Abstract:
A device having a number of exercise therapy systems contained within a single housing is capable of providing multiple exercise therapies to a predetermined position of a user&#39;s body and thus efficiently exercising those portions of the user&#39;s body. To provide additional convenience, the device includes a user control panel that is movably coupled to the housing, thereby allowing removal in a manner which allow for easy user access. The multiple therapies can include both a vibration therapy and an electrical stimulation therapy, thus providing for more efficient exercising of the user&#39;s muscle tissue adjacent the housing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Application 61/358,521, filed Jun. 25, 2010 and entitled “Dual Therapy Exercise Device with Tethered Control Panel”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device designed to assist a user in exercising certain muscles within their body, and thus helping to manage/control the user&#39;s weight. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a system to provide multiple exercise therapies to a user, while also having a convenient and accessible user control device. 
         [0003]    Many different exercise and weight loss devices currently exist. In addition to typical gym equipment (i.e. weights, treadmills, exercise bikes, etc.), examples include devices which apply electrical signals to produce involuntary contractions of targeted muscles and devices which subject muscles (and other body tissue) to a physical vibration signal. To focus the desired therapy on particular portion of the user&#39;s body, each of these devices include some type of attachment system which allows the device to be appropriately positioned. 
         [0004]    When an exercise device includes electrical systems or components, it is often necessary to appropriately position a user interface or control panel so it is easily viewed or accessed by the user. Obviously, the positioning of this user interface should be at a location which is convenient and easy to use. Unfortunately, this may be difficult when the particular exercise device is positioned at certain locations. For example, if an exercise device is positioned adjacent a user&#39;s back, it is obviously difficult to include a convenient user interface on the device itself. 
         [0005]    In addition to the placement of the user interface, the type of therapy provided and the effectiveness of the device can vary greatly. The effectiveness of the provided therapy is critically important and is a primary consideration for the design of exercise devices. Obviously, the device should be capable of effectively providing the desired therapy, and thus producing the desired results for the user. In this case, the device must provide appropriate therapies to exercise the user&#39;s muscle tissue. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient multi-therapy exercise device that is capable of providing targeted exercise therapies to desired locations of a user&#39;s body. The device of the preferred embodiment provides both vibration and electrical stimulation therapy to the user by appropriately positioning the device adjacent the desired area. The dual therapies more efficiently exercise those portions of the user&#39;s body using both exercise methodologies. In addition, convenience is provided by having a control panel for the device which is detachable. In this manner, a user can easily view and access the control panel, no matter where the device is positioned. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described in the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment with a control panel being retracted; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an inside rear view of the first embodiment; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the interior components within the first embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    Generally speaking, the preferred embodiment includes a belt structure which is wearable by a user to allow for the application of multiple exercise therapies. In this embodiment, these therapies include vibration therapy, and electrical signal stimulation therapy. In addition, a convenient and removable control panel is provided which can facilitate operation of the exercise device while positioned at all possible locations. Further, structures are included within a housing of the exercise device to retain the control panel at a seated location so the control panel is contained and not swinging dangerously during use. To accommodate the above discussed features of the control panel, a cord take-up mechanism helps to appropriately contain the cord, which is attached between the exercise device housing and the control panel. This take-up mechanism allows the cord and attached control panel to be easily pulled away from the exercise device so the user can easily see and operate the device. 
         [0013]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of an exercise device  10  of the present invention is illustrated. As shown, exercise device  10  includes a belt structure  12  and an exercise device housing  14  coupled to one another. Belt structure  12  is specifically configured to be positioned around the user&#39;s torso. That said, it is contemplated that exercise device  10  could be attached to other portions of the user&#39;s body, including arms or legs. In these alternative locations, it is also contemplated that belt structure  12  would be configured differently. 
         [0014]    As better illustrated in  FIG. 3 , belt  12  also includes a pair of electrodes  16  positioned on a backside thereof. As further discussed below, electrodes  16  are configured to contact a user&#39;s body when the belt structure  12  is attached, thus providing electrical signals to stimulate muscle contractions as desired. 
         [0015]    As also shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , exercise device  10  includes a removable control panel  20 , which is coupled to housing  14  via a cable or cord  22 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , control panel  20  includes a display  24 , a power button  26  and a plurality of control buttons  28 . Each of these components are utilized to control operation of the exercise device  10  as desired by the user. As discussed below, exercise device  10  includes the systems to provide multiple exercise therapies. It is contemplated that control panel  20  would provide appropriate components (i.e. displays  24  and control buttons  28 ) to control the various therapy systems, either independently or in conjunction with one another. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the various components of exercise device  10  are schematically illustrated. More specifically,  FIG. 4  illustrates an internal schematic view of housing  14 . As indicated above, cord  22  is utilized to electrically couple control panel  20  to the various components of exercise device  10 . To accommodate this, and also provide convenience to the user, a take-up system is included within housing  14 . More specifically, a take-up wheel  30  is housed within housing  14  at a position adjacent a top wall  18 . Cord  22  extends through an opening  32  in top wall  18 , and then around take-up wheel  30 . As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, take-up wheel  30  is spring loaded and includes various stop mechanisms to easily accommodate the withdrawal and retraction of cord  22 . 
         [0017]    To provide further convenience, top wall  18  also includes a recessed section  40  which is configured to receive control panel  20 . In addition, a magnetic coupling system is utilized to hold control panel  20  in place when seated in recessed section  40 . In this particular embodiment, a pair of magnets  42  are positioned immediately below recessed portion  40  while cooperating metal plates  44  are positioned in a lower portion of control panel  20 . As anticipated, a magnetic coupling is created when control panel  20  is seated in recessed section  40 . In this matter, control panel  20  will be securely held in place until selectively removed by the user. 
         [0018]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 4  are the various components of exercise device  10  which are contained within housing  14 . Again, exercise device  10  of the present invention provides dual exercise therapies to the user, in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness. A first therapy is provided by a vibration system  50  located within housing  14 . Although the components are not specifically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it is contemplated that vibration system  50  will include a motor and an eccentric weight mechanism attached thereto. As will be easily recognized by those skilled in the art, actuation of the motor and rotation of this eccentric weight will cause internal vibration. When the exercise device  10  is attached to a user, this vibration will be transmitted to a user&#39;s body, thus creating a desired physiological effect. The size and speed of the eccentric weight can vary depending upon the desired strength and frequency of the vibration. 
         [0019]    In addition, exercise device  10  also includes an electrical stimulation system  60  configured to provide low current electrical signals to the user&#39;s body. As generally discussed above, exercise device  10  includes electrodes  16  positioned on one side of belt structure  12 . These electrodes are driven or powered by electrical signal stimulation system  60  based upon the desired and well understood methodologies. These electrical stimulation methodologies will induce muscle contractions, thus providing desired muscle conditioning. As will be further appreciated, the strength and frequency of the electrical stimulation signals will directly effect the muscle exercise encountered by a user. 
         [0020]    The overall operation of exercise device  10  is controlled by a system controller  100  which is also contained within housing  14 . System controller  100  communicates with control panel  20 , vibration system  50  and electrical stimulation system  60  in an effort to provide coordinated operation of all of these components. System controller  100  may include any well understood microprocessor or microcontroller, or variations thereof. Additionally, control processor  100  may be located within the body of control panel  20 , to more easily communicate with display  24  and control buffers  28 . 
         [0021]    As discussed above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide both effective exercise therapies to a user, while also being convenient and easy to use. Naturally, variations are possible which will still achieve the coordinated overall operation as discussed above. For example, the control panel could be physically coupled, using appropriate clips or related physical structures as opposed to the magnetic coupling discussed above. Alternatively, the control panel could be coupled to the various therapy devices via a wireless coupling system. Further, the electrodes could take many forms depending on the therapy desired, or coupld include a number of additional electrodes. Additionally, exercise device  10  could be configured as a smaller belt, thus accommodating attachment to the user&#39;s arms or legs, as opposed to around their waist. Many different variations are also contemplated depending upon the desired positioning of the device and the related body structure to which the exercise therapies are being applied. As an additional alterative, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative methods for generating the desired vibration generation could be used. 
         [0022]    Although specific embodiments are discussed above and shown in the drawings, several additional variations exist. It is intended that all variations coming within the general scope and spirit of the following claims are necessarily included in this description.