Combined exercise and massage device

• US 10,010,470 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2016
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelle Bradford
• Original Assignee: Michelle Bradford
• Inventors: Bradford, Michelle
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, GARRETT K
• Application Number:
  US15/295,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20170258661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/00 Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0092 hand-held A61H15/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0042 Balls or spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0602 Fluids, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0603 Fluid-like particles, e.g. gun shot or sand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0608 Eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

An exercise and massage device utilizes a substantially spherical body having a central cavity that extends to opposite sides of the spherical body so that the cavity forms openings on opposite sides of the spherical body. A transverse handle is positioned within the cavity that extends across the cavity. At least one grasping portion is located within the cavity and is spaced between the transverse handle and at least one of the openings of the central cavity to provide a fingerhold during use. A resilient outer layer surrounds the spherical body and provides an exterior surface of the spherical body. The resilient outer layer is provided with projections to facilitate massage when used in the massage mode when the device is used in a massage mode. The device is weighted to provide a total weight of from 2 lbs or more. In another embodiments of an exercise and massage device at least one ring member is encased within the spherical body to provide at least one of weight and structural support to the device.

Claims

1. An exercise and massage device comprising:

a substantially spherical body having a central cavity that extends to opposite sides of the spherical body so that the cavity forms openings on opposite sides of the spherical body;

a transverse handle that is positioned within the cavity that extends across the cavity, the openings of the cavity being sized and configured for allowing a user to access and manually grasp the handle through either opening in a first mode of use;

at least one grasping portion located within the cavity that is spaced between the transverse handle and at least one of the openings of the central cavity to provide a fingerhold in a second mode of use, and wherein the grasping portion is a projecting ridge or lip that projects within the cavity from a sidewall of the cavity;

a resilient outer layer surrounding the spherical body that provides an exterior surface of the spherical body, the resilient outer layer being provided with projections to facilitate massage when used in the massage mode when the device is used in a massage mode; and

wherein

the device is weighted to provide a total weight of the device of from 2 lbs or more.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the resilient outer layer overlays and covers opposite ends of the transverse handle.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the projecting ridge or lip is annular.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

there are two projecting ridges or lips, each projecting ridge or lip corresponding to one of the openings.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip is located at a distance of from ½

to 4 inches from the at least one opening.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip has a height of from ⅜

inch to 1 inch.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip has a concave inner surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each end of the transverse handle is coupled to a support ring member encased within the spherical body that extends around the central cavity.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one ring member encased within the spherical body that extends around the central cavity that provides at least one of weight and structural support to the device.

10. An exercise and massage device comprising:

a substantially spherical body having a central cavity that extends to opposite sides of the spherical body so that the cavity forms openings on opposite sides of the spherical body;

a transverse handle that is positioned within the cavity that extends across the cavity, the openings of the cavity being sized and configured for allowing a user to access and manually grasp the handle through either opening in a selected mode of use;

at least one ring member encased within the spherical body that extends around the central cavity that provides at least one of weight and structural support to the device;

a resilient outer layer surrounding the spherical body that provides an exterior surface of the spherical body and overlays and covers opposite ends of the transverse handle, the resilient outer layer being provided with projections to facilitate massage when the device is used in a massage mode; and

wherein

the device is weighted to provide a total weight of the device of from 2 lbs or more.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein:

each end of the transverse handle is coupled to the ring member.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein:

there are at least two ring members.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein:

there are at least two ring members, with each end of the transverse handle being coupled to one of the ring members.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the ring member is a continuous metal ring member.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the ring member is formed from at least one of steel, iron, stainless steel, graphite, lead, fiberglass, graphite, wood, plastic, and composite materials.

16. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one projecting ridge or lip that projects within the cavity from a sidewall of the cavity and is spaced between the transverse handle and at least one of the openings of the central cavity to provide a fingerhold during a second selected mode of use.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the projecting ridge or lip is annular.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip is located at a distance of from ½

to 4 inches from the at least one opening.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip has a height of from ⅜

inch to 1 inch.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the at least one projecting ridge or lip has a concave inner surface.