| Exercise ball mounted for rotation -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Exercise ball mounted for rotationRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Sit Up DeviceExercise ball mounted for rotation description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060229177, Exercise ball mounted for rotation. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/594,463, filed Apr. 11, 2005, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly this invention relates an exercise device based upon an exercise ball where the exercise ball is secured to facilitate rotation about an axis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] An exercise ball is a large, spherical, resilient ball that can be used for a variety of exercises. These balls are also commonly referred to as a "Swiss ball", "Swiss exercise ball", "stability ball" or a "pilates ball." The ball is often inflatable, made of vinyl or plastic. Alternatively, it may be made of a solid material such as foam rubber. Exercise balls were originally used for therapeutic exercises, but have been more widely adopted in recent years to develop a user's flexibility, balance and strength, including the strength of seldom used stabilizer muscles. Exercise balls are typically used on the surface of a floor, with some portion of the weight of the user coming to rest upon the ball, thereby causing a deformation of the ball as it is pressed between the user and the floor. The resultant deformation adds a limited amount of resistance to the exercise. Used in this manner, the ball adds an element of instability to the exercise. This instability would not normally be experienced by a user with the associated exercise in the absence of the ball. Efforts by the user to counteract this instability and remain balanced on the ball allow the user to more fully exercise the body. One key cause of this instability is that the ball is not secured in any manner, other than by the weight of the user. Consequently, the ball is free to travel in any two dimensional direction by means of rotation across the horizontal plane created by the underlying floor. [0004] The inherent characteristics of exercise balls have led to the recognition of numerous therapeutic uses for them. Due in part to these uses and characteristics, exercise balls have been incorporated into a number of exercise devices and other articles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,81 0,700 to Orcutt discloses an exercise apparatus utilizing a resilient ball and having a flexible strap assembly surrounding the ball. The flexible strap assembly coupled to the ball provides resistance for performing exercises. The resilient ball is designed to be used by a user in a seated position atop the ball, or otherwise with the user resting a portion of his or her body on the resilient ball, while pulling the resistance member in an elongation direction. The strap assembly includes first and second straps adapted to surround and couple to the resilient ball. A loop formed from one of the straps receives the resistance member. While providing additional exercises for use with an exercise ball, this device does not address the inherent instability of exercise balls. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,331 B1 to Raymond discloses an abdominal exerciser device utilizing a resilient rubber ball in contact with a plurality of ball bearings across the lower half of the ball. The ball is mounted inside a semi-spherical cavity that roughly corresponds in height to the lower half of the ball. Thus, a self-standing casing is formed to support the ball while allowing the rubber ball a free-rolling action when applied against a body part such as the abdominal, waist and/or hips effectively pressuring and massaging the muscles of the body part. It is further taught that one or more casings may also be mounted on absorbing materials, which is further mounted onto a rigid frame structure adapted to support a user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,611 B2, also to Raymond, discloses a similar abdominal exerciser. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,372 B2 to Hsu discloses an exercising ball holder for fixing an exercising ball. The holder is a concave device that cups the lower portion of an exercise ball. The holder further includes a base structure having multiple extension arms and at least one elastic cord attached thereto. The base seat is formed with a rest depression. A lower end of the exercising ball is rested and located in the depression preventing the ball from easily rolling out in response to directly downward pressure. The ball is free to be lifted out of the device and may be dislodged by forces applied from a side. The multiple extension arms extend outwardly from beneath the holder and have a fixing loop section at their respective ends for affixing the elastic cords. The elastic cords have handles at the ends opposite to where they affix to the base. The elastic cords are thus adapted to function as resistance members to be grasped by the hand of a user. [0007] Other patents disclosing chairs or exercise devices incorporating exercise ball-like objects, or variations thereof, include U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,326 to Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,389 to Ekman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,587 to Strong et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,284 B1 to Francavilla, U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,721 to Hunter and U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,726 to Lin. [0008] As discussed above, exercise balls are useful tools for exercise, but suffer from a number of limitations as a result of their ability to roll in any direction along the horizontal plane. Exercise balls are inherently unstable. Often this instability is not desired by the user. This instability often makes it more difficult to isolate the desired muscle group or groups intended by a particular exercise motion. The feeling of instability can be unnerving to inexperienced users and may even lead to injury due to loss of balance or when otherwise used improperly. This is especially true if the user suffers from a physical ailment or handicap. Additionally, the primary source of resistance during certain exercise is the compressed nature of the weight-bearing ball. One means for adjusting the resistance is to alter the inflation of ball. Deflating the ball results in an increased resistance to rotation. Unfortunately, this results in a concomitant reduction in support to the user. As such, it is difficult to adjust the resistance to tailor it to the exercise and the user's needs. Finally, because the ball is not secured by any means, it is difficult to firmly stabilize an isolated part of the user's body, such as the user's feet or hands, so as to apply a significant amount of force to be exerted during the motion of the exercise. Thus, what is needed is an exercise apparatus that overcomes these limitations. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides an exercise device based upon the concept of the exercise ball. The device utilizes a user support means connected to a frame with one or more connectors. It is found advantageous to have a user support means adopting the rounded shape of a substantially spherical ball. Other rounded shapes are also contemplated including ovoid and cylindrical. The connectors facilitate connection between the ball and the frame, which facilitate rotation about the axis created between the connectors. In certain embodiments the connectors connecting the ball to the frame will utilize an axle passing through the center of the sphere. Alternatively, the connectors can be a pair of units at points substantially diametrically opposed on the surface of the ball. In such a configuration it would not be necessary to pass an axle through the center of the sphere. Nevertheless, an axis of rotation would exist between the two connectors and the ball would be securedly affixed to the frame. In certain embodiments the ball will rotate on the axle or other connectors, while the axle or other connectors remains statically-affixed to the frame. In other embodiments, the ball will be statically-affixed to the axle or other connectors, while the axle or other connectors rotate at the point of attachment to the frame. [0010] In certain embodiments the device will include connectors that can be selectively adjusted to provide varying degrees of resistance to rotation. The frame can include a base to facilitate placement of the device on a flat planar surface or attachment to other devices, frames or exercise equipment. The frame can include one or more attachments. These attachments can be handles designed to be grasped by a user, footrests adapted to secure a user's foot or sites for further affixing articles such as strap-like resistance members or resistance bands. The frame can be further adapted to include a means for changing its dimensions or length. Changes in dimension or length may be desirable to adjust the location of the attachment members to the desired position or to further stabilize the device by increasing its base size. [0011] Depending upon how the ball is configured within the frame and what attachments are added to the frame, numerous exercises are possible. In use, the user rests a portion of their body weight on the ball and exerts an applied force to rotate the ball. It is also possible that, using the variable resistance function of the connectors that the user could "lock" the ball in a static position to facilitate additional exercises. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the exercise ball mounted for rotation. [0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a top plan view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a right side elevation view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a left side elevation view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a front elevation view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1. In this view the exercise ball is partially cut-away to illustrate an axle passing through the ball. [0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 in performing a squat exercise by a user where the user is depicted in the squatted position with knees bent. Continue reading about Exercise ball mounted for rotation... Full patent description for Exercise ball mounted for rotation Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise ball mounted for rotation 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 Exercise ball mounted for rotation or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Training harness for athletic hitting and swinging skills Next Patent Application: Method and device for spreading triacetin onto a filter material web Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Exercise ball mounted for rotation patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.64251 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
