US20020128127A1 - Dumbbell with means to detect and show physical conditions of the operator - Google Patents

Abstract

A dumbbell includes a dumbbell body and an instrument, the instrument having a main unit fixedly mounted on the surface of the dumbbell body and sensor means fixedly mounted on the dumbbell body and electrically connected to the main unit, wherein the sensor means detects the number of cycles within which the operator moves the dumbbell body up and down as well as the heart beat of the operator for enabling the main unit to calculate the amount of heat energy consumed by the operator during exercising when the operator presses the thumb on the sensor means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to exercising apparatus and, more particularly, to a dumbbell, which has means to detect and show the physical conditions of the operator.[0001]
• A variety of physical exercising apparatus have been developed and have appeared on the market. These physical exercising apparatus include weight-training apparatus such as dumbbells; compound weight lifting machines and etc. There are also known physical exercising apparatus designed for physical endurance training such as jogging machines, stationary bicycles, and etc. Advanced exercising apparatus are seen in Utility models #87206847; #87206288; #87211144. These advanced exercising apparatus are commonly equipped with an instrument adapted to show a variety of exercising data including the length of exercising time, the exercising speed, the amount of load, and etc. There are also known new designs of dumbbells. Exemplars of new designs of dumbbells are seen in Utility models #85212272; #86309105; #84218848. However, these new designs of dumbbells have no means to indicate the operator's physical conditions.[0002]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a dumbbell, which has means to show the physical conditions of the operator when operated by the operator, so that the operator can determine when to stop exercising, preventing the occurrence of a possible athletic injury. To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a dumbbell is provided comprising a dumbbell body and an instrument, the instrument comprising a main unit fixedly mounted on the surface of the dumbbell body and sensor means fixedly mounted on the dumbbell body and electrically connected to the main unit, wherein the sensor means detects the number of cycles within which the operator moves the dumbbell body up and down as well as the heart beat of the operator for enabling the main unit to calculate the amount of heat energy consumed by the operator during exercising when the operator presses the thumb on the sensor means.[0003]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dumbbell constructed according to the present invention.[0004]
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate form of the dumbbell according to the present invention.[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a[0006]dumbbell10 is shown comprising adumbbell body12, and aninstrument14 installed in thedumbbell body12. Theinstrument14 comprises amain unit22, and asensor24. Themain unit22 of theinstrument14 is fixedly mounted in afirst chamber26 at one end of thedumbbell body12, comprising aLED display28, a set ofentry keys30, a counter and a control circuit board (not shown). Thesensor24 is fixedly mounted in asecond chamber36 at thehandgrip34 of thedumbbell body12, and electrically connected to themain unit22 by anelectric wire32.
• When in use, the operator inputs personal data of body height and body weight through the[0007]entry keys30 into theinstrument14. When operating thedumbbell10, the thumb is pressed on thesensor24, enabling thesensor24 to detect with the counter of themain unit22 the number of cycles within which thedumbbell10 is lifted and lowered as well as the heart beat of the operator. The detected data is compared with the operator's personal data been pre-set in themain unit22, enabling the control circuit board of themain unit22 to calculate the amount of heat energy (calories) consumed.
• In short, the[0008]dumbbell10 is used to exercise the arms, and to indicate the operator's physical conditions when operated. Because the operator knows one's physical conditions when exercising, possible athletic injury is eliminated.
• Further, the[0009]dumbbell body12 of thedumbbell10 can have any of a variety of shapes. FIG. 2 shows an alternate form of thedumbbell10.
• While only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes could be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.[0010]

Claims (3)

What the invention claimed is:

1. A dumbbell comprising a dumbbell body, and an instrument fixedly mounted on said dumbbell body, said instrument comprising a main unit fixedly mounted on said dumbbell body, and sensor means fixedly mounted on said dumbbell body and electrically connected to said main unit for pressing by the operator's thumb and adapted to detect the number of cycles within which the operator moves said dumbbell body up and down as well as the heart beat of the operator for enabling said main unit to calculate the amount of heat energy consumed by the operator during exercising when the operator operates the dumbbell and presses the thumb on said sensor means.

2. The dumbbell ofclaim 1 wherein said main unit is fixedly mounted on a handgrip of said dumbbell body, comprising a LED display, a set of entry keys, and a control circuit board.

3. The dumbbell ofclaim 2 wherein said dumbbell body comprises a first receiving chamber, which receives the main unit of said instrument, and a second receiving chamber disposed in a handgrip thereof, which receives said sensor means.

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