WO2009042662A2

WO2009042662A2 - Dance pad

Info

Publication number: WO2009042662A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/077487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Basil Scafidi; Skip Pierce; Jonathan Curtin; Steve Muenter
Original assignee: Sportwall International, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-09-25
Filing date: 2008-09-24
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Also published as: US20100285925A1; WO2009042662A3

Abstract

A dance pad having a plurality of conductive panels and incorporating a design which prevents electrostatic discharge from damaging electrical circuitry is disclosed. The dance pad provides the user with a tactile responsive feel, due to the use of resilient spacers and has a tapered perimeter to prevent tripping. The dance pad further incorporates a five handle perimeter design and a means for providing performance feedback to the user which can be audio, visual or vibrational.

Description

DANCE PAD

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit as a continuation- in-part of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/955,413, filed September 25, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more particularly to an interactive dance pad which can be used in conjunction with a group exercise program that permits multiple users, each using a respective dance pad, to participate at the same time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fitness activities have been gaining in popularity for decades. As obesity rates continue to rise, there remains a need for exercise equipment and programs that address this problem. Although the prior art is replete with a seemingly endless variety of exercise equipment, a critical need remains for fitness regimens which suitably entertain since a user' s lack of interest is a common, and most often times the primary reason for not performing the exercise.

One common and entertaining exercise is dancing. In a fitness setting, a dance program very similar to aerobic exercise can be beneficial and provide a suitable cardiovascular workout.

Interactive dance pads are known in the prior art and can be classified as either of consumer or commercial quality. Consumer dance pad products are generally made from non-durable combinations of vinyl and foam rubber. These consumer products are typically available to consumers in the electronics or toy sections of department stores.

Commercial dance pad products are designed to withstand heavy wear and are significantly more durable than those sold as consumer products. Typical applications for commercial dance pads would be in professional environments, gyms, and fitness centers.

One method for using dance pads in a fitness environment which is entertaining as well as athletically challenging is to have multiple pads linked to a central computer. The centralized computer provides a string of commands, instructing the user which part of the dance pad to step upon. Each step can be registered and the computer determines whether the step sequence was correct and feedback can be displayed on a main display viewable by all users. The degree of difficulty can be varied. One such example of this technology in the prior art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,751 issued to Anderson et al.

The overall computerized fitness program would display instructions on one or more public monitors viewable by all participants exercising or dancing upon a respective dance pad. Each participant would react to instructions broadcast by the computerized fitness program and step accordingly on the dance pad. Each dance pad is equipped with electrical contacts that detect the participant's steps and thereafter relay this information back to the computerized fitness program which can thereafter post the feedback information on a community display for viewing of the information. The software fitness program typically can offer various levels of difficulty.

Prior art dance pads utilize two conductive sheets situated one atop the other with a wire in between the two. When a load is placed upon the top sheet, it is flexed and the wire is pressed into contact with the bottom sheet and an electrical circuit is completed that allows the onboard circuitry to sense the activity and transmit to the central computer. A dance pad, typical of the prior art, incorporates a top layer of a transparent material with indicia located immediately below the top layer. While protective of the indicia, the transparent plastic top layer easily receives wear, such as scratches and scuff marks upon its top surface so that within a relatively short period of time, transparency is lost and the user is unable to view the indicia below.

Besides the durability concern regarding the use of a transparent top layer, the prior art does not provide for a large number of users to receive feedback on the details of their respective workout at the same time. Presently, any user feedback is collectively displayed on a centralized display screen which is viewable by all participants. It is obvious that a centralized display screen, no matter how large, suffers from its limited size when considering the maximum number of user to display and each user's personal feedback information. In addition, certain types of feedback information may be considered to be confidential by the user and thus not desired to be posted in a community display setting.

Furthermore, the dance pads of the prior art are typically thick vertically and an inexperienced user can suffer an injury if he steps too close to the pad's edge, lose his balance and trips off of the pad, possibly twisting an ankle or suffering some form of impact injury from falling.

Finally, prior art dance pads, because of their construction, have exhibited a susceptibility to damage of the electronic components as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD is more likely to occur when dance pads are placed on carpeted surfaces, particularly in cold, dry climates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a dance pad which forms a part of an overall fitness program where one or more of the dance pads would be operably connected to and become integrated with a central computer running a fitness program.

