Apparatus for Counting Repetitions of an Exercise Device

Abstract

An apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device including a frame with at least one guide member, a movable component guided to travel along a path by the at least one guide member, the path having a start position, a first position, and a second position, first and second proximity sensors attached to the frame, the first proximity sensor transmitting a first signal when the movable component is located near the first position, and the second proximity sensor transmitting a second signal when the movable component is located near the second position, an electronic counter set up to receive the first and second signals so that the electronic counter can count the number of repetitions of travel of the movable component along the path, a memory storage device for storing the repetition count, and a display device able to display the rep count.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device and, more specifically, to a rep counter apparatus for counting repetitions of a strength exercise device.

2. Background

Stationary exercise apparatus have been popular for several decades. While physical labor or sports are two ways that people can exercise their bodies, people increasingly turn to stationary exercise apparatus when they want to lose weight or tone muscles.

Stationary exercise apparatus are often categorized into one of two groups: cardiovascular exercise equipment and strength equipment. Cardiovascular exercise equipment (sometimes called cardio exercise devices or aerobic exercise equipment) generally include machines or apparatus configured so that an operator can elevate his/her heart rate by exercising continuously over a relatively prolonged period of time. Stationary cardio exercise equipment generally includes exercise devices such as treadmills, stationary exercise bicycles, elliptical trainers, rowers, steppers, and so forth.

Strength equipment, by contrast, generally includes machines or apparatus configured to provide an operator with brief, relatively intense resistance over a relatively short period of time. Performing an exercise session on strength equipment typically involves performing multiple repetitions of a repetitive exercise, where the each repetition of the exercise (or rep) typically involves moving a movable object a relatively short distance against a relatively intense force over a relatively short period of time. Strength equipment generally includes exercise devices such as elastomeric resistance devices, free weights, and selectorized strength equipment (exercise equipment utilizing the weight of a stack of weight plates as resistance to the exercise, where the operator may select the number of weight plates to be lifted by the operator to adjust the resistance of the exercise). Examples of strength equipment are bicep arm curl machines, chest press machines, and leg press machines.

An important component for exercise devices is the ability to accurately monitor the operator's progress through a given workout program, which may include exercises on both cardio and strength equipment. The amount of exercise performed can generally be correlated to the amount of work done by the operator.

Many cardio exercise devices implement some form of electronic monitoring apparatus that measures or records such information as the duration the operator has been exercising on the device, the resistance setting of the exercise device, and the number of rotations of a crank arm or a flywheel. These devices then often calculate information such as the resistance level, speed, distance traveled, time elapsed, and calories burned during the exercise, and provide the information to the operator in the form of an electronic display.

Strength exercise equipment, by contrast, has not traditionally utilized electronic monitoring apparatus. If utilized, strength equipment would require a different type of monitoring device, since strength exercise equipment does not typically rely on continuously rotating parts. Additionally, the amount of work an operator undertakes is more directly tied to resistance level, distance traveled by a movable component during each repetition, and number of repetitions, rather than being tied to time or speed. Based on resistance level, distance traveled, and number of repetitions, the amount of work performed, or calories burned, can be calculated. For many strength equipment operators, however, a calculation of calories burned may not be the most desirable feedback. The amount of weight being lifted, and the number of completed repetitions (or reps), is the often the most valuable information to the operator.

An operator often has a target for the number of reps he/she would like to perform at a certain weight level, and the operator often only counts the “good” reps, which are repetitions where the operator performs the exercise through the full range of motion for that particular exercise. If the operator cannot perform the exercise through the full range of motion for a particular exercise, the operator may choose not to count the rep, because it was an incomplete rep.

An operator using strength equipment therefore is most interested in tracking the number of “good” reps performed for each exercise. It is important for a monitoring device coupled to strength equipment to avoid inaccurately detecting multiple repetitions when a single repetition has been conducted. Alternatively, it is important for a monitoring device coupled to strength equipment to count all “good” repetitions that have been performed. Since accurate measurements of this sort of data can be important to a workout program, it is important for the monitoring device coupled to strength equipment to accurately count the number of “good” reps performed by the operator, while not counting the repetitions which are incomplete reps.

