Patents Examined by Jerome Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7758471
    Abstract: A way to attach a trampoline enclosure to a trampoline frame is described. This process involving constructing the enclosure with a buttonhole at or near its bottom edge. This buttonhole is designed to receive a spring attachment feature located on the rebounding mat of the trampoline structure. Generally, this spring attachment feature will be the D-ring (or V-ring) that is used to attach the rebounding mat to the springs. The D-ring will pass through the buttonhole and, when connected to a corresponding spring, will securely attach the trampoline enclosure to the trampoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Skywalker Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Nelson
  • Patent number: 7758479
    Abstract: A loading device for an exercise machine includes a lever arm and a nitrogen gas compression spring in a force triangle that provides easy adjustment of the resistive load presented to a user. The nitrogen gas compression spring and the selected portion of the lever arm comprise two legs of the force triangle, with a slidable coupling selectively interconnecting the nitrogen gas compression spring with the lever arm at adjustment points on the lever arm. Both the nitrogen gas compression spring and the lever arm are pivotally mounted on a rigid member, with the distances between their pivots forming the third leg of the force triangle. The nitrogen gas compression spring exhibits a high resistance, a flat spring rate and is of rigid construction so that the lever arm and nitrogen gas compression spring are self-supported at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Royce H. Husted, Joel P. Husted
  • Patent number: 7753827
    Abstract: A wrist roller exercise device is provided which has a roller rod having opposite handle end portions and which has a central portion and has a spool carrier has a central balanced cable connection point. A cable is connected to the cable connection point and also connected to an elevated frame member to secure and hold the carrier at a desired elevation above ground surface. A spool is attached on the central portion of said rod member with the rod member and the spool each being rotatable relative to the spool carrier. The spool also has a rope connection thereon. A rope is provided which has a first rope end attached to the rope connection and a second rope end connected to a weight object of desired mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel W. Emick
  • Patent number: 7753826
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pit landing system having integrated drainage positionable on a surface of a ground includes an upper padding section and a lower support section. The lower support section includes a lower water permeable support operable to allow water to permeate through its structure while supporting the padding layer above the surface of the ground. The upper section includes a cover and the lower support section comprises a porous cover. High jumps and pole vaults including the pit landing system are also disclosed. Methods for forming the pit landing system and methods for protecting an athlete are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Oliver, Peter L. Harvey, Matthew Cross, David J. Moxley, Michael Smoak
  • Patent number: 7749140
    Abstract: A quick disconnect and re-connect system is provided for exercise apparatus having a connection assembly for connecting a user-gripped handle to a resistance-bearing cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lindemeier, John M. Cassidy, Thomas M. Kilgriff
  • Patent number: 7749139
    Abstract: An elliptical cross trainer having a double-recessed crank in match of a load-coupling mechanism installed at the external side of a crank support. In this way, the gap of two pedal planks arranged parallel to each other can be reduced, thereby achieving the natural opening space of both human feet. Meanwhile, a hanging support together with suspension arm is connected with two pedal planks such that the pedal planks can create an optimal exercise path corresponding to the exercise pace of both human feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 7744510
    Abstract: A waist exercising device has a waist cushion, a weight roundel and a centrifugal weight assembly. The weight roundel is mounted rotatably on the waist cushion and has a cavity defined in the weight roundel and a pivot shaft formed in the cavity. The centrifugal weight assembly is mounted in the cavity and has an arm and a weight. The arm is connected pivotally to the pivot shaft. The weight is connected to the arm and generates centrifugal force and has at least one detachable weight element. A beginner may use less weight elements and a skilled user more for tailored difficulty exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventors: I-Huang Chen, Chang-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7740567
    Abstract: The shoe accessory includes a platform for supporting a conventional shoe. The shoe accessory's base has a convex or other non-planar surface that causes the shoe accessory to be stable in a longitudinal (heel-toe) direction, and unstable in a lateral (medial/lateral) direction. The non-planar surface may be defined by a ridge segment on the platform's bottom side. One or more straps are provided to temporarily secure the wearer's conventional shoe to the platform in a non-destructive manner. A generally U-shaped heel retainer may be provided adjacent a rear portion of the platform for receiving the heel of the shoe. The shoe accessory makes a flat-soled shoe laterally unstable while allowing for longitudinal stability and a naturalistic gait, and thus facilitates exercise of leg and foot muscles during normal walking, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Benjamin Bailar
  • Patent number: 7736276
    Abstract: An illuminating wrist exerciser includes upper and lower casing members, a ring, a rotor, a magnetic element, an illumination control circuit board, a plurality of illuminators, and a coil holder. The upper and lower casing members mate each other to form an interior space receiving the rotor therein. The upper casing member forms in a top portion thereof an opening to partially expose the rotor. Opposite ends of the rotor are rotatably coupled to the ring surrounding the rotor. The magnetic element is mounted to the ring. The illumination control circuit board and the coil holder are received in a recess defined in one of the ends of the rotor. The coil holder forms a bore in which the magnetic element is received. The coil holder carries thereon at least one pair of coils. The illuminators are distributively arranged on an outer surface of the rotor and are electrically connected to the illumination control circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Yun Yu Chuang, Ming Hung Lin, Pei Sung Chuang
  • Patent number: 7731638
    Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation about a user support pivot axis between start and end positions. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. The user support pivot axis is spaced below at least one of the supports in at least one of the exercise start and end positions. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Christopher E. Brennan, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7727130