In this disclosure, the term "comprising" means including the elements or steps that are identified following that term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment may include other elements or steps.

Since the use of a dance pad powered by a power source and connected to a main computer for displaying information upon a public screen is well known, this specific operation will not be discussed further. Each dance pad made according to our invention is adapted with a performance related feedback means for providing information directly and privately to the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the performance related feedback means comprises a view screen upon positioned on the dance pad which can display a variety of information, including pad identification, score, elapsed time of game, elapsed time of an individual song, the number of steps made and calories burned. The score can be defined as the percentage of steps completed by the participant, or can be represented in other ways, such as total points.

The dance pad incorporates a means for communicating with the main computer remotely located. The means for communicating can be a wired connection, infrared or most preferably, wireless connection. In a preferred embodiment, the dance pad has a wireless connection to the central computer operating the fitness program. This allows for placement of multiple pads upon the flooring of a large room or other large space without incurring logistical problems associated with hard-wire connections. The dance pads would be orientated to face at least one public monitor which displays instructions each participant attempts to follow. In a less desirable alternative embodiment, the dance pads can be adapted for wired connection to the main computer. With a wired connection, the power source can be provided by an external source.

By providing performance related feedback information to the participant's dance pad, the user can customize the pace of his or her routine and can set individual goals. The performance related feedback means which is part of our dance pad will include the microprocessor interactively connected through wireless connection to the main computer. This means will further include a visual, audio or mechanical vibration signal to notify the participant.

In one embodiment, a number of users will use respective dance pads. On at least one public monitor, two or more sets of step sequences having different levels of difficulty can be displayed. The microprocessor in each dance pad is interactively connected through wireless connection to the main computer. If the participant cannot maintain the degree of difficulty for a particular routine, the performance feedback means will provide the participant with an appropriate signal. If the participant desires to change the difficulty of the routine, he simply begins stepping to the desired set of step sequences associated with a lower level of difficulty; which is concurrently displayed on the public monitor along with other levels of difficulty. The onboard microprocessor will recognize the change in the participant's step sequence and adjust the scoring to the new level of difficulty without the participant having to adjust anything on the dance pad.

Although the dance pad may use rechargeable batteries, it is preferably to operate on disposable batteries. Since the system is designed for professional use, the presence of charging stations for each pad is not practical. Accordingly, the system is designed to allow for approximately 1000 hours of use with the aid of three AA batteries. As a result, the batteries will require changing approximately every four months, rather than recharging on a daily or weekly basis. Top Surface Configuration

The top surface of the dance pad comprises a plurality of panels or segments. Each panel is either conductive or non-conductive. Each conductive panel is capable of transmitting a signal to the on-board microprocessor in response to a sufficient load placed thereupon. Operative connection of a conductive panel to the microprocessor occurs when a sufficient load, such as a participant's foot, is placed upon the conductive panel.

In a preferred embodiment, there are nine panels, each panel substantially square in configuration and arranged in three rows of three panels (see Fig. 1).

At this point, it should be understood that the non-conductive panels, although each have a substantially square configuration, are preferably made from a single sheet of non- conductive material such as thermoplastic, preferably ABS or polycarbonate, or a resin material, preferably polyurethane, or an elastomeric rubberized compound and form a single uniform sheet which have appropriately sized apertures for positioning of the conductive panels.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the corner and center panels are conductive and have electrical contacts capable of detecting when an individual steps upon a panel. The corner and center conductive panels, in response to a sufficient load such as a foot being placed thereon, displace downward a distance sufficient to make contact with an electrical contact located beneath the respective panel.

The electrical contacts will be discussed in further detail below as it also relates to a design for eliminating damage to the onboard circuitry by ESD. Alternatively, the dance pad can be designed where the conductive panels are made to the four outer non-corner panels and the non-conductive panels are the center panel and four corner panels.

In still other embodiments, the dance pad can comprise more than nine panels with the conductive and non-conductive panels being arranged by the manufacturer as desired. Dance Pad Perimeter

The perimeter of the dance pad is an improvement over the prior art. The perimeter is defined as the portion of the dance pad located away from the panels. The perimeter of the dance pad tapers from a top surface height substantially equivalent to the top surface of the outer panels down to a thickness of approximately 1/8" or less at the perimeter edge.

