Exercise training appratus

Abstract

An exercise training apparatus (100) is provided. The exercise training apparatus (100) may comprise at least one handheld unit (102) including a body (108) sized to accommodate a hand (104). The body may be sized such that fingers of the hand may wrap around the body. The apparatus may include at least one pressure sensor actuated by a gripping force of the user's hand. The pressure sensor may be provided on the body of the handheld unit. The apparatus may include a sensory output module (144) which may generate a user-perceptible alert when the gripping force exceeds a threshold. The user-perceptible alert may include a vibration of the handheld unit. The training apparatus may include two handheld units to be held in each hand of a subject.

Description

[0001] EXERCISE TRAINING APPRATUS

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2024 / 04317 filed on 3 June 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] This invention relates to an exercise training apparatus, in particular to an exercise training apparatus for use by runners.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Maintaining a correct running form and style helps to improve efficiency and reduces the risk for injury. Maintaining a correct form becomes more challenging over longer distances as fatigue sets in. A common source of fatigue occurs when runners unintentionally clench their fists for long periods of time, frequently referred to as the “death grip”. Running with clenched fists may reduce running efficiency by stiffening the upper body, thereby restricting movement.

[0008] Targeted training of certain running styles may help to improve a runner’s form. Relaxing the muscles in the hand may allow a runner to relax their upper body, including the chest, shoulders, neck, and facial muscles. Reducing the muscular tension in the upper body may lead to reducing energy waste and improve running form.

[0009] The applicant considers there to be scope for improvement in training apparatuses that address the above issues.

[0010] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided an exercise training apparatus comprising at least one handheld unit that includes: a body sized to accommodate a hand of a user with fingers of the hand wrapping around the body; at least one pressure sensor configured to be actuated by a gripping force of the user’s hand; and a sensory output module configured to generate a user-perceptible alert when the gripping force exceeds a threshold.

[0013] The body may be generally tubular or cylindrical, and the pressure sensor may include a layer extending around the body. The body may have a length about the same as the width of a palm of the hand.

[0014] The pressure sensor may be configured to detect a gripping force throughout a whole surface of the layer. The pressure sensor may also include multiple zones, configured to distinguish the gripping force applied to each individual zone by different fingers of the hand.

[0015] A further feature of the handheld unit may include a non-slip outer layer that extends around the body and the pressure sensor.

[0016] The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sensory output module may include any one or more of: a haptic feedback module, a visual feedback module, and an audible feedback module.

[0017] The sensory output module may include any one or more of: a haptic feedback module, a visual feedback module, and an audible feedback module.

[0018] The sensory output module may be a haptic feedback module housed within the body. The user- perceptible alert may be a vibration of the body of the handheld unit. The sensory output module may be a visual feedback module that may include one or more light emitting components, where the user-perceptible alert is a visual alert. The sensory output module may be an audible feedback module containing a speaker, where the user-perceptible alert is an audible sound generated by the speaker. The sensory output module may consist of any combination of one or more of the haptic feedback module, the visual feedback module, and the audible feedback module.

[0019] Furthermore, the sensory output module may be configured to generate a second user- perceptible alert when the gripping force is below a minimum threshold.

[0020] The handheld unit may include a communication module, which may be configured to transmit a wireless signal to another device.

[0021] The handheld unit may contain a movement sensor. The movement sensor may be a three-axis movement sensor, configured to detect movement of the handheld unit in three dimensions.

[0022] The handheld unit may include a memory which stores data output by the movement sensor. The data may enable a hand speed, a hand position during motion, and a travel distance of the hand to be determined.

[0023] The handheld unit may include an input module, which may be configured to receive input commands from the user to the handheld unit. The input module may be configured to receive input commands from the pressure sensor, where the input commands may include a predefined set of gripping forces applied by the user.

[0024] When the handheld unit is configured with a movement sensor, the input module may be configured to receive input commands from the movement sensor. The input commands may be a predefined set of movement gestures applied by the user.

[0025] The predefined set of user input commands may be used to perform an action in response to the input commands. The actions may be selected from the group of: i) switching off, ii) recalibrating, and iii) setting upper or lower gripping force thresholds.

[0026] The exercise training apparatus may include two handheld units, with each handheld unit capable of providing independent user-perceptible alerts to the user when carried in each of two hands of the user respectively.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is an illustration of a user running with two example handheld units of an exercise training apparatus;

[0031] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of a handheld unit of the exercise training apparatus of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the handheld unit of Figure 2; and

[0033] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing exemplary components of a circuit board of a handheld unit of the exercise training apparatus.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments of the invention provide an exercise training apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one handheld unit which may have a body sized to accommodate a hand of a user. In use, fingers of a user’s hand may wrap around the body so that the body fits comfortably within the user’s hand and can be carried while performing exercises such as running. The apparatus may include at least one pressure sensor actuated by a gripping force of the user’s hand. For example, the gripping force may the force exerted by a user’s hand when squeezing the apparatus. The apparatus may include a sensory output module configured to generate a user- perceptible alert when the gripping force exceeds a threshold, thereby informing the user that their grip on the apparatus is too high. A high gripping force may be indicative of a tense upper body when running, thereby restricting a runner’s movement and reducing running efficiency.

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an exercise training apparatus (100). In this example, the exercise training apparatus (100) includes two handheld units (102) to be held in left and right hands (104) respectively of a user (106) such as a runner. In other examples, the exercise training apparatus (100) may include one handheld unit (102). The exercise training apparatus may also include other devices and components. While Figure 1 illustrates a runner, it will be appreciated that the exercise training apparatus (100) could be used in other contexts not limited to running.

[0037] Figure 2 shows one of the handheld units (102) of Figure 1 . The handheld unit (102) may include a body (108) sized to accommodate a hand (104) of the user (106) with the hand and fingers of the hand held lightly closed. The body (108) may be tubular in shape to accommodate the hand (104). The body may be generally cylindrical. In some examples, a cross-section of the body (108) may be round or oval. The body (108) may have the length about the same width as the palm of a hand (104) to remain small enough to be comfortable for the user (106). The apparatus may thus resemble a baton. Optionally, the size and shape of the body (108) may be designed for improved comfort, such as with the addition of grooves to accommodate the fingers. In some examples, the body may be ergonomically designed to accommodate a specific user’s hand. The body may be incorporated as part of a handheld unit (102), for example that has extensions or wraps around a user’s hand.

[0038] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the handheld unit (102), showing the individual components of the body (108). The unit may include two end caps (120, 128), an inner component (126) of the body of the handheld unit (102), an outer component (122) of the body of the handheld unit (102), and an electronic circuit board (124). The electronic circuit board (124) is housed inside of the inner component (126). The inner component (126) may be housed within the outer component (122). The two end caps (120, 128) close the ends of both the inner component (126) and outer component (122). The inner component (126) may, for example, be an aluminium tube that provides the handheld unit (102) with strength and rigidity while remaining lightweight.

[0039] The handheld unit (102) may be configured to measure a gripping force applied to the outer component (122). The outer component (122) may include a pressure sensor layer (123) extending around the body (108). The pressure sensor layer (123) may be actuated by a gripping force of the fingers or hand. In an example, the pressure sensor layer may be configured with a pressure sensor with the pressure sensor layer configured to actuate the pressure sensor. An example pressure sensor may be one or more fixed mechanically set threshold switches. In some examples, the pressure sensor layer may be a pressure sensitive layer. Additionally, the pressure sensor or pressure sensor layer may be calibrated to detect pressure at various levels of gripping force.

[0040] The pressure sensor layer (123) is configured to allow the user to hold the body (108) in various positions, or to hold only a portion of the pressure sensor layer (123), while still allowing for the gripping force to be measured. Optionally, the pressure sensor layer (123) may be divided into multiple, independent zones, enabling the handheld unit (102) to distinguish the gripping force exerted by each individual finger of the hand on each independent zone. For example, the pressure sensor layer may be divided into multiple zones along a length of the body, such that each finger wraps around an independent zone of the pressure sensor layer. This may enable data to be gathered that determines whether a specific finger or fingers are dominant when gripping the body (108).

[0041] A further embodiment of the pressure sensor layer (123) may be a film-like layer applied to a surface of the body (108). The layer may be configured to detect a gripping force through its whole surface, or on each independent zone, if configured as such.

[0042] The handheld unit (102) may also include a non-slip layer extending around the body (108) and around the pressure sensor layer. The configuration of the outer component (122) as shown in Figure 3, may consist of either a pressure sensor layer only, or a pressure sensor layer with an additional outer non-slip layer. The addition of a non-slip layer may reduce the likelihood of the handheld unit (102) from slipping out of the hand (104) or provide additional impact protection. In some examples, the pressure sensor layer may be made from a non-slip material, providing both a pressure sensor layer and the non-slip layer.

[0043] The handheld unit (102) includes a sensory output module. The sensory output module may be provided on the electronic circuit board (124). The sensory output module generates a user- perceptible alert when the gripping force exceeds a threshold. The user-perceptible alert may be designed so that the user (106) may become aware they are gripping the handheld unit too tightly and to compensate to relax their grip, thereby improve their running efficiency. In some examples, the sensory output module may generate a second user-perceptible alert when the gripping force is below a minimum threshold. The second user-perceptible alert may be different to the user- perceptible alert when the gripping force is too tight. The handheld unit (102) may include a plurality of user-perceptible alerts, each different and distinguishable from each other. The plurality of alerts may be used to convey information to the user apart from the gripping force. In some examples, the plurality of alerts may include alerts for any one or more of: an incoming message to the device, to indicate a hand speed, and the like. All references to user-perceptible alerts may refer to an alert when the gripping force exceeds or is below a threshold, or to convey any other predefined alert to the user.

