Patents Examined by Jerome Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7344488
    Abstract: A balancing device has a base and an inflatable flexible portion wherein the center of the inflatable portion is higher than the edges. The device is used by placing the base on the floor and standing and moving on the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Bosu Fitness, LLC
    Inventors: David Weck, James E. E. Cotter
  • Patent number: 7341544
    Abstract: Conventional skipping ropes have a generally elongate handle swivellably mounted on each end of the rope which is held by the user between the fingers and palms. In accordance with the invention, the handle is shaped like a “T” with the vertical stroke of the T being, at one end, swivellably connected to the rope, and also being, at the other end, connected to the crosspiece, a.k.a. transverse portion, of the T. The handle may be held with the crosspiece of the T situated between fingers and palm and with the vertical “stroke”, a.k.a. elongate portion, extending between two fingers. The crosspiece a.k.a. transverse portion of the handle is asymmetric, and thereby adapted to fit to a hand which is holding the handle with the vertical a.k.a. elongate portion passing between two fingers other than the second (index) and third (middle) fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventors: David St. George, Clayton O'Shea
  • Patent number: 7335138
    Abstract: A hopper includes a handrail, a treadle, and a spring component, which is installed at the bottom of the hopper and touches the ground. The treadle is placed above the spring component and the handrail is place above the treadle and extends upward. The spring component has upper and lower arc boards and an auxiliary spring component. The upper and the lower arc boards assemble together to form a spring frame. The top of the upper arc board is fixed with the treadle and the lower arc board meets the ground. The auxiliary spring component is placed between the upper and lower arc boards to enhance the spring force of the arc boards as well as structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Yan-Yee Lee
  • Patent number: 7335137
    Abstract: A drive system for a magnetic resistance exerciser includes a fixed wheel and at least one rotatable wheel which are rotatably connected to the weight wheel and the fixed wheel by two respective belts. The fixed wheel and the weight wheel share a common shaft which is perpendicularly connected with a link and the at least one rotatable wheel is rotatably connected to an extension on an end of the link. When rotating the shaft, the link rotates and the at least one rotatable wheel rotates about the shaft and the extension simultaneously so that the rotational speed of the weight wheel can be increased without increasing the whole system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Chang Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7331904
    Abstract: A novel trampoline at least includes: a trampoline frame; a trampoline mat operatively surrounded by the trampoline frame; and a plurality of trampoline spring members operatively coupled between the trampoline frame and the trampoline mat. Each trampoline spring member at least includes: a first spring coupler located at a first end of the spring member; a second spring coupler located at a second end of the spring member; a first spring member section coupled to the first spring coupler; a second spring member section coupled to the second spring coupler; at least a third spring member section coupled between the first spring member section and the second spring member section, the third spring member section having a spring constant greater than the spring constants of the first and second spring member sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: David Wayne Hall
  • Patent number: 7331911
    Abstract: A shoulder press exercise machine has a main frame, a user support pivotally mounted on the frame for supporting a user in a seated position, at least one exercise arm movably mounted on the frame and movable between a start position in which handles are located in front of the shoulders of a user on the user support frame and an end position in which the handles are located above the head of the user. A connecting linkage connects movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support, so that movement of the exercise arm from the start to the end position simultaneously rotates the user support. A load resists movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine. The combined motion of the user, user support frame and exercise arm between the start and end position substantially replicates the natural movement of the upper part of a human body when performing a free weight shoulder press exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7326122
    Abstract: A training device (10) for strengthening the swing muscle groups of a golfer while enhancing proper muscle memory wherein, the device (10) includes a hollow ball (21?) having a meridian line (22) that divides the ball (21) into two visually distinct hemispheres (23), (24) and further including two pairs of elongated apertures (27A), (27B), (27C) and (27D) which are dimensioned to receive the user's hands and which extend into the hollow interior of the ball (21?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Othili Park
  • Patent number: 7326151
    Abstract: A bicycle trainer adapted to support a conventional bicycle with the front wheel removed. The bicycle is attached to a pivot frame at the front forks and the rear axle. The pivot frame is pivotably attached to the base frame and supported in a substantially upright position by springs. Both the bicycle and pivot frame pivot about an imaginary tire contact-line, which simulates real bicycle riding conditions associated with bicycle sprinting and hill climbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventors: Lewis Dale Peterson, Benjamin John Matthias, Dewey Robert Lucero
  • Patent number: 7322904
    Abstract: A lower limb function training device which the patient themselves can use safely with no sense of fear, which is used to prevent or improve a drop foot contracture or to expand the excursion of a joint while preventing the patient from using it over an appropriate amount of exercise to the utmost, which allows the patient to select the type of exercise, and which enables measurement of state of the body. The device is provided with a contact sensor, a foot rest on which the feet of the patient rest and selectively moves back and forth or rocks vertically, a movement counter for counting the back-and-forth movements or vertical rocking of the foot rest, and a brake device for braking the back-and-forth movement or vertical rocking of the foot rest when the count reaches a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Shigeo Takizawa, Kyoko Takizawa
  • Patent number: 7322905
    Abstract: An exercise machine is disclosed. Exemplary embodiments include an exercise machine with a safety brake mechanism to provide a braking force to the exercise machine to stop the exercise machine, an exercise machine with a variable resistance mechanism to variably adjust and provide resistance to the exercise machine, and an exercise machine with both mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Phillip E. Morris
  • Patent number: 7322907