Preferably, the dance pad has a perimeter of a general butterfly configuration. This configuration has more perimeter area adjacent to each of the corner panels than adjacent the outer non-corner segments. A larger perimeter area about the outer sides of each corner panel is a safety feature, allowing for overstepping, particularly by novices. In other words, if a participant oversteps, they will not run the risk of stepping on an edge with a substantial vertical drop to the flooring as with the dance pads of the prior art. The perimeter provides a gradual taper which minimizes the risk for trip and fall injuries.

The dance pad perimeter is also designed with one or more elongated apertures that can be used as handles. The dance pad perimeter is generally a four-sided configuration when viewed from the top as illustrated in Fig. 1. Preferably, the dance pad has five elongated apertures along the perimeter; two handles on each of two opposing sides and a single handle on one of the other sides which is most preferably centered. The single handle can be used to carry the dance pad by an adult. The four opposing handles can be used by more than one person to carry the dance pad. The handles are designed to permit two or more children to cope with carrying the dance pad. This design makes the dance pad suitable for use as a recreational activity or physical education class for children where it may be necessary to re-locate the dance pads and movement can be accomplished by the children.

The disclosed dance pad is capable of commercial use while being lighter, weighing

25 pounds or less; a significant weight reduction to prior art dance pads used in similar commercial applications which typically weighed 40-50 pounds. The combination of a sufficient number of elongated apertures, serving as handles, and the overall lightweight construction makes the dance pad easier to carry from location to location.

As mentioned earlier, the dance pad is preferably comprised of multiple conductive and non-conductive top surface panels having a substantially square shape. Each conductive panel is made of a conductive material, preferably stainless steel. Stainless steel is a durable material and is relatively immune from wear such as scratches and scuff marks.

More preferably, the stainless steel panels are embossed, or stamped with desired indicia. Embossing of the stainless steel panels improves their respective rigidity. Therefore, the conductive panels can be made relatively thin, yet substantially rigid. Underneath each conductive panel is a compressible but resilient spacer, preferably made from a suitable foam strip and positioned near the edge of the underneath face. Additionally, at least one conductive lead, preferably a compressible conical spring and most preferably two compressible conical springs are positioned appropriately for uniform load distribution. In a preferred embodiment, the spacer is not contiguous about the panel edge. Periodic spacing permits water drainage as will be discussed later.

The combination of an embossed conductive panel, compressible spacer and at least one compressible spring on the underside of the conductive panel, allows for improved tactile feel to the user. Tactile feel is the user's perception of the conductive panel response to a load applied upon the top surface by the user's foot. As a downward load is applied by the user's foot, the conductive panel is depressed uniformly downward and potential energy is stored in the compressed spacer and springs. As the load is withdrawn, the potential energy converts to kinetic energy urging the panel upward. This is a significant benefit because the spacer and springs are responsive to the reducing load as the foot is withdrawn, and the user can feel the upward force generated by the energy stored in the springs and spacer as the panel displaces upward.

A user of a prior art dance pad is likely to repetitively step on a corner of a panel surface and, while the step may generate a contact signal, the conductive panel will not return to its original position and over time, it will become noticeable to the user that the stepping on the center of the panel will feel different than stepping near the corner. A purpose of the current invention is to provide uniform depression of each conductive panel, which will in turn provide a consistent sensation or tactile feel to the user.

ESD Prevention

The dance pad also incorporates a means for preventing electrostatic discharge upon the onboard electronics thus protecting the electronics from damage. The means for preventing electrostatic discharge incorporates a conductive base plate, preferably aluminum, to serve as a ground. Each of the conductive panels, preferably made from stainless steel, are conductively connected to the base plate such that if static electricity is transmitted through one or more of the conductive panels, ESD will be directed to the base plate ground rather that to the unit's electronic components. In this way, no electronic signal will be transmitted to the microprocessor until a conductive panel is operatively connected to the microprocessor.

A conductive panel does not become operatively connected to the microprocessor until a force is applied to the conductive panel sufficient to depress it into contact with the respective conductive sheet thus forming a closed circuit with the microprocessor. In other words, each conductive panel becomes operatively connected to the microprocessor upon a sufficient force being applied to the top surface of a conductive panel.

In a preferred embodiment, a conductive base, preferably made from lightweight aluminum, is provided which not only enhances the overall durability of the dance pad, but also serves as an electrical ground for any potential ESD. The base plate includes a plurality of drainage holes as will be described later.

Alternatively, rather than using a base plate made entirely of aluminum; a base plate can be made from a plastic substrate upon which a conductive layer is disposed.

Disposed between the top surface of the conductive base plate and the bottom surface of each conductive panel, is a layer of insulation and upon which is a conductive material such as a plate or more preferably sheeting. The insulation layer and conductive sheet are sized substantially the same as the conductive panel facing above; the insulation layer preferably has a slightly larger area.

Each conductive sheet is connected to the microprocessor located within the dance pad. The insulation layer is positioned directly upon conductive base plate with the conductive sheet placed upon the insulation layer.

The means for preventing electrostatic discharge incorporates a means for interconnecting each of the conductive top panels to the conductive base. In one embodiment, a hole is provided through each insulation layer/conductive sheet and appropriately sized for a conductive lead or spring to make contact with a respective conductive panel above. The respective holes have a common axis of symmetry to one another. The area immediately about the hole through the conductive sheet has a non-conductive material applied which serves as an insulator. In a more preferred embodiment, no non-conductive material is applied; rather, the holes are of a sufficient diameter to form an air-gap between the conductive lead and conductive sheet to prevent ESD from occurring. Through each of these holes passes a portion of the conductive lead or spring, attached on one end to the bottom side of a conductive panel and on the other end to the conductive base plate.

When the dance pad is fully assembled, any electrostatic charge will pass from one or more of the conductive panels, through the conductive lead/conical springs and into the conductive base plate which serves as electrical ground.

As mentioned earlier, the spacers are preferably not contiguous with the edge along the underside face of each conductive panel. A number of spaces or voids are intentionally present. In the event a liquid is spilled upon the dance pad top surface, the spaces between the spacers permit any liquid leaking into the dance pad to exit through one or more of the drainage holes present in the aluminum base plate before the liquid level has an opportunity to rise above the conductive sheet causing electrical damage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a dance pad made according to the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded top perspective view. FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view. FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Fig. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of dance pad 10. It is to be noted that the illustrations are not drawn to any scale and are provided for illustrative purposes.

The top surface of dance pad 10, when fully assembled, comprises nine panel areas which can be classified as being either as: a) conductive or operative, namely corner panels 12, 14, 16, 18, and center panel 20; and, b) non-conductive or non-operative, namely non- corner outer panels 22, 24, 26, and 28.

Dance pad 10 further includes additional surface area located away from the outer panels, distal from the center which is collectively referred to as the perimeter area. Non- conductive panels 22, 24, 26, 28, the perimeter area, and the dance pad sides are formed from a single piece of ABS formed as a shell 32 as shown in Fig. 3. For this embodiment, five panel holes are formed which have been appropriately sized for proper positioning of a respective conductive panel.

Five elongated holes A, B, C, D and E are formed near the perimeter area edge so that the portion of the perimeter area between a hole and the adjacent dance pad edge form a handle. Holes A and B are on opposing sides from holes C and D. Hole E is centered on one of the adjacent sides. This embodiment thus has five handles which can be used by up to five persons to carry dance pad 10. The formation of five handles should not be interpreted that dance pad 10 is heavy; it is made of relatively lightweight construction material weighing less than 20 lbs. The principal weight components of dance pad 10 include lightweight shell 32, stainless steel conductive panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and aluminum base plate 30.

Base plate 30 is approximately 0.0625" thick and has a surface area substantially equivalent to the nine panels. Base plate 30 provides rigidity to the overall dance pad and further serves as a ground for discharge of ESD. Base plate 30 has a plurality of machined or punched holes 52 which serve for either attachment purposes or for liquid drainage.

Base plate 30 is inserted into shell 32 from below and is preferably snap fit into position along its periphery. Therefore, base plate 30 does not contact the flooring or ground surface. A plurality of anti-skid elastomer cushions 34 are adhesively attached to the bottom surface of base plate 30, spaced apart from one another. The height of each cushion is slightly higher than the distance from base plate 30 to the bottom surface of shell 32. This design allows the cushions to frictionally engage the ground surface or flooring to prevent dance pad 10 from sliding.

For illustration, FIG. 1 shows the dance pad 10 with conductive panels 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, handle apertures A, B, C, D and the performance feedback means of an LCD display 36, which are seen in greater detail in FIG. 2. Conductive panels 12, 14, 16 18 and 20 are embossed stainless steel sheets.

Feedback screen 36 can be used to display various information such as wireless signal strength, battery strength, calories burned, pad identification, time, score, etc. This information can be cycled and visible on display 36 by the user repetitively stepping on foot button 38 which is operatively connected. Operatively connected to display 36 is a microprocessor and wireless transmission unit collectively labeled 37. Also operatively connected is a disposable battery 54 and leads L connecting to respective conductive panels.

Underneath each conductive panel is a depressible but resilient plurality of spacers 42 positioned near the edge of the underneath face in addition to two compressible conical springs 44 positioned appropriately for uniform load distribution.

Spacers 42 have an adhesive backing for attachment to base plate 30 and are of the natural gum variety approximately 0.25" high and 0.50" wide. The natural gum foam strips have the following physical characteristics: firmness (25% Deflection) 5-9 psi; tensile strength 95psi; stretch limit 225%; density 26 lbs/cu.ft. Disposed between conductive base plate 30 and the bottom surface of each conductive panel is a respective layer of insulation 46 and upon which is a conductive sheet 48. As best viewed in Fig. 3, insulation layer 46 and conductive sheet 48 are sized substantially the same as the conductive panel facing above; insulation layer 46 having a slightly larger area for preventing electrical contact between conductive sheet 48 and base plate 30. Each conductive sheet 48 is operably connected to the microprocessor by a respective lead L as shown in Fig 2. A pair of holes are provided through each insulation layer 46 and conductive sheet 48 and appropriately sized for a respective conical spring 44 conductively attached on one end to base plate 30 and on the other end to a respective conductive panel. The air-gap existing between the outside diameter of spring 44 and conductive sheet 48 serves as an insulator.

Once the microprocessor 37 and operative connections to the conductive panels have been made and conical springs 44 have been attached to both base plate 30 and their respective conductive panels, shell 32 is fitted over base plate 30 and snap-fit together. The top surface periphery of each conductive panel will be covered by a lip as best illustrated in

Fig. 2 for moveably securing each conductive panel.

We claim:

Claims

1. A dance pad for use by an individual comprising: a plurality of conductive panels; at least one conductive lead for each conductive panel; a conductive base; a shell having: a) a set of panel appropriately sized apertures for positioning a respective one of said plurality of conductive panels within; b) a plurality of elongated handle apertures formed near the outer periphery of said shell; and, c) a tapered outer periphery; a respective insulation layer positioned upon said conductive base directly below a respective one of said plurality of conductive panels; a conductive sheet attached to the top surface of each respective insulation layer; a means for interconnecting said conductive panels to said conductive base; a plurality of compressible, spacers substantially positioned about the periphery of each insulation layer, spaced apart from one another; and, in response to a sufficient load being placed upon the top surface of at least one of said substantially square conductive panels by the individual's foot to compress said spacers and said conductive lead, the bottom surface of said conductive panel contacts said conductive sheet.

2. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein said shell is selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic, polycarbonate, polyurethane, or an elastomeric rubberized compound.

3. The dance pad of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor; a means for communicating with a remote computer, operatively connected to said microprocessor; a display screen operatively connected to said microprocessor; a power source for operating said microprocessor, and said display screen; and electrical circuitry operably connecting said microprocessor to each of said conductive panels.

4. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein the compression of said spacers and said conductive lead creates potential energy which is communicated to the individual's foot in the form of a tactile feel as the sufficient load is withdrawn and said respective conductive panel displaces upward.

5. The dance pad of claim 1 where said shell further comprises length and width dimensions forming a generally butterfly exterior configuration.

6. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein said conductive base is made from aluminum.

7. The dance pad of claim 5 wherein said conductive base includes a plurality of holes for liquid drainage.

8. The dance pad of claim 1 where at least one anti-skid cushion is attached to said conductive base.

9. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein said conductive panels are made from stainless steel.

10. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein said conductive panels are embossed.

