Patent Publication Number: US-2023141420-A1

Title: Squat Exercise System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS ORIGIN OF INVENTION 
     The present invention claims priority to the Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/223,656 filed on Jul. 20, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     I. TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to an exercise system. In particular, the present invention relates to a squat exercise system and a method to automatically track, in real-time, the accuracy of performance, and a count of each squat exercise successfully completed by a user. 
     II. BACKGROUND 
     Exercise equipment and systems have been known to help promote good health by improving physical appearance, digestion and strength. A squat is performed to activate and engage several parts of the body including for example, glutes, quads, hamstrings and core muscles of a person. 
     There is a particular technique required in order to perform a successful squat including keeping the head up, the torso straight and engaging the core as the person squats sending the hips in a backward and downward direction, simultaneously. 
     Several issues may occur when a person performs a squat incorrectly including for example, possible injury. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a squat exercise system capable of assisting a user in successfully performing squat exercises while automatically tracking in real-time the accuracy of performance and a total count thereof. 
     III. SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a squat exercise system including a bench component which functions as a landing for a user and a remote control system that controls operations performed by the squat exercise system and includes a remote control unit operating the squat exercise system, and a housing removably attached to an underside of the bench component that includes a power supply unit supplying power, a sensing device which senses a body part of the user when within a predetermined distance from the bench component and generates a signal, a processor/control unit that receives and processes the signal by the sensing device in communication therewith, and automatically tracks, in real-time a count of each successful squat completed and a total count thereof, and a notification unit in communication with the processing/control unit that generates a notification signal indicative of successful completion of a squat. 
     Additional embodiments include a method of performing squat exercises via the above-mentioned system. 
     The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of various embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are photographs illustrating a squat exercise system including a remote control system in an on and off state respectively, that can be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a photograph illustrating a top view of the bench component and the remote control unit of the squat exercise system shown in  FIG.  1   , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are photographs illustrating the bottom view of the squat exercise system shown in  FIG.  1    including the remote control housing and the remote control housed therein respectively, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a photograph illustrating a bottom view of the remote control housing shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  to be removably attached to the underside of the bench component, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are photographs illustrating the remote control system of the squat exercise system including the remote control unit and the remote control housing, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are photographs illustrating a front view and back view of the remote control unit of the remote control system, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a block diagram illustrating the components housed within the remote control housing unit, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is an electrical circuit illustrating the electrically communicative coupling between the components shown in  FIG.  7   , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art. This detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of embodiments of the invention. 
     V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. 
     In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art. 
     As noted above, the embodiments provide a squat exercise system for assisting users in accurately performing squat exercises and automatically tracking, in real-time a count of completion thereof. 
     Embodiments of the present invention, provide a squat exercise system that enables users to perform squats low enough to ensure that they have completed a successful squat that will render guaranteed results. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate, a squat exercise system  100  in an on-state and an off-state, respectively. The squat exercise system  100  includes a bench component  110  acting as a landing or seat for a user, and a remote control system  200  including a remote control unit  210  for operating the squat exercise system  100  and a housing  220  removably attached to an underside  120   b  of the bench component  110  (as depicted in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B ) which houses the operating components  300  of the remote control system  200  of the squat exercise system  100  therein (to be discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   ). 
     In the current embodiment, the remote control unit  210  and the operating components  300  in the housing  220  (which is attached to the bench component  110 ) of the remote control system  200  are communicatively coupled together via a wiring (enclosed in a cable gland)  250 . Additionally, electrical connectors can be included within the housing  220  to connect/disconnect the wiring  250  between the remote control unit  210  and the housing  220 . According to other embodiments, the remote control unit  210  may communicate with the operating components  300  wirelessly over a communication network  260  (as depicted in  FIG.  7   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the bench component  110  includes an opening  130  at a top portion  120   a  thereof for displaying a sensing device  310  (e.g., an ultrasonic range sensor(s)) of the remote control system  200  (as depicted in  FIG.  8   ; discussed below) along with multiple leg portions  140  for standing in an upright position on a flat surface  50  (e.g., a floor). The bench component  110  may also include collapsible, adjustable handrails (not shown) and the leg portions  140  may also be adjustable to adjust the height of the bench component  110 , to further assist a user in successfully performing squat exercises in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. The bench component  110  is not limited to any particular size and/or shape and therefore may vary. Also, the bench component  110  may be formed of any material suitable for the purpose set forth herein. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2  through  4   , the housing  220  of the remote control system  200  is removably attached to the underside  120   b  of the bench component  110  via an attaching means  80  (e.g., screws). The present invention is not limited hereto and any suitable attaching means may be used. Since the housing  220  is removably attached to the bench component  110  as shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the squat exercise system  100  including the remote control system  200  can operate without the bench component  110  in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention. As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the remote control unit  210  is removably attached to the housing  220  and therefore can operate separate and apart from the bench component  110 . For example, in alternative embodiments, the housing  220  can be positioned directly on the flat surface  50  with the sensing device  310  facing an upright and a user can perform squat exercises in the direction of the sensing device  310 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The outer body  221  of the housing  220  is formed of a hard plastic material such as an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic formed by fused deposition modeling (FDM), for example, or any other suitable material for the purpose set forth herein. The outer body  221  includes a speaker output  224  which includes a plurality of holes for outputting audio signals to indicate squat status information and a power button  316  for initiating an on-off state of the remote control unit system  200 , a connector  317  for receiving a recharging cord  318  (as depicted in  FIG.  7   ) to recharge the system  200  and openings  227  as depicted in  FIG.  4   , for receiving the attaching means  80  to secure the housing  220  to the underside of the bench component  110 . The outer body  221  further includes a plurality of protruding portions (e.g., male connectors)  228  spaced apart along a surface thereof for receiving and removably storing the remote control unit  210  therein when not in use, as shown in  FIG.  3 B . As shown, the remote control unit  210  will remain in place until the user manually releases the remote control unit  210  from the housing  220  by releasing the protruding portions  228  of the housing  220  from the openings (i.e., female connectors  218  as depicted in  FIG.  6 B ) of the remote control unit  210 . According to one embodiment, the remote control unit  210  is slid from the housing  220 . Alternatively, the outer body  221  of the housing  220  may connect to the remote control unit  210  using any suitable connecting or holding means or the remote control unit  210  may be separately stored elsewhere within a bench component  110  or in a remote external location. 
     Details regarding the remote control unit  210  will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . As shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , the remote control unit  210  is a hand-held device formed of a different or similar hard material as that of the housing  220 . Alternatively, the remote control unit  210  may be a wearable device or the operations thereof may be implemented as a software via an external device (e.g., a mobile device). In the current embodiment, the remote control unit  210  includes a front surface  213   a  and a back surface  213   b . The front surface  213   a  includes a display  214  and a user input device  216  for receiving user instructions thereon. The display  214  is configured to display various squat exercise information  219  including but not limited to squat height information for the user for performing the squat, squat status and type of squat exercise to be perform (e.g., single, pulsating or holding squat), squat count and associated timing information (completed time, pause, resume), and optionally a visual warning information. The present invention is not limited to any particular information being displayed on the display  214  and can vary accordingly. According to one embodiment, the user input device  216  is a rotary device allowing the user to toggle between the squat exercise information  219  and select options type of squat to be performed and preset settings (e.g., squat height) as desired to initiate performance of a squat exercise. As the user selects the options and preset setting of choice, selection is highlighted as shown and the user may then push the user input device  216  inward to make the selection of the highlighted option or information. The user input device  216  is not limited to a rotary input device and can be a keyboard or button or other suitable input device for the purposes set forth herein according to other embodiments of the present invention. The remote control unit  210  further includes a transmitter/receiver  240  (as depicted in  FIG.  7   ) for transmitting/receiving data between the remote control unit  210  the operating components  300  within the housing  220 . Additional details regarding operation of the remote control system  200  will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  6 B , as mentioned above, the back surface  213   b  of the remote control unit  210  includes receiving portions  218  for receiving the protruding portions  228  of the housing  220 , when storing thereon. 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    illustrate the remote control system  200  including the remote control unit  210  and the housing  220  and the operation thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the remote control unit  210  includes the display  214 , the user input device  216  and the optional transmitter/receiver  240 . The housing  220  includes several operating components  300  of the remote control system  200  including the sensing device  310  including one or more sensors, a processor/control unit  312 , the power supply unit  315 , and a notification unit  320 . A detailed description the above components is described below with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
     According to an embodiment, the display  214  of the remote control unit  210  is a graphic display module (e.g., an OLED graphic display module) for displaying a scrollable menu including selection options along with squat information and settings to the user. The display  214  is connected to a level shifter  215  and a capacitor  217  for translate signals from one voltage or logic level to another to enable compatibility between within the circuitry shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     As previously mentioned above, the user input device  216  is a rotary-type input device with push button and can be used as a rotatable push knob for navigating and selection options  219  on the display  214  of the remote control unit  210 . A separate transmitter/receiver  240  may also be included for transmitting/receiving instructions from the processor/control unit  312 . The components of the remote control unit  200  are mounted to a PCB or breadboard for safe holding therein. 
     According to some embodiments, the remote control system  200  or the features thereof accessible via a wearable device (as mentioned above) can be voice-activated, such that users can speak commands to operate the squat exercise system  100 , for example, to turn on and off the system  100  and make the squat exercise selections via voice technology. 
     According to some embodiments, the sensing device  310  includes an ultrasonic distance sensor module that measures the distance from the bench component  110  to the user&#39;s body when performing squat exercises. The sensing device  310  may include one or more sensors and the type of sensing device is not limited hereto, for example, a motion sensing device, heat sensing device or other sensing device suitable for the purposes set forth herein may be used. Optionally, the sensing device  310  may be disposed within the bench component  110  instead of the housing  220 , for example, in a center region on the top outer surface of the bench component  110  according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The sensing device  310  is not limited hereto and can be disposed in any other suitable location for the purpose set forth herein. For example, the sensing device  310  can be positioned adjacent to a front region of the top portion  120   a  thereof (depicted in  FIG.  2   ). 
     Further shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , operating components  300  housed in the housing  220  will now be described. The sensing device  310  senses a body part of a user (e.g., the user&#39;s rear end) when within a predetermined distance away (e.g., approximately 1 to 3 inches) from the top of the bench component  110  and generates an associated audio signal. 
     The processor/control unit  312  comprises at least one microprocessor, microcontroller, central processor (CPU) or other control unit and is in communication with the sensing device  310  and receives, processes data signals generated therefrom and data received and transmitted to and from the remote control unit  210 . The processor/control unit  312  resides on a printed circuit board (PCB) having the operating components  300  and various wires as shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8    connected thereto for operation of the remote control unit  200 . The processor/control unit  312  is capable of sending instructions to and from the other operating components  300  for example, the sensing device  310 , the notification unit  320 , the power supply unit  315 ; and the remote control unit  210  or any external devices. The processor/control unit  312  further includes a memory  313  for storing software instructions to receive the sensor information from the sensing device  310  and stores it therein and transmits data signals to the display  214 . Alternatively, a memory can also be included within the remote control unit  210  for storing the data input by the user at the user input device and transmitting the data to the processor/control unit  312 . 
     The processor/control unit  312  further includes an onboard clock  314  (e.g., timer/counter) to count and track the time difference between the current time and an exercise start time (as discussed below) to determine the duration of the squat exercise being perform for displaying to the user via the display  214 . The processor/control unit  312  automatically tracks, in real-time, an accurate count of completion of each successful squat exercise performed by user and provides a total count to the user via the display  214 . Alternatively, the components of the processor/control unit  312  may be separate components (e.g., a separate processor/controller, memory, timer and digital counter) electrically connected together for operation according to other embodiments. 
     In yet another embodiment, the output from the processor/control unit  312  can be pushed via a webhook on a communication network such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities to an external device (e.g., a wearable device) or other external device instead of the remote control unit  210  suitable for the purpose set forth herein. 
     As shown, the power supply unit  315  is configured to supply power to the remote control system  200  and may include one or more replaceable or rechargeable battery pack. According to one embodiment, the battery pack may be a 12V rechargeable battery pack and include one or more lithium-type batteries along with a protection board for safely recharging the batteries. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of power supply and may vary as needed. For example, the power supply unit  315  can receive power from an external power source or by an optional USB charging device, for example. The on-off state of the remote control system  200  is initiated by use of a power button  316  which may be a push button-type device, for example, a 12 volt (V) light emitting diode (LED) latching power button to turn the remote control system  200  on and off. The power supply unit  315  further includes a connector  317  (e.g., a female barrel connector) for receiving a recharging cord  318  to be inserted therein in and connecting to an external power source for recharging purposes. The recharging cord may be for example, a 12 volt (V) 3 amp (A) charging cord with a male connector for connection to the connector  317  of the power supply unit  315 . 
