Patents Examined by Daniel F Roland
  • Patent number: 8251879
    Abstract: A shoulder rehabilitation and exercise device is disclosed which enables a user to perform internal and external rotations of both right and left shoulder. The device is comprised of a base plate, hydraulic damper, restrictor arm, actuator arm, elbow cup and hand grip. A smooth, fluid-like movement is achieved during performance of arcuate internal and external shoulder rotations while also providing automatic increases and decreases in resistance to such motion in response to user effort. In certain preferred embodiments, in addition to such automatic adjustment of resistance, the device includes a means of manually adjusting resistance. The device may be utilized to perform the aforementioned internal and external rotations on a user's right or left side without need for making any adjustments to the machine. Range of motion limitations may be set to control the arcuate degree of internal and external rotations performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Binns, Eugene David Protas, Scott Avenarius
  • Patent number: 8251877
    Abstract: Systems and methods for functional training exercises having a function-specific user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly for performing a functional training exercise that simulates an activity involving a hand-held device includes a load, a support assembly, and a force-transferring assembly. A user interface includes a handle configured to resemble at least a portion of the hand-held device that is grasped by a user. An interface coupling assembly pivotably couples the handle and the force-transferring assembly. A training force applied to the handle by the user during movement of the handle along a functional training path induces an associated force on the load. In particular embodiments, the handle is configured to resemble a golf club, a baseball bat, a racquet, a hockey stick, and a sporting device configured to be thrown, such as a baseball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Vectra Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Rasmussen, A. Buell Ish, III
  • Patent number: 8246521
    Abstract: The present invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus and method of use. The apparatus is adapted to provide a challenging game for a participant that causes the participant to jump from a first location to a second location in response to predetermined signals. The apparatus provides for timed score keeping and may be used by a single individual or by groups of individuals in competitive play. While use of the apparatus is entertaining for the participant, it also improves the participant's jumping ability, speed, reaction time, and physical endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Alexander, Jerry K. Leipheimer, John M. Salvitti
  • Patent number: 8246522
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a housing, a pair of pivoting foot treadles and a pair of reciprocating bellows that support the foot treadles. A sealed air system including a conduit interconnects the bellows and is operable for reciprocating transfer of air from bellow to bellow. Each of the foot treadles is pivotably movable between upper and lower positions, and has a resting position between the upper and lower positions. The resting position of the foot treadles defines a resting position of the bellows while the upper and lower positions of the foot treadles respectively define elongated and compressed positions of the bellows. In use, the elongated and compressed positions of the bellows are each no more than 5 degrees off the center resting position thereby reducing stress on the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Gary D. Piaget, Herbert Walter Bentz
  • Patent number: 8241182
    Abstract: A playground system includes a playground appliance and a processing unit. The processing unit is adapted to receive a sensor signal from the sensor indicative of the detected movement, and to control the display to indicate a user-selection responsive to the received sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kompan A/S
    Inventors: Niels Julskjaer, Karin Mueller, Peter Christian Raaby Gronfeldt, Minh Thanh Nguyen, Hans Jorgen Meyer Ibsen, Michael Philip Laris, Michael Stahl
  • Patent number: 8241190
    Abstract: An exercise machine which has a seat and a backrest which are mounted for independent pivotal movement about an axis to respective chosen inclinations, structure which is fixed to, and which is movable together with, the seat, and resistance bands which are located on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Willem Johannes Van Straaten
  • Patent number: 8241189
    Abstract: A dumbbell of the present invention includes: a handle portion having a flattened cross section; and at least two weight portions provided at opposite ends of the handle portion. The handle portion is connected to an off-center position deviating from a center-of-gravity portion of each of the weight portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kanaoka
  • Patent number: 8235873
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame configured to rest on a floor surface; left and right cranks rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right first rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; left and right drawbar links pivotally interconnected between respective cranks and respective first rocker links; left and right second rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame; and left and right foot links supported by respective cranks and respective rocker links. On one embodiment, the second rocker links are selectively pinned to respective first rocker links to configure the apparatus for elliptical striding exercise, and the second rocker links are alternatively pinned to the frame to configure the apparatus for arcuate stepping exercise. On another embodiment, adjustable length members are interconnected between respective second rocker links and respective first rocker links to accommodate variable elliptical striding motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 8210993
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus includes a frame unit having a base frame, two crank arms, and two link units disposed respectively on left and right sides of the frame unit and each including a pedal rod connected pivotally to one of the crank arms. An adjustment unit includes a motor mounted on the frame unit, a threaded rod connected drivenly to the motor, a pull unit connected pivotally to the frame unit and connected drivenly to the threaded rod, and two roller sets connected pivotally to and disposed respectively on left and right sides of the pull unit. Each roller set is disposed in rolling contact with the pedal rod of a respective link unit. The roller sets are limitedly movable toward or away from an axis of rotation of the crank arms by a pulling action of the pull unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Superweigh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunny Lee, Simon Chao
  • Patent number: 8206271
    Abstract: A cyclical skating motion exercise machine has a base frame assembly. A first pedal arm mounted on a first pedal axle, wherein the first pedal axle is substantially vertical. A first link assembly mounted to the first pedal arm at a first pedal joint. The first pedal joint provides motion between the first link assembly and the first pedal arm. A first pedal mounted to the first pedal arm for supporting a user's foot. A second pedal arm is mounted on a second pedal axle, wherein the second pedal axle is substantially vertical. A crank assembly has a first link assembly is mounted to the a crank assembly, and the crank assembly has rotational inertia is substantially orthogonally to the first pedal axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Yong S. Chu
  • Patent number: 8197392
    Abstract: An exercise strap comprises an upper strap and a lower strap. A plurality of loop members are located on the lower strap to allow for handles to be easily removed and replaced on different locations on the lower strap. An adjustment member attached to both the upper strap and the lower strap allows for the overall length of the exercise strap to be adjusted. A strap attachment member attached to the upper strap connects the exercise strap to a suitable mounting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Astone Fitness Ltd.
