Workout Counting Device

DESCRIPTION:

Exercise is necessary to maintain good health and mental sharpness for any creature on earth including humans. Physical exercise is performed for various reasons, including improving the cardiovascular system, athletic skills, weight loss, reducing the effects of aging, muscle strength, and a continuing variety of skills and health improvements brought on by the impact of good and effective physical exercise. Studies have shown that frequent and regular physical exercise can boost the immune system, improve sleep habits, a defense of diabetes, etc. The overall consensus suggests that physical activity, especially on a regular basis, is good for the human body in practically every conceivable manner.

Too much exercise can have detrimental effects on the body. The human physique requires rest intervals, and if rest is not incorporated into an exercise regimen, severe complications and health risks can result. Pushing the body beyond its natural boundaries is dangerous, and damage to muscle and muscle groups is a possible side-effect of too much exercise. Overtraining where the intensity or volume of training exceeds the body’s capacity to recover does more harm than good in most cases and can lead to permanent injury. Consulting professional trainers and involving them in an intense training or exercise regimen is always the preferred method for increasing physical performance or health improvements.

In addition to the dangers of over-exercise is improper exercise technique and workouts. The human body has limits that must be respected and inappropriate exercise can cause damage and can be as harmful as over-exercising. For many activities such as running and cycling, there are significant injuries that can occur with poorly regimented exercise schedules.

Squatting and deep knee bends are easy exercises that can benefit the legs, knees, build your quads, glutes, hamstrings, claves and several other areas of the human body. Performing squats or deep knee bends it is easy to over-extend and go too far down. Compression from bending too low creates stress on the muscles and cartilage that can result in injury. Injuries to the knees and other joints, as well as other vital areas of the body, can be the result of improper performance of deep knee bends and squats.

The Workout Counting Device is a unique and innovative solution to unsafe practices while performing deep knee bend and squat exercises. The unit consists of a sturdy metal construction and the Workout Counting Device is a fully adjustable in height for any size individual to utilize during activities. A simple telescoping column that is adjusted and held in place by a steel pin will accommodate individuals of varying height requirements. A bar set at the top of the column is held horizontal by a set of return springs that allow the bar to tilt when contacted by the persons posterior when the safest lower extension is reached when exercising deep knee bend or squats. Special break-away springs are available to prevent over-stressing and prevent injuries. The electronic control unit detects when the bar is tilted and will sound a programmable audio alarm to warn the person using that they have reached their prescribed limit. The electronic control unit will also keep track of the number of repetitions that are performed during the exercise. The control unit is Bluetooth capable and is programmable via a smartphone or tablet App. A pad is located on the end of the tilt arm for contact with the person’s posterior to activate the unit. The Workout Counting Device is sturdy and durable and will give years of service. The Workout Counting Device can prevent injuries and promotes safe and effective exercising.

SPECIFIC, UNIQUE FUNCTIONS OF INVENTION:

• Easy to operate
• Adjustable height for different individuals
• Electronic control unit
• Programmable audible sounds when activated at lower exercise extension
• Control unit counts number of repetitions performed during exercise
• Return keep unit level when not engaged
• Soft pad for contact with person’s posterior
• Battery operated and wireless
• Bluetooth capable
• Smartphone App
• Prevents injuries
• Special break-away springs are available to prevent over-stressing and prevent injuries.
• Promotes correct, effective and safe exercising

PRODUCT COMPONENT CLARIFICATION:

The “Workout Counting Device” is an innovative exercise product that has been designed to count the cycles of ‘squats’ performed. The product is adjustable to allow optimum positioning of the contact pad regardless of the physical conformation of the person or the depth of the ‘squat’ exercise. The electronic counter uses sensors to determine when the support bar moves, which is caused by the gluteus maximus pushing down on the pad and thence moving the support bar during the exercise. When this occurs, the counter increments upward by 1 and sounds a sharp audible chirp. At the end of the set number of repetitions, the counter says the exercise number of counts has been achieved and the exerciser may stop.

