Patents Examined by L. Amerson
  • Patent number: 7004886
    Abstract: An air cushion for exercise in accordance with the present invention has a bladder (10) and a ballast stay (15) accommodated inside the bladder (10). The bladder (10) has a flat bottom (11) and a bulge top (12). The ballast stay (15) is thermally welded to the bottom (11) to stiffen the bottom (11) to make the air cushion stably placed on the ground. Combining the bladder (10) and ballast stay (15) in one piece makes the configuration of the air cushion simple and also simplifies the manufacturing process to reduce product cost of the air cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Wen-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 7004892
    Abstract: A training device for a gliding sport athlete trains the athlete to have the proper knee bend for gliding sports such as ice skating, inline skating, skiing, etc. The device includes a belt and a pair of foot attachments adapted to be fastened to a front portion of the respective feet or footwear of the athlete. One end of each pair of cords is connected to the belt at a position between the front portion and a respective side portion, and another end connected to one of the foot attachments. Each of the cords has an unstretched length less than a length between the athlete's waist and feet, to apply a force to urge the athlete's knee into a bent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Wendy G. Marco
  • Patent number: 7004895
    Abstract: A proactive machine is used for assessing and improving a user's proprioception. The machine has a tilting platform upon which the user stands, a non-rotating tilting means connected to the platform for tilting the platform along a first axis and along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a control means for controlling the tilting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Perry Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford R. Perry, Don A. Perry
  • Patent number: 7004894
    Abstract: An abdominal muscle exercise machine having a body support plate having a lower surface, a front end, and a rear end; front and rear slide shafts; first and second tubular quills slidably interconnecting the front and rear slide shafts and the lower surface of the body support plate for alternate forward and rearward sliding motions of the front and rear slide shaft; a front “T” handle; a roller bracket interconnecting the front “T” handle and the front slide shaft for alternate forward and rearward rolling motion of the front “T” handle along the front slide shaft; and a rear “T” handle fixedly attached to the rear slide shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Ray Trotter
  • Patent number: 7001317
    Abstract: The Kegel exercising device and method for exercising the Kegel muscle may be employed by a female to prevent incontinence, enhance sensitivity during sexual activity and improve genital health. The Kegel exercising device has two spheres respectively for insertion into the vaginal and anal cavities, and an intermediate curved portion which provides resistance against the front wall and the back wall of the Kegel muscle simultaneously. The device of the current invention thus permits a user to exercise the Kegel muscle without having to manipulate the device with her hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Marcotte
  • Patent number: 7001316
    Abstract: A shaped body (1) of plastic material with rounded outer contours is used for carrying out a method of active motion therapy by filling bulk material (11) of shaped bodies (1) into a container (12). The limbs (13) to be trained are immersed into the bulk material (11) and exercises are carried out. The shaped body (1) is symmetrical relative to a first plane defined by a first substantially oval outer periphery (U1) of the shaped body (1), asymmetrical relative to a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane and defined by a second substantially oval outer periphery (U2) of the shaped body (1), and asymmetrical relative to a third plane defined by a third outer periphery (U3) of the shaped body (1), which is substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes. The shaped body effects a resistance to motion which is nearly independent of the exercising direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Trelogo KG
    Inventors: Ludolf Jakobs, Angelika Werner-Jakobs
  • Patent number: 7001318
    Abstract: An exercise mat with totem patterns formed by the following steps: soaking a mesh substrate in a non-slip paste including a pigment; foaming the non-slip paste to combine the non-slip paste with the mesh substrate to form a mat and; printing totem patterns, formed from PU material, on the mat using mesh-printing process. The present exercise mat provides a smoother section and a rougher section for the choice of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Hsu Tang Su-Tuan
  • Patent number: 7001315
    Abstract: A portable exercise kit for providing easily transportable exercise equipment and accessories. The portable exercise kit includes a case assembly including a container having a first cover and a second cover being hingedly attached to said first cover, and also including a handle being attached to the container, and further including wheels being attached to the container for moving the container upon a ground; and also includes padded liner inserts being attached to the first and second covers in the container; and further includes an assembly for latching the first and second covers together; and also includes exercise equipment/accessories being removably disposed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel J. Diodati
  • Patent number: 6997856
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle assembly and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. At each end of the dumbbell, a weight selector is maneuverable into and out of engagement with desired weight plates to secure same relative to the handle assembly. The weight selector includes both a first selector rod segment that is configured to selectively engage at least a first one of the weight plates, and a second selector rod segment that is configured to selectively engage at least a second, discrete one of the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 6994661
    Abstract: A tiltable exercise bench featuring a pad hingeably mounted on a vertical post by a cantilevered hinge joint such that the bench can be tilted to a selected angle depending on the requirements of the user. An arcuate bar with notches on one edge has ends secured to the underside of the pad, extends downwards toward the base of the bench. The arcuate bar has notches formed along one elongated edge. A spring-loaded lever is arranged to engage a selected one of the notches whereby the bench is fixed at a selected angle of tilt. The lever can be operated from the left or right side of the bench. A series of tubular bars, affixed perpendicular to the underside of the bench support bar, provide selectable positions for telescoping onto a bar attached to the bench seat or a bar attached to a padded bar for performing situps or back extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Fred Dawson
  • Patent number: 6991591
    Abstract: An abdominal exerciser including a leg rest assembly optionally pivotally connected to a weighted main frame. The leg rest assembly may include a first member and second and third members extending transversely from the first member. One or more pads may be affixed about the first member. The second and third members may terminate in a hinge member such as a female coupler. The main frame may include a plurality of curved members connected at an apex at a first end thereof. Second ends of the members may terminate in a hinge member such as a male coupler. If disconnected, the leg rest assembly and main frame are connected by making the hinge members, e.g., the male and female couplers. A person utilizes the abdominal exerciser by forcing the leg rest assembly downwardly by exerting pressure thereagainst by the person's calves until the person's feet are flat against the floor. The person then exercises by constricting the person's abdominal muscles, while maintaining the person's feet flat against the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Pavel V. Tsatsouline
  • Patent number: 6988979
    Abstract: An exercise bench for performing exercises for the reduction of cellulite which includes a frame having legs and a seating surface attached to the frame to support a body of a user. The seating surface is located at a height above a floor upon which the frame is placed that is greater than about twenty inches such that an average user's feet do not fully touch the surface upon which the frame is placed. A textured surface on the seating surface has a sufficient quantity and height of protuberances to enable reduction of cellulite when skin of the user is placed on the surface, the skin is kept relatively fixed relative to the textured surface, and the body of the user is moved relative to the textured surface such that fat tissue is moved relative to the textured surface. A method of using the bench is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Wendi Trainor
  • Patent number: 6984197
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for applying desired stretch exercises while a user is sitting down on a chair or laying on his back. The exercise apparatus includes a portable frame, a leg supporting bag for fixedly supporting the legs of the user in the frame, and a sole pressing bag for pressing the soles of the user in the direction stretching the Achilles tendons. When the legs are fixed by the leg supporting bag, the soles of the user are pressed by inflating bags formed in the frame to stretch the Achilles tendons. The user can enjoy desired degrees of stretch exercises as well as massage on his legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Skylite Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Sugiyama, Shuzo Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6984196
    Abstract: An abdominal exercise machine is provided which includes a seat, which is pivotally linked to a base frame. At least one link includes a handle that can be actuated by a user sitting on the seat. The user presses the handle away from the seat by flexing the trunk muscles of the user. This curls the user's body into a flexed trunk position. As the handle is actuated forward, the linkage arrangement causes the seat to displace upward. This pushes the center of gravity of the user up, thereby doing work and thereby providing resistance to the movement caused by the exercise. The handle may be adjustable in position relative to the link, thereby varying the load used by the user. Foot supports may also be provided either in front of the seat or behind the seat. The foot supports may be mounted to the frame of the seat frame which supports the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventors: Dean G. Tornabene, Kevin G. Abelbeck
  • Patent number: 6979287
    Abstract: Footwear comprising a support member having an upper surface attachable to a foot, and two bulbous protuberances, each having a curved outer contour, protruding from a lower surface thereof, one of the protuberances being positioned more posteriorly than the other of the protuberances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Avi Elbaz, Amit Mor
  • Patent number: 6976945
    Abstract: A modified exercise apparatus is described which has adjustable attachments for speedbags, basketball rims and a horizontal footstand support bar. There are also basketball rim cords by which the user can face outwardly from the device, rest his or her upper body on the horizontal footstand support bar, and perform exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Edgar Lim
  • Patent number: 6976944
    Abstract: An adjustable ramped and horizontal stretching bench device for relieving spinal and muscle conditions contributing to lower back pain. The stretching bench has a horizontal forward portion and a ramped rearward portion. The effective overall length of the stretching bench is adjustable to accommodate persons of different lengths and different relationships between body length and leg length. The angle between the forward portion and rearward portion is adjustable from zero degrees to forty-five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Robert M. Damasio
  • Patent number: 6976941
    Abstract: A resistive exercise system for enabling individuals of a weakened physical condition to perform various resistive exercises. The resistive exercise system includes a frame structure, a seat member secured within the frame structure at a low entry level, a pair of opposing arm supports attached to the frame structure, a plurality of weight members adjustably positioned upon a weight shaft, and a plurality of cables attached to the weight shaft each having a handle attached thereto. A tubular support member is attached to the front of the frame structure for receiving an elongate tongue member that supports a resistance pedal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Norman G. Britt
  • Patent number: 6976943
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus to exercise and strengthen the user's arms, shoulders and chest by performing pushups which combine raising and lowering the user's body through raising and lowering the user's arms while the user is in a face down horizontal position with the present invention exercise device used to simulate an up and down pumping action to cause the user to have his/her arms spread apart to make the pushups more difficult while providing a central chest support to facilitate the exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hupa International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob Hsiung
  • Patent number: 6971977
    Abstract: An exercise device has a frame a transverse support, a backrest assembly, a sliding stand assembly, a seat, a first elastic band, a second elastic band and two optional elastic cords. The transverse support is mounted on the frame. The backrest assembly is attached pivotally to the transverse support. The sliding stand assembly slides on the transverse support. The seat is mounted on the frame. The first elastic band is mounted between the transverse support and the backrest assembly. The second elastic band is mounted between the frame and the sliding stand assembly. The exercise device can exercise different muscles of the human body without squatting on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Chih-Liang Chen