Counting device for a push-up exercise

Abstract

A counting device for counting repetitions and timing a push-up exercise includes a device body and a counter assembly having a display and a plurality of actuation buttons thereon. The counter assembly fits within a deformable foam ring that forms the top of the device. During exercise, a user depresses the foam ring downward with their chest a given distance so as to trigger at least one sensor in the counter assembly to register a repetition count on the display, along with an elapsed time of the exercise. The counter assembly can be fixed within the device, or a display unit thereof may be removable so that the device and display unit are configured for wireless communication.

1 . A counting device for a push-up exercise, comprising:
 a device body, and   a counter assembly having a display and a plurality of actuation buttons, the counter assembly fitting within a deformable foam ring that forms the top of the device, wherein   a user during exercise depresses the foam ring downward with their chest a given distance so as to trigger at least one sensor of the counter assembly to register a repetition count on the display along with an elapsed time of the exercise, and   the device body is composed of a deformable rubber material and is configured with three spaced legs interconnected to one another at the bottom of the device to support the counter assembly and permit additional deformation of the foam ring beyond the distance required to trigger the count.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the count is triggered once a ring holder supporting the foam ring is depressed a distance between about 2 to 7 mm. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the count is triggered once a ring holder supporting the foam ring is depressed a distance of 3 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the count is triggered once a ring holder supporting the foam ring is depressed under the user's weight so as to contact the at least one sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elapsed time of exercise is a time that decrements to zero from a given set exercise time or a time increasing from zero to a set ending time. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of micro-switches, the counter assembly further including:
 a PC board in electrical communication with the display, actuation buttons and micro-switches, and   a battery for powering the PC board, wherein a ring holder that supports the foam ring as the foam ring deforms under the user's weight contacts the micro-switches, which send a signal to the PC board to register a repetition count on the display.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation buttons include:
 an on/reset button for powering the device and resetting the time and count,   an increase button for increasing the exercise time on the display, and   a decrease button for decreasing the exercise time on the display.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom cup attached within the device body for supporting the counter assembly, and   a circular spring plate attached to the top of the bottom cup, the spring plate having a plurality a springs that provide a counter force against deformation of the foam ring.   
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device body has a hardness of between about 60 to 100 durometers. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device body has a hardness of between 65 to 75 durometers. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the counter assembly is fixed within the device. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the counter assembly is removable from the device, the device and display configured for wireless communication. 
   
   
       15 . A counting device for a push-up exercise, comprising:
 a device body including a sensor and a first transceiver in electrical connection with the sensor,   a deformable foam ring attached to the device body so as to form the top of the counting device, and   a removable counter display unit having a second transceiver that is configured to fit within the foam ring, wherein   the counter display unit is remote from the device, and   the sensor senses depression of the foam ring by a user during a push-up exercise and sends a count signal to the first transceiver that is transmitted to the second transceiver to register a repetition count on the counter display unit along with an elapsed time of the exercise.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device body is composed of a deformable rubber or plastic material that is deformable to permit additional depression of the foam ring beyond the distance required to trigger the count. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device body includes three legs. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device body has three legs composed of a deformable rubber or plastic material that are deformable to permit additional depression of the foam ring beyond the distance required to trigger the count. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the count signal that is transmitted is triggered once a ring holder supporting the foam ring is depressed a given distance. 
   
   
       20 . An exercise system, comprising:
 a pair of handle devices to be grasped by a user for performing a push-up exercise,   a counting device positioned under the user's chest and including a sensor for detecting depression of a foam ring on the counting device by a user's chest, and   a remote display unit in view of the user, wherein   upon the sensor sensing contact therewith by a ring holder holding the foam ring, the counting device transmits a wireless signal that is received by the display unit and displayed as a repetition count along with an elapsed time of the exercise thereon.   
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the remote display unit is configured to fit within the counting device. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the handle devices include rotatable handles.