Currently, the exerciser must count the number of squats in their head or have a co-exerciser count the cycles for them. If the exerciser gets interrupted, or inadvertently makes a miscount, they must restart at some arbitrary count or begin again. This is disconcerting and can negatively affect the exercise routine. Additionally, unless the days count is entered in a notebook or on the tablet/smartphone, the exerciser will typically not remember how many repetitions they accomplished in the past, so a smooth ramp up in repetitions over time is not achievable, reducing the effectivity of the exercise.

The “Workout Counting Device” resolves almost all these problems by providing an adjustable height counting device. The number of repetitions are input into the device and the counter keeps track of the number of squats, until the count meets the set point. When the set point is reached, the exerciser is alerted via an audible signal. The product also keeps track of the number that specific exerciser accomplished on previous sessions, which can be downloaded to the user’s phone or tablet upon request. The mechanical system consists of a support arm with a padded striker plate on it, which is supported with a height adjustable pivot point on a heavy base. The electronic counter is supported on the opposite end of the bar and uses its gyroscope and accelerometer to determine movement. The counter can be set using the touchscreen or can be set using the exerciser’s Bluetooth or WiFi and the application on their tablet or phone.

The steel components: The steel components are fabricated from various steel stock, which is fed into the CNC water jet machining center.

• The base is cut from 0.5” thick cold rolled steel. The angle of the sides and the rounded corners are formed as part of the cutting process. The water jet does not create a burr during the cutting process so each of the components are ready for cleaning and coating coming out of the machine center.
• The square tubing is supplied in 20’ long sticks with the larger (lower) tube accepting the smaller sized (upper) tube after machining. The lower tube is cut to length and has one hole cut through that accepts the bent shaft quick release pin. The upper tube is cut to length and has holes to fit the quick release pin cut on 1” centers along the full length of the tube.
• An L shaped restraint is cut from this size tube as well, is placed in a jig, and is robotically welded to the top of the upper tube. This L shaped piece serves as the mounting rectangle for the support tube and the stop to prevent over rotation beyond horizontal. After painting, a high-density EVA foam pad is placed inside the L shaped section to cushion the support tube as it returns to the horizontal plane.
• The support bar is fabricated from a slightly smaller size bar than the upper tube and has a mounting hole machined through it to permit a 3/8” diameter bolt to be fed through the upper and support tube. This bolt acts as a pivot for the support tube and also supports the torsion return spring.

Painting: The steel components are powder coated and thermally cured to provide a very durable, scratch and corrosion resistant surface. The product can be supplied in almost any vibrant color, so a distinctive color may be chosen to enhance the product recognition factor, which can dramatically improve the market adoption of the product.

The torsion spring: This commercially available torsion spring is wound using 0.135” diameter steel music wire and has a 40 inch-pound torque capability that easily returns the unloaded support bar to the horizontal position. The torsion spring is concealed within the support tube except for the spring ends, providing a more ‘clean’ looking product without any pinch points. The pin is nickel plated to prevent rusting and corrosion during use.

The quick release pin: This commercially available bent shaft pin has a spring load ball bearing at the end of the shaft. The ball bearing is forced into the shaft of the pin when the user pulls on it yet the ball bearing prevents the pin from coming out under normal vibration encountered during use. The pin is nickel plated to prevent rusting and corrosion during years of use.

The contact pad: This pad is fabricated using a rectangular section of 0.5” thick plywood that is covered with EVA foam. Then the foam and plywood rectangle is covered with a thick layer of synthetic leather (Naugahyde) to provide a lightweight yet elegant looking striker plate. The soft surface feels nice to the hand and cushions the impact of the buttocks as it contacts the counting arm. The color of Naugahyde can be selected to be matching, contrasting, or complementing the system paint color.

The WCD application: This one-time written program allows the counter to be programmed or its data downloaded via the WiFi or Bluetooth link to or from the user’s tablet or smartphone. The App is maintained and made available free of charge when a “Workout Counting Device” is purchased. The App is available via the link in the manufacturer’s Internet store.

The counter: This electronic module is housed in a polycarbonate ABS plastic enclosure, which has a T shaped mount on the top that slides into a slot cut into the bottom of the support tube. The counter has a full color touchscreen and employs a menu driven program that is used to count the number of movements caused by the exerciser’s gluteus maximus pushing the padded contact pad down as the exerciser ‘squats’. The counter compares each cycle with a pre-programmed desired number of cycles and lets the exerciser know when they have met the number. The counter can also communicate with a smartphone or tablet and engage any of the menu-driven functions. The counter can be reset and programmed with new parameters or the data accumulated in the exercise session can be downloaded back to the smartphone or tablet via the WiFi or Bluetooth links. The counter is fabricated using, but not limited to, the following.

