Exercise ball mounted for rotation

• US 7,311,644 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• 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:
  US11/532,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20070015645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 482/140, 482 91- 95, 482135-137, 482/907, D21/687, D21/662, D21/664, 446/220
• US Class Current: 482/142
• 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 an exercise ball mounted at diametrically opposed points for rotation about a central axis defined by the diametrically opposed points, one or more massaging elements adapted to provide a massaging effect to a user performing exercises, said one or more massaging elements being a vibratory member arranged in proximity to a surface of the exercise ball.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the exercise ball is adapted to support the weight of a user performing exercises thereon.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the ball is mounted for substantially 360 degree rotation about the central axis while supporting the weight of the user.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the massaging element is a surface texture arranged about the surface of the ball.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the surface texture is selected from the group consisting of pebbled protrusions and spiked protrusions.

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the rotation of the exercise ball about the central axis can be selectively adjusted to provide varying degrees of resistance.

7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a heating element to heat the surface of the user support means.

8. An exercise apparatus comprising:

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

said user support means being a spherical ball;

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

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

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the user support means has a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially spherical ball, an ovoid ball and a cylindrical roller.

10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the rotation of the user support means can be selectively adjusted to provide varying degrees of resistance.

11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a locking mechanism to selectively prevent rotation of the user support means.

12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the frame includes a base whereby the base enhances the stability of the exercise apparatus on the support surface.

13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the base is an elongated base of adjustable length.

14. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising at least one attachment member affixed to the frame.

15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the attachment member is a handle adapted to be engaged by a hand of a user.

16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the attachment member is a foot rest adapted to be engaged by a foot of a user.

17. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

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

said user support means being a spherical ball;

a pair of connectors disposed in diametrically opposed relation to one another, the pair of connectors connecting the user support means to the frame, the frame supporting the user support means in vertically spaced relation to a support surface.

18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the pair of connectors rotatably connect the user support means to the frame.

19. The exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the pair of connectors can be selectively adjusted to provide varying degrees of resistance to rotation of the user support means.

20. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the shape of the user support means is selected from the group consisting of a substantially spherical ball, an ovoid ball and a cylindrical roller.

21. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the shape of the user support means is a substantially spherical ball.

22. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the frame includes a base to enhance the stability of the exercise apparatus on a support surface.

23. The exercise apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the base is an elongated base of adjustable length.

24. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising at least one attachment member affixed to the frame.

25. The exercise apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the attachment member is a handle adapted to be engaged by a hand of a user.

26. The exercise apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the attachment member is a foot rest adapted to be engaged by a foot of a user.

27. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

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

a connector, the connector connecting the user support means to the frame, the frame supporting the user support means in vertically spaced relation to a support surface.

28. The exercise apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the connector is a shaft passing through the user support means.

29. The exercise apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the shaft is an axle.