Exercise devices with force sensors

Abstract

An exemplary exercise device includes a handheld force sensor with complementary male and female connectors extending from opposite sides thereof. The force sensor senses pulling and/or pushing forces exerted between the opposing sides. The male connector may be resistant to travel through the female connector except in limited orientations. The connectors allow the exercise device to interface with any mobile or immobile device having complementary connectors. Non-complementary connectors can connect with the exercise device through a body passage. Depending on devices interfaced with the exercise device, force readings can be taken during a vast variety of motions using different muscle groups during training, exercise, and rehabilitation/physical therapy in homes, schools, healthcare facilities, health clubs, etc. Force readings from the force sensor may be communicated via wired and/or wireless technologies to other devices for live (real-time) processing and display as well as additional historical analysis and reporting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device including a force sensor, the exercise device comprising:
 a sensor body having a force sensor, the sensor body having a first connector position and a second connector position;   a first connector releasably attached to the sensor body at the first connector position;   a second connector releasably attached to the sensor body at the second connector position;   the first connector and the second connector being releasably attached to segments of the exercise device such that force exerted on one or more of the segments of the exercise device exert force on the sensor body;   a processor capable of determining one or more force measurements based on force detected by the force sensor; and   wherein the sensor body is capable of transmitting force measurements to a computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first connector or the second connector is integral with a segment of the exercise device. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are integral with segments of the exercise device. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the segments of the exercise device is an elastic member. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body is capable of being removed and reattached to segments of at least another device. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor body is capable of measuring and storing force measurements from multiple exercise devices. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body includes memory for storing data based on force measurements. 
     
     
         8 . A force sensing device for use with exercise devices, the force sensing device comprising:
 a force sensor, wherein force from performing exercises with an exercise device is detected by the force sensor;   a processor, the processor capable of determining a force measurement based on force detected by the force sensor;   memory for storing data based on force measurements;   a communications module, the communications module capable of translating data into a transmittable signal for communication to a computing device; and   the force sensing device being capable of being releasably attached to one exercise device and capable of being attached a second exercise device.   
     
     
         9 . The force sensing device of  claim 8 , wherein the memory is capable of storing data from multiple exercise devices. 
     
     
         10 . The force sensing device of  claim 8 , wherein the transmittable signal is a wireless transmitter signal. 
     
     
         11 . The force sensing device of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device is remote from the force sensing device. 
     
     
         12 . The force sensing device of  claim 8  further comprising an output device for providing feedback of force measurements. 
     
     
         13 . The force sensing device of  claim 8  further comprising a display for providing feedback of force measurements. 
     
     
         14 . The force sensing device of  claim 8 , where the exercise devices include one or more elastic members. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sensing force from performing exercises with an exercise device, including the steps of:
 identifying one or more exercises;   identifying one or more exercise devices;   providing a force sensing device for use with the exercise devices, the force sensing device comprising:
 a force sensor, wherein force from performing exercises with an exercise device is detected by the force sensor; 
 a processor, the processor capable of determining a force measurement based on force detected by the force sensor; 
 memory for storing data based on force measurements; 
 a communications module, the communications module capable of translating data into a transmittable signal for communication to a computing device; and 
 the force sensing device being capable of being releasably attached to one exercise device and capable of being used with a second exercise device; 
   receiving data from the force sensing device; and   evaluating data from the force sensing device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein data received from the force sensing device is used to identify recommendations for modifications to one of the steps of the method. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method is used in connection with physical therapy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communications module transmits data wirelessly to the computing device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein evaluating data from the force sensing device includes displaying data to provide visual feedback about one or more of the exercises. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein evaluating data includes analyzing trends from historical data.