Patents Examined by Jerome W. Donnelly
  • Trampoline enclosure net
    Patent number: 8905898
    Abstract: A trampoline includes a trampoline bed secured to a frame. The trampoline bed is made of trampoline bed material. An enclosure includes an enclosure net made of enclosure net material, a net hem formed on the enclosure net, a plurality of net hem openings formed on the net hem, and a bed hem attached to a periphery of the trampoline bed. The bed hem is made of enclosure net material. A plurality of bed hem openings are formed on the bed hem. A securing cord is sized to weave the plurality of net hem openings to the plurality of bed hem openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Samuel Chen
  • Pulling rope fixing structure
    Patent number: 8905903
    Abstract: A pulling rope fixing structure includes a handle, a grip rope, a fixing device, an elastic element and a pulling rope. The handle is a hollow tubular body with the grip rope passed through the handle; the grip rope has first and second ends with first and second openings respectively; the fixing device includes a retaining ring and a fastening element, and the fastening element has a hollow sleeve passed into the first and second openings and operated with the retaining ring to fix the grip rope. The elastic element is installed in the hollow sleeve and has a penetrating hole for passing the pulling rope and separating the pulling rope from the fixing device. The pulling rope not in a direct contact with the metal fixing device will not be worn directly during exercises, and the service life of the pulling rope can be extended effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Plus ‘O’Minus Fitness Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Szu-Chia Hao
  • Apparatus and method for treating the foