Method and apparatus for exercising abdominal muscles

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for improving posture, including a housing, a power supply disposed within the housing; a first communication element coupled to the housing, an actuation mechanism coupled to the housing, where the actuation mechanism selectively electrically couples the first communication element to the power supply, and a clip coupled to the housing and engageable with a belt. The clip may include a substantially thin wire and the housing may be sized such that engagement of the clip with the belt positions a substantial portion of the housing behind the belt and out of view.

1 . A device for improving posture, comprising:
 a housing;   a power supply disposed within the housing;   a first communication element coupled to the housing;   an actuation mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the actuation mechanism selectively electrically couples the first communication element to the power supply; and   an affixation element coupled to the housing and engageable with an article of clothing, wherein engagement of the affixation element with the article of clothing positions a substantial portion of the housing adjacent to the article of clothing and substantially out of view.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first communication element is a light source. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first communication element is an audio source. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second communication element coupled to the housing, and wherein the actuation mechanism is able to selectively electrically couple the first communication element to the power supply. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first communication element is a light source and wherein the second communication element is an audio source. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mode selection element able to selectively electrically couple at least one of the first and second communication elements with the actuation mechanism. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a contact switch. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the affixation element includes a clip constructed from a substantially thin wire. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the clip extends from a top surface of the housing, and wherein the clip has a length larger than a length of the housing. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a length less than approximately one and a half inches, and a width of less than approximately one-half of an inch. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a depressible element coupled to the housing, wherein the depressible element is able to trigger the actuation mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a contact switch positioned adjacent to the depressible element. 
   
   
       13 . A device for improving posture, comprising:
 a housing;   a substantially disc-shaped power supply disposed within the housing;   a first communication element coupled to the housing;   a second communication element coupled to the housing;   a switch coupled to the housing, wherein the switch selectively electrically couples at least one of the first and second communication elements to the power supply; and   a clip coupled to the housing and engageable with a belt, and wherein engagement of the clip with the belt positions a substantial portion of the housing adjacent to and behind the belt such that the housing is out of view.   
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the switch is positioned on the housing facing the clip. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first communication element is a light source and wherein the second communication element is an audio source. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the clip includes a substantially thin wire extending from a top surface of the housing, and wherein the clip has a length larger than a length of the housing. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a mode selection element able to selectively electrically couple at least one of the first and second communication elements with the actuation mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . In combination with a belt, a device for improving posture, comprising:
 a housing having a length less than approximately one and a half inches and a thickness less than approximately one-half of an inch;   a power supply disposed within the housing;   a light source coupled to the housing;   an audio source coupled to the housing;   a switch coupled to the housing, wherein the switch selectively electrically couples at least one of the light source and audio source to the power supply;   a depressible element coupled to the housing adjacent to the switch, wherein the depressible element is able to trigger the switch; and   a clip coupled to the housing and engageable with the belt.   
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a mode selection element coupled to the housing, the mode selection element able to selectively electrically couple at least one of the light source and audio source to the actuation mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the depressible element is positioned on the housing facing the clip.