Accordingly, there is still a need for a rep counter apparatus that can accurately measure and display the number of good repetitions an operator performs on a piece of strength exercise equipment, while avoiding counting the incomplete repetitions that would not be considered “good” reps by the operator. Furthermore, there is still a need for a rep counter apparatus that can record the total accumulated number of repetitions and the total accumulated number of hours of usage for a piece of strength equipment.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses an apparatus for counting the repetitions of various types of strength exercise machines. The apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device includes a frame with one or more guide members and a movable component that is moved along a path when an operator applies a force to the exercise device. The movable component is guided along the path by the one or more guide members. The path has a start position, a first position, and a second position. The movable component is located at the start position before the operator applies a force to the exercise device, the movable component leaves the start position to move along the path when the operator applies the force to the exercise device, and the movable component returns to the start position after the operator ceases to apply the force to the exercise device.

The apparatus for counting repetitions, or rep counter apparatus, includes at least first and second proximity sensors, where the first proximity sensor detects the presence of the movable component when the movable component is located near the first position along the path, and the second proximity sensor detects the presence of the movable component when the movable component is located near the second position along the path. The first proximity sensor transmits a first signal when the first proximity sensor detects the presence of the movable component, and the second proximity sensor transmits a second signal when the second proximity sensor detects the presence of the movable component.

The apparatus for counting repetitions includes an electronic counter, a memory storage device, and a display device, where the memory storage device stores a rep count representing the number of repetitions of the movable component moving along the path, and the display device displays the rep count. The electronic counter receives the first and second signals, and when the electronic counter receives the first signal followed by the second signal, the electronic counter takes the current rep count from the memory storage device, increments the rep count by one, and returns the new rep count to the memory storage device and to the display device. The memory storage device may store additional information, such as the total number of repetitions that have ever been performed on the exercise apparatus.

The apparatus for counting repetitions may be designed to count only good repetitions (or good reps). For strength equipment, a good rep could be defined as an exercise involving a movable component moving through a minimum acceptable distance, or a minimum acceptable range of motion. A good rep would occur, for instance, when a movable component on the exercise apparatus travels at least the distance along a path between a first position and a second position, assuming the first position and the second position were chosen appropriately for a particular exercise on the exercise apparatus. The distance between the first position and the second position set a minimum acceptable distance for the exercise apparatus. Assuming the appropriate locations were chosen for the first position and the second position, the travel of a movable component moving along a path between the first and second positions by the movable component would constitute a good rep, and the minimum acceptable distance would have been travelled by the movable component.

If the movable component moves along a path and reaches the first position, but does not travel far enough along the path to reach the second position, then the minimum acceptable distance has not been travelled by the movable component, and this is an incomplete rep which should not be counted by the rep counter apparatus. Similarly, once the movable component is positioned near the second position, if the movable component does not move back along the path to return to the first position, then no matter how many times the movable component crosses over the position of the second position, the minimum acceptable distance has not been travelled by the movable component, and this is also an incomplete rep which should not be counted by the rep counter apparatus.

For most strength exercise equipment, there is a resistance system set up to act upon a movable component, so that the resistance system resists travel of the movable component in a first direction. Often, the resistance system assists the travel of the movable component in a second direction opposite to the first direction. For example, a strength exercise device that uses weights as the resistance system applies a load in one direction, because gravity pulls downward on the weights. For strength exercise equipment that use weights for the resistance system, when the movable component moves in a direction that lifts the weights against the force of gravity, the resistance system resists the travel of the movable component in the first direction. Conversely, when the movable component moves in a direction that lowers the weights so that the force of gravity is assisting in the lowering of the weights, the resistance system assists the travel of the movable component in the second direction. For strength exercise equipment utilizing this type of resistance system, it is important that the apparatus for counting repetitions be designed to count only those reps where the movable component is moving in the first direction, where a resistance system is resisting the travel of the movable component. That is, the apparatus for counting repetitions can be designed so that the apparatus for counting repetitions only counts those repetitions where the movable component first reaches the first position, and then continues along the path to the reach the second position.

In one embodiment, the second position is located above the first position, and the first position is located above the start position. In this embodiment, as the movable component moves along the path away from the start position, it moves toward the first position, and if the movable component continues along in the same direction, it reaches the first position and continues on toward the second position. The location of the first proximity sensor defines the first position and the location of the second proximity sensor defines the second position.

In another embodiment, the apparatus for counting repetitions includes a timer. The timer can be used to measure accrued time (the amount of time accrued since the start of the exercise session) when the electronic counter receives a signal from one of a plurality of proximity sensors. The timer can also be used to measure rest time when the electronic counter has received no signal within a preset period of time. Either the accrued time and/or the rest time can be displayed on the display device.

This summary is not meant to be exhaustive. The features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus including a rep counter apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram outlining the operation of the rep counter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a portion of the rep counter apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 with a movable component located at a start position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 with the movable component located between the start position and a first position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 with the movable component located at the first position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 with the movable component located at a second position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 with the movable component located above the second position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view the rep counter of FIG. 1.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device such as a strength exercise device. In particular, the apparatus for counting repetitions, or rep counter apparatus, is designed to be installed into a weight tower of a strength exercise apparatus.

A weight tower for strength exercise apparatus is often configured as a modular device, where a single weight tower design is intended to be used with any one of a plurality of different strength exercise apparatus. The weight tower provides resistance to the exercise apparatus, regardless of the type of exercise apparatus to which it is joined. An operator of a strength exercise apparatus may adjust the amount of resistance provided by the weight tower, and then may exercise against the resistive load provided by the weight tower. For instance, a weight tower may be combined with a leg press exercise device to provide a resistance load to a foot plate on the leg press exercise device, allowing an operator to exercise the legs. The same weight tower may instead be combined with a chest press exercise device to provide a resistance load to a handlebar on the chest press exercise device, allowing an operator to exercise the upper body. A rep counter apparatus installed into a weight tower of a strength exercise apparatus may provide feedback to the operator of the exercise apparatus, regardless of which type of strength exercise device is joined to the weight tower.

The apparatus for counting repetitions, or rep counter apparatus, is designed to count good reps and to not count incomplete reps. Furthermore, the rep counter apparatus may include a memory storage device and a timer, allowing the rep counter apparatus to store information in memory such as the rep count during an exercise session, the accrued time of usage during an exercise session, the total number of repetitions of the exercise device, and the total accrued time of usage of the exercise device. Additionally, the rep counter apparatus may include a display device, allowing the rep counter apparatus to display information such as the rep count during an exercise session, the accrued time of usage during an exercise session, the rest time during an exercise session during which a movable component is not sensed to be moving, the total number of repetitions of the exercise device, and the total accrued time of usage of the exercise device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a weight tower 100 for a strength exercise apparatus, including a frame 110, a number of guide members 120, and a movable component 130 guided along a path by at least one of the guide members 120. Weight plates 115 are supported by the frame 110, with a selector mechanism 118 for selecting the number of weight plates 115 to be lifted with the movable component 130 during exercise. A sensor track 140 is shown with a first proximity sensor 144, and a second proximity sensor 146. In addition, a start position proximity sensor 142 is shown in alignment with the movable component 130 when the movable component 130 is in its lowest, start position. A display device 170 is shown for displaying information such as number of reps completed or the accrued time of usage of the exercise apparatus during the exercise session.

Not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 9, is an electronic counter 160, with a battery 164 for supplying electrical energy to the electronic counter 160. Furthermore, the electronic counter 160 includes a memory storage device 165, a timer 168, and a display device 170, which are in communication with each other. While the battery 164, the memory storage device 165, the timer 168, and the display device 170 are shown attached to the electronic counter 160, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that these could each be separate components. As long as these components have the ability to communicate with each other, the individual components would not need to be located in the same area as the electronic counter 160.

Also shown in FIG. 9 is a magnetic reed switch 162, which may be used to instruct the electronic counter 160 to switch between modes, such as an operator mode, where the display device 170 displays time and rep count information specific to an exercise session, and a usage mode, where the display device 170 displays total accrued time of use and total rep count for the exercise apparatus.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the movable component 130 is configured to be moved in response to a mechanical stimulus generated during repetition movement, for instance during an exercise session that requires lifting of a selected number of weight plates 115 along a path from a start position to a raised position. During the exercise session, the movable component 130 may be guided by the at least one guide member 120 along a path that has a start position, a first position, and a second position. In the embodiment shown, the first position is above the start position, and the second position is above the first position. Eventually, at the completion of the exercise session, the mechanical stimulus ceases to be applied, and the selected weight plates 115 and the movable component 130 are returned to the start position.

The sensor track 140 is mounted to the frame 110 and provides a convenient method for quickly mounting the first proximity sensor 144, the second proximity sensor 146, the start position proximity sensor 142, and any other desired sensors to locations along the frame 110. The first proximity sensor 144 is positioned on the sensor track 140 at a first position, and the second proximity sensor 146 is positioned on the sensor track 140 at a second position. As the movable component 130 travels along the path, the various proximity sensors detect the presence of the movable component 130 as the movable component 130 moves past each respective proximity sensor, and the respective proximity sensor sends out a signal to the electronic counter 160 when the respective proximity sensor detects the presence of the movable component 130. The electronic counter 160 receives the incoming signals from the proximity sensors.

The memory storage device 165 stores information including a rep count. The rep count is a measure of the number of times the movable component 130 triggers the second proximity sensor 146 to send a second signal to the electronic counter 160, after the electronic counter 160 has first received a first signal from the first proximity sensor 144. In other words, the electronic counter 160 is configured to increment the rep count by one when the electronic counter 160 receives a signal first from the first proximity sensor 144 and then from the second proximity sensor 146. The electronic counter 160 will only increment the rep count when the electronic counter 160 receives the second signal from the second proximity sensor 146 immediately after receiving the first signal from the first proximity sensor 144. The electronic counter 160 is configured not to increment the rep count upon receiving a signal from the first proximity sensor 144. It is only the signal from the second proximity sensor 146 which will cause the electronic counter 160 to increment the rep count. But the electronic counter 160 will also not increment the rep count upon receiving a signal from the second proximity sensor 146 if that signal was not immediately preceded by a first signal from the first proximity sensor 144.

The first proximity sensor 144 sends a first signal to the electronic counter 160 which primes the electronic counter 160. The electronic counter 160 does not increment the rep count upon receiving this first signal, but the first signal from the first proximity sensor 144 does ready the electronic counter 160 to await a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146. If the electronic counter 160 does receive a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146 while the electronic counter 160 is primed by the first signal from the first proximity sensor 144, then the electronic counter 160 increments the rep count by one and the electronic counter 160 removes itself from the primed state. When the electronic counter 160 is not in the primed state, the electronic counter 160 will not increment the rep count, even if the electronic counter 160 receives a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146. A first signal from the first proximity sensor 144 is required to enter the electronic counter 160 into the primed state again.

It can be seen that the electronic counter 160 will only increment the rep count by one when the first proximity sensor 144 sends its first signal to prime the electronic counter 160, and then the second proximity sensor 146 sends its second signal to the electronic counter 160 while the electronic counter 160 is still in the primed state. Once the electronic counter 160 receives the second signal from the second proximity sensor 146, the electronic counter 160 is removed from the primed state. Therefore, the second proximity sensor 146 can send the second signal to the electronic counter 160 multiple times in a row, but the electronic counter 160 will only increment the rep count if the electronic counter 160 is in the primed state, which only happens when the electronic counter 160 receives a first signal from the first proximity sensor 144.

