Patents Examined by Garrett Atkinson
  • Patent number: 9757610
    Abstract: A variable stiffness treadmill system having a variable stiffness mechanism, a split-belt treadmill, a counterweight system, and a body weight support for supporting an individual and varying the stiffness below the individual on the treadmill for research and rehabilitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Panagiotis Artemiadis, Andrew Barkan
  • Patent number: 9750975
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an exercise device that makes push-ups more physically challenging by reducing the area of contact that the push-up device makes with a surface while in use. A distal end of the device has a minimal radius of curvature, such that the surface area of the device in contact with the ground is minimized, thereby inducing instability. The user is challenged to overcome the inherent instability of the push-up device, thereby recruiting more muscle groups, placing higher demand on involved muscle groups, and practicing balance and proprioception. Additionally, by elevating the user's hands above the ground, the device can also enable the user's chest to move below the plane of the palms of his or her hands, thus inducing a larger range of motion with each push-up and further challenging the user's muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Stanley Russell Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9750583
    Abstract: Disclosed is an implant fixture remover. The fixture remover includes a remover screw which has a first thread formed on one side thereof to be screwed to a female screw portion of an implant fixture implanted into an alveolar bone, and a second thread formed on the other side thereof; and a remover driver including a torque transmitting portion which is slide-inserted into the remover screw, and a torque providing portion which is separated from the torque transmitting portion and screwed to the second thread so that the torque transmitting portion maintains contact with the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventors: Ducksu Hur, Jun Song
  • Patent number: 9744394
    Abstract: An exercising device includes an axle having a substantially straight portion and a pair of end portions disposed generally perpendicular to the straight portion, at least one wheel mounted for rotation on a peripheral surface of the straight portion and including a center aperture, a sleeve positioned between the peripheral surface of the straight portion and a peripheral surface of the aperture, a pair of collars with a threaded aperture disposed within a thickness of the each of the pair of collars, a pair of threaded fasteners seated within threaded apertures and having an inner end thereof in an abutting engagement with an exterior surface of the axle, a pair of end stops, each of the pair of end stops secured to an end of a respective end portion and at least one grip member disposed on the axle on each side of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Frederick
  • Patent number: 9737780
    Abstract: A striking bag features a resiliently flexible foam tube, and a striking surface that is connected to an end of the flexible tube to hang therefrom in an exposed position strikeable from below. A threaded rod projects from an upper end of the flexible tube for coupling with a surface mount that is fastened to a ceiling or other suitable overhead surface. The surface mount features a rigid portion into which the threaded rod is threaded. The foam of the tube and the threaded rod solely define a resiliency by which the tube flexes and returns to a normal straight position relative to the ceiling mount. A fabric loop at a bottom of the striking surface allows selective connection of a stretchable tether between the striking surface and a ground based tether point to change a responsive character of the striking bag and enable two distinctive modes of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Bobby I. Khunkhun
  • Patent number: 9737385
    Abstract: The system and method disclosed herein prevent a patient from interrupting the vacuum created by the vacuum line attached to the saliva ejector so that suction continues to be present even if the patient clamps his or her lips tightly about the shaft of the saliva ejector. In the illustrated embodiment, the backflow prevention mechanism includes a sleeve positionable on the shaft of the saliva ejector and engageable by the patient's lips. The sleeve includes at least one conduit that remains open to allow air to enter the patient's mouth even when the patient's lips are tightly closed. The air entering the patient's mouth via the at least one conduit enables the vacuum line to continue to draw bodily fluids and contaminants from the patient's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 9737453
    Abstract: A walk training apparatus includes a walking assist device, a first tensile portion, and a second tensile portion. The walking assist device is configured to be attached to a leg of a user so as to assist the user in walking. The first tensile portion pulls at least one of the walking assist device and the leg of the user toward a vertically upper side and toward a front side. The second tensile portion pulls at least one of the walking assist device and the leg of the user toward the vertically upper side and toward a rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimada, Masayuki Imaida, Hitoshi Konosu, Yoshinori Fujikake, Eiichi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 9731158
