Exerciser band usage tracking device attachment and method

Abstract

An interconnect module for use on a resistance band exercise device. The module can include one or more electronic transducers for tracking motions of the resistance band during exercises. The module can communicate wirelessly with a user's mobile phone running an app which monitors and directs usage. The module can include a pair of matable subsections. A base unit subsection can house the electronics while a band unit subsection can attach to an end of a resistance band. The subsections can quickly attach and detach from one another using a simple twisting motion. Additional second subsections can attach to different resistance bands thereby allowing adjustment of the exercise device properties by swapping out bands.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resistance band exercise device comprises:
 an interconnect module comprising:
 a base unit; 
 a resistance band having a first end; 
 a band unit secured to said first end; and, 
 a fastening mechanism releasably securing said band unit to said base unit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening mechanism allows relative manipulation of said band unit with respect to said base unit between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said base unit comprises:
 a substantially cylindrical receptacle extending along a first axis.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said band unit comprises:
 a substantially cylindrical post extending along a second axis;   wherein said post is substantially commensurate with said receptacle.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second axes are substantially aligned when said locking mechanism is in a locked condition. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said post is manipulatable within said receptacle between said locked condition and an unlocked condition. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein axial movement of said post with respect to said receptacle is prevented when said mechanism is in said locked condition. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said post rotates an angle within said receptacle between said locked condition and said unlocked condition. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said angle is between 60 and 120 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said fastening mechanism comprises at least one pair of tongues extending from one of said post and receptacle and at least one pair of channels formed on the other of said post and receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said device further comprises a pair of radial channels shaped and dimensioned to allow angular movement of said tongues therethrough between said locked and unlocked conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said tongues bear against said channels while said mechanism is in said locked condition. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a first of said tongues comprises:
 an arcuate extension having a fixed end and a free end;   an isthmus radially connecting said fixed end to said post;   whereby said extension is cantileveredly supported by said isthmus.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises:
 a battery;   at least one electronic transducer;   a wireless communication transceiver;   a microprocessor interpreting an output of said transducer to determine an on/off status for supplying power from said battery to said wireless communication transceiver.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one electronic transducer comprises a load cell which outputs a data stream responsive to changes in an axial tension on said band. 
     
     
         17 . A method for adjusting the tension on an exerciser, said method comprising:
 selecting a resistance band device having an interconnect module comprising:
 a base unit; 
 a first band unit attached to a first resistance band having a first stiffness; 
 a connector releasably securing said first band unit to said base unit; 
   selecting a second band unit secured to a second resistance band having a second stiffness different from said first stiffness;   connecting said base unit to a fixture;   disconnecting said first band unit from said base unit while said base unit remains connected to said fixture; and,   connecting said second band unit to said base unit while said base unit remains connected to said fixture.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said disconnecting comprises:
 twisting said first band unit approximately 90 degrees with respect to said base unit;   axially separating said first band unit from said base unit; and,   wherein said connecting said second band unit comprises:   axially inserting said second band unit into a receptacle in said base unit; and,   twisting said second band unit approximately 90 degrees with respect to said base unit.