The embodiment as described prevents the electronic counter 160 from registering multiple rep counts even if the electronic counter 160 receives multiple signals from the second proximity sensor 146, as would occur when the movable component 130 travels only small distances around the position of the second proximity sensor 146. To count a rep, the movable component must move through the first position (where the first proximity sensor 144 is located) up to the second position (where the second proximity sensor 146 is located). To count any additional reps, the movable component must first move back along the path to the position of the first proximity sensor 144 to prime the electronic counter 160 again before the electronic counter 160 will allow a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146 to increase the rep count. In this way, the locations of the first proximity sensor 144 and the second proximity sensor 146 force the movable component 130 to travel through a minimum acceptable distance before allowing the electronic counter 160 to increment the rep count.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram showing the operation of a rep counter apparatus of the present invention. The electronic counter 160 portion of the rep counter apparatus starts out in a shut down mode. Once the movable component 130 is moved and one of a plurality of proximity sensors detects the motion of the movable component 130, the signal from the proximity sensor triggers the electronic counter 160 to exit the shut down mode, and to activate a timer 168 to start measuring accrued time of operation. If the first proximity sensor 144 is triggered, the electronic counter 160 is primed to await a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146. If the second proximity sensor 146 is then triggered, the electronic counter 160 then adds one rep to the rep count, the electronic counter 160 is no longer primed to respond to a signal from the second proximity sensor 146, and a display device 170 displays the current rep count and the accrued time. The process then looks for the first signal from the first proximity sensor 144 to prime the electronic counter 160 again, and the process starts over.

The rep counter apparatus may also be set up to display rest time. In this mode, the display device 170 would cease to display the accrued time of usage, and after a preset period of time of inactivity, for example 5 seconds of time during which the electronic counter 160 does not receive a signal from either the first proximity sensor 144 or the second proximity sensor 146, the display device 170 would start to display rest time.

In one embodiment, the rep counter apparatus could utilize a third proximity sensor, called the start proximity sensor 142, positioned at a start position along the path. In this embodiment, the movable component 130 would be brought back to its start position, causing the start proximity sensor 142 to send a start position signal to the electronic counter 130. After the electronic counter 130 had received the start position signal for a preset period of time, for example 5 seconds, the electronic counter 130 would assume that the operator was taking a rest break, and the display device would cease to display the accrued time, and would start to display the rest time (the period of time since the movable component 130 had been positioned at the start position).

In another embodiment, there would be no need for a third proximity sensor. With only a first proximity sensor 144 and a second proximity sensor 146, a similar rest time could be calculated. In this embodiment, the movable component 130 would be brought back to its start position, or any other position that did not cause the first proximity sensor 144 or the second proximity sensor 146 to send a signal to the electronic counter 160. After the electronic counter 130 had waited for a preset period of time without any signals from either the first proximity sensor 144 or the second proximity sensor 146, for example 5 seconds, the electronic counter 130 would assume that the operator was taking a rest break, and the display device would cease to display the accrued time, and would start to display the rest time (the period of time since the movable component 130 had ceased to receive any signals from either the first proximity sensor 144 or the second proximity sensor 146).

Regardless of how rest time is calculated, the rep counter apparatus could continue to show rest time on the display device for a preset target value of rest time, for example, two minutes. If a first signal from the first proximity sensor 144 or a second signal from a second proximity sensor 146 was received by the electronic counter 160 before the preset target value of rest time was reached, the electronic counter 160 would switch back to accrued time, and the display device would cease to display the rest time and would start to display accrued time. If, however, the rest time reached the preset target value of rest time, for example, two minutes, without the electronic counter 160 receiving a first signal from the first proximity sensor 144 or a second signal from a second proximity sensor 146, then the rep count would be added to the total reps stored in the memory storage device 165, the timer 168 would clear the rest time and the accrued time, the electronic counter 160 would assume that the operator was done with his or her exercise session, the electronic counter 160 would start over from 0 reps (to prepare for a new exercise session), and the electronic counter would enter shut down mode.

Shut down mode is a useful mode because it minimizes power usage by the rep counter apparatus. In addition, it resets the values of rep count, the accrued time, and the rest time to 0. This is convenient to allow multiple operators to use the same piece of strength exercise equipment. An operator using an exercise apparatus does not typically want to know any information about the exercise session of a different operator. By clearing the rep count, the accrued time, and the rest time upon entering shut down mode, the electronic counter 160 displays to an operator only information relevant to that operator.

However, unlike an operator, an owner of a piece of strength exercise equipment may want to have more information available to them. The owner of the exercise apparatus may not want all of this usage information deleted after an exercise session, but may want to keep some of this usage information in the memory storage device 165. It is beneficial to an owner to be able to review exercise machine usage data.

For owners of strength equipment, it is beneficial to know the total usage of each piece of strength equipment in the possession of the owner. Total usage can be measured by the number of hours of use of a piece of strength equipment, and/or the total accumulated number of repetitions acquired on the strength equipment. Ideally, both the total numbers of hours of use, and the total accumulated number of repetitions would be recorded, to allow an owner to make informed decisions about the exercise equipment.

If an owner can know the total usage for each piece of strength equipment in his/her possession, the owner can make better decisions. For example, the owner can use the total usage information to schedule preventative maintenance on equipment that has a high total usage. The owner can determine if a certain piece of exercise equipment is highly used, and potentially purchase more of the same type of exercise equipment, or, conversely, can determine that a certain piece of exercise equipment is underutilized, and make decisions based on this information. The owner can look at usage data over time, and determine trends. Therefore, it is important for a monitoring device coupled to strength equipment to have the ability to record the total number accumulated number of repetitions acquired on the strength equipment, as well as the total number of hours of accumulated usage.

The memory storage device 165 in the present invention stores a total accrued time of usage, as well as a total number of reps performed on the weight tower 100 of the exercise apparatus. The present invention is configured so that this information can be retrieved from the memory storage device 165 and displayed on the display device 170 by entering a usage mode, not typically accessible by the operator of the exercise apparatus.

In one embodiment, the usage mode could be entered by holding a magnet up to the magnetic reed switch 162 (see FIG. 9) on the electronic counter 160 to instruct the electronic counter to enter usage mode, allowing the display device 170 to display total accrued time of usage and/or total number of reps performed on the weight tower 100. By removing the magnet, the electronic counter 160 would leave usage mode, allowing the display device 170 to display information relevant to a particular exercise session. This feature provides exercise session information to the operator, and total usage information for the weight tower 100 of the exercise apparatus to the owner of the exercise apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 3, a close up view of the sensor track 140, the start position sensor 142, the first proximity sensor 144, and the second proximity sensor 146 is shown. The position of the first proximity sensor 144 may be adjusted to set the first position along the path, and the position of the second proximity sensor 146 may be adjusted to set the second position along the path. Different exercise machines, such as leg press machines, or arm curl strength machines, require different travel distances for the movable component 130, because each exercise is different, requiring a different range of motion for the exercise. The sensor track 140 allows for quick and easy repositioning of the plurality of proximity sensors so that a single style of weight tower 100 may be configured for use with many different exercise apparatus. While any one weight tower 100 might only be used with a single exercise apparatus, the modular nature of the weight tower 100 allows a first weight tower 100 to be joined to a first exercise apparatus, and a second identical weight tower 100 to be joined to a different, second exercise apparatus.

The movable component 130 is shown in proximity to the start position sensor 142, but as the movable component 130 is guided by the guide member 120 up and down the path, the movable component 130 may move away from the start position sensor 142, and may move near the first proximity sensor 144, the second proximity sensor 146, or away from all of the proximity sensors. The guide member 120 will always constrain the movable component 130 to travel along the path, and the proximity sensors and the sensor track 140 are located along the same path.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate the weight tower 100 of the strength exercise apparatus with the movable component 130 in various locations. For simplicity, the weight plates 115 are shown to remain stationary, but the selector 118 may be repositioned to select any number of the weight plates 115, or all of the weight plates 115, or none of the weight plates 115. The weight plates 115 that are selected or engaged by the selector 118 would travel with the movable component 130 up and down along the path.

FIG. 4 illustrates the weight tower 100 of a strength exercise apparatus when the movable component 130 is positioned in the start position. The movable component 130 is shown in proximity to the start position sensor 142. With the movable component 130 in this position, the start position sensor 142 would send a start position signal to the electronic counter 160. Neither the first proximity sensor 144 nor the second proximity sensor 146 would send a signal to the electronic counter 160 because the movable component 130 is not in proximity to either of these proximity sensors.

FIG. 5 illustrates the weight tower 100 of a strength exercise apparatus when the movable component 130 is positioned between the start position and the first position. The movable component 130 is shown near the first proximity sensor 144, but not near enough for the first proximity sensor 144 to send a first signal to the electronic counter 160. With the movable component 130 in this position, none of the proximity sensors, including the start position sensor 142, the first proximity sensor 144, and the second proximity sensor 146 would send a signal to the electronic counter 160 because the movable component 130 is not in proximity to any of these proximity sensors.

FIG. 6 illustrates the weight tower 100 of a strength exercise apparatus when the movable component 130 is positioned at the first position. The movable component 130 is shown in proximity to the first proximity sensor 144. With the movable component 130 in this position, the first proximity sensor 144 would send a first signal to the electronic counter 160. This first signal would prime the electronic counter 160 to await a second signal from the second proximity sensor 146, but would not cause the electronic counter 160 to increment the rep count. Neither the start position sensor 142 nor the second proximity sensor 146 would send a signal to the electronic counter 160 because the movable component 130 is not in proximity to either of these proximity sensors.

FIG. 7 illustrates the weight tower 100 of a strength exercise apparatus when the movable component 130 is positioned at the second position. The movable component 130 is shown in proximity to the second proximity sensor 146. With the movable component 130 in this position, the second proximity sensor 146 would send a second signal to the electronic counter 160. Assuming the electronic counter 160 was in a primed state from receiving an earlier first signal from the first proximity sensor 144, the second signal from the second proximity sensor 146 would cause the electronic counter 160 to increment the rep count, and it would cause the electronic counter 160 to no longer be primed to receive additional signals from the second proximity sensor 146. Any additional signals from the second proximity sensor 146 would be ignored by the electronic counter 160 and would not cause the electronic counter 160 to increment the rep count until the electronic counter 160 is once again primed by a signal from the first proximity sensor 144. Neither the start position sensor 142 nor the first proximity sensor 144 would send a signal to the electronic counter 160 because the movable component 130 is not in proximity to either of these proximity sensors.

FIG. 8 illustrates the weight tower 100 of a strength exercise apparatus when the movable component 130 is positioned above the second position. The movable component 130 is free to travel along the path beyond the second position, but the movable component 130 must reverse direction along the path and return to the first position or below (see FIGS. 5 and 6) before the electronic counter 160 will be primed to receive additional signals from the second proximity sensor 146. In other words, the electronic counter 160 will not increment the rep count again unless the movable component first moves downward to the first position or below (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and then moves upward again to reach the second position (see FIG. 7). In this way, the movable component 130 is required to cycle back and forth over a minimum acceptable distance (the distance between the positions of the first proximity sensor 144 and the second proximity sensor 146) for the electronic counter 160 to continue to increment the rep count for each good rep. If the movable component 130 does not cycle back and forth between the first position and the second position, the rep is an incomplete rep, and the electronic counter 160 will not increment the rep count.

FIG. 9 illustrates the electronic counter 160. The electronic counter 160 in this embodiment includes a magnetic reed switch 162, a battery 164, a memory storage device 165, a timer 168, and a display device 170.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 170 is designed to display a two-digit number representing the rep count, and a three-digit number representing the time, either accrued time or rest time. However, the display could be set up very differently to display the same information in a different format, or to display additional information. The display illustrated in FIG. 9 is presented for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to limit the invention in any way.

Accordingly, the foregoing figures and description provide a number of ways in which an apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device could be configured. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device, comprising:

a frame comprising at least one guide member;

a movable component configured to be moved in response to a mechanical stimulus generated during repetition movement, the movable component configured to travel along a path having a start position, a first position, and a second position, wherein the movable component of the exercise device is guided along the path by the at least one guide member, and wherein the movable component is located at the start position before the mechanical stimulus is generated, and the movable component returns to the start position after the mechanical stimulus has ceased to be generated;

first and second proximity sensors coupled to the frame, the first proximity sensor operably coupled to the movable component to transmit a first signal when the movable component is proximate the first position, and the second proximity sensor operably coupled to the movable component to transmit a second signal when the movable component is proximate the second position;

an electronic counter having a memory storage device for storing a rep count representing the number of repetitions of the movable component moving along the path, the electronic counter configured to receive the first and second signals, wherein the electronic counter is configured such that receipt of the second signal causes the electronic counter to increment the rep count by one when the second signal is preceded by receipt of the first signal; and

a display device in communication with the electronic counter, the display device configured to display the rep count.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic counter is configured such that receipt of the first signal does not increment the rep count.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic counter is configured such that receipt of the second signal alone does not increment the rep count.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic counter is configured to increase the rep count by one when the movable component is moved along the path past the first position and proximate the second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic counter is configured to increase the rep count by one when the movable component is moved along the path past the first position and proximate the second position, and wherein the electronic counter is configured to prevent any further increase of the rep count until the movable component is moved back along the path to a position in proximity with the first position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the location of the first proximity sensor defines the first position and the location of the second proximity sensor defines the second position, the second position located above the first position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the timer is configured to start measuring rest time if the first signal is not received by the electronic counter within a preset period of time, and wherein the display device is configured to display at least one of the accrued time and the rest time.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the timer is configured to enter a shut-down mode if the rest time reaches a preset target value, wherein the rep count, the accrued time and the rest time are reset to zero when the timer enters the shut-down mode.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the timer is configured to stop measuring accrued time, reset the accrued time to zero, and start measuring rest time if the first signal is not received by the electronic counter within a preset period of time, and wherein the display device is configured to display at least one of the accrued time and the rest time.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic counter adds the rep count of the electronic counter to a total number of repetitions, and wherein the electronic counter stores in the memory storage device the total number of repetitions of the exercise device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the electronic counter adds the accrued time to a total accrued time, and wherein the electronic counter stores in the memory storage device the total accrued time of the exercise device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal and the second signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the electronic counter adds the accrued time to a total accrued time, and wherein the electronic counter adds the rep count of the electronic counter to a total number of repetitions, and wherein the electronic counter stores in the memory storage device the total number of repetitions of the exercise device and the total accrued time of the exercise device, and wherein the display device is configured to display at least one of the total accrued time of the exercise device and the total number of repetitions of the exercise device.

14. An apparatus for counting repetitions of an exercise device, comprising:

a frame comprising at least one guide member;

a movable component configured to be moved in response to a mechanical stimulus generated during repetition movement, the movable component configured to travel along a path having a start position, a first position, and a second position, wherein the movable component of the exercise device is guided along the path by the at least one guide member, and wherein the movable component is located at the start position before the mechanical stimulus is generated, and the movable component returns to the start position after the mechanical stimulus has ceased to be generated;

first and second proximity sensors coupled to the frame, the first proximity sensor operably coupled to the movable component to transmit a first signal when the movable component is proximate the first position, and the second proximity sensor operably coupled to the movable component to transmit a second signal when the movable component is proximate the second position;

a start position proximity sensor coupled to the frame, the start position proximity sensor operably coupled to the movable component to transmit a third signal when the movable component is proximate the start position;

an electronic counter having a memory storage device for storing a rep count representing the number of repetitions of the movable component moving along the path, the electronic counter configured to receive the first, second, and third signals, wherein the electronic counter is configured such that receipt of the second signal causes the electronic counter to increment the rep count by one when the second signal is preceded by receipt of the first signal; and

a display device in communication with the electronic counter, the display device configured to display the rep count.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electronic counter is configured to increase the rep count by one when the movable component is moved along the path past the first position and proximate the second position, and wherein the electronic counter is configured to prevent any further increase of the rep count until the movable component is moved back along the path to a position in proximity with the first position.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the timer is configured to start measuring rest time if the third signal is received by the electronic counter for a preset period of time, and wherein the display device is configured to display at least one of the accrued time and the rest time.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the timer is configured to enter a shut-down mode if the rest time reaches a preset target value, wherein the rep count, the accrued time and the rest time are reset to zero when the timer enters the shut-down mode.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the timer is configured to stop measuring accrued time, reset the accrued time to zero, and start measuring rest time if the third signal is received by the electronic counter for a preset period of time, and wherein the display device is configured to display at least one of the accrued time and the rest time.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, and further comprising a timer in communication with the electronic counter and the display device, wherein the timer is configured to start measuring accrued time when at least one of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal is received by the electronic counter, and wherein the electronic counter adds the accrued time to a total accrued time, and wherein the electronic counter adds the rep count of the electronic counter to a total number of repetitions, and wherein the electronic counter stores in the memory storage device the total number of repetitions of the exercise device and the total accrued time of the exercise device.