[0044] The sensory output module may include any one or more of: a haptic feedback module; a visual feedback module; or an audible feedback module. The haptic feedback module may be configured to generate a vibration of the body of the handheld unit. The haptic feedback module may be housed within the body of the handheld unit. The vibration of the handheld unit may be the user-perceptible alert. The haptic feedback module may include a vibrating motor. The haptic feedback module may be configured to generate user-perceptible vibration alerts of the handheld unit. The haptic feedback module may generate one or more different vibrations. The vibration may be characterised by any one or more of: a vibration frequency, a vibration magnitude, and a vibration length. In an example, the vibration may be felt in the user’s hand (104) and may indicate that the gripping strength is too high. Certain messages may be conveyed by the vibration feedback's frequency and length. For example, two brief vibrations lasting a set duration (for example, 0.5 seconds) may indicate that the user's hand pressure is too high as the gripping force may be exceeding a threshold. In some examples, the different vibration of three long vibrations lasting a set duration (for example, 1 second each) may be configured to indicate the user’s hand pressure is too low. Each user, or potentially a coach of the user, may adjust the settings of any one or more of the vibration frequency, the vibration magnitude and the vibration length for each alert.

[0045] The visual feedback module may comprise a light or a plurality of light producing components on the body (108) of the handheld unit (102) to provide a user-perceptible visual alert. In an example, the light producing component(s) may be light emitting diodes. For example, the light components may be placed on the end caps (120,128) or the outer component (122), or a combination thereof. The combination of the use of the light components may provide feedback to the user whether the gripping force exceeds a threshold or is below a different threshold.

[0046] The audible feedback module may include a speaker. The speaker may be configured within the body of the handheld unit. At least a portion of the speaker may be on a surface of the body. For example, the speaker may be placed on one or both end caps (120, 128). The speaker may produce a plurality of sounds. The sounds may provide feedback to the user whether the gripping force exceeds a threshold, or if it is below a lower threshold.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a circuit diagram of the electronic circuit board (124). The main components of the circuit board are a battery (140), central processing unit (142), pressure sensor input (141 ), and sensory output module (144). The sensory output module (144) may include any one or more of: the haptic feedback module, the visual feedback module, and the audible feedback module. In some examples, the sensory output module (144) includes components required for any one of the feedback modules to operate with other components, such as any lights or speakers being configured on the body of the handheld unit.

[0048] The pressure sensor input (141 ) may be configured to receive signals from the pressure sensor layer (123). The signals from the pressure sensor input may be provided as an input to the central processing unit (142). The sensory output module (144) may generate a user-perceptible alert to provide feedback to the user (106) so that the user receives feedback from the handheld unit (102), indicating how tightly, or loosely, the user is gripping the handheld unit (102).

[0049] The handheld unit (102) may contain additional modules and sensors not depicted in Figures 3 and 4, which may include: a communication module, a movement sensor, an input module, and a memory for data storage. These modules may be connected to the central processing unit (142).

[0050] The communication module may provide a means to transmit a signal to another device, either by a wireless signal or a data transfer cable. The other device may be another handheld unit (102), or another type of device such as a smart watch or a smartphone. The transmitted signal may include data stored on the memory in the handheld unit (102), or data measured in real-time that is transmitted directly from communication module. In one example, the communication module includes an antenna for wireless communication (e.g. through Bluetooth) with a remote device like a smartphone or smart watch. The smartphone or smart watch may include an application which receives data from the communication module and permits the tracking and analysis thereof.

[0051] The movement sensor may record the movement of the handheld unit (102). The movement sensor may be a three-axis movement sensor, which detects movement of the apparatus in three dimensions. The movement sensor may be a gyroscopic or inertial movement sensor. In some examples, the movement sensor may include a global positioning system (GPS), configured to obtain real time positioning of the handheld unit. The movement data captured by the movement sensor may be used to determine any one or more of: a hand speed, a hand position, a hand orientation (such as either a vertical orientation, horizontal orientation, or a combination thereof), and a distance that the hand travels. Furthermore, the movement sensor data may be usable to determine the movement of the user’s arms, such as short and fast arm movements, which may reduce running efficiency.

[0052] The input module may be configured to receive input commands from the user. The input module may receive input commands through the pressure sensor, where the input commands may include a predefined sequence of gripping forces that the user applies to the handheld unit (102). This may allow the user to input commands by squeezing the handheld unit (102) in a predefined manner. In some examples, the input module may be configured to receive input commands through predefined movement gestures applied by the user if the handheld unit (102) is configured with a movement sensor.

[0053] The handheld unit (102) may be configured to perform an action in response to the input command. The response actions may include any one or more of, but are not restricted to: i) switching off, ii) recalibrating, or iii) setting upper or lower gripping force thresholds. For example, two short hand pressures (squeezing of the hand) in succession may indicate that the unit should recalibrate. Movement of the hand in a certain plane (e.g. two slow horizontal movements) can signal that the unit should shut down.

[0054] The movement sensor and the pressure sensor of the handheld unit (102) may generate movement data and gripping force data, respectively. The movement data and gripping force data may be stored on a memory on the electronic circuit board (124) or in the central processing unit (142). The movement data, output by a three-axis movement sensor may be read from the memory to determine additional information such as the hand speed, hand position, hand orientation, and distance that the hand travels.

[0055] A central processing unit (142), shown in Figure 4, provides the central control functionality of the handheld unit (102). The central processing unit controls the flow of data between the pressure sensor, the sensory output module, the communication module, the movement sensor, the input module and the memory. The central processing unit may interpret, process and execute signals received from the pressure sensor (including a pressure sensor film, if provided), and movement sensor (if any).

[0056] When in use, the user may grip the handheld unit (102): i) too tightly, ii) too loosely or, iii) a combination thereof over a predefined length of time. If squeezed too tightly, the pressure sensor detects that the handheld unit (102) is being gripped, or clenched, by the user’s hand. The pressure sensor may directly trigger a response via the sensory output module to provide feedback to the user via a user-perceptible alert. Alternatively, the pressure sensor may send a signal to the central processing unit (142) for processing, where the central processing unit (142) may send a signal to the sensory output module to provide feedback to the user. The pressure sensor may constantly send the pressure sensor data to be stored on the memory, which is consistently accessed by the central processing unit for processing. The same process may be triggered if the apparatus is held too loosely in the hand (104) of the user.

[0057] The training exercise apparatus comprised of two handheld units (102), as described, may be used independently in each hand (104) of the user (106). Each handheld unit (102) may provide independent user-perceptible alerts to each hand (104) of the user when carried in each of the two hands of the user respectively.

[0058] The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

[0059] The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention set forth in any accompanying claims. Finally, throughout the specification and any accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . An exercise training apparatus comprising at least one handheld unit that includes: a body sized to accommodate a hand of a user with fingers of the hand wrapping around the body; at least one pressure sensor configured to be actuated by a gripping force of the user’s hand; and a sensory output module configured to generate a user-perceptible alert when the gripping force exceeds a threshold.

2. The exercise training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body is generally tubular or cylindrical.

3. The exercise training apparatus of claim 2, wherein the body has a length about the same as a width of a palm of the hand.

4. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensor includes a layer extending around the body.

5. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure sensor includes multiple zones configured to distinguish the gripping force applied to each individual zone by different fingers or combinations of fingers of the hand.

6. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld unit includes a non-slip outer layer that extends around the body and the pressure sensor.

7. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sensory output module includes any one or more of: a haptic feedback module, a visual feedback module, and an audible feedback module.

8. The exercise training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the haptic feedback module is housed within the body, and wherein the user-perceptible alert is a vibration of the body of the handheld unit.

9. The exercise training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the visual feedback module includes one or more light emitting components, and wherein the user-perceptible alert is a visual alert.

10. The exercise training apparatus of claim 7, wherein the audible feedback module comprises a speaker, and wherein the user-perceptible alert is an audible sound generated by the speaker.1 1 . The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensory output module is configured to generate a second user-perceptible alert when the gripping force is below a minimum threshold.

12. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld unit includes a communication module configured to transmit a wireless signal to another device.

13. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld unit contains a movement sensor, and wherein the movement sensor is a three-axis movement sensor configured to detect movement of the handheld unit in three dimensions.

14. The exercise training apparatus of claims 13, wherein the handheld unit includes a memory which stores data output by the movement sensor.

15. The exercise training apparatus of claim 14, wherein the stored data is usable to determine any one or more of: a hand speed, a hand position during motion, and a travel distance of the hand.

16. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, including an input module configured to receive input commands from the user to the handheld unit.

17. The exercise training apparatus of claim 16, wherein the input module is configured to receive input commands from the pressure sensor, and wherein the input commands include a predefined set of gripping forces applied by the user’s hand.

18. The exercise training apparatus of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the handheld unit includes a movement sensor, wherein the input module is configured to receive input commands from the movement sensor, and wherein the input commands are a predefined set of movement gestures applied by the user.

19. The exercise training apparatus of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the predefined set of user input commands are used to perform an action in response to the input commands, wherein the actions include any one or more of: switching off, recalibrating, and setting upper orlower gripping force thresholds.

20. The exercise training apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, including two handheld units, with each handheld unit capable of providing independent user-perceptible alerts to the user when carried in each of two hands of the user respectively.

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