Exercise apparatus, system and associated method

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for exercise in which a user strikes the apparatus ( 10 ), the apparatus ( 10 ) including: a body ( 12 ) and a sensor assembly ( 16 ) located at least partially within the body ( 12 ); wherein the sensor assembly ( 16 ) includes pressure sensor ( 18 ) having a fluid filled housing ( 95 ) with a flexible surface ( 93 ), the sensor assembly ( 16 ) being configured to generate an impact signal associated with deflection of the flexible surface ( 93 ) of the pressure sensor ( 18 ), and wherein the flexible surface ( 93 ) of the pressure sensor ( 18 ) is positioned relative to a striking portion ( 14 ) of the body ( 12 ) such that impacting the striking portion ( 14 ) of the body ( 12 ) deflects the flexible surface of the pressure sensor ( 18 ) thereby generating the impact signal.

1 . An apparatus for exercise in which a user strikes the apparatus, the apparatus including a body and a sensor assembly located at least partially within the body,
 wherein the sensor assembly includes a bellow having a fluid filled housing with a substantially dome shaped flexible surface, the sensor assembly being configured to generate an impact signal associated with deflection of the flexible surface of the bellow, and   wherein the flexible surface of the bellow is positioned relative to a striking portion of the body such that impacting the striking portion of the body deflects the flexible surface of the bellow thereby generating the impact signal.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the striking portion of the body includes an aperture and the flexible surface of the bellow is positioned substantially within the aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the striking portion includes a striking surface surrounding the aperture and the flexible surface of the bellow is substantially aligned with the striking surface of the striking portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the flexible surface of the bellow protrudes from the striking surface of the striking portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus includes a cover, the cover being arranged to span the aperture with the bellow located beneath the cover. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover includes a pocket which is arranged to align with and span the aperture, the pocket being shaped to receive at least a portion of the flexible surface of the bellow. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the body includes a core assembly which supports the striking portion and the bellow. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly includes a pressure switch in fluid communication with the bellow, the pressure switch being configured to provide the impact signal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the pressure switch is configured for communication with a recording unit to record the impact signal. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the recording unit includes at least one of a display and an alarm configured to indicate when the impact signal has been received. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two bellows, the at least two bellows positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, the at least two bellows being associated with at least two pressure switches so as to enable the recording unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two bellows. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two pairs of bellows, the at least two pairs of bellows are positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, wherein each of the at least two pairs of bellows is associated with respective pressure switches so as to enable the recording unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two pairs of pressure sensors. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein one of the least two pairs of bellows is positioned above the other of the at least two pairs of bellows. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise system including a body adapted to receive a strike and a control unit configured to record impact of the strike, wherein the body includes a sensor assembly having a bellow in communication with a pressure switch, and the control unit is configured to communicate with the pressure switch, wherein the bellow includes a fluid filled housing with a resilient surface, and wherein the resilient surface is substantially dome shaped and is positioned within a striking portion of the body such that impact of the strike on the striking portion deflects the resilient surface so as to generate an impact signal from the pressure switch which is recordable by the control unit. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two bellows, the at least two of the bellows being positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, the at least two bellows being associated with at least two corresponding pressure switches so as to enable the control unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two bellows. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the control unit includes a user interface having a display, the -control unit being configured to indicate on the display a number of impact signals received from each of the at least two bellows. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine a total number of impact signals and indicate on the total number of impact signal on the display. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of exercise using a system having an impact receiving body and a recording unit for counting the number of strikes impacted on the body, the method including:
 striking the apparatus within a strike portion of the body so as to deflect a substantially dome shaped resilient surface of a bellow located within the strike portion;   providing an impact signal to the control unit, the impact signal being provided by a pressure switch which is configured to generate the impact signal when the surface of the bellow is deflected; and   counting the received impact signals, the control unit being configured to determine a number of received impact signals and output a first tally to a display in communication with the control unit.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the method further includes:
 actuating a user interface to provide a user input, the control unit being configured to receive the user input, and wherein the user input includes a selection of at least one of a time period, a number of impacts and a pre-determined routine.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the pre-determined routine includes a series of exercise periods and rest periods, and wherein the recording unit is configured to indicate the exercise period and rest period to the user via at least one of the display and an alarm. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled)