Patents Examined by Victor Hwang
  • Patent number: 6663542
    Abstract: An adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip is provided for facilitating correct anatomical relationships and positioning while weight training. The apparatus serves not only to allow one to derive maximum benefits when training, but also serves to avert injury. The adjustable, body circumfusion barbell with off-centerline moment and rotating grip includes a barbell defining a first countermoment end, an intermediate moment segment, and a second countermoment end. The first and second countermoment end each have weight supporting means and rotating, knurled hand grips. The intermediate moment segment includes an elongated, laterally adjustable trave perpendicularly mounted in an offset manner between a pair of extension members. The intermediate moment segment provides a window for accommodating users of various torso sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Jon Trabbic
  • Patent number: 6659972
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for restricting movement of a patient's head. The apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of constraints engaged with the frame to exactly constrain the patient's head relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard E. Stamper, Matthew P. Meek
  • Patent number: 6656093
    Abstract: An adjustable dumbbell includes one or more weights engaged onto a rod, and a latch slidably engaged in the rod and movable to engage with one or more of the weights for selectively or adjustably securing the weights to the rod. The weights each has a groove for receiving the rod, and each has a channel communicating with the groove for receiving the latch. A fastener is secured to the latch and slidably engaged in the rod for moving the latch relative to the rod. A barrel is slidably engaged on the fastener and a spring may bias the barrel to engage with the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 6652420
    Abstract: A grip structure is designed for use in an exercise device and is formed of a main body, a grip rod, and two slide blocks disposed at two ends of the grip rod. The main body is of a ring-shaped construction and is provided with a groove. The main body is fastened with a predetermined portion of the operation rod of the exercise device. The slide blocks are slidably received in the groove of the main body. The grip rod can be adjusted 360 degrees in relation to the main body, thereby enabling a change in direction in which the grip rod is held fast by an exerciser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: James Chen
  • Patent number: 6652429
    Abstract: An exercising machine wherein a cable pull is resisted by spring deflection. The cable is connected to a lift arm that is pivotally fixed and carries a lift roller. The lift roller abuts a pivotally mounted bar and urges pivotal movement of the bar opposed by a spring member. The connection of the cable to the pivotal lift arm, the position of the lift roller relative to the lift arm pivot, the engagement of the roller with the pivotal bar and the engagement of the spring member with the pivotal bar all involving lever advantages that can be manipulated to achieve varying shapes of resistance of the cable pull as felt by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond B. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 6632161
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for varying the load on an exercise machine is provided. The apparatus includes at least one load-bearing member having a plurality of receivers formed therein, and a plurality of weights in slidable communication with the at least one load-bearing member. Each of the weights has a weight selection device housed therein for selectably locking each of the weights to the receivers of the load-bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Nir
  • Patent number: 6632160
    Abstract: A back roller exercise apparatus is disclosed having a base, a support member and a backrest slidably engaged with the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a seat adjustably attached to the support member, a lower bar attached to the seat, and an upper bar adjustably attached to the support member. In an operating configuration, the support member is substantially vertical and the backrest slides up and down between the seat and the upper end of the support member. The support member is preferably pivotally attached to the base. In a storage configuration, the support member is pivoted such that it is substantially parallel to the base. The exercise apparatus is utilized to perform squats, lunges, narrow pull-ups, wide pull-ups, dips and push-ups. The exercise apparatus may be utilized in three exercise modes: strength, aerobic and circuit training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Thruster Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Julie LaFond, Jay Blahnik, Chris Lokan
  • Patent number: 6632188
    Abstract: An air foot massaging apparatus for massaging and stimulating tired feet, and thereby creating beneficial physiological effects throughout the body and including a pair of boot shaped structures for adapting to the user's feet or a unitary fluid-tight container for retaining fluid therein and adapting to a user's feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes which engage with the user's foot, a compressor to inflate or deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, a vibration motor for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user's feet, and a control mechanism for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: D2RM Corp.
