Patents Examined by An H. Thanh
  • Patent number: 9999802
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise device having an elongated body, a slot formed length-wise in the body, the slot having an undercut portion on each side, a plurality of holes in slot for receiving one of a plurality of fasteners, an exercise accessory having a connecting member, and a head of the connecting member, the head sized to be received in the slot of the body and configured to be slidably retained in the slot. The slot can have undercut portions. The undercut portions can have locking features. The head of the connecting member can have complimentary locking features. A tightening member can fix the connecting member in a position in the slot. The elongated body can have a cutout for receiving the head of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Donald Kilmon
  • Patent number: 9999796
    Abstract: A supplemental weight stack is disclosed. The supplemental weights add a weight load to an exercise machine in increments less than the main weight increments. The supplemental weights can be stacked horizontally and can be designed such that when engaged, each supplemental weight acts upon an engagement mechanism. The user selects the supplemental weight by acting upon an adjustment mechanism, which, in turn, actuates the engagement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Specialty Fitness Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry K. Leipheimer
  • Patent number: 9999797
    Abstract: An assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus has a main frame and an assist or foot bar pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to a weight stack or resistance for assisting a user standing on the foot bar during performance of chin and dip exercises. The main frame has a first, overhead handle assembly and a second, dip handle assembly below the first handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a pair of adjustably mounted handles freely pivotable between a first, chin-up position in which the handles extend towards one another at a rearward angle with a small spacing between the handles and a second, pull-up position in which the handles extend in a forward direction and are spaced apart by a larger spacing sufficient to provide head clearance for a user stepping onto the foot bar or while performing a dip exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HOIST FITNESS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Owen Meredith, Billy Y. Kim, Adam Sanders Guier
  • Patent number: 9999799
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing an arm extension exercise comprising: a frame, a seat having a seating surface (S), an elbow pad having an engaging surface (ES), an input arm assembly interconnected to a resistance mechanism and a manually graspable mechanism, the input arm assembly being adapted to reside in a start motionless position (SMP) that disposes the manually graspable mechanism in a start exercise position (SEP) that is disposed vertically above UW) the user's elbows, the input arm assembly being pivotable around a linear axis disposed rearwardly of the user's elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Giannelli, Mark Buontempo
  • Patent number: 9993685
    Abstract: A push-up device and method of use has been disclosed that employs the use of a spherical member that makes contact with the ground surface and supports the weight of a user when the user grasps the handle members of the push-up device and/or rests thereon. The user may balance his or her body on the push-up device while exercising. The push-up device is operable to permit the push-up device to move or translate in various directions or angles when the user is resting thereon by rotating the spherical member omni-directionally. As such, not only may a user stimulate chest and/or other upper-body muscles, but the user may also stimulate abdominals or other lower-body muscles, permitting the user to stimulate a more variety of his or her muscles through balancing himself or herself on the push-up device through the curved surface of the spherical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Albert Clay Stevens
  • Patent number: 9993682
    Abstract: A stair exerciser apparatus includes a frame having a pair of inclined supports, a drive mechanism, a plurality of stairs and an electromagnetic resistance device. The stairs are coupled to the drive mechanism for traveling around the pair of inclined supports. The electromagnetic resistance device is coupled to the drive mechanism to control the running speed of the stairs. The electromagnetic resistance device has a flywheel, an electromagnet and a brake unit. The electromagnet is coupled to the brake unit for controlling rotation resistance of the flywheel. The brake unit has a brake block for stopping the flywheel to stop the stairs. The brake unit is pivotally rotatable between a non-braking position where the brake block is pulled away from the flywheel when the electromagnet is energized and a braking position where the brake block is pulled to stop the flywheel when the electromagnet is loss of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noel R Johnson, Alexander E Hanson
  • Patent number: 9987519
    Abstract: An improved exercise device includes pedals configured to move in counter-rotating circles in a plane inclined toward the horizontal from the vertical at an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°. The device includes a supporting frame, a pedal mounting assembly attached to the supporting frame at an angle from the vertical, two pedal supports attached to the pedal mounting assembly, each via a pedal crank assembly, at an angle to the vertical, and two pedals, one pedal supported by each pedal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: M & S Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Snyderman
  • Patent number: 9981154
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a base, a first vertical support and a second vertical support. The base has at least one horizontal support. The at least one horizontal support has a first end and a second end. First vertical support and second vertical support each have two vertical members spaced from each other and connected to a bottom support. The bottom support of the first vertical support is attached to the first end of the at least one horizontal support of the base and the bottom support of the second vertical support is attached to the second end of the at least one horizontal support of the base. The first vertical support and the second vertical support are opposite each other. At least one anchor is positioned on each of the vertical supports for removably connecting a resistance band to each of the vertical supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Vu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9981156
    Abstract: An exercise machine with multiple contact surfaces for providing secondary exercise support platforms positioned at various planes relative to the horizontal plane of the primary exercising platforms, the secondary platforms further serving as handles used during the performance of exercises. The exercise machine with multiple contact surfaces generally includes a frame, a carriage movably attached to the rail, and a first support structure and a second support structure attached to the frame near the first end. The support structures each include one or more platforms having an upper surface that is positioned above the base plane of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastien Anthony Louis Lagree
  • Patent number: 9981155
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing a pull down exercise comprising: a frame, a seat, an input arm assembly interconnected to a resistance mechanism and a manually graspable mechanism disposed vertically above the user's trunk in a start sitting exercise position, the input arm assembly being pivotably mounted on the frame for back and forth travel along a generally forward to rearward direction and along a generally side to side direction orthogonal to the forward to rearward direction, the input arm assembly being rotatably pivotable around a first linear axis and a second linear axis in the respective directions on exertion by the user of a rearwardly downwardly directed force on the manually graspable mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Giannelli, Mark Buontempo
  • Patent number: 9974996
    Abstract: A rowing machine can include a frame, a seat movably attached to the frame, the seat being configured to slide horizontally along the frame, a flywheel rotatably mounted to an end of the frame, a cable having a free end and an end attached to the flywheel, and an adapter assembly for compatibility with multiple oar or handle configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Contrast, Inc.