    Inventors: Ben Silverman, Joel Richard Grenz, Darren Shane
  • Patent number: 8192337
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide an elastic resistance to a free-range of motion of a user. A cord running through a pulley and connected at either end to handles permits assisted resistance control (ARC) and a leverage advantage. In ARC, release by an anchor hand, still maintaining a load, may provide consistent or reduced force on the other, active, hand. One bodily member, such as a hand, may selectively halt and move as an “anchor” member, thereby simultaneously exercising itself and exerting control over another “active” bodily member operating in a “free range of motion.” Thereby, motion of the active hand may continue throughout a range desirable for a physical therapy regimen, a sporting activity, a work activity, or the like. A full range of motion of a bodily member and all supporting portions of the body is possible, without excessive stress or strain on joints due to a mismatch of position and load common to prior art systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Heather L. Birch, S. Dale McNeese
  • Patent number: 8177693
    Abstract: A calf exercise machine has a floor engaging main frame, a user support pivot, a user support assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame via the user support pivot, and a pivotally mounted user engagement device. A user engaging foot plate assembly is pivotally mounted to track movement of the user's feet during a calf exercise, and may comprise either the user support in a standing calf machine or the user engagement device in a seated calf machine. A connecting link translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support so that pivotal movement in the user engagement device results in a self-aligning, pivoting movement of the user support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 8177692
    Abstract: A pike pole exercise apparatus is provided for firemen to train and condition themselves for using a pike pole hook. A base has an elongated post attached thereto which extends generally vertically therefrom. An elongated hollow slide member is slidably mounted on the elongated post for sliding thereon and has a weight attached thereto so that a fireman can grip the slide member and slide it up and down on the elongated pole to exercise and train for using a pike pole hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy A. Deppen
  • Patent number: 8172729
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill having an endless exercise surface for walking or running while exercising, a resistance mechanism for providing a resistance for simulating the pushing or pulling of a load, wherein the resistance can be adjusted and set to a specific resistance setting. A movable pushing and pulling means is or are operatively attached to the resistance mechanism to transfer the load to the user. The resistance mechanism applies a constant and static force to the pushing and pulling means only in the same direction the endless movable surface moves and opposite a pushing or pulling direction such that operating the treadmill simulates the pushing or pulling of a load by a combination of gripping and pushing or pulling the pushing and pulling means forward or backwards while walking or running forward or backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph K. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8172731
    Abstract: A support assembly has laterally spaced horizontal base rails. The support assembly has laterally spaced vertical rails. The vertical rails extend upwardly from the base rails. The front vertical rails house a safety rod to catch the pivot rails. Pivot rails have interior ends and exterior ends. The interior ends are pivotally coupled with respect to the vertical rails. A cross bar is coupled to the pivot rails adjacent to the exterior ends. A plate is coupled to the pivot rails adjacent to the interior ends. The plate has recesses. The recesses receive and support attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Ren Bredda
  • Patent number: 8157714
    Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame with a head end and a foot end and parallel spaced tracks therebetween supporting a movable carriage thereon. The frame includes a foot support at the foot end of the frame and one or more elastic resistance members fastened between the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Supporting the frame is a first rocking support assembly supporting the head end of the frame and a second rocking support assembly supporting the foot end of the frame, whereby the frame can rock from side to side to provide a dynamic feedback to a user of the apparatus as to whether or not the user is properly centered on the apparatus. A kit for changing a conventional reformer into a rocking reformer apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.
    Inventor: Barbara Mayr
  • Patent number: 8152704
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a pulley training system comprising a pulley wheel mounted on an axle within a pulley housing and a cord configured to be draped over the pulley wheel. An attachment strap may be configured to be adjustably attached to the pulley housing. A first clip may be configured to be attached proximate a first end of the cord, and a second clip may be configured to be attached proximate a second end of the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Crosscore, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Brice, Brendan E. Cosso
  • Patent number: 8142337
    Abstract: A device for performing physical exercise includes a substantially rigid elongated pole, an elastic band comprising components for attaching the elastic band to the pole, and an anchor component for securing the elastic band to an external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: William B. Hall
  • Patent number: 8066623
    Abstract: An in-water training and rehabilitation device capable of individually training and rehabilitating an objective muscle of forearms at home with ease is provided. The in-water training and rehabilitation device according to the present invention is an in-water training device 10 that is held with a hand and moved in water for the purpose of strengthening a desired muscle of, mainly, forearms, and includes a substantially planar resistance part 14 whose area is variable and a plurality of handles 13 of different kinds. In the present invention, the plurality of handles 13 of different kinds may be constantly fixed to the resistance part 14 as in (d) or may be adapted to be replaceable as appropriate through an attaching and removing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Hidetaka Tokuma