Patents Examined by Jerome Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7794371
    Abstract: A lat exercise machine has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing lat pulldown or lat row exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. A four-bar linkage pivoting mechanism which pivotally connects the user support to the main frame is designed to automatically align in order to maintain proper positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7789803
    Abstract: A floatable trampoline that includes a floatable support, an apron attached to the floatable support, a mat, a first connector attached to the mat, a second connector attached to the apron, and springs, wherein at least one spring is attached to at least one first connector and at least one second connector so as to couple the mat to the apron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Revel Match LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Plante, Patrick Golden
  • Patent number: 7789810
    Abstract: A martial-arts training tool and more particularly a hand-held strike target configured to resemble a human head. The training tool including: a hand grip located within the strike target and spanning an inner cavity therein; a support collar attached to the strike target and configured to splint and pad the user's wrist and forearm; a height line attached to the strike target for assisting in maintaining the strike target at a desired height; and an external stabilizing grip located in the vicinity of the top of the strike target and configured to permit the user to stabilize the training tool with the user's other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Viet Le
  • Patent number: 7789812
    Abstract: A rope climbing apparatus (15) comprising a frame (16), a seat (18) supported by the frame and adapted to move relative to the frame from a first position (19) to an elevated second position (20), a lower pulley assembly (21) connected to the seat, an upper pulley assembly (22) connected to the frame, a rope (23) extending between the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly and having a rope climbing portion (24) graspable by a user (25) when the user is seated on the seat, and the rope, the seat, the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly configured and arranged such that a downward force (26) on the rope climbing portion of the rope causes an upward force (28) on the seat. The downward force on the rope climbing portion may result in an upward force on the seat at a mechanical advantage provided by the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly, and the mechanical advantage may be four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Anderson, Steven M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7789805
    Abstract: One embodiment of a portable acrobatic training apparatus (I) with which to support and instruct athletes learning back handsprings having opposing flat vertical ends (16), a resilient arcuate uppermost surface (10), a flat horizontal base 12), and a convex near surface (14). Said trainer apparatus is of approximate elliptical shape, rests on its base until intentionally activated by user, is self-limiting rotationally and returns to start position automatically following each usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Norbert's Athletic Products
    Inventor: Jung M Lim
  • Patent number: 7789816
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and device for exercise comprising having two bases each supporting a pivoting arm with a grip attached thereto with a rotating hub attached to each pivoting arm (wherein each hub has a magnetically attractive region thereon and each pivoting arm is movable around 360 degrees). Placing a movable magnetic device in close proximity to each hub (wherein moving the magnetic device will vary the magnetic field being applied to the hub), placing a user grasping the grips (between the bases) and moving the grips around a guided circular pathway and varying the magnetic field being applied to each hub, thereby adjusting the resistance being exercised with, during movement of the grip around one revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Howard Krietzman
  • Patent number: 7785237
    Abstract: An exercise machine having a frame, at least one resistance element supported by a frame and at least one gripping element a user interface and connected to at least one resistance element by means of at least one operating cable; the gripping element having at least one coupling element for at least one end of said cable; the coupling element including a joint freely rotatable with respect to said user interface in such a way that the end of cable becomes stressed solely in traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Technogym S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nerio Alessandri, Mario Fedriga, Simone Casagrande
  • Patent number: 7785233
    Abstract: A hurdle has a crossbar and a pair of vertical legs. The hurdle is designed to give way or collapse when the crossbar is struck by a user to minimize the risk of injury and thereby decrease the user's fear of injury. This is done either by splitting the crossbar into separate left and right sections, or by splitting each of the legs into separate top and bottom sections. This permits the separate sections to break apart from an aligned, end-to-end orientation which they possess in an operative position of the hurdle into a nonaligned orientation after the hurdle has given way or collapsed. An elastic member connects the separate sections and urges the sections back into their aligned, end-to-end orientation when a user picks the sections of the hurdle up and resets the hurdle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas M. Moore
  • Patent number: 7785241
    Abstract: A device for obtaining a predetermined linear force, includes a first elastic force elements and a force output elements in the form of a non-elastic, flexible elongated member, a force transformation elements arranged between the first elastic force element and the force output element, such that a pulling of the force output element creates a tension in the first elastic force element. The force transformation element is arranged and designed such that the pulling force required on the force output element decreases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The device includes a second elastic force element and a second force output element attached thereto wherein the pulling force required on the second force output element increases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The two force output elements are connected to each other such as to summarize the forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Vojin Plavsic
  • Patent number: 7780579
    Abstract: A weighing system, using the principle of electromagnetic force compensation, which includes a permanent magnet system (14) having an air gap, a shielding cover (12), a coil (13) located inside the air gap, a transmission lever (7) to whose longer lever arm the coil is attached, and upon whose shorter lever arm the weight transferred by the load receiver acts, a position sensor (20, 21, 22) which detects the position of the transmission lever and which is situated in the vicinity of the coil, and a control amplifier (16) for controlling the current passing through the coil. Further, at least one vertical support (25) is connected to the transmission lever in the vicinity of the coil and the position sensor and projects through an opening (27) in the shielding cover. A counterweight (26) is placed on this/these support(s) closely above the shielding cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Michael Mueller, Ulrich Bajohr, Michael Domhardt
  • Patent number: 7780581
