John J Saur

US Patent:

61100730, Aug 29, 2000

Filed:

Feb 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/244158

Inventors:

John Saur - Darien CT
James Richardson - Weston CT

Assignee:

Tread Pad Partners, LLC - Darien CT

International Classification:

A63F 900

US Classification:

482 8

Abstract:

A physical fitness device includes a housing, at least one resilient foot pad having a plurality of stepping locations, pad switch elements activated by pressure placed upon the stepping locations of the at least one foot pad, an on-board microcomputer coupled to the switch elements, and a control panel permitting a user to interact with the device. The switch elements include a plurality of pairs of contacts beneath the stepping locations and conductive leads to the microcomputer and control panel. Each foot pad has an electrically conductive undersurface adapted to make contact with one or more of the pairs of contacts when pressure is placed upon the foot pad. The control panel, which is coupled to the on-board microcomputer and an on-board power supply, has an electronic display. The control panel can be used to select predefined programs or exercise modes from the microcomputer to be followed by the user. The programs test and improve the user's foot speed, agility, and reaction time.