Abstract:
A portable device, such as a pedometer or other device having a display portion that may be separated from an attachment portion for easier viewing. When separated, the display portion remains connected to the attachment portion to facilitate ease of re-attachment and for maintaining both parts of the device in an interconnected relationship. The attachment portion is removably connectable to a wearer. The display portion is extendably and retractably connected to the attachment module. A spring biased spool is provided in the attachment module to take up and release line connecting the display module to the attachment module. The display module has a receptacle formed on the back thereof. The attachment module has a protrusion extending from a back thereof for mating engagement with the receptacle when the display module and attachment module are in a retracted position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to portable devices attached to a wearer. More particularly, the invention relates to a pedometer having an attachment module that is attached to a wearer and having a display module retractably connected to the attachment module. 
     2. Background 
     Pedometers are used to measure the distance walked or run by a human wearer of the device. Typically, a pedometer measures distance by detecting the up and down motion made by the wearer during each stride. The distance traveled by the wearer of a pedometer is the length of the user&#39;s stride multiplied by the number of strides the wearer takes. Pedometers may employ a weighted pendulum suspended horizontally from an axis by a spring. The inertia of the pendulum&#39;s weight will cause the pendulum to move in relation to the pedometer each time the wearer takes a stride. A pedometer is most accurate when attached to the waist of a wearer since attachment to other areas of the body may detect movements that are not related to the stride of a wearer. 
     Other devices have been adapted for carrying on the waist of a wearer, either for use during exercise, e.g., walking, running, skating, etc, or for convenience to the wearer. Examples of such devices include radios, CD players, MP3 players and other devices. 
     Regardless of the type of device worn by the wearer, it is sometimes desirable to manipulate the device in some way while the device is being worn. For example, in the case of a pedometer, it is desirable to periodically check a display that indicates the distance covered. As another example, it may be desirable to change stations on a radio or select a particular song on a CD or MP3 player. 
     A problem with all of the above devices is that a belt clip or other attachment mechanism must be manipulated to remove the device from a belt or waistband and then the device must be replaced on the waistband. Some devices come with a separate belt clip portion. Such a configuration requires a user to detach the device from the belt clip portion and then re-insert the device within the belt clip portion. Removing and replacing a device from a belt or detaching and re-attaching a device in a belt clip can be difficult to perform while exercising. Additionally, in the case of the detachable belt clip device, a disadvantage associated with the device is that the pieces may become separated, which may render the device unsuitable for use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an improvement in portable devices, such as a pedometer or other device. The portable device of the invention has a display portion that may be separated from an attachment portion of the device for easier viewing. The display portion remains attached via a retractable line to the attachment portion to facilitate ease of re-attachment and for maintaining both parts of the device in an interconnected relationship. 
     In particular, the portable device of the invention includes an attachment module for removably connecting to a wearer and a display module defining a window for displaying information. The display module is extendably and retractably connected to the attachment module. The display module has a front cabinet, a rear cabinet, and a top cover. The top cover defines a window for displaying information, preferably via an LCD or LED display, but optionally via other display means. A first button is provided for selectively illuminating a light acting on the display. A second button is provided for selectively changing a display mode of the device. To secure the devices together, the display module has a receptacle formed on the back thereof. The attachment module has a protrusion extending from a back thereof for mating engagement with the receptacle when the display module and attachment module are in a retracted position. The display module is connectably extendable and retractable from the attachment module. In one example, the display module defines a pair of line orifices for allowing a first cable and a second cable to pass therethrough for attachment to the display module. The other ends of the first and second cable are attached to a spool housed in the attachment module. The spool is biased in a winding direction by a biasing member. The spool simultaneously retracts or plays out the first cable and the second cable depending on how a user manipulates the display module. It is contemplated that other means of extendably and retractably connecting the display module and the attachment module may be utilized if desired. 
     In use, the attachment member is secured to a wearer. To view a display on the display module, the wearer may grasp the display module and impart a separating force to the display module to pull the display module away from the attachment module. Line connecting the attachment module and the display module is played out from the spool by pulling the display module away from the attachment module. The display module may then be manipulated such that the display is easy to view. While returning the display module to a position proximate the attachment module, a biasing force acting on the spool winds the line on the spool. Once the module is returned to a location adjacent the attachment module, the line maintains the display module in proximity to the attachment module when the display module is released by a wearer. 
     A better understanding of the present invention, its several aspects, and its advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable exercise device in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable exercise device of  FIG. 1  in an extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the portable exercise device of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the display module which forms a part of the portable exercise device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the attachment module which forms a part of the portable exercise device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are an exploded perspective view of the portable exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the embodiments and steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , shown is a portable exercise device  10 . Portable exercise device  10  is made up of a display module  12  and an attachment module  14 . Display module  12  is made up of the front cabinet  16 , a rear cabinet  18  and a top cover  20 . Top cover  20  defines a window  22  for displaying information to a user. Preferably, a first button  24  is accessible through the top cover  20 . First button  24  may be used to activate a light for illuminating information displayed through window  22 . Additionally, a second button  26  is preferably provided, which is also accessible through top cover  20 . Second button  26  may be used to change information displayed through window  22 . An LCD display  28  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 A) is located beneath the top cover  20  for displaying information through the window  22 . 
     Front cabinet  16  defines a plurality of holes  30  therein ( FIGS. 3 and 6B ). A front keypad  32  ( FIG. 6B ) is positioned inside display module  12  behind the front cabinet  16 . Front keypad  32  includes a plurality of keys  34  that protrude through the holes  30  in the front cabinet  16 . Rubber pads  36  are located on each side of the display module  12 . Rubber pads  36  are preferably positioned in an interface between the front cabinet  16  and the rear cabinet  18 . 
     A mounting plate  38  ( FIGS. 3 and 6B ) is preferably located within the display module  12 . An actuator assembly  40  ( FIG. 6B ) is affixed to rear side of the mounting plate  38 . A battery receptacle  42  ( FIG. 6B ) is preferably attached to the actuator assembly  40 . 
     Rear cabinet  18  has a battery door  44  ( FIG. 4 ) formed therein to provide access to the battery receptacle  42 . The rear cabinet  18  further defines a recessed area  46  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), a first housing line orifice  48  and a second housing line orifice  50  ( FIG. 4 ) therein. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 5 , attachment module  14  is made up of a spool cover  52  and a clip holder  54 . Spool cover  52  defines a protrusion  56  ( FIGS. 2 and 6A ) having an outer surface that engages in mating relationship with the recessed area  46  of the rear cabinet  18 . Spool cover  52  has an inner surface that defines an axle member  58  ( FIG. 5 ). A first channel  60  extends radially outward from axle member  58  on an inner surface of the spool cover  52 . Spool cover  52  also defines a second channel  62  that extends radially outward from axle member  58 . Spool cover  52  further defines a first attachment module line orifice  64  ( FIG. 2 ) that communicates with an outer end of the first channel  60  and a second cable orifice  66  ( FIGS. 2 and 6A ) that communicates with an outer end of the second channel  62 . 
     A spring member  68  ( FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 A) is provided that engages an inside surface of the clip holder  54 . A spool  70  ( FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 A) is located in the attachment module  14  between the spool cover  52  and the clip holder  54 . Spool  70  is rotationally mounted on axle member  58  of spool cover  52 . Spool  70  is rotationally biased in a first direction by spring member  68 . A metal washer  72  ( FIG. 5 ) is also mounted on axle member  58  and is located between the spool  70  and the spool cover  52 . 
     A first cable  74  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) has a first end  76  ( FIG. 5 ) that is secured to the spool  70 . First cable  74  passes through first channel  60  in spool cover  52  and out of first attachment module line orifice  64 . First cable  74  further passes through first housing line orifice  48  in rear cabinet  18  for securing a second end of first cable  74  to the rear cabinet  18 . 
     A second cable  80  ( FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 A) has a first end  82  ( FIG. 6A ) that is secured to the spool  70 . Second cable  80  passes through second channel  62  in spool cover  52  and out of second attachment module line orifice  66 . Second cable  80  further passes through second housing line orifice  50  in rear cabinet  18  for securing a second end of second cable  80  to rear cabinet  18 . 
     A pair of clip mounts  86  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) are provided on an outside surface of clip holder  54 . A shaft  88  is located in receiving orifices defined by clip mounts  86 . A belt clip  90  is pivotally mounted on shaft  88 . A clip spring  92  is provided for biasing the belt clip  90  towards the clip holder  54 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the invention may be seen in  FIG. 7  wherein spool  70  is located within display module  12 . A single cable  74  connects the display module  12  to the attachment module  14 . To prevent relative lateral movement of the display module  12  and the attachment module  14 , the display module  12  is provided with a protrusion  56  for mating engagement with recess  46 , formed in attachment module  14 . 
     In use, the portable device  10  may be attached to the waist of a user. The upper portion of belt clip  90  may be depressed by the thumb of a wearer to separate the belt clip  90  from the clip holder  54 . A wearer&#39;s waist band or belt may then be inserted between the belt clip  90  and the clip holder  54 . The belt clip  90  may then released. The clip spring  92  biases the belt clip  90  against the clip holder  54  to secure the portable exercise device  10  to the waist of a user. 
     If during use a wearer desires to view information displayed through window  22 , e.g., by LCD or LED display  28 , or if a wearer desires to more easily manipulate first button  24 , second button  26  or any of plurality of keys  34 , then the display module  12  may be separated from attachment module  14  so that display module  12  may be more easily manipulated and viewed by the wearer. 
     To separate the display module  12  from the attachment module  14 , a wearer need only grasp the display module  12  and apply a pulling force thereto. A gripping surface on the display module  12  is provided by rubber pads  36 . 
     The secured second end of first cable  74  and second cable  80  are maintained within the display module  12 . First cable  74  and second cable  80  extend outwardly from first housing line orifice  48  and second housing line orifice  50 , respectively. Upon applying a separating force to the display module  12 , the first cable  74  and second cable  80  are pulled through first attachment module line orifice  64  and second attachment module line orifice  66  as spool  70  unwinds the cables  74 ,  80 . Spool  70  unwinds the first cable  74  and second cable  80  simultaneously. The first cable  74  is pulled through the first channel  60  formed in the spool cover  52  of the attachment module  14 . Similarly, as the second cable  80  is unwound from spool  70 , second cable  80  passes through second channel  62 , which is formed in the spool cover  52  of the attachment module  14 . 
     As spool  70  rotates to release first cable  74  and second cable  80  spring plate  68  is wound to a tighter configuration, thereby providing a biasing force to spool  70 . When a separating force ceases to be applied to the display module  12 , spool  70  retracts the extended lengths of first cable  74  and second cable  80 . The biasing force applied by spring plate  68  is sufficient to secure the display module  12  to the attachment module  14  upon release of the display module  12  by the wearer. Protrusion  56  is preferably provided on the spool cover  52  of attachment module  14 . Protrusion  56  is sized for mating engagement with recessed area  46  formed on a rear surface of rear cabinet  18  of display module  12 . Therefore, when the display module  12  is seated against attachment module  14  and held thereto by first cable  74  and second cable  80 , the display module  12  is substantially prevented from lateral movement relative to attachment module  14 . 
     Optionally, magnets may be installed in display module  12  and attachment module  14  to facilitate proper fitting of the modules when connected. Preferably, four pairs of magnets are arranged in or around recessed area  46  and protrusion  56  for mating engagement when display module  12  is seated against attachment module  14 . The addition of magnets improves the “feel” for the user when the display module  12  is parked against the attachment module  14 . 
     The resulting portable device provides advantages of being easily viewed by a wearer by permitting the display module to be moved and oriented in a manner desired by the wearer. Additionally, the benefits associated with a manipulatable display module  12  do not result in a configuration wherein the attachment module  14  and display module  12  may become separated from one another. Moreover, the biasing action of spring member  68  provides sufficient force to secure display module  12  to attachment module  14  so that the display module  12  and attachment module  14  function as a single unit when in a retracted condition as shown in  FIG. 1 . Finally, the mating protrusion  56  and recessed area  46  prevent relative lateral movement between the display module  12  and attachment module  14  of the exercise device. 
     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) set for herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.