    Abstract: A fixed weight/permanent weight-lifting apparatus including dumbbells and barbells is provided that have an elongated shaft with a centrally located handle and ends having a smaller diameter than the handle, a pre-coated head welded to each of these ends with a centrally located channel connecting its inner face and its outer face and a counter bore machined into its outer face of the head forming an inner collar. The channel has a diameter sufficient to receive the portion of the end of said shaft that extends beyond the inner collar. Each of the inner collars are joined to that portion of the end that extends beyond the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Philip Patti
  • Patent number: 7727127
    Abstract: A board support assembly has a vertical axis. A plurality of training stations is attached to and extends radially from the board support assembly. One of the training stations includes interior and exterior plates. A pair of projections extends radially outwardly from the exterior plate. The projections have parallel exterior surfaces and an associated strap. In this manner a martial arts training board may be received and supported. The martial arts training board has edges positionable between the exterior surfaces of the projections and the straps. A rotation assembly includes a pivot pin. The pivot pin couples the interior and exterior plates for rotation about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne Arrington
  • Patent number: 7708667
    Abstract: A trampoline has an enclosure system including a barrier of a flexible material (14) such as a net material surrounding the trampoline mat above the mat and having a lower peripheral part coupled directly or indirectly to the mat, and a plurality of resiliently flexible generally upright enclosure support members or rods (13) which are retained at or towards the lower ends of the enclosure support members and below the mat (1) by the frame (4) of the trampoline and which support the net above the mat, so that the enclosure is free to deform away from the mat when impacted by a user against an enclosure support member and/or against said barrier of flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Board & Batten International Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Vivian Alexander
  • Patent number: 7704194
    Abstract: A boxing equipment of the present invention includes a base, a disc member, a plastic pole, a boxing member and a sheath. The disc member is disposed on the base for housing a first end of a resilient member, and the pole is fastened to a second end of the resilient member. One end of the pole is mounted with the boxing member, while the sheath can fasten the boxing member with the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Yi-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 7704198
    Abstract: An exercise device for human exercise routines having an elongated pultruded plastic rod or rods fitting loosely within a plastic tube. At least one of the rods is rectangular in cross section and the tube may be covered by a soft foam plastic sleeve. The rod may be produced by the pultrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Gordon L. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7699758
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame and handles mounted on the frame and moveable by a user in opposite directions. The handles are coupled to a transmission so that movement of the handles by a user create rotational movement of a transmission input, movement of the handles in one direction creating rotational movement of the transmission input in one direction and movement of the handles in the opposite direction creating rotational movement of the transmission input in the opposite direction. The transmission couples the transmission input to a resistance means, such as an eddy current resistance device, in a manner to provide a different resistance to rotation of the transmission input depending upon the direction of rotation of the transmission input. Thus, the resistance to rotational movement of the transmission input in one rotational direction is greater than it is in the opposite rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hoggan Health Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn D. Hoggan, James R. Richards, Michael K. Durtschi
  • Patent number: 7682298
    Abstract: A collapsible resistance exercise device for compact storage and quick deployment includes a horizontally disposed base support frame and an upright frame pivotally attached to the base frame. The upright frame includes a resistance bar pivotally mounted thereon. In practice, the device is placed on a level surface with the base support frame resting on the surface. The free end of the upright frame is rotated upwardly to a vertical position where it is releasably locked into position to be free standing. One end of a pair of springs are attached to spring attachment loops disposed on the upright frame. The opposing ends of the springs are attached to spring attachment loops disposed on a resistance bar, strap or similar device. The exercisor exercises a muscle group by contacting a limb with the resistance bar and repetitively moving the resistance bar against the restoring force of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Ellen Croft
  • Patent number: 7682288
    Abstract: An exercise machine has foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right elliptical paths of motion that include a laterally directed component. Each linkage includes a crank that rotates about a crank axis, and a roller rotatably mounted on the crank for rotation about a roller axis that is skewed relative to the crank axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 7678024
    Abstract: The invention comprises a trampoline including a flexible mat, a plurality of resiliently flexible rods each having a lower end retained in a frame of the trampoline and an enlarged upper end, and a plurality of fittings coupled to the mat about a periphery of the mat and including on or in an underside of each fitting a socket cavity which receives the upper end of a flexible rod so that the upper ends of the flexible rods are pivotally connected to the periphery of the mat, the fitting also including an entry into the socket cavity for the enlarged upper end of the flexible rod through an upper side of the fitting and a restricted entry towards the socket cavity for a part of the flexible rod below said enlarged upper end and through which the rod upper end cannot pass, to one side of the fitting and defined between opposed side or underside parts of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Board & Batten International Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Vivian Alexander
  • Patent number: 7674209
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method of using exercise apparatuses. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may provide an exercise apparatus including a body housing a biasing member and having a first elongated member and a second elongated member movable relative to the first elongated member between a retracted position and an extended position, the biasing member biasing the second elongated member toward one of the retracted position and the extended position, a first pedal connected to the first elongated member, and a second pedal connected to the second elongated member, the first pedal being engageable by a first appendage of an operator and the second pedal being engageable by a second appendage of the operator for moving the second elongated member between the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Toni Greene