Description	Specification
Display	LED-backlit, 4” diagonal, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, with Gorilla glass, & oleophobic coating
Chipset	Dual core 1.3 GHz ARM v7
Memory	1GB of RAM & 16GB SSDR
Sound	16-bit, 44.1 kHz audio
Communications	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyrometer
Audio	Proprietary alert tones & synthesized speech
Loudspeakers	66 dB audio maximum
Battery (rechargeable)	1440 mAHr
Recharger	120 VAC to 5 VDC with 6’ polarized cord
Connectors	USB 2.0 reversible, 5.0VDC charger

The printed circuit boards (PCB): The PCB for the counter is fabricated to the final assembler’s requirements in a world class contract electronic assembler facility. The standard thickness, double sided FR4 circuit board material is populated with surface mounted components where possible. Any through-hole devices and displays are inserted after the surface mounted assembly, soldering, and cleaning. The circuit board is designed to have all the components oriented so they can be mounted with the LED illuminators and display projecting out of the lenses mounted in the housings. After assembly, the PCBs are protected with a moisture adsorption preventive conformal coating.

The Workout Counting Device is designed to be aesthetic and effective in the application. The relative ease of manufacture and the moderately inexpensive components provide good marketability for the manufacturer. The user benefits from improved counting of squats and retained levels from past sessions, which should provide considerable market interest in the product.

The invention is illustrated in the following drawings of the essential points as explained to us in the documentation.

Drawing 1, Block 1: Workout Counting Device – Side And Top Views

(1) The steel base is cut to shape on a water jet machining center making the tapered shape and rounded corners.

(2) The lower square tubing is welded to the steel base and the bead hidden using the decorative plastic cover.

(3) The electronic counter uses the sensors to determine movement and detect a 2.5 degree shift. The actual minimum angle discrimination is less than 0.5° but the detection is algorithm damped to ensure that multiple movements from inadvertent shaky touching during strokes are counted as only 1 contact.

(4) The height is easily adjusted from the 17” median height using the bent shaft, quick release pin.

(5) The bar pivots on a 3/8 diameter bolt the penetrates the side tubing and is restored to the normal position using the strong torsion spring after contact with the user’s buttocks.

(6) The cushioned contact pad is forced downward upon contact with the user’s gluteus maximus at the end of the squat. The bar is prevented from collapsing fully by striking the wall of the upright tube after moving about 15°.

(7) When the counter detects the shaft movement, the counter increments by 1 and the audible alert sounds.

(8) The height is easily set so even the deepest ‘squat’ can be detected and recorded.

(9) The previous data recorded and current exercise session parameters can be set via the tablet or smartphone using the Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity and the WCD app.

Drawing 1, Block 2: Workout Counting Device –

(10) The counter can be recharged using the supplied AC adapter and 6’ cord upon request by the full color touch screen and audible alert.

(11) The product can be upgraded using the USB port or Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity, if required.

(12) The counter slides into the keyed slot on the bottom of the pad support bar.

(13) The counter has an on/off button, which engages the touchscreen so the menu driven program is displayed for use.

Drawing 1, Block 3: Workout Counting Device –

(14) The rugged music wire wound torsion spring has enough restoring force to return to the pad support arm to the horizontal position after the exerciser’s gluteus maximus leaves the pad and rises back into the upright body position.

(15) The torsion spring fits inside the support tube so it is concealed, making a much cleaner looking product while reducing any pinch points.

(16) The torsion spring works quietly and has an exceptionally long product life in this type of application.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the above detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment developed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This document has been prepared for the manufacturer’s elucidation. The manufacturer’s decision makers should consider this product for licensing (providing intellectual property protection for their sales of the product in return for a royalty payment for a period of years) or an outright purchase of the patent for a negotiated fee. The inventor and his team are standing by to consider offers for licensing or outright purchase of the patent.