    Abstract: An apparatus attachable to a foot of a user, such as in a leg extension mechanism (stilt device). First and second support members extend from opposing sides of a foot support surface adapted to support the foot. A retention strap has opposing first and second ends each removeably attachable to the support members by the user, preferably by an opposing pair of buckle assemblies. The strap, the support members and the foot support surface maintain the strap in a semi-circular arc nominally symmetric about a centerline of the surface, with the arc having a width greater than a width of the foot support surface to facilitate insertion of the foot between the surface and the strap along the centerline. The support members are preferably slideably adjustable to accommodate different foot widths. A toe guide is also preferably slideably adjustable to align the toes of the foot along the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Emmert Second Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond L. Emmert
  • Patent number: 7775938
    Abstract: An exerciser for muscles that protract and depress the mandible. A headpiece is adapted to fit around an upper rearward portion of a human head. A chin strap extends around the chin and is coupled to the headpiece at such an angle that the chinstrap is urged against the chin in opposition to both protraction and depression of the chin. The exerciser finds an application in treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Thomas Anderson
  • Patent number: 7775950
    Abstract: An abdominal crunch board for an inclinable exercise device includes a handle bar including opposite terminating engagement portions; a pair of opposing brackets coupled to the opposite terminating engagement portions, the pair of opposing brackets and the opposite terminating engagement portions forming a frame; a padded support coupled to the frame; and the opposing brackets are removably attachable to an adjustable incline of the inclinable exercise device at one or both of a location between a first end of the adjustable incline and a user support platform of the inclinable exercise device and a location between a second end of the adjustable incline and the user support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Engineering Fitness International Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campanaro, Dan McCutcheon, Charles Joseph Mahon
  • Patent number: 7766796
    Abstract: A load bearing framework system (11) for use as ready to assemble playground equipment constructed of a plurality of connector rods (31, 32) having fixed lengths and one or more adjustable length rods (33) and a plurality of connectors (21, 22, 23, 24) with angular spaced radially extending fingers and a camber angle to a plane normal to the axis of the connector, the fingers shaped relative the end of the connector rods allowing connection of a plurality of the connectors rods. The framework forms an interconnected geometric shaped unit with a substantially planar base of regular closed geometric shape for resting on the ground and an interconnected substantially hemispherical top shape. Detent means can retain connector rods and connectors together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Toymonster Limited
    Inventor: Nir Pizmony
  • Patent number: 7766802
    Abstract: A rowing or mid-row exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation between start and end positions. The user support frame supports spaced positions on a user's body in the same relative orientation throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames and has at least one handle gripped by the user in performing exercises. The handle is movable in a predetermined rowing exercise path between a start position spaced in front of a user's chest and an end position closer to the chest. A connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7766804
    Abstract: An abdominal exerciser can be used while standing up. The user stands on the anchor base and rests the neckpad on his shoulders while gripping the handlebars. The user can then bend forward and backward to strengthen the abdominal and lower back muscles or side-to-side to strengthen the obliques. The unit is adjustable to fit various sizes of users and/or styles of workouts and can be partially disassembled for easy transportation. The unit comprises an elongate stem/tail assembly, a handlebar assembly including the neckpad to attach at the upper end, and an anchor base to attach at the bottom end. Resistance bands removably attached to hooks between the anchor base and the stem/tail assembly provide variable resistance to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: David Placencia
  • Patent number: 7762927
    Abstract: A game apparatus including at least one rebound surface and flexible material dividing the rebound surface into at least two play areas includes a rebound surface mounting frame and a flexible material mounting frame coupled to hold the frames in substantially fixed relationship but allow movement of one frame in relation to the other for stress relief between the frames. At least one cross member supports the flexible material between play areas and reinforces the flexible material mounting frame. The individual play areas are formed by separate preassembled flexible material units that are mounted in the flexible material mounting frame and then secured together to for the individual play areas. The flexible material mounting frame includes walk bars and also supports basket assemblies used in game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Donald W. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7762929
    Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a golf swing exercise device comprising a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body includes a resistance section between the first and second ends. A first coupling element is coupled to the body proximate the first end. A second coupling element is coupled to the body proximate the second end. The first coupling element and the second coupling element are configured to rotatably couple the body to a golf club shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: TC Trust, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Celone
  • Patent number: 7762933
    Abstract: A weight-adjustable kettle-shaped dumbbell includes a body. The inner bottom of the body is hollow. With a selector unit, the body is able to hang a desired number of weight pieces for changing the weight of the dumbbell. The selector unit links a cable member to move upward or downward with an operating member for changing the inner and outer positions of specific selection boards in the body so as to attach relative weight pieces to the body. The kettle-shaped dumbbell of the present invention is adjustable in weight for the user's demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Yu
  • Patent number: 7758481
    Abstract: A dynamic hip stabilizer utilized to reduce the risk of postoperative and recurrent traumatic hip dislocations. The hip stabilizer includes a pelvic girdle, at least one thigh cuff, and one or more elements for generating an elastic tensile force between the girdle and cuff. The girdle has an upper portion configured for defining an upper opening for the wearer's waist, a lower portion configured for defining a lower opening for the wearer's hips, and a posterior portion configured for engaging the wearer's lower back. The hip stabilizer further includes one or more elements for engaging the wearer's shoulders to limit movement of the girdle toward the thigh cuffs caused by the elastic tensile force, and one or more elements for stiffening the posterior portion of the girdle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Denis Burke Drennan