Casual exercise device

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a casual exercise device includes a pedal movably attached to a base by a hinge at the base of the pedal. The base may be configured to lie flat on a floor or the ground, and force may be exerted to elevate the edge of the pedal distal from the hinge, such as by a spring incorporated into the hinge. This force may also resist a user's pushing down on the pedal. A counter may count the number of times the user taps the pedal, where a tap includes the user's pressing the pedal to the base, or within a specified angle or distance of the base, and then allows the pedal to rise again past a predetermined point.

1 . A casual exercise device, comprising:
 a base that comprises an underside configured to lay substantially flat against a floor;   a pedal that is joined to the base by a spring-loaded hinge configured to allow the pedal to move relative to the base around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the floor; and   a tap counter;   wherein the pedal comprises an upper surface that is configured to receive a force applied by a foot and also comprises an edge that is from the hinge;   wherein the spring is configured to exert a force on the pedal tending to rotate the pedal in a direction such that the distal end of the pedal is elevated above the base and tending to oppose the force exerted by the foot upon the upper surface; and   wherein the tap counter is configured to register a tap each time the pedal is rotated from a position that forms a first angle with the base that is larger than a first specified angle to a position that forms a second angle with the base that is smaller than a second specified angle.