    Inventor: Willie C. Kiser
  • Patent number: 9975000
    Abstract: A device for exercising the gluteal muscles. The device is simple, small, portable, and lightweight, comprised of a half roll with a handle in each end. The user, facing down on top of the device at the level of the hip bones, must keep the legs high in a cantilever position which will exercise the gluteal muscles. To keep the legs in cantilever, the hamstrings muscles, lower back muscles, arm muscles, and core muscles are also exercised; the latter muscles are especially exercised if the upper body does not rest on a surface and is used for balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Nelson Fumo
  • Patent number: 9974999
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus for performing stretching exercises. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a base, a seat, and an upright member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the seat is connected to the base and can rotate with respect to the base. In some embodiments, the upright member is connected to the base and includes a leg bar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Steve Land
  • Patent number: 9975024
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel sled training device generally consisting of a sled with vertically oriented pole for attaching, a detachable cuboidal structure that attaches to the sled and holds pulley systems with stretch cords running through them and then to the ankles and wrists of the user. A rope or stretch cord attaches to the front of the sled and runs to an attachment point on a harness worn by the user when the apparatus is configured to be pulled by the user. The apparatus may be configured to be pushed by the user by means of an attachment that connects to the vertically oriented pole for attaching weights, and which has padded structures to be pushed by the subject's shoulders and/or forehead. The detachable cuboidal structure may be removed from the sled and attached to any stationary structure for use without the sled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Mark William Potter
  • Patent number: 9974627
    Abstract: A method for cutting with a tool comprises rotating the tool in a first direction. Then, at a predetermined moment, quit rotating the tool and allow the tool to coast in the first direction. While the tool coasts, a parameter is determined that represents drag experienced by the tool as the tool coasts. If the determined parameter does not exceed a predetermined limit then the tool is rotated in the first direction. If the determined parameter exceeds the predetermined limit, then the tool is rotated in another direction opposite the first direction. The predetermined moment when the tool begins to coast may be any desired moment, such as when the tool rotates through a specific distance or for a specific period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Aseptico Inc.
    Inventor: James Shipley
  • Patent number: 9968820
    Abstract: A rotational exercise device is disclosed. The rotational exercise device includes an upper platform rotatably coupled to a base. The base is configured to rest on the floor. Elastic members located in the base interact with posts located in the upper platform to provide rotatable resistance between the upper platform and base. The elastic members may be exchanged to provide a desired resistance. The rotatable resistance permits the user to perform controlled exercise movements to assist in the physical therapy of rotational joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Matthew Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 9968819
    Abstract: An exercise machine has at least one hollow column rotationally mounted between upper and base members of a frame. A pulley carriage is mounted inside the column in engagement with an internal track for travel up and down the track, and a cable linked to an exercise resistance extends through the pulley carriage before terminating at a cable pull attachable to a selected user engagement accessory. A pulley cover pivoted to the carriage extends partially out of a column opening and extends over one or more pulleys mounted in the pulley carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HOIST FITNESS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce Hockridge
  • Patent number: 9968825
    Abstract: A collapsible exercise machine for strengthening the core muscles (transverse abdominal, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae) includes a frame mounted on a base on which a user sits and manipulates an upstanding lever arm. A seat is convertible between two differently-angled positions for back extension or abdominal exercises. The lever arm rotates a curved tube having a plurality of force adjustment holes. The tube passes through a frame at the upper end of a gas spring, and engaging an adjustment pin on the frame with different adjustment holes changes the amount of resistance. The entire frame above the base can be vertically adjusted to accommodate different sizes of user without altering the relative position between the seat (and user's hips) and the axis of rotation of the lever arm thus not affecting/changing the designated resistance between users of different heights (resistance is affected when the lever arm is lengthened).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Michael J Snyder
  • Patent number: 9968474
    Abstract: A therapeutic stretching device includes a strap; a fulcrum member centrally located on the strap and arranged to be placed behind the back of a user's neck and operable as a fulcrum for cervical spinal extension; first and second shoulder pads attached to the strap on either side of the fulcrum member, the shoulder pads arranged to assist the strap in pulling shoulder joints of the user backwards and to create bilateral glenohumeral external rotation; and at least one pair of loops disposed on the strap, wherein shoulder pads are disposed between the fulcrum member and the pair of loops, the loops being disposed and sized for right and left hand or wrist placement during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GEBO LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9962576
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and normalizing physical resistance for athletic activities and fitness equipment are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: measuring a level of physical resistance in an athletic activity; generating sensor data indicative of the measured level of physical resistance; using the sensor data to determine if the measured level of physical resistance will achieve a desired performance level in the athletic activity; and automatically generating control signals to adjust the level of physical resistance if the measured level of physical resistance is unlikely to achieve the desired performance level in the athletic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Glen J. Anderson