WO2007068908A1 - Skipping simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A skipping simulator comprises hand held spinners and a foot unit adapted to sense footfall. The spinners and foot unit generate signals which allow the position of a virtual skipping rope to be determined, and the simulator is adapted to determine conflict between footfall and the virtual skipping rope.

Description

Skipping Simulator

This invention relates to skipping, as a form of exercise, and in particular concerned with ropeless skipping.

It is well known that skipping is a very good form of cardiovascular exercise, and frequently forms part of a training regime for athletes. Skipping is also suitable as a form of exercise for non-athletes, and has the advantage of being progressive so that the exercise rate can be increased as fitness improves.

A particular advantage of skipping is that it can be an indoor activity, and thus be unaffected by weather and outside temperature; it is also rather safer than many outdoor forms of exercise.

Skipping has one inherent problem in that a certain volume is required for movement of the skipping rope. In particular about 500 mm headroom is required as a minimum, and this is unlikely to be available in a domestic dwelling. Furthermore space is required in front and behind, and to the side. Fear of catching the skipping rope on an item of furniture, a light fitting, or some other obstacle means that the popularity of skipping as a form of indoor exercise is compromised.

What is required is a means of obtaining the benefits of skipping exercise without the attendant difficulties of providing a circulation space for the skipping rope.

According to the invention there is provided a skipping simulator comprising two hand held spinners and a foot unit, the foot unit being adapted to sense footfall, the spinners communicating with a base station to determine the position of a virtual skipping rope and the simulator being adapted to determine conflict between footfall and the virtual skipping rope. Any form of spinner is appropriate so long as the forces of a rotating skipping rope are simulated. Accordingly an unbalanced rotatable mass is suitable. Typically each spinner will comprise a cylindrical hand grip, and an unbalanced mass relatively rotatable thereon. The unbalanced mass may be an arm extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation. The unbalanced mass may be adjustable or variable to suit the intended user and/or the intended skipping regime. For example the radius of the centre of mass may be variable, and/or the mass itself may be substituted or supplemented with a different mass. The base station may be the foot unit.

In the preferred embodiment the hand held spinners are physically identical. However it is envisaged that asymmetric mass distribution may be appropriate where skipping is part of a course of physiotherapy.

The spinner(s) and base unit may communicate via an electrical wire connection. Preferably however the connection is wireless.

In one embodiment, one or both spinners are adapted to generate wireless signals indicative of the angular position of the spinner. Since in most cases the spinners are identical and will be used in-phase, it is not necessary for the signals to be provided to both spinners. However the feel of both spinners should be identical for normal exercise.

The spinner(s) may include a transmitter powered on rotation thereof by a rotary generator, or may include a battery operated transmitter preferably with an auto on/off function linked to rotation. The electronic function of the spinners may be enabled on demand, by for example gripping via a grip actuated switch, or by a thumb switch. In the alternative, the spinners may be passive, the angular position thereof being determined by changes of an internal magnetic or electrical field, or of a field sensed by the base station. The spinner(s) may be automatically enabled on rotation thereof.

The foot unit may comprise a foot mounted or floor mounted device. The foot mounted device is typically affixed to one or both training shoes of the user and determines footfall by an inertial device or by ground pressure sensing means.. A floor mounted device may comprise for example a pressure sensitive mat, or a light beam.

A display is preferably provided for the user, and may be on one or both spinners, or on a separate unit. The display is preferably multi-functional in order to display, for example, number of revolutions, heart rate, calorie burn, elapsed training timej etc. Additionally, or alternatively the user may be provided with an audible or visual signal to help the user skip at a desired rate, or to indicate mis-skips.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation of an embodiment of the device in use.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a typical spinner.

Fig. 4 illustrates a tread mat in use. Fig. 5 illustrates a beam sensor in use.

Fig. 6 illustrates shoe mounted footfall sensor.

Fig. 7 shows a sequence indicating correct correlation between footfall and spinner position.

Fig. 8 shows a sequence indicating incorrect correlation between footfall and spinner position.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a human 11 holds in each hand a spinner 12 which during skipping rotates in the direction illustrated by arrows 13. In the skipping action, the user rotates the spinners 12 in unison.

Placed on the floor 14 is a transmitter 15 and receiver 16 between which a beam 17 is generated. The beam may be of any suitable kind, such as infra red, radio frequency etc. Footfall of the human 11 is sensed as the beam is interrupted.

The or each spinner 12 generates a signal indicative of angular position, which permits calculation of the position of a virtual skipping rope. By combining this virtual rope position with footfall sensing it is possible to determine whether the virtual rope has passed under the foot, or has collided. In the latter case an error signal is communicated to the user, for example by emitting a sound.

A typical spinner 12 is illustrated in Fig. 3 and comprises a cylindrical grip 21 having a rotatable arm 22 generally radial of the axis of rotation 23. The arm 22 comprises an asymmetric mass, which can be adjusted by the addition or removal of weights, or by moving a weight to a different radius. Rotation may furthermore be against an adjustable resistance. The spinner may emit a signal to the base unit at the rest position, in which the arm 22 is hanging vertically.

The spinner includes a time display 24, and thumb operated buttons for start/stop, and reset. The reset button may be used to both zero certain functions, and to allow the initial position of the arm 22 to be set in relation to the angle of the grip. Various other functions may be provided by internal computing and memory elements of the spinner. These may include:

Audible trip signal - to indicate interference between footfall and the virtual skipping rope.

R.P.M. counter - an indication of skipping speed.

Total revolutions - a measure of calorie burn.

Stop watch - a performance indicator.

Other possible functions may give a count down timer, cycle trainer, heart rate monitor (with suitable grip or chest belt sensor), calorie burn indicator and memory store. Furthermore the or each spinner may include a data input device for e.g. the users body weight, or for a bespoke training regime.

The spinner may be self-powered by a rotary generator, and include automatic start/stop functions. Preferably an internal battery provides a power source, and the battery may be adapted to be recharged by an internal generator.

Determination of the virtual interference of rope and footfall is empirical in order to obtain a satisfactory simulation. Thus, depending on the nature of the footfall detector, the simulator will be pre-programmed to determine interference at a pre- set time difference from footfall. This interference detection may be adjustable to give a greater time window for beginners, and thus a greater margin for skipping error. For example five successively shorter time intervals may be provided, and selected at the spinner.

Fig. 4 shows a mat 31 for providing a skipping and aiming surface. The mat may be resilient in order to optimise rebound, and reduce the risk of impact injuries. Typically a contact-type sensor is incorporated to detect footfall and to transmit a corresponding signal to the spinners. As illustrated the mat includes a high visibility display 42 giving elapsed time. The display could however cycle between other functions, such as countdown, rpm or calorie burn.

Fig. 5 shows the footfall sensor of Figs. 1 and 2 and comprising transmitter 15 and detector 16. The transmitter and detector may be provided in a single base unit and rely upon a signal reflected from the other base unit. A high visibility display 42 is included. A footfall signal is transmitted to the spinners.

Fig. 6 shows a resilient strap 51 which is in use stretched over a training shoe; several sizes may be provided, or an adjustable heel strap. The strap or each includes an inertial sensor or contact sensor to detect footfall, and transmit a corresponding signal to the spinners.

As described, one or both of the spinners incorporate a microprocessor, memory and power supply in order to provide the necessary functions and signals. In the alternative, these components could be provided in the base unit or elsewhere.

For example, a plurality of simulators according to the invention may be provided for an exercise class. A plurality of units are small enough to be transported by a trainer, and may communicate wirelessly with a single base station. The base station may be connected to or incorporate a large screen display so that participants in the class move as a co-ordinated group. The base station may include means of recording the performance of each individual in the class, and of storing, printing and/or displaying a performance record.

Fig. 7 shows in sequence from left to right, the rotation of a spinner with correlation to correct foot position. Thus in the vertically down condition, the spinner coincides with feet above a light beam 17.

In contrast Fig. 8 shows an incorrect foot position in which a foot interrupts the beam 17 when the spinner is in the vertically down condition.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A skipping simulator comprising two hand held spinners and a foot unit, the foot unit being adapted to sense foot fall, the spinners communicating with a base station to determine the position of a virtual skipping rope, and the simulator being adapted to determine conflict between foot fall and the virtual skipping rope.

2. A simulator according to claim 1, and adapted for wireless communication with the base station.

3. A simulator according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the foot unit incorporates said base station.

4. A simulator according to any preceding claim wherein said spinners comprise rotating asymmetric mass, the effect of said mass being adjustable.

5. A simulator according to claim 4 wherein said asymmetric mass is adjustable by addition or deletion of mass units.

6. A simulator according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said mass is adjustable by variation of the centre thereof with respect to the axis of spinner rotation.

7. A simulator according to any preceding claim wherein one of said spinners includes a display thereon.

8. A simulator according to any preceding claim wherein one of said spinners includes an on/off device for enabling function thereof.

9. A simulator according to any preceding claim and including a conflict indicator to indicate conflict between foot fall and the virtual skipping rope.

0. A simulator according to any preceding claim and including a beat indicator indicate a desired frequency of skipping.