    Abstract: An exercise resistance cable apparatus for engagement with a pulley assembly of a support structure and with a cable locking pin of an anchor assembly of the support structure. The exercise resistance cable apparatus includes an elastic exercise resistance cable. A cable anchor ring is securely connected to a first end of the elastic exercise resistance cable. A handgrip is connected to a second end of the elastic exercise resistance cable. During use the elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through an activity bay of the pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via the cable anchor ring, to the cable locking pin of the anchor assembly of the support structure. The exercise resistance cable apparatus is particularly adapted to be used with an exercise chair having a frame with pulley assemblies defining a plurality of activity bays positioned at desired locations thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: John Bowser
  • Patent number: 7318790
    Abstract: A revolution counter for wrist exerciser includes a generator module, at least a detection element pair, a wireless transmission module, and wireless receiver. The generator module, the detection elements, and the wireless transmission module are arranged between a rotor and a stationary casing of the wrist exerciser. The rotation of the rotor with respect to the casing induces a voltage in the generator module, which is supplied to the detection elements and the wireless transmission module. The detection elements detect the rotation of the rotor and generate a signal associated with data of the rotation to the wireless transmission module. The wireless transmission module converts the signal into corresponding data and transmits the data in a wireless manner. The wireless receiver receives the data and displays the data in a display device or transmits the data to an external electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Yun Yu Chuang, Ming Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 7316634
    Abstract: An exercise arm apparatus has a stationary frame member, a first pivoting arm pivoted to the frame member at a location intermediate its ends for rotation about a first pivot axis, a second pivoting arm pivotally connected to the frame member for rotation about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis, and a connecting link pivotally connected to the first arm and second arm to form a four-bar linkage. The first arm is an exercise arm with handles at one end for gripping by a user, and the connecting link is of sufficient weight to form a counter-weight to counter-balance the first exercise arm into a rest position corresponding to a start position for an exercise movement. In one example the connecting link is a solid, elongate bar of heavy metal or equivalent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Randall T. Webber
  • Patent number: 7316638
    Abstract: A combination stack weight selector and add-on assembly for selecting the stack of weights to be lifted and also supporting any add-on weights for the user of a weight-lifting machine. The combination stack weight selector and add-on assembly includes a selector/support member having a handle member and an elongate shaft member being securely attached to the handle member for selection of weights to be lifted on an exercise machine; and also includes a weight member being supported upon the selector/support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Juaquin T. Fabela
  • Patent number: 7314432
    Abstract: An exercise machine is disclosed including a base, a pair of pedals pivotally mounted to the base via a pair of pivot arms, a rotating block rotatably coupled to the base, a pair of connectors each connected between one of the pivot arms and the rotating block, and a friction belt positioned about, and in contact with, a circumference of the rotating block. Moving one of the pedals towards the base causes the rotating block to rotate and the other pedal to move away from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: HL Corporation
    Inventor: Hsueh-Jean Liao
  • Patent number: 7303508
    Abstract: Training apparatus includes: a base stand which has slide shafts that are provided side by side and extend in the right-and-left directions; a slide base portion which can slide along this slide shaft; a foot stand which is provided over the slide base portion so as to be turned; a connection mechanism portion which is formed by a rod and its support portion that engages a substantially-middle proper part of the base stand in the right-and-left directions and the foot stand, so that the sliding position and the turning angle of the foot stand can be correlated; and a spring which gives the slide base portion the force by which the slide base portion moves toward a substantially-middle position of the base stand in the right-and-left directions. Thereby, a sliding exercise and a twisting exercise can be taken together, and the body trunk can be effectively trained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Konami Sports Life Corporation
    Inventors: Motoki Toyama, Kojiro Minami, Eita Kada, Hirofumi Nagao, Takuya Nakano
  • Patent number: 7303506
    Abstract: A combination horizontal and vertical rope-pulling device that uses a hydraulic braking assembly that is mounted on a vertical frame to support an endless rope that is placed over a number of pulleys. A pivoting boom is attached at the top of the frame. In the vertical mode, the rotating boom is positioned at an angle extending rearward from the vertical frame. The rope passes over a number of pulleys to simulate a vertical rope for climbing. In the horizontal mode, the rotating boom is rotated down so that it is parallel to the vertical frame. The rope follows the downward run of the boom and around the pulleys. In this way, the user can use the machine as a horizontal rope-pulling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventors: Lynn Reynolds, Joseph F. Maestas
  • Patent number: 7297093
    Abstract: Device for practicing exercises, sports, gymnastics and different physical activities, which join various techniques and concepts of eastern and western theories related to exercise, sports, and health; such a device comprising of a belt adjustable to the abdomen region of the user, which incorporates a sliding component with an optional blocking system to be crossed by two elastic straps of adjustable length, each strap having at the end a removable fastening system for the extremities of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Gaspar Jorge García López
  • Patent number: 7297094
    Abstract: A method and device for treatment of a varicose vein is provided which includes the step of applying to the skin of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated a device including: (a) an element for securing the device to the leg of a subject superficial to the vein to be treated such as a carrier tape; and (b) a one-way valve element such as a cantilever element biased by a spring for applying a selected amount of pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced; and applying sufficient pressure to the skin superficial to the vein to be treated in a manner such that blood-flow toward the heart is permitted during peripheral venous pumping but wherein backflow away from the heart as a result of gravity is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: VeinAid, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Starkey, Peter A. Fratarcangelo, Thomas Kottler
  • Patent number: 7294093
    Abstract: The object of this invention is an the apparatus for ski exercising and rehabilitation, intended to serve for both beginning and professional skiers who shall later ski on snow on either carving or traditional skis, water skis or snowboards. The apparatus according to the invention has upper drive roll (11) and, below, lower drive roll (13) and rotatable glide rolls (12) in between them, all arranged on arc (b) in slanted side beams (4), (5) of frame (a), said arc being formed by contact points of the inner side of endless downhill run strip (14) in form of mat, with 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ireneusz Rabczak
    Inventors: Andrzej Stafiej, Ireneusz Rabczak, Jan Szostak