireless communication means 42 is also connected to the CPU 20. The wireless communication means 42 allows the apparatus to be connected to other pads 10 which may be arranged in an array, to test various skills. The other pads 10 may be as disclosed above or may be slave pads which do not include a timer 22 or counter 24, but feed the count signals back to a central control pad 10 including several counters, on which the counts of the slave pads may be counted. The wireless connection also enables to pad 10 to be connected to a computer or a remote, central control module.

1 5 The display 26, switches 1 8,28,30 and LED's 32,34,36,38 are preferably made of resilient material or protected in some way, so that they will not be damaged if impacted during use of the pad 10. While in the embodiments disclosed above, the display 26, switches 18,28,30 and LED's 32,34,36,38 are provided on the upper surface of the pad 10, the display 26 and switches 18,28,30 may alternatively be positioned on the underside of the pad 1 0. The switches 1 8,28,30 are preferably inset or protected in some other manner so that the are not actuated unintentionally during use of the pad 1 0. Alternatively the CPU 20 may be programmed to ignore actuation of the switches 1 8,28,30 once a set *S....

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time period has commenced and until the exercise has been completed.

In place of the individual LED's 32,34,36,38, one or more LED light pipes may be used to illuminate parts of the pad 10, for example the periphery, are the whole pad 1 0.

While the pad 10 disclosed above is made of resilient material, the pad 10 may alternatively comprise a housing formed of rigid plastics material or metal, which will house the various components of the apparatus.

While in the above embodiments, the loud speaker 40 provides an audible warning in addition to the visual warning of the LED's 32,34,36,38, the loud speaker 40 may be used in place of one or more of the LED's 32,34,36,38, or any other suitable indicator may be used. * * * *** **** * S * .* * * I ** I * I..

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Claims

Claims.

1. A physical training apparatus comprising a pad, the pad having a touch sensitive area, a variable set period timer and a counter being provided to count the number of times the touch sensitive area is touched in a set period.

2. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 in which the touch sensitive area is sensitive to pressure, load or impact.

3. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the variable set period timer and/or counter are built into the pad.

4. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the touch sensitive area is connected to a remote variable set period timer and/or counter by a wired or wireless connection.

5. A physical training apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including count down means to indicate when a set time period commences. * S. S. * *55 S

6. A physical training apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which a set time period commences upon the first touch of the touch 5*SS * sensitive area, after a time period has been set.

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7. A physical training apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including display means.

8. A physical training apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including switch means to power-on the apparatus, set a time period and/or commence a set time period.

9. A physical training apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more indicators to indicate power-on, sensor activation, count down to the commencement of the start of the set time period, start of the set time period, the approach of the end of the set time period and/or the end of the set time period.

10. A physical training apparatus according to claim 9 in which the indicator means are LED's and/or a loud speaker.

11. A physical training apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including wireless communications means by which data may be communicated to or received from remote control apparatus and/or a remote computer.

12. A physical training apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 3. A physical training apparatus comprising a plurality of pads as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the pads being * S. :.: * interconnected. * I..

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14. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 3 in which the S...

pads are interconnected wirelessly.

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15. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 3 or 14 in which the pads are connected to a common control apparatus.

16. A physical training apparatus according to claim 1 5 in which the pads are connected to a control pad, the control pad having a plurality of counters, a separate counter to record the touches on each of the pads.

17. A physical training apparatus comprising a control pad pads as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and one or more slave pads, the slave pads having a touch sensitive area and means for transmitting a signal to the control pad, each time the touch sensitive area on the slave pad is touched, the control pad having a plurality of counters, a separate counter to record the touches on the or each of the slave pads. * *** S... * *5I* * S. S. S S.. *

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