Exercise ball mounted for rotation

• US 7,118,517 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halez, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hale Fitness, Inc.
• Inventors: Hale, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/163,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 482/140, 482 91- 95, 482135-137, 482/907, 446/220, D21/662, D21/664, D21/687
• US Class Current: 482/140
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/027 using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
• 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 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/125 Large inflatable balls primarily used as body supports for exercising, e.g. balancing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 Stretching

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for developing strength and flexibility of the arms, legs, back and abdominals of the user. The exercise apparatus is an adaptation of the exercise ball or Swiss ball. The exercise apparatus includes a large, spherically-shaped, resilient ball, a frame and a pair of connectors, the connectors rotatably connecting the ball to the frame. Various attachments may be placed on the frame to allow the user to grasp the apparatus or lock their feet to prevent unwanted motion. A mechanism can also be included in the connectors allowing the user to selectively adjust the rotation to a desired degree of resistance.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a substantially spherical ball;

a frame for rotatably supporting said substantially spherical ball in vertically spaced relation to a support surface;

said frame including a pair of longitudinally disposed base members disposed in substantially parallel, transversely disposed in relation to one another;

said frame including a leading transversely disposed base member that interconnects respective leading ends of said pair of longitudinally disposed base members;

said frame including a trailing transversely disposed base member that interconnects respective trailing ends of said pair of longitudinally disposed base members;

said frame including a first pair of support members secured to a first longitudinally disposed base member of said pair of longitudinally disposed base members;

said frame including a second pair of support members secured to a second longitudinally disposed base member of said pair of longitudinally disposed base members;

said first pair of support members having respective first ends secured to said first longitudinally disposed base member in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another and having respective second ends that abut one another, said respective second ends being in vertically spaced relation to said respective first ends, said first pair of support members forming an inverted “

V”

configuration;

said second pair of support members having respective first ends secured to said second longitudinally disposed base member in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another and having respective second ends that abut one another, said respective second ends being in vertically spaced relation to said respective first ends, said second pair of support members forming an inverted “

V”

configuration;

a first rotatably mounted connector disposed at an apex of said first pair of support members;

a second rotatably mounted connector disposed at an apex of said second pair of support members in diametrically opposed relation to said first apex;

said substantially spherical ball being positioned between said first and second pair of support members;

said first and second rotatably mounted connectors engaging said substantially spherical ball at diametrically opposed points on said substantially spherical ball;

said first and second support members having a common extent, said common extent being at least slightly greater than a radius of said substantially spherical ball so that said substantially spherical ball is free to rotate about an axis defined between said diametrically opposed points.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an adjustable bearing coupled to at least one of the rotatably mounted connectors whereby increasing the engagement of the bearing provides corresponding resistance to rotation.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one attachment member affixed to the leading transversely disposed base member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the attachment member is a handle adapted to be engaged by a hand of a user.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the attachment member is a foot rest adapted to be engaged by a foot of a user.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the length of the pair of longitudinally disposed base members is adjustable.

7. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a user support means adapted to support a user performing exercises thereon;

an axle, the user support means mounted for rotation on the axle;

a frame engaging the axle, the frame rotatably supporting the user support means in vertically spaced relation to a support surface; and

at least one attachment member affixed to the frame, wherein the attachment member is a resistance band adapted to provide resistance in response to the applied force of a user performing an exercise.

8. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a user support means adapted to support a user performing exercises thereon;

an axle, the user support means mounted for rotation on the axle;

a frame engaging the axle, the frame rotatably supporting the user support means in vertically spaced relation to a support surface; and

a heating element to heat the surface of the user support means.

9. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a user support means adapted to support a user performing exercises thereon;

a pair of connectors in diametrically opposed relation, the connectors connecting the user support means to the frame, the frame supporting the user support means in vertically spaced relation to a support surface; and

at least one attachment member affixed to the frame, wherein the attachment member is a resistance band adapted to provide resistance in response to the applied force of a user performing an exercise.