     The notification unit  320  is also included and is in communication with the processor/control unit  312  for receiving a signal therefrom, processing the signal received and providing a notification signal to a user upon performing a squat or other operations of the squat exercise system  100 , for example, setting height or receiving a warning signal (discussed in more detail below). The notification unit  320  can be an audio and/or visual generating signal unit for example, a speaker and a transmitter (e.g., a microphone) or buzzer generating an audio signal (e.g., a beep), and/or optionally a lighting device (e.g., an LED) generating a light (e.g., green in color) indicative of a successful squat being completed, or any type of signaling unit or components capable of generating a notification signal as set forth herein. 
     A resistor  321  e.g., of 1 kΩ, for example, is used to connect the notification unit  320  (e.g., a buzzer) to ground (as depicted in  FIG.  8   ). 
     According to some embodiments, when a user is performing the squat, the notification unit  320  may generate one or more series of beeps to indicate to the user has completed a successful squat and generates a different sound or beep when a successful squat has not been completed. The present invention is not limited to any particular number of beeps or holding time. 
     According to other embodiments, a wearable device is provided to enable a user to receive a notification signal thereon from the notification unit  320 . The notification signal received can cause a vibration to occur at the wearable device. The wearable device can be a bracelet for example, which receives the notification signal and vibrates to indicate that a squat has been performed accurately. This feature is a benefit for those who have hearing disabilities or when users opt to eliminate audio signals from the system. The system  200  can be implemented with and synced with other external devices, for example, other exercise tracking devices such as a FitBit® to enable users to sync and keep track of their progress externally from the system. This implementation can also enable a user to create squat goals in advance via the external device and implement those goals via the squat exercise system and possible participate in challenges with other users of other squat exercise systems. This implementation can also be included in the wearable device of the system according to other embodiments. The vibration feature can be performed using Bluetooth technology or other suitable technology. The bench component  110  is paired up with a wearable device during a pairing operation such that upon receiving a signal from the sensing device  310 , the processor/control unit  312  will generate and transmit a signal to the wearable device (e.g., the bracelet) to vibrate once a successful squat is completed. 
     As mentioned, several operating components  300  of the squat exercise system are housed within the housing  220 . However, the present invention is not limited hereto. Alternatively, some of these components operating  300  may be housed within the remote control unit  210  itself or in an external device in communication with the remote control system  200 . For example, the processing unit  312  and notification unit  320  may be in the remote control unit  210 . Alternatively, the remote control unit  210  may include a separate processing unit (not shown) to be in communication with the processor/control unit  312  of the housing  220 . According to embodiments of the present invention, the squat exercise system can perform various methods wherein squats can be performed or squat settings can be preset by the user at the remote control unit  210  as follows: 
     Single Squat/Jump Squat Setting:
         1. User selects “Set Height” on the display  214  via the user input device  216 , to preset height to squat based on the user&#39;s height into the squat or how deep of a squat the user wants to do. Specifically, the user gets into a desired squat position and then pushes the input user device  216  to set the squat height. The system  200  automatically saves the squat height at the memory  313  of the processor/control unit  312 . The system  200  will automatically set the height to approximately 5-6 inches if the user does not preset a height.   2. User then selects the “Single Squat” via the user input device  216  to set the system  200  to the single squat setting.   3. User squats over the bench component.   4. The sensing device is activated once user&#39;s body part (rear end) is located at the preset height from the sensing device  310  located on the bench component   5. The sensing device sends a signal to a processor/control unit  312  or directly to the notification unit  320 .   6. The notification unit generates a sound (e.g., a single or series of beeps) alerting the user that he/she is in the predetermined range and has completed a successful squat and the onboard clock  314  of the processor/control unit counts the squat as completed.   7. The number of the squat is displayed on the display  214 .   8. The user rises from squat and repeats.   9. According to another embodiment, if the user chooses to do timed squats, the onboard clock  314  tracks how many squats the user performs in a predetermined time, as set by the user.   10. Completed time and number of completed squats will remain displayed for a predetermined period of time at the display  214         

     If at any time the user decides to pause the system  200 , the user can go back to the menu at the input user device  216  and click to pause, check time and/or number of squats completed, then select resume to resume at the original time upon pausing, as well as at the number of squats already completed or select end to terminate that exercises and move on to a different type of squat exercise by returning to the menu. 
     Pulsating Squats Setting:
         1. User selects “Set Height” on the display  214  via the user input device  216 , to preset height to squat based on the user&#39;s height into the squat (similar step as that of the single squat).   2. User then sets the system  200  to the pulsating squat setting via the menu at the user input device  216 .   3. User then presets the number of pulses planned for each squat. (For purposes of example only, three pulses per squat will be used). The present invention is not limited hereto and can vary, as necessary.   4. User squats up and down just within the preset height over the bench component  110 .   5. The sensing device  310  is activated once user&#39;s body part (i.e., rear end) is located at a predetermined distance away from the sensing device  310  at the bench component  110 .   6. The sensing device  310  sends a signal to processor/control unit  312  and/or directly to the notification unit  320 .   7. The notification unit  320  generates a beep alerting the user that he/she is in the predetermined range for a successful squat.   8. The user performs three squat pulses while remaining in the predetermined range.   9. Unlike the single squat, here the notification unit will sound at each pulse, once the user completes a round of three pulses within the squat after the third (or last) pulse, the notification unit generates a different sound or beep to notify the user that they have successfully completed a pulsating squat and also the processor/control unit  312  counts the pulsating squats and sends a data signal to the display  214  to display the number of the pulsating squats to the user.   10. The user rises from squat and repeats until the total number of pulsating squats is completed as desired.   11. According to another embodiment, if the user chooses to do timed pulsating squats, the onboard clock  314  tracks how many pulsating squats the user performs in a predetermined time, as set by the user.   12. The completed time and number of completed pulsating squats will remain displayed at the display  214  for a predetermined amount of time.       

     Holding Squat Setting:
         1. User selects “Set Height” on the display  214  via the user input device  216 , to preset the height to squat based on the user&#39;s height into the squat.   2. User sets the system  200  to the holding squat setting via the user input device  216  and selects the amount of time the user wishes to hold squat. (For purposes of example only, 30 seconds will be used).   3. User squats over the bench component  110 .   4. The sensing device  310  is activated once user&#39;s body part (rear end) is located at a predetermined distance from the sensing device  310  at the bench component  110 .   5. The sensing device  310  then sends a signal to a processor/control unit  312  and/or directly to the notification unit  320 .   6. The notification unit  320  generates a sound (e.g., a beep) alerting the user is in the predetermined range and has completed a successful squat.   7. User then holds squat for the preset holding squat time 30 seconds, for example. The system  200  counts down the time via the onboard clock  314 . If the user gets out of the squat position before the end of the preset holding squat time, the notification unit  320  generates a beep after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 2-5 seconds) and resets that time to 30 seconds and the user must repeat the holding squat from the beginning.   8. Provided user remains in predetermined range over sensing device  310  for the total preset time, the notification unit  320  will issue a different beep, for example to notify the user that the holding squat is completed, the sensing device  310  also sends a signal to the processor/control unit  312  and the processor/control unit  312  then counts the holding squat and sends a signal to the display  214  to display the number of the holding squat completed.   9. The user rises from the holding squat and repeats.   10. According to another embodiment, if the user chooses to do timed holding squats, the onboard clock  314  tracks how many holding squats the user performs in a predetermined time, as set by the user.   11. The completed time and number of completed holding squats will remain displayed for a predetermined amount of time.       

     According to other embodiments, the system  100  can further assist users with psychological hindrances potentially get over his or her fear of squats because the bench component  110  will hold a user&#39;s weight and optional handrails can be used to assist the user in performance of each squat exercise. If optional handrails are included, they may be collapsible, adjustable, and detachable via an unscrewing operation or other means. According to some embodiments, the handrails may also be weighted (e.g., for approximately 1 to 5 lbs.) and used as one or more weighted bars by the user while performing squat exercises. 
     According to other embodiments, since the squat exercise system is a portable exercise system, it may also include at least one handle for easy travel and storage. Alternatively, one or more handles may be disposed on one or more sides of the bench component. 
     The present invention is not limited to performing any particular methods and or any particular settings and can vary, as necessary according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.