    Abstract: A weight training assembly includes a frame includes a first rail to which a slide member and multiple weights are connected. The slide member has a main rod with multiple through hole. Each weight has a transverse holes and longitudinal holes, each transverse hole has a pin received therein, and each longitudinal hole has a push rod received therein. A first spring is located between the pin and the weight. A second spring is located between the push rod and the weight. A push unit includes a push member which is located corresponding to the front sides of the weights. When the push member pushes the push rod from the first position to the second position, the pin moves from the third position to the third position and extends through one through hole to lock the weight to the main rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Chiu-Hsiang Lo
  • Patent number: 9724559
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, two crank units, two reciprocating members, two swing arms, two linkages and two carrying arms. A predetermined portion oriented between the top and bottom ends of each linkage is pivotally coupled to the corresponding crank unit and is moved along a circular path. The top end of each linkage is pivotally coupled to the corresponding reciprocating member and is moved along a curved path between two retracing points. The front end of each carrying arm is pivotally coupled to the bottom end of the corresponding linkage and is moved along a first closed path which is elliptical-like shaped. A predetermined portion oriented between the front and rear ends of each carrying arm is pivotally coupled to the bottom of the corresponding swing arm. The rear end of the carrying arm supports user's foot and is moved along a second closed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ziv Chang, Joe Chen, Noel Johnson, Derek Nelson
  • Patent number: 9707434
    Abstract: An exercise device and methods for performing physical exercise that improve strength, conditioning, and flexibility of an operator in a functional way using multiple body positions and exercising multiple muscle groups while keeping the spine in a safe and natural position, being simple to manufacture and use, and being compact and portable. The exercise device includes an elongated member, a hollow member, handles, a foot board system, and at least one resistance band. A resistance band is secured to the elongated member and the hollow member, and slidable movement of the hollow member and the elongated member relative to each other by the operator stretches a resistance band, which creates resistance to the movement, thereby exercising, strengthening, and conditioning the operator. The operator may use the exercise device in a number of configurations to perform a number of exercises in a number of body positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Kaehler
  • Patent number: 9700758
    Abstract: A hand and finger exercise apparatus to exercise fingers or compress the entire apparatus for complete hand and forearm strengthening, and to replace interchangeable finger button pieces with different resistance. The apparatus permits the user to easily and quickly change resistance to any finger by changing the finger button piece. The finger buttons snap into the base with ease, and are removed with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Elliott Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9700751
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for motion and muscle training are disclosed. An apparatus includes a first retractor device, a second retractor device and a body gear unit for engaging a human. The body gear unit is attached to the first retractor device and the second retractor device. The first retractor device and the second retractor device each provide a constant non-variable load and constant resistance in opposite directions. A method includes attaching a body gear unit to a body, attaching first and second retractor devices to the body gear unit, and performing at least one movement using the body gear unit. The at least one movement is performed in a direction that is opposite to a direction of resistance of the first retractor device. A direction of resistance of the second retractor device is opposite to the direction of resistance of the first retractor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Core Restore LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Verdi
  • Patent number: 9694237
    Abstract: A finger weight device is provided with two arcuate jaws. Each jaw having a lower portion with tines extending therefrom and are connected together at an upper portion by a hinge. The jaws have an inwardly facing surface configured to enclose around a finger of a person. A spring is configured to urge the tines towards each other such that the inwardly facing surface of the jaws secure the device about the finger. Each jaw has an handle extending from the upper portion, which when moved towards each other causes the tines to separate from each other. At least one weight receiving portion, and at least one weight corresponding to the receiving portion is provided for adding a desired weight to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Gemma Palmenco-Geller, Jason M. Geller, Pamela J. Caplan
  • Patent number: 9694236