    Inventors: Paul B. Thomas, Robert D. Leventhal
  • Patent number: 6629910
    Abstract: Weights are disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and selector rods are selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of weights on each side of the base member. The resulting adjustable resistance assembly may be used on dumbbells and/or weight stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 6623409
    Abstract: This is an automatic locking exercise device that incorporates a one-way locking mechanism. The device includes a frame, which supports a track, preferably a pair of linear bearing rods one on each side. A guide member, or linear bearing runs on each bearing rod and is attached to a handle or bar that is grasped by a user. A one-way lock is used to provide movement of the bar along the track in an upward direction but opposes movement down. In the preferred embodiment, rotating the bar actuates a lock release. This disengages the one-way lock and enables the bar to move freely up and down along the track. If the user ever drops the weight the one-way lock automatically engages and catches the weight. Explosive power training can also be performed on the device in that the user can safely throw the weight, knowing that the weight will be automatically caught at its highest point without risk of injuring someone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin G. Abelbeck
  • Patent number: 6599222
    Abstract: An encapsulated weight system for resistance training comprising a first dumbbell having a center portion with a borehole disposed axially therein forming an interior load area. The first dumbbell further comprises a first end cap and a second end cap, wherein the first end cap and the second end cap are arranged and configured to releasably engage opposing ends of the center portion, thereby covering the interior load area. At least one weight capsule is arranged and configured to substantially correspond to at least a portion of the interior load area. The weight capsule can be alternately added and removed from the interior load area of the first dumbbell to alternately increase and decrease weight of said first dumbbell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin Wince
  • Patent number: 6595902
    Abstract: A weight training and toning device that has a frame which supports a horizontal platform. A roller assembly is mounted on the frame for movement between an inactive position to an active position. When the roller is in the active position, the device is supported on the roller and can be rolled easily from one location to another location. More specifically, a pulley stand is attached to the bench and storage racks for weight plates and barbell assemblies are supported on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Savage, Lev Shulyak
  • Patent number: 6589143
    Abstract: A back pain reliever has a linear alignment support with at least two bi-pad supports mounted thereon. The linear alignment support runs along the spine of a person with least two bi-pad supports mounted thereon, so each of the two pads of the bi-pad support are on opposite sides of the spine of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Walter J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6575881
    Abstract: The exercise device includes a support frame upon which a first shaft is rotatably supported. A user interface member is connected to the first shaft such that when the user interface member is displaced by a user, the first shaft is caused to rotate. A second shaft is also rotatably supported on the support frame. A torque arm assembly having a plurality of torque arms is connected to the second shaft. Each of the plurality of torque arms is adapted to support a weight member thereon. A conversion mechanism connects the first and second shafts to control the relative rates of rotation of the first and second shafts such that the resistance force generated by the torque arm assembly remains positive over an entire range of motion of the user interface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Strive Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Lapcevic
  • Patent number: 6575880
    Abstract: An anterior loading apparatus and a method for strengthening a user's torso inner spine and muscles thereof, and training the user to hold a correct upright posture providing awareness of the proper spinal alignment comprises a frame assembly including a base member, a pair of vertical frame members, a vertical torso support means, both affixed to and extending upwardly from the base member, and a loading beam with one end pivotally mounted at the upper section of the pair of vertical frame members and the other end extending beyond and above the top end of the vertical torso support means which is spaced apart from and aligned with a mid-plane of the pair of vertical frame members. The projecting portion of the loading beam terminates in a liftable straight-edged free end having a pad mounted thereon. At least one weight is mounted to the mid-section of the loading beam to apply a vertical load thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Prapawadee Hengtrakulsin
  • Patent number: 6565494
    Abstract: An exercise device comprises a base, two adjustment members, two pull rods, and two damping members. The base has a frame and a soft pad fastened to one side of the frame. The adjustment members are oppositely mounted on the frame. The two pull rods are pivoted to the adjustment members and provided with a curved rod and a handle corresponding in location to the soft pad. The damping members are fastened with the curved rods and the frame for providing the resistance against the pull rods which are pulled by the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: James Chen
  • Patent number: 6558302
    Abstract: A golf development and training device has first and second rods detachably connected at first and second connection points. Both rods contain multiple apertures for the receipt of one hooked end of a stretchable or elastic tube. The rods define a space between them when they are connected. A grip slidably engages the first rod and audibly clicks as it slides against the second rod when certain critical aspects of the training motion are correctly performed. At least one elastic tube is connected between the rod assembly and an attachment device which is secured to a stationary object that provides resistance and support. The attachment device includes vertical and horizontal rows of attachment apertures that receive the other end of the elastic tube. Multiple elastic tubes may be used, the number of which is dictated by the level of resistance desired during any particular exercise or training movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: David H. Cluff
  • Patent number: 6558303
    Abstract: A leg exercise machine has a support frame and a seat assembly including a seat bottom disposed upon a mounting framework secured on the frame for performing leg exercises in the form of leg extensions and leg curls. The resistance structure provides resistance to the leg exercises performed on the machine. A first roller cushion assembly is pivotally connected to the frame about a first pivot axis, is coupled to the resistance structure and is adapted to be engaged by an exerciser's legs. A second roller cushion assembly is pivotally secured to the frame about a second pivot axis and is adapted to be engaged by an exerciser's thighs for performing leg curls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Northland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6551226
    Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for adjusting the position of a member on an exercise machine has an inner tube with a series of spaced pinning holes and an outer tube telescopically engaged over the inner tube and having a locator hole for alignment with a selected pinning hole. A lever has a pinning section pivotally mounted on the outer tube to extend across the locator hole, and a hand engaging section extending at an angle to the pinning section. The pinning section is pivotable between an operative position in which a pinning button projects through the locator hole and an aligned pinning hole in the inner tube to secure the tubes together, and a retracted position in which the pinning button is spaced from the locator hole. A handle is mounted on the outer tube to extend in the same general direction as the hand-engaging section such that a user gripping the handle can engage the hand-engaging section and urge it towards the handle to pivot the pinning section into the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge
  • Patent number: 6547703
    Abstract: A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball (10A-C), about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles (12A-B, 30A, 30C), secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball (10A-C) in a tension mode. The ball (10A-C) is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball (10A-C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Swezey, Richard Swezey