| Antimicrobial fitness article -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Antimicrobial fitness articleRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, MiscellaneousAntimicrobial fitness article description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070072753, Antimicrobial fitness article. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to the field of built-in antimicrobial protection and, more specifically, to an article suitable for use in a sporting good or fitness equipment which has imparted therein built-in and long lasting antimicrobial characteristics. [0002] Fitness machines and other devices used for cardiovascular and strength training can be found in commercial fitness centers, physical therapy facilities, hospitals, workplaces, and other locations. [0003] In use, a subject generally but not always rests on one or more supports. Supports can include a seat, a seatback, or other surface positioned for the user to contact in positioning himself for the particular exercise. [0004] Because each user commonly is exercising aerobically, perspiration routinely is produced by the user and transferred to one or more surfaces of the fitness machine. Perspiration contain bacteria or other microbes, and the moisture left on the fitness machine also aids microbial colonization. A post-use wiping of the contaminated surfaces and components, usually with a towel which may itself be contaminated, is incompletely effective in eliminating such colonization. [0005] Microbes left on the fitness equipment are then available to infect a later user coming into contact with the contaminated surface or component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) [0006] As used herein, the terms "microbe" or "microbial" should be interpreted to encompass any of the microscopic organisms commonly studied by microbiologists. Such organisms include, but are not limited to, bacteria and fungi as well as other single-celled organisms such as mold, mildew and algae. Viral particles and other infectious agents are also included in the term microbe. [0007] The term "antimicrobial" includes biostatic activity, i.e., where the proliferation of microbiological species is reduced or eliminated, and true biocidal activity where microbiological species are killed. [0008] For ease of discussion, this detailed description may make reference to bacteria and antibacterial agents. This method of presentation should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. [0009] The term efficacy, as used herein, is defined as the characteristic of inhibiting the growth of a microbe on a substrate, by either biostatic and/or biocidal effect. [0010] The term non-metallic as used herein means antimicrobial agents, other than quaternary ammonium compounds, that do not contain or utilize metal ions such as silver, zinc or copper. [0011] A sporting or fitness equipment article can include, for example and without limitation, a cardiovascular or strength training machine such as a treadmill; a simulated stair climber; free weights and weight benches; elliptical machines; stationary bicycles; stretch trainers; and multi-station or multi-exercise machines. [0012] In other venues, such as a residential setting, fitness and exercise equipment can take the form of a multi-gym fitness machine or an article designed for one or a limited number of exercises. An example of the latter article would be a grip strengthener, generally made up of two gripping sides hingeably connected with a resistance element disposed to act on the hinge. Squeezing the grip elements together against the resistance strengthens the muscles of the hand, wrist, and forearm. [0013] In broad terms, an antimicrobial sporting or fitness equipment article comprises one or more antimicrobial agents disposed in or affixed to the article or a component thereof so as to effect a biostatic or biocidal property upon contact with a microbe. [0014] Turning to an exemplary fitness machine, the various components thereof may be constructed from a variety of materials. Components contemplated herein include, without limitation, frame members, grip elements, seating structures, foot pads and foot resting surfaces, device displays and input panels, equipment adjusters, cable sheaths, and the like. Of these, the most common sites for microbial contamination are those with which the user contacts, such as the grips, seat and support components, input panels, and adjusters. [0015] Grips and gripping components of a fitness equipment article can be provided in a variety of configurations. For example, a grip can be constructed of a sheath-like gripping element disposed over a tubular frame member). Such sheath-type grips can be manufactured of, e.g., polypropylene or a thermoplastic elastomer having a desired Shore scale hardness. [0016] A number of thermoplastic elastomers are known and can include both solid and foamed varieties. The chemistries of such thermoplastic elastomer compound variations are sufficiently similar to permit an antimicrobial agent to be broadly used. [0017] Manufacturing methods can include casting, injection molding (both insert- and over-molding), and other well-known processes. Examples of grip materials include EVA, foam thermoplastic urethane, styrene-butadiene rubber, and the like. [0018] Alternatively, a grip can be a discrete article affixed to the fitness equipment article, for instance a molded polymeric component attached to the equipment article with screws, bolts, staples, adhesive or other commonly known attachment means. [0019] Seating and support structures can take many forms, such as a unitary molded polymer component, a board or frame with a foam resting or supporting surface over-molded or otherwise disposed thereon, and the like. Similarly, support components are conventionally disposed on a fitness equipment article to properly position the user's body or provide a leverage or hinge point. As one example, a leg extension article commonly includes support components intended to be positioned behind the user's knees. These support components facilitate flexion and extension of the user's legs against resistance without excessive movement of the legs, thereby better isolating the targeted muscle group(s). Seating and support components optionally can and typically do include a colorant. [0020] A seat surface can be a substantially solid article molded of, e.g., a vinyl, a nylon, a polycarbonate, a polyolefin, or a polyurethane. Sheath-type support components similarly can be made of, e.g., EVA, foam thermoplastic urethane, styrene-butadiene rubber, and the like. [0021] Foot pads and foot resting surfaces may be made of a polymeric substrate and affixed to a fitness machine frame element. Alternatively, the foot resting component can be constructed of a metal having thereon a paint, powder-coating, dip-molded polymer or similar covering. [0022] The above gripping, seating, support, and foot supporting components may collectively be thought of as user-contacting elements. Continue reading about Antimicrobial fitness article... Full patent description for Antimicrobial fitness article Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Antimicrobial fitness article patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Antimicrobial fitness article or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exercise apparatus Next Patent Application: Apparatus to shape moving webs Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Antimicrobial fitness article patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.75715 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
