Isometric exercise ball

• US 6,547,703 B1
• Filed: 10/02/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Swezey, Robert L. Swezey
• Original Assignee: Richard Swezey, Robert L. Swezey
• Inventors: Swezey, Richard, Swezey, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/676,961
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 482/77, 482/89, 482/91, 482/111, 482/112, 482/122, 482/124-126, 482/121, 482/139, 482/148, 482/906, 482/907, 482/909, 472/134, 473/596, 473/603, 473/604, 473/606-610, 446/267, 446/220
• US Class Current: 482/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/00 Hollow non-inflatable balls , i.e. having no valves rigid balls A63B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/02 with a handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/909 Mechanical indicator

Abstract

A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball (10A-C), about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles (12A-B, 30A, 30C), secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball (10A-C) in a tension mode. The ball (10A-C) is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball (10A-C). Attachment of the handles (12A-B) to the main ball portion may be made by sonic welding. In one embodiment an internal bladder (26) is enclosed in a fabric cover, and in one version of this, two hemispheric portions (28A-B) are formed to each provide an integral looped handle (30A, 30C). A pressure gauge and/or user-adjustable alarm indicator may be provided to indicate muscular force applied in either compression or tension.

Claims

1. An exercise ball comprising:

a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated;

a fabric cover constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion so as to form a spherical entity;

at least two attachment straps, each attachment strap having a first end attached to the fabric cover;

one or more strap holders, each strap holder of said one or more strap holders configured to receive and hold a portion of at least one attachment strap of said at least two attachment straps; and

a pair of looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the bladder portion, each looped handle of said pair of looped handles being attached to one attachment strap of said at least two attachment straps.

2. The exercise ball of claim 1, wherein said fabric cover comprises first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions having peripheral regions, said hemispheric fabric cover portions being mutually attached around said peripheral regions.

3. The exercise ball of claim 2, wherein said at least two attachment straps comprise:

a first attachment strap, the first end of said first attachment strap being attached at a first attachment point at the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion; and

a second attachment strap, the first end of said second attachment strap being attached at a second attachment point at the peripheral region of the second fabric cover.

4. The exercise ball of claim 3, wherein said one or more strap holders comprise:

a first strap holder located near the first attachment point on the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap;

a second strap holder attached at the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap; and

a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third portion of the second attachment strap, wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap holder to assist in holding the fabric cover portions together.

5. The exercise ball of claim 4, wherein said strap holders comprise pass-through slot means.

6. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on said fabric cover, each graphic illustration depicting said exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.

7. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

pressure sensing means constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within said exercise ball; and

pressure indicating means, in operational connection with said pressure sensing means, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within said exercise ball as sensed by said pressure sensing means.

8. The exercise ball as defined in claim 7 herein said pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of said bladder portion.

9. The exercise ball as defined in claim 7 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the attachment straps.

10. The exercise ball as defined in claim 7 further comprising user-adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.