Abstract:
The present invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus and method of use. The apparatus is adapted to provide a challenging game for a participant that causes the participant to jump from a first location to a second location in response to predetermined signals. The apparatus provides for timed score keeping and may be used by a single individual or by groups of individuals in competitive play. While use of the apparatus is entertaining for the participant, it also improves the participant&#39;s jumping ability, speed, reaction time, and physical endurance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/104,759, filed Oct. 12, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise games and especially exercise games requiring a participant to jump while improving the participant&#39;s speed, agility, and jumping height. 
         [0003]    Exercise equipment is well-known in the art and is widely used for improving or maintaining a participant&#39;s health and fitness. However, often such equipment is used regularly for a brief period after purchase, only to sit idly thereafter. Further, games and devices for increasing speed and agility are well-known in the art and are often used in competitive play. For example, plyometric boxes constructed of plastic or foam are commonly used to increase the speed and agility of the user by, for example, jumping from a standing position onto the box. However, know methods and devices do not provide for a means of measuring the user&#39;s improvement in speed and agility in an entertaining and efficient manner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus and method of use. The apparatus is adapted to provide a challenging game for a participant that causes the participant to jump from a first location to a second location in response to predetermined signals. Unlike other known devices, the apparatus of the present invention provides for timed score keeping by use of a load sensor and may be used by a single individual or by groups of individuals in competitive play. While use of the apparatus is entertaining for the participant, it also improves the participant&#39;s jumping ability, speed, reaction time, and physical endurance. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus comprises a base platform, a plurality of target platforms of various heights, a plurality of load sensors, a plurality of lights, at least one scoreboard, and at least one central processing unit (CPU). The target platforms are connected to the base platform. At least one light is mounted to the base platform, and at least one light is mounted adjacent to each target platform. The scoreboard is also mounted to the base platform, and the CPU is mounted within the scoreboard. Furthermore, the CPU is electrically connected to the sensors, lights, and scoreboard. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a speaker which is electrically connected to the CPU. The target platforms may be connected to a periphery of the base platform. The target platforms may be comprised of metal or steel. The apparatus may also comprise a plurality of pedestals, wherein each target platform is positioned on a top portion of a respective pedestal. In a particular embodiment, the pedestals comprise cylindrical columns of various heights. Alternatively, the pedestals may comprise a box-type form. The lights mounted adjacent to each target platform may be mounted to either the target platform or to a periphery of the base platform. Lastly, the apparatus may further comprise safety handrails associated with each target platform. 
         [0006]    The apparatus may be operated by illuminating the light mounted to the base platform, and, then, extinguishing that light once a user has been positioned on the base platform. A first light mounted adjacent to a first target platform is illuminated, and, then, the first light is extinguished when the user has jumped from the base platform to the first target platform. A score is assigned to the user&#39;s jump from the base platform to the first target platform, and the score is displayed on the scoreboard. The light on the base platform is illuminated again, and, then, the light on base platform is extinguished once the user has jumped from the first target platform back onto the base platform. Additionally, a second light mounted adjacent to a second target platform may be illuminated, wherein the described process is repeated. A second score is assigned associated with a user&#39;s jump onto the second target platform. The second score is added to the first score, and a total score is then displayed on the scoreboard. In an additional embodiment, the score associated with the user&#39;s jump is based on an amount of time taken for the user to jump from the base platform to the target platform. 
         [0007]    A method of playing a plyometric game comprises providing the plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus, and jumping from the base platform to a first target platform when a first light associated with the first target platform is illuminated. The method may further comprise the steps of jumping from the first target platform to the base platform upon illumination of the at least one light mounted to the base platform and jumping to a second target platform associated with a second light upon illumination of the second light. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is top view of a first embodiment of a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus, and; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an additional isometric view of a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a plyometric jumping exercise game; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of a plyometric jumping exercise game comprising a stand for a scoreboard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a base platform  12 , a base light  22 , a plurality of pedestals  16  of various heights, a plurality of target platforms  18 , a plurality of load sensors (not shown), a plurality of target lights  20 , preferably a plurality of speakers (not shown), a stand  30 , a scoreboard  35 , and a central processing unit (CPU). 
         [0017]    The base platform  12  defines a generally large flat platform and is preferably of a large enough size that a person standing on the base platform  12  may take at least one step from a standing position and still remain on the base platform  12 . The base platform  12  is preferably of rugged construction to withstand the loading and abuse of a person jumping on the base platform  12  without damage to or failure of the base platform  12 , while a top surface of the platform  12  is pliable enough to absorb the energy of a person jumping on the base platform  12 . 
         [0018]    The base light  22  defines a lightable light that is readily commercially available such as an incandescent or light emitting diode (LED) type of light. 
         [0019]    The target platforms  18  are generally small flat platforms and are preferably of a size that a person may stand comfortably on the target. The target platforms  18  are preferably of rugged construction to withstand the loading and abuse of a person jumping on the target platform without damage to or failure of the target platform  18 , while a top surface of the target platform  18  is pliable enough to absorb the energy of a person jumping on the target platform  18 . The general shape of the pedestals  16  and the platforms  18  may take the form of plyometric boxes. 
         [0020]    The target lights  20  define lightable lights that are readily commercially available such as incandescent or light emitting diode (LED) type of lights. 
         [0021]    Optionally, the speakers define common speakers that are readily commercially available and that emit a sound such as a simulated or recorded voice sound in response to predetermined electrical signals. 
         [0022]    The scoreboard  35  defines a scoreboard preferably having an LED, LCD, or other like display system for displaying at least a score and an elapsed time. The scoreboard is further constructed so as to provide for a CPU retention cavity. 
         [0023]    The CPU (not shown) is preferably adapted to monitor and respond to sensory input and to process game functions while keeping a game score and an elapsed time. The CPU may comprise a commercially available CPU. 
         [0024]    The apparatus  10  is assembled such that the base light  22  is connected to the base platform  12  and such that the base light  22  is visible to an apparatus user when the user is standing on the base platform  12  or a target platform  18 . The plurality of pedestals  16  are connected to a portion of the periphery of the base platform  12  and are preferably substantially equal widths. Each of the pedestals  16  includes a target platform  18  positioned on a top portion of the pedestal. The base platform  12  and each target platform  18  includes a load sensor (not shown) mounted to the respective platforms  18  such that the load sensor is capable of sensing a load that is applied to the platform  18 . Preferably, the load sensor is embedded within the platform  18  approximately one inch below a top surface of the platform  18 . Further, a target light  20  corresponds to each respective target platform  18 . The target light  20  is connected to either the periphery of the base platform  12  or the pedestal  16  such that the target light  20  is visible to an apparatus user when the user is standing on the base platform  12  or the target platform  18  and such that the target light  20  is associated with a single target platform  18 . At least one speaker (not shown) is mounted to the base platform  12 . 
         [0025]    In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the apparatus  10  may comprise a stand  30  for supporting the scoreboard  35  and CPU, as shown. The stand  30  may define an elongated formed tube preferably of metal construction, such as steel, and capable of supporting the handling loads and the weight of the scoreboard  35  and CPU. The stand  30  is mounted to the base platform  12  on a lower end of the stand  30  and the scoreboard  35  is mounted to the stand  30  on an upper end of the stand  30  such that scoreboard  35  is visible to an apparatus user when the user is standing on the base platform  12  or the target platform  18 . The CPU is mounted within the scoreboard and is electrically connected to the base light, target lights, speakers, sensors, and scoreboard. Preferably, the load sensors may be operably coupled to control circuitry to facilitate recognition of the load of a user jumping on the target platform  18  (e.g., the load sensors are operatively coupled to signal the control circuitry when a user has jumped on a target platform  18 ). The load sensors may take the form of a vibrational transducer. The control circuitry is also coupled to the CPU, wherein the CPU keeps score and controls the other components of the apparatus  10  based upon the load recognized by the load sensors. 
         [0026]    In practice, a user stands on the base platform  12  and initiates the game. The apparatus illuminates a first target light  20  and the user jumps to the target platform associated with the illuminated first target light  20 . The apparatus senses the load of the user jumping on the target platform  18  associated with the illuminated first light and then extinguishes the illuminated first target light  20  and illuminates the base light  22 . Upon the extinguishment of the first illuminated target light  20  and the illumination of the base light  22 , the user jumps from the first target platform  18  back to the base platform  12 . The apparatus  10  senses the load of the user jumping on the base platform  12  and then extinguishes the illuminated base light  22  and illuminates a second target light  20 . The user then jumps from the base platform  12  to the second target platform  18  associated with the second illuminated target light  20 . A score is earned by jumping on an indicated target platform  18  within a predetermined or preferably user adjustable elapsed time. For example, if a user jumps on the indicated target platform  18  within one second, the user is awarded five points, if the user jumps on the indicated platform within two seconds, the user is awarded four points, if the user jumps on the indicated platform within three seconds, the user is awarded three points, and so on. The described process is repeated for a random or predetermined set and order of target platforms  18  for a predetermined time, the predetermined time optionally being set by the user prior to use, or until a predetermined score is achieved. The apparatus may also provide audible indications for a user to jump and, in addition to a score and elapsed time being displayed on the scoreboard  35 , the apparatus  10  may also audibly provide a running score, a completed score, and an elapsed time value. 
         [0027]    Optionally, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the apparatus  10  may comprise a plurality of safety handrails  40 . The safety handrails  40  protect a user from over jumping a target platform  18  or losing balance after jumping onto a target platform  18 . Each safety handrail  40  is associated with a separate target platform  18  and may optionally be attached to a portion of the periphery of the base platform  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the pedestals  16  define cylindrical columns of various heights with target platforms  18  attached to a top of the cylindrical columns, unlike the block type target pedestals and platforms illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . The pedestals  16  and target platforms  18  are preferably of rugged construction to withstand the dynamic loading and abuse of a person jumping on the pedestal  16  without damage to or failure of the pedestal  16 , while the target platforms  18  comprise a material which is pliable enough to the absorb the energy of the user landing on the pedestal. 
         [0029]    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 which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.