    Abstract: A transformable exercise device used both for stability and strength training is disclosed. Embodiments include a main portion comprising a sphere that may be used wholly in the manner of a medicine ball, kettlebell, rolling device, or separated into two hemisphere elements and used for various exercises including push-ups, standing balance, agility training, and weight training. The two hemisphere elements may be easily and securely locked together with a U-shaped locking mechanism that, when actuated, is congruent with the surface of the sphere to create a medicine ball configuration. The locking mechanism may be modified with various handle attachments, or removed and replaced with separate components added externally to the device providing various hand or foot placements, or alter the nature of the exercise equipment. The device may be used in conjunction with current technology to provide visual and auditory feedback on user's balance or repetitions while performing exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Rehab Products, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Mitchell Rost
  • Patent number: 9687406
    Abstract: A stretching device comprises a rectangular frame including two parallel longitudinal support sleeves, two parallel stretch sleeves fitted to slide into and from said parallel longitudinal support sleeves, two cross members perpendicularly and fixedly connecting the two said parallel longitudinal support sleeves; a foot grip assembly including two foot L-shaped foot grips attached perpendicularly to the distal ends of the longitudinal stretch sleeves; a mechanically ratcheting grip and push rod assembly including two upper push rod sleeves, two lower push rod sleeves, two push rods which slide inside the upper and lower push rod sleeves, two handles with trigger-style levers and quick release buttons, and ratcheting mechanisms to extend the push rods and hold said push rods in place; two U-shaped armpit grips with padding at the distal ends, a rotating connector that attaches the armpit grips to the upper push rod sleeves and the longitudinal support sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Gerald M. Steiner
  • Patent number: 9687330
    Abstract: A dental measuring device for three-dimensional measurement of a patient's teeth having projection means with a projection unit 8 to project a measuring structure onto a tooth to be examined. The device also has a camera to capture a measuring structure projected onto the tooth. According to the present invention, the projection unit has at least one UV light source, wherein the power output from the UV light source is selected or can be selected such that light-curing dental materials can be cured by the effect of the UV light, in such a way that the device can be used or is used for curing light-curing dental materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Rauscher, Ulrich Partheymüller
  • Patent number: 9687690
    Abstract: Provided is a customized exercise system including exercise equipment comprising a sensor, a server storing information about an exercise method and an exercise amount corresponding to a body condition, and a mobile terminal receiving information about an exercise method and an exercise amount that are suitable for a user from the server and providing the transmitted information to the exercise equipment, in which a body condition of an individual user is determined using the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: IFIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chul Woong Park
  • Patent number: 9675513
    Abstract: A system for extending a finger of a hand comprises structural elements configured to be inserted into a flexed finger and capable of providing a controllable force to extend the finger. In some embodiments, structural elements comprise a cam connected to a spacer, the spacer connected to a first strut, and a second strut holding a loading assembly, an end piece and a spring. The loading assembly compresses or relaxes the spring, which exerts a variable force on the end piece, which rotates the cam and the first strut about an extension angle. When the extension angle is minimal, the first and second struts are substantially parallel. A method of extending a finger of a hand substantially fixed in a flexed position comprises inserting a system comprising structural elements into the finger and thereafter providing a force to extend the finger and maintaining the force for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DYNASPLINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Russell L. Vedeloff, George R. Hepburn, Stacey Gausling
  • Patent number: 9669278
    Abstract: An adjustable declined exercise bench and adjustable punching or striking attachments for the exercise bench that attach to the upper end of the bench. The bench is segmented into an upper stationary end segment and a lower pivotable end segment. The lower end segment of the bench where the user's back or will rest can swivel with the movement of the user's torso. Movement of the lower segment of the bench is in opposition to a resistance band that keeps the lower segment under tension and tends to hold the lower segment in an aligned position relative to the upper segment of the bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Larry Justin Brown
  • Patent number: 9662529
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided where a user selectively changes the amount of effort required to operate the machine on demand without interrupting the workout. A manual shifting process allows the user to selectively change the amount of resistance with the gravity included positioning of a resistance weight on a lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Bart Miller