11. The dance pad of claim 1 wherein said conductive base includes a plurality of holes for drainage.

12. A dance pad having a microprocessor, a means for communicating with a remote computer, a plurality of conductive panels operatively connected to the microprocessor and responsive to the force applied by a user's foot, the improvement comprising: a. a plurality of compressible, resilient spacers substantially positioned about the periphery of each conductive panel and disposed between said each conductive panel and an electrical contact; b. at least one compressible conical spring disposed between each conductive panel and said electrical contact; where in response to a sufficient load being placed upon the top surface of at least one of the conductive panels by a user's foot said spacers and said compressible conical spring compress and the bottom surface of a respective conductive panel contacts said electrical contact creating potential energy which is thereafter communicated to the user's foot in the form of a tactile feel as the sufficient load is withdrawn and said respective conductive panel displaces upward.

13. A dance pad having a microprocessor, a means for communicating with a remote computer, and a plurality of conductive panels operatively connected to the microprocessor and responsive to the force applied by a user's foot, the improvement comprising a means for providing performance feedback to the user.

14. The dance pad of claim 13 wherein said means for providing performance feedback further comprises a signal selected from the group consisting of: visual feedback, audio feedback, vibrational feedback or a combination thereof.

15. A dance pad for use by a participant comprising: a microprocessor, a means for communicating with a remote computer, a plurality of conductive panels operatively connected to said microprocessor and responsive to the force applied by a participant' s foot; and, a visual display operatively connected to said microprocessor for providing performance feedback to the user.

16. A dance pad for use by a participant comprising: a microprocessor, a means for communicating with a remote computer, a plurality of conductive panels operatively connected to said microprocessor and responsive to the force applied by a participant's foot; and a means for preventing electrostatic discharge from damaging said microprocessor.

17. The dance pad of claim 16 wherein said means for preventing electrostatic discharge comprises: a conductive base plate; at least one conductive lead for each conductive panel; and, a means for interconnecting said conductive panels to said conductive base.

18. The dance pad of claim 17 wherein said means for interconnecting said conductive panels to said conductive base comprises: a respective insulation layer positioned upon said conductive base plate directly below a respective one of said plurality of conductive panels; a conductive sheet attached to the top surface of each respective insulation layer; and, at least one pair of apertures, one aperture through a respective insulation layer and the other aperture through said conductive sheet, said aperture pair having a common axis of symmetry to one another and having a suitable diameter for a conical spring to be disposed within said aperture and connected on a first end to said conductive base and on the other end to a respective conductive panel.

19. The dance pad of claim 18 where the diameter of said pair of apertures is sufficient to create an air gap preventing electrostatic discharge from discharging from one of said conductive leads to a respective said conductive sheet.

20. A dance pad comprising: a microprocessor, a means for communicating with a remote computer, a plurality of conductive panels operatively connected to said microprocessor, the dance pad further having a generally 4 sided exterior configuration having at least two handles on each of two opposing sides and a single handle on one of the other sides.

21. A dance pad for use by an individual comprising: a plurality of substantially square conductive panels; at least one conical spring connected to a respective conductive panel; a conductive base plate to which each of said conical springs are connected; a shell comprising: a) a set of panel appropriately sized apertures for positioning a respective one of said plurality of conductive panels within; b) a plurality of elongated handle apertures formed near the outer periphery of said shell; and, c) a tapered outer periphery; a respective insulation layer positioned upon said conductive base plate directly below a respective one of said plurality of substantially square conductive panels; a conductive sheet attached to the top surface of each respective insulation layer; at least one pair of apertures, one aperture through a respective insulation layer and the other aperture through said conductive sheet, said aperture pair having a common axis of symmetry to one another and having a suitable diameter for a respective said conical spring to be positioned; a plurality of compressible, spacers substantially positioned about the periphery of each insulation layer, spaced apart from one another; and, in response to a sufficient load being placed upon the top surface of at least one of said substantially square conductive panels by the individual's foot to compress said spacers and said conductive lead, the bottom surface of said substantially square conductive panel contacts said conductive sheet.

22. The dance pad of claim 21 wherein said shell is selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic, polyurethane, or an elastomeric rubberized compound.

23. The dance pad of claim 21 further comprising a microprocessor; a means for communicating with a remote computer operatively connected to said microprocessor; a display screen operatively connected to said microprocessor; a power source for operating said microprocessor, and said display screen; and electrical circuitry operably connecting said microprocessor to each of said substantially square conductive panels.