US-12616865-B2 - Variable resistance walking device with dedicated foot anchor and ergonomic network interface handle

US12616865B2US 12616865 B2US12616865 B2US 12616865B2US-12616865-B2

Abstract

A device for variable resistance walking with the capability to measure user exercise metrics, including a user's oxygen consumption, is provided, comprising a pair of elastomeric resistance elements configured to provide a variable resistance and having a foot anchor at a first end and a modular handle at a second end. The modular handles may each include at least one sensor and a network interface in communication with at least one sensor and at least one website via a network. In addition, the device may feature a dedicated website for displaying the exercise metrics and shared data and may provide for variable resistance walking in which a user's leg and arm regions experience a counter resistance to achieve aerobic and anaerobic benefits. The device may be utilized for indoor and outdoor resistance walking in physical therapy and may be adapted to healthcare conditions, including foot ailments, obesity, and diabetes.

Inventors

Janelle ZWIREN
Matthew Paprocki

Assignees

MY WORLD OF WALKING, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240330

Claims (18)

1 . An apparatus for resistance walking comprising: a pair of elastomeric bands, each band further comprising: a foot anchor at a first end; and a handle at a second end, each handle housing a plurality of insertable electronic components comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured to track exercise data; a network interface disposed within at least one handle, the network interface comprising a processor and a memory, the network interface in communication with said at least one sensor and with at least one website via a network; and a website for displaying an exercise data and shared data, wherein the processor stores and sends the exercise data to the website via the network and retrieves the shared data from the network, and stores the shared data in the memory, each band further comprising: an adjustable sheath including a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the first attachment point detachably coupled to the first end of each band, the second attachment point detachably coupled to the foot anchor, and the second end detachably coupled to the handle wherein an adjustable sheath length may be adjusted independently of an adjustable band length, and the adjustable band length may be adjustable independently of the adjustable sheath length, wherein the adjustable sheath is configured for an adjustment of the adjustable sheath length relative to a predetermined height of a user, and wherein the apparatus is configured for an adjustment of a selectable resistance of each band based upon a selected resistance of the user and the adjustable band length.
2 . The apparatus for resistance walking of claim 1 , each band further comprising: a first detachable securing member disposed between the anchor and the first end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the anchor and the first end of each band, and a second detachable securing member disposed between the handle and the second end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the handle and the second end of each band.
3 . The apparatus for resistance walking of claim 2 , wherein the pair of elastomeric bands are further configured to provide a selectable resistance, wherein a user selects the pair of elastomeric bands from a plurality of elastomeric bands each having a predetermined resistance from a range of predetermined resistances, and the user interchanges the pair of elastomeric bands in the apparatus for resistance walking from among the plurality of elastomeric bands based upon the detachable coupling between the foot anchor and the first end of each band and the detachable coupling between the handle and the second end of each band.
4 . The apparatus for resistance walking of claim 3 , wherein the insertable electronic components within each handle further comprise a gyroscope sensor and an accelerometer sensor, the network interface in communication with said gyroscope sensor and said accelerometer sensor.
5 . The apparatus for resistance walking of claim 4 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to calculate the exercise data of the user, including an oxygen consumption of the user based on measurements taken by the gyroscope sensor and the accelerometer sensor.
6 . The apparatus for resistance walking of claim 5 , wherein each handle includes a palm member extending linearly to a top section comprising: a removable capsule bezel configured to secure the insertable electronic components within the palm member of each handle; and a recess disposed at an upper region, including a cushion member and a securing member, the recess is configured to transfer a force of an upward motion of an arm of the user to the top section to stretch the band during resistance walking.
7 . A device for resistance walking comprising: a pair of elastomeric bands, each band having: a first end extending toward a foot anchor; and a second end detachably coupled to a handle portion, a sensor disposed within each handle and configured to track an exercise data; a network interface disposed within at least one handle, the network interface comprising a processor and a memory, the network interface in communication with said sensors and with at least one website via a network; and a website for displaying an exercise data and shared data, wherein the processor stores and sends the exercise data to the website via the network and retrieves the shared data from the network, and stores the shared data in the memory, each band further comprising: an adjustable sheath including a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the first attachment point detachably coupled to the first end of each band, the second attachment point detachably coupled to the foot anchor, and the second end detachably coupled to the handle wherein an adjustable sheath length may be adjusted independently of an adjustable band length, and the adjustable band length may be adjustable independently of the adjustable sheath length, wherein the adjustable sheath is configured for an adjustment of the adjustable sheath length relative to a predetermined height of a user, and wherein the apparatus is configured for an adjustment of a selectable resistance of each band based upon a selected resistance of the user and the adjustable band length.
8 . The device for resistance walking of claim 7 , each band further comprising: a first detachable securing member disposed between the foot anchor and the first end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the foot anchor and the first end of each band, and a second detachable securing member disposed between the handle portion and the second end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the handle portion and the second end of each band.
9 . The device for resistance walking of claim 8 , wherein the pair of elastomeric bands are further configured to provide a selectable resistance, wherein a user selects the pair of elastomeric bands from a plurality of elastomeric bands each having a predetermined resistance from a range of predetermined resistances, and the user interchanges the pair of elastomeric bands in the apparatus for resistance walking from among the plurality of elastomeric bands based upon the detachable coupling between the anchor and the first end of each band and the detachable coupling between the handle and the second end of each band.
10 . The device for resistance walking of claim 9 , wherein each handle portion further comprises a gyroscope sensor and an accelerometer sensor, the network interface in communication with said gyroscope sensor and said accelerometer sensor.
11 . The device for resistance walking of claim 10 , wherein the device is further configured to calculate the exercise data of the user, including an oxygen consumption of the user based on measurements taken by the gyroscope sensor and the accelerometer sensor.
12 . The device for resistance walking of claim 11 , wherein each handle includes a palm member extending linearly to a top section comprising: a removable capsule bezel configured to secure a plurality of insertable electronic components within each handle, the plurality of insertable electronic components comprising the sensor and the network interface; and a recess disposed at an upper region, including a cushion member and a securing member, the recess configured to transfer a force of an upward motion of an arm of the user to the top section to stretch the band during resistance walking.
13 . A device for measuring an oxygen consumption by a user during resistance walking comprising: a pair of elastomeric resistance elements, each resistance element having: an anchor at a first end, the anchor configured to detachably couple to a foot accessory of the user; and a handle portion at a second end, the resistance element extending linearly in an axis of the handle portion; at least one sensor is disposed of within each handle and configured to track an exercise data including an oxygen consumption of the user based upon measurements are taken by the at least one sensor; a network interface disposed within at least one handle, the network interface comprising a processor and a memory, the network interface in communication with said at least one sensor and with at least one website via a network; and a website for displaying an exercise data and shared data, wherein the processor stores and sends the exercise data to the website via the network and retrieves the shared data from the network, and stores the shared data in the memory, each resistance element further comprising: an adjustable sheath including a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the first attachment point configured to couple to a first detachable end of each resistance element, and the second attachment point configured to detachably couple to the anchor, wherein an adjustable sheath length may be adjusted independently of an adjustable resistance element length, and the adjustable resistance element length may be adjustable independently of the adjustable sheath length, wherein the adjustable sheath is configured for an adjustment of the adjustable sheath length relative to a predetermined height of the user, and wherein the device is configured for an adjustment of a selectable resistance of each resistance element based upon a selected resistance of the user and the adjustable resistance element length.
14 . The device of claim 13 , each band further comprising: a first detachable securing member disposed between the anchor and the first end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the anchor and the first end of each band, and a second detachable securing member disposed between the handle and the second end of each band and configured to provide a detachable coupling between the handle and the second end of each band.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein the pair of elastomeric bands are further configured to provide a selectable resistance, wherein the user selects the pair of elastomeric bands from a plurality of elastomeric bands each having a predetermined resistance from a range of predetermined resistances, and the user interchanges the pair of elastomeric bands in the apparatus for resistance walking from among the plurality of elastomeric bands based upon the detachable coupling between the anchor and the first end of each band and the detachable coupling between the handle and the second end of each band.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein each handle portion further comprises a gyroscope sensor and an accelerometer sensor, the network interface in communication with said gyroscope sensor and said accelerometer sensor.
17 . The device of claim 16 , wherein each handle portion includes a palm member disposed between a top side and a bottom side of the handle portion, the top side unattached to the second end of the resistance element and the bottom side coupled to the second end of the resistance element.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the top side of the handle portion comprises: a removable capsule bezel configured to secure a plurality of insertable electronic components within the handle portion, the plurality of insertable electronic components comprising the at least one sensor and the network interface; and a recess disposed at an upper region of the handle portion, including a cushion member and a securing member, the recess configured to transfer a force of an upward motion of an arm of the user to the top side of the handle portion to stretch the resistance element during resistance walking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/456,079, filed on Mar. 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a variable resistance walking device with a dedicated foot anchor and an ergonomic handle featuring a display and network interface. BACKGROUND In this new era of the awareness of the myriad of benefits of exercise, resistance walking, in which both the leg and arm regions experience a counter resistance, is known to provide both aerobic and anaerobic benefits. However, in current practice, the combination of this functionality in a device configured for both indoor and outdoor use is unavailable in a compact and convenient resistance walking device. It would be advantageous to implement a variable resistance walking device that is optimized with a predetermined range of interchangeable and convenient user-selected resistance levels. The variable resistance walking device may be further configured to measure multiple exercise metrics of a user that are tracked and used personally or shared via a network interface on a dedicated website so that a user experience may be motivated by private or shared user statistics and social capabilities including virtual challenges. It would also be beneficial to provide such a variable resistance walking device configured for indoor and outdoor training that networks together a broad range of user communities. The device's specifications should also apply to physical therapy and be adapted to particular healthcare conditions, including foot ailments, obesity, and diabetes. SUMMARY According to the embodiments of the invention, there is an apparatus for resistance walking comprising a pair of elastomeric bands, each band further comprising a foot anchor at the first end and a handle at the second end. Each handle may house a plurality of insertable electronic components comprising at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured to track exercise data. In addition, the insertable electronic components of the apparatus may further include a network interface disposed within at least one handle. The network interface may comprise a processor and a memory, and the network interface may communicate wirelessly with at least one sensor and with at least one website via a network. The insertable electronic components may communicate wirelessly to applications on a device such as a phone, tablet or computer. The applications may then communicate with the website. In addition, the apparatus may include a wireless interface with a website displaying the exercise data and shared data. The processor may store and send the exercise data to the website via the network, retrieve the shared data from the network, and store the shared data in the memory. According to the embodiments of the invention, there is also provided a device for resistance walking comprising a pair of elastomeric bands. Each band may include a first end extending toward a foot anchor that may be permanently or detachably coupled to the foot anchor and a second end extending toward a handle portion that may be permanently or detachably coupled to the handle portion. The device may include a sensor disposed within each handle, and the sensor may be configured to track exercise data. The device may include a network interface disposed within at least one handle. The network interface may comprise a processor and a memory, and the network interface may be in communication with the sensors and with at least one website via a network. The device may further communicate with the website to display the exercise data and shared data. The processor may store and send the exercise data to the website via the network, retrieve the shared data from the network, and store the shared data in the memory. There is also provided according to the embodiments of the invention device for measuring oxygen consumption during resistance walking comprising a pair of elastomeric resistance elements. Each resistance element may have an anchor at the first end, and the anchor may be configured to couple to a foot accessory of a user detachably. Each resistance element may also include a handle portion at a second end, and the resistance element may extend linearly in an axis of the handle portion. The device may include at least one sensor disposed within each handle configured to track exercise data, including an oxygen consumption of the user based upon measurements taken by at least one sensor. In addition, the device may include a network interface disposed within at least one handle. The network interface may comprise a processor and a memory, and the network interface may be in communication with at least one sensor and with at least one website via a network. The device may f