WO2018033909A1

WO2018033909A1 - An apparatus for measuring and tracking progress of a person's movements during physical exercise

Info

Publication number: WO2018033909A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/050897
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vered REIN; Moshe Rotem
Original assignee: Rein Vered; Moshe Rotem
Priority date: 2016-08-15
Filing date: 2017-08-14
Publication date: 2018-02-22

Abstract

The subject matter discloses a fitness equipment unit, comprising a body, a rail connected to the body of the unit, a movable platform designed to move forwards or backwards in accordance with the trainee linear movements, said platform moves along the rail and a slide rule runner moving on a body of the unit, the slide rule runner moves on a single direction when the movable platform hits the runner.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND TRACKING PROGRESS OF A PERSON' S MOVEMENTS DURING PHYSICAL EXERCISE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of physical exercises equipment and more specifically to the field of measuring and tracking the progress of users exercising on regular basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fitness equipment such as multi-functional fitness equipment or Pilates devices are in used in diverse shapes and forms. In most cases, the fitness equipment comprises a moveable platform on which a trainee can sit, lay or bend, and several strings, springs or elastic straps used for fitness and flexibility exercises. There are multiple types of such devices many methods for using this equipment, as can be seen in the following patent:

Patent US2008/248935A: Foldable Transportable Multiple Function Pilates Exercise Apparatus and Method.

US Patent 7104937B2

Foldable transportable multiple function Pilates exercise method and apparatus US Patent 2008/176713A1

Method and apparatus for selecting a condition of a fitness machine in relation to a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a movement measurement apparatus designed to measure the movement length or angle of a trainee utilizing a dedicated equipment for physical-fitness or flexibility training. In possible embodiments of the present invention, the movement measurement apparatus may be mounted on a Pilates machine such as a reformer machines, a Cadillac machine, and the like in order to measure the movement length or angle of the trainee. In some other embodiments of the present invention, the movement measurement apparatus may be mounted on a multi-functional fitness equipment comprising at least one surface used to perform fitness and / or the flexibility exercises.

In some embodiments of the present invention the movement measurement apparatus may be mounted on a flexibility exercise apparatus shaped in a form of a bed or a flat surface placed on legs horizontally to the ground. In some cases, the flexibility exercise apparatus may comprise a moveable platform which moves on parallel rails or tracks located on a rigid frame, for example a rigid frame of a rectangular, trapezoid, or elliptical shape. The flexibility exercise apparatus may employ springs, or elastic straps connected to a static frame or a rod located perpendicular to the movable platform. In some cases, the trainee may utilize the springs, or the elastic straps to pull the body toward the static frame or the rod. The springs, or the elastic straps provide a resistance to the trainee's pulling movement and thereby the movable platform may slide toward or, in some designs, to the opposite direction of the static frame or the rod. For example, a trainee may lay down on the movable platform, hold the springs or the elastic straps and pull them toward his or her body.

The springs or the elastic straps may resist to the pulling movement of the trainee and pull back the movable platform along the rails of the flexibility exercise apparatus. In such embodiments of the present invention, a slide rule or angular measuring device may be mounted on the flexibility exercise apparatus and utilized to show the length of the linear or angular movements of the trainee during the training sessions. In such exemplary embodiments, the slide rule may employ a slide rule runner which may be threaded on the slide rule and slip backwards or forwards. The movement measurement apparatus may also comprise a trigger which can be integrated to the said wheeled or moveable platform. The trigger may contact the slide rule runner and push the slide rule runner along the slide rule. For example, in case a trainee using the flexibility exercise apparatus pulls the springs or the elastic straps, the movable platform may slip toward said static frame or rod and the trigger embedded in the movable platform may push forward the slide rule runner. Once the trainee has finished with the training session, the slide rule runner may remain located in the farthest point along the slide rule to which it was pushed by the trigger.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the flexibility exercise apparatus on which the movement measurement apparatus is mounted may comprise an additional frame connected at one end to said static frame or rod, the user may hold the other end of the frame and tilt the frame upwards or downwards in a rotation fashion. In such cases, the movement measurement apparatus may comprise an angular slide rule employing a round slide rule runner to measure the angular movement length of the trainee. In some cases, the slide rule runner, or in some other cases, the angular slide rule runner may be replaced with a digital interface which can show the numeric value of the longest movement of the trainee, measured by the movement measurement apparatus or transmitted to other devices for additional uses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawing:

Figs. 1A-1B show a flexibility exercise equipment embedded with a linear slide rule, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a slide rule employing a slide rule runner and a trigger, according exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the movement measurement apparatus, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a movement measurement apparatus configured to measure angular movement of a trainee utilizing a fitness equipment, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B show a possible embodiment of the slide rule runner with a digital interface, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B show a possible embodiment of the slide rule runner with an angular interface which can show the length of a linear movement, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and,

Fig. 7 shows a measuring device for measuring length of a linear movement made by a trainee of the fitness equipment unit, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a movement measurement apparatus in diverse possible embodiments. The movement measurement apparatus can be mounted on diverse type of fitness equipment and measure the length of a linear movement, or in some cases, the length of an angular movement.

Figures 1A-1B show a flexibility exercise equipment embedded with a linear slide rule, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a fitness equipment unit 100 designed for fitness and flexibility exercises. Such fitness equipment 100 can be a Pilates reformer machine, a Pilates Cadillac machine, a multifunctional fitness equipment, and the like. Fitness equipment 100 comprises a movable platform 130 designed to move forwards or backwards in accordance with the trainee linear movements. In Fig. 1 the movable platform 130 is mounted on rails 140 which are connected along the inner part of fitness equipment 100 and provides the movable platform 130 with the ability to slide along the fitness equipment 100. Movable platform 130 is designed to slide on rails 140 in a continuous and seamless movement, at both directions of fitness platform 100.

Fitness platform 100 also comprises elastic strap 120 and elastic strap 125 connected in one end to the body of the fitness equipment 100 or to the wall 150 and in another end to the movable platform 130, or the second end can be held by the trainee. The elastic straps 120, 125 may be used by a trainee in the fitness and flexibility exercise. For example, a trainee may sit or, in some cases, stand on the movable platform 130 and pull the elastic straps 120 and 125 toward his or her body. The elastic straps 120 and 125 may respond with resistance to the pulling force of the trainee and thereby cause the movable platform 130 to slide forwards, toward wall 150.

Fitness equipment 100 also comprises a frame 145, which may dictate the manner of training. The trainee may pull the elastic straps 120 and 125 and thereby cause to the movable platform 130 to slide away from wall 150. Fig. 1 also shows a slide rule 155 attached to beam 110, for example glued or imprinted to the upper surface or the external surface of the beam 110. Slide rule 155 may comprise scale intervals seen on the top of beam 110 in order to present the length of the movement. Fig. 1 also shows a slide rule runner 105 mounted on beam 110, and a trigger 115 attached to the movable platform 130 and utilized in the measuring process. For example, in case a trainee pulls the elastic straps 120 and 125, the movable platform 130 may move either forwards or backwards, according to the trainee pulling directions and the setting of the elastic straps 120 and 125. During the movement of the movable platform 130 the trigger 115 may encounter the slide rule runner 105 and push it further along the slide rule 155. Once the movable platform 130 slide back the slide rule runner 105 may remain at the farthest point the movable platform 130 has reached. Slide rule runner 105 also comprises an aperture which can be used to view the scale interval of the slide rule 155.

In some exemplary cases, as shown in figure IB, the fitness equipment 100 comprises two slide rule runners 105 and 107. For example, in case movement measurement is relevant to both sides. That is, towards the wall 150 and towards the frame 145. This way, the trigger 115 can be used to push the first slide rule runner 105 towards the wall 150 and the second slide rule runner 107 towards the frame 145. In some other cases, the fitness equipment 100 comprises a single slide rule runner, removable from the beam 110, and can be positioned in both directions of the trigger 115.

Fig. 2 shows a slide rule employing a slide rule runner and a trigger, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 also shows a movable platform 205 which may be a part of the flexibility exercise equipment and a trigger 220, attached to or embedded to the movable platform 205. In some cases, the trigger 220 may be attached to movable platform 205 via screws or bolts. In some other cases, the trigger 220 may be may be attached to the movable platform 205 with an adhesive material. Fig. 2 also shows the slide rule 230 attached to beam 225. Slide rule 230 may comprise scale intervals to demonstrate the length of the linear movement of the movable platform 205 performed by the trainee. Fig. 2 also shows slide rule runner 215 mounted on beam 225. Beam 225 may be part of a flexibility exercise equipment, or flexibility exercise device used for flexibility and fitness training. The beam 225 may be a linear beam, or may have a semi-circular shape.

Fig. 2 shows slide rule runner 215 configured to be pushed along the beam 225 by the trigger 220. For example, when movable platform 205 slides forwards or backwards responsive to the trainee's movement, the embedded trigger 220 may be pushed at the same direction of the movable platform 205 movement. In some embodiments of the present invention slide rule runner 215 may comprise a driving mechanism, for example small wheels located between the slide rule runner 215 and the slide rule 230, in order to provide the slide rule runner 215 to slide smoothly and seamlessly. Slide rule runner 215 also comprises an aperture 210 which allows demonstrating the precise scale interval on which the slide rule runner 215 is placed. For example, in case the slide rule runner 215 was pushed to a certain point on the slide rule 230, a trainee can look at the specific scale interval via aperture 210 and identify the precise scale interval on which slide rule runner 215 is located. The aperture 210 may be located on the top side or the lateral side of the slide rule runner 215, according to the configuration of the slide rule 230 on the beam 225.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the movement measurement apparatus, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a movable platform 310 which can slide forward (demonstrated as rightwards in Fig. 3) and backward (demonstrated as leftwards in Fig. 3). Fig. 3 shows beam 305 which in some cases can may an integral part of a flexibility exercise equipment utilized in training sessions. In some other cases, beam 305 may be a standalone beam mounted on the flexibility exercise equipment. Beam 305 is connected to a slide rule 315 located on top of the beam 305 or surround the beam 305. In possible embodiments of the present invention, the slide rule 315 may be attached to the side of beam 305 and therefore not seen in a top view of the flexibility exercise equipment. Fig. 3 also shows a slide rule runner 320 which may be pushed forwards or backwards by trigger 325 in response to the trainee's movement. Slide rule runner 320 may have an aperture 330 utilized to see the scale intervals of slide rule 315. In some cases, in which the slide rule 315 is located at the side of beam 305, the aperture 330 may be also located at the side of the slide rule runner 320, aligned with the scale intervals of slide rule 315.

In some embodiment of the present invention, the slide rule runner 330 may comprise a digital device which can show a numeric value indicating the movement length of a trainee. Thus, in such embodiments of the present invention, the scale interval of the slide rule 315 may be replaced with a magnetic tape or magnetic scale intervals which can determine the precise location of the scale rule runner 320 and interpret it to a numeric value. For example, in case a magnetic type is located on top of beam 305, the slide rule runner 320 may be pushed forwards or backwards and detect the specific location along the scale rule 315. The specific location indicated by the scale rule runner 320 may be interpreted to a numeric value and shown in a screen located at the aperture 330. In other possible embodiment of the present invention, the slide rule runner 320 may comprise a memory unit which can store the numeric values of different measurements performed by the flexibility exercise equipment. In such case, a trainee may be able to track the progress performed during a time period at multiple exercises and / or training sessions. In some cases, the magnetic tape may be replaced by rails fluted along the beam 305. Thus, the slide rule runner 320 may comprise tiny wheels which fit into the rails and utilized to measure the distance which the slide rule runner 320 has passed along the beam 305.

Fig. 4 shows a movement measurement apparatus configured to measure angular movement of a trainee utilizing a fitness equipment, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows a fitness equipment unit 405 utilized for fitness and flexibility exercises. Such fitness equipment may be multifunctional fitness equipment, a Pilates Cadillac-Machine, and the like. Fitness equipment 405 comprises a training platform 440 which may be utilized by trainees during the exercises. A trainee which may perform the exercises can lay, bend, sit on the knees, sit, or be in a multiple posture on the training platform 440, during the exercises.

Fitness equipment 405 also comprises a training frame 420 used by the training in the diverse exercises. Training frame 420 is connected to frame 445 in one side of it to allow an angular movement. For example, a trainee may grip one side of the training frame 420 and move it upwards and downwards in order to perform an angular movement. In some cases, the training frame 420 may be connected to an elastic strap or a spring as demonstrated by the elastic strap 415. The elastic strap 415 can be connected to frame 445 in order to provide resistance against the angular movement of training frame 420. In some cases, the elastic strap 415 may be connected to a wall, or to any rigid and stable structure which can support the resistance exerted by the elastic strap 415. The training frame 420 may also be connected to round slide rule 410 in order to measure the length of the angular movement performed by the training frame 420. For example, a trainee may grip the training frame 420 and push it downwards against the resistance force extracted by elastic strap 415. In such a case, the angular movement of the training frame 420 may cause to the round slide rule 410 to turn and thereby to measure the length of the movement performed by the trainee. Round slide rule 410 comprises a round slide runner 430, which may be pushed by the rotation movement of the training frame 420 and remain located on the longest point along the round slide rule 410 to which it was pushed by the training frame 420. Round slide rule 410 may comprise scale intervals 435 utilized to indicate the movement length. In some cases, round slide rule runner 430 may comprise an aperture such as aperture 425 in order to provide a visual access to the scale intervals 435. In some other cases, the round slide rule runner 430 may comprise a digital interface in the same fashion as the slide rule runner measuring the linear movement has, as described above.

Figs. 5A and 5B show a slide rule runner with a digital interface, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5A shows a beam 510 which may be an integral part of a fitness equipment, and a movable platform 520 which may be an integral part of a fitness equipment unit. Fig. 5A also shows a trigger 535 embedded or connected to the movable platform 520 in order to push the slide rule runner. Fig. 5 shows a slide rule runner 505 with a digital interface 530 that shows the measured length of the movement performed by a trainee. For example, a trainee may sit on the movable platform 520 and push it backwards or forwards during the exercise, and thereby push the slide rule runner 505 by the trigger 535. Fig. 5A shows a magnetic tape 515 located on top of the beam 510. Magnetic tape 515 may be used by the slide rule runner 505 to indicate its precise location and interpret it to a numeric value. For example, in case the slide rule runner 505 is being pushed forward, the numeric value shown in the digital interface 530 may increase. In case the slide rule runner 505 is being pushed backwards, the numeric value shown in the digital interface 530 may decrease.

Fig. 5B shows a top view of a slide rule runner. In Fig. 5B the slide rule runner 535 can move forward and backward as discovered above. Fig. 5B also shows beam 505 and magnetic tape 515 used by the slide rule runner 535 as shown above in Fig. 5A. Fig. 5B also shows the digital interface 520 used to show the rate of the movement length, as shown above. In some cases, the slide rule runner 535 may comprise buttons such as button 525 and arrow buttons 530. The buttons in the slide rule runner 535 may be used to control or configure the slide rule runner 535. Such configuration may comprise, resetting of the slide rule runner 535, moving the numbers shown in the digital interface 520, browse among previous measurements, and the like. The buttons 525, 530 may be areas in a touch screen.

The information extracted from the magnetic tape 515 or from another electronic -related source may be translated into a numeric value that can be stored, analyzed, transmitted to a remote server and additional options desired by a person skilled in the art. For example, the training device may comprise a processing module for translating the measured movement length to a digital value, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the digital value to a remote device. The remote device may be a server, a cellular phone, an IoT unit and the like. The wireless transmitter may use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zig-Bi or any other communication technique. When there are multiple devices on the same room, for example a fitness room with multiple trainees using multiple fitness units, the electrical device having the wireless transmitter may perform a pairing process with the trainee's personal device. In another embodiment, the trainee's device address, for example phone number of email address, is inputted into a management unit, which transmits the inputted trainee's device address to the wireless transmitter of the electrical device.

In some cases, the remote device is the trainee's personal device. In some cases, the measured distance is transmitted to the instructor's device, along with an identifier of the trainee, such as the trainee's name or another predefined identifier. This way, the instructor may monitor the process in which the trainee's movement lengthens. The instructor may also compare one trainee to other trainees of the same group, or to other trainees who practiced the same amount of time, and the same type of exercises. A computerized application operating on the instructor's device may provide additional analysis on the trainee's length of movement. For example, in case a specific trainee only measures 60 percent of the distance compared to other trainees with the same amount of practice, the application may issue an alert.

In case the digital value is sent to a server and not to a device associated with the trainee, the server may match the received value to a specific trainee by receiving an identification value that the specific trainee did use the specific training device when the movement length was measured. Such identification may be performed via the trainee's smartphone, training tag such as RFID tag scanned in front of a scanner associated with the specific device, and the like.

Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B show a possible embodiment of the slide rule runner with a round interface which can show the length of a linear movement, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6A shows a beam 610 which may be an integral part, or in some cases, a standalone part of a fitness equipment. Fig. 6A also shows a slide rule runner 615 that moves along beam 610 and a round interface 605. The round interface 605 may utilize a pointer 620 which may show the value of the measured movement length. Such a value may be a numeric value, a colored scale, an icon on the interface and the like. Fig. 6B shows a movable platform 630 with a trigger 625, as shown above in Fig. 5A. Fig. 6B also shows a slide rule runner 650 which can slide on beam 645 upon movements of wheeled platform 630. The slide rule runner 650 may comprise a round interface 635 with a pointer 640. Slide rule runner 650 is designed to move the pointer 640 clockwise or in some cases counterclockwise in order to show the farthest point to which the slide rule runner 615 reached, as described above.

Fig. 7 shows a measuring system for measuring length of a linear movement made by a trainee of the fitness equipment unit, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The measuring device comprises a measuring device 740 configured to measure the distance to the slide rule runner, which indicates the distance of the trainee's movement. The measuring device 740 may emit an electromagnetic signal or a laser signal to a passive reflector 750, in order to measure the distance to the slide rule runner. The passive reflector 750 may be attached to the slide rule runner. The detected distance is sent from the measuring device 740 to the communication unit 725. The communication unit 725 transfers the data from the measuring device 740 to the processor 735 which analyzes the distance. The processor 735 may create a packet sent to the remote device, for example to the trainee's mobile device, such as tablet or mobile phone. The measured distances may be stored in a memory module 715 of the measurement unit, which comprises a power source 705 for providing power. The measurement unit may be located on or near the fitness equipment unit.

The subject matter also discloses a method of measuring a distance of trainee's movement in a fitness equipment unit. The method comprises positioning a measuring device and a movable item on the fitness equipment unit, said movable item moves uni-directionally according to movement of the trainee on the fitness equipment unit, measuring the distance between the measuring device and the movable item using an electric module on the measuring device and transmitting the measured distance from the measuring device to a remote device. In some cases, the method further comprises transmitting an identifier of the trainee along with the measured distance. In some cases, the transmission is of short range transmission. The measured distance may be transmitted to the trainee's personal device, to the instructor's personal device, or to both. While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but only by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A fitness equipment unit, comprising:

a body;

a rail connected to the body of the unit;

a movable platform designed to move forwards or backwards in accordance with the trainee linear movements, said platform moves along the rail;

a slide rule runner moving on a body of the unit, the slide rule runner moves on a single direction when the movable platform hits the runner.

2. The fitness equipment unit of claim 1, further comprises a trigger attached to the movable platform, said trigger is configured to move the slide rule runner according to movement of the platform.

3. The fitness equipment unit of claim 2, wherein the trigger extends laterally from the platform, and wherein the slide rule runner moves along the direction of movement of the platform.

4. The fitness equipment unit of claim 1, further comprises an electrical device comprising a measuring module for measuring the distance to the slide rule runner and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the measured distance to a remote device.

5. The fitness equipment according to claim 4, wherein the remote device is associated with a user of the fitness equipment unit, said user places the remote device on a short-range transmission range from the electrical device.

6. The fitness equipment unit of claim 1, wherein the slide rule runner is movably secured to a beam connected to the body.

7. The fitness equipment unit of claim 6, further comprises a slide rule displayed on the beam on which the slide rule runner slides, said slide rule comprises scale intervals configured to demonstrate a length of a linear movement of the movable platform.

8. The fitness equipment unit of claim 7, wherein the slide rule runner has an aperture enabling access to the slide rule displayed on the beam.

9. The fitness equipment unit of claim 1, further comprises an elastic strap, said strap is connected in one end to the body of the fitness equipment unit and in another end to the movable platform.

10. The fitness equipment unit of claim 9, wherein the elastic strap responds with resistance to the pulling force of the trainee and thereby causes the movable platform to slide forwards.

11. The fitness equipment unit of claim 7, wherein the slide rule comprises a magnetic tape configured to determine a location of the scale rule runner and interpret the location to a numeric value.

12. A method of measuring a distance of trainee's movement in a fitness equipment unit, comprising:

positioning a measuring device and a movable item on the fitness equipment unit, said movable item moves uni-directionally according to movement of the trainee on the fitness equipment unit;

measuring the distance between the measuring device and the movable item using an electric module on the measuring device;

transmitting the measured distance from the measuring device to a remote device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting an identifier of the trainee along with the measured distance.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein transmitting the measured distance using a short range transmission.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote device is the trainee's personal device.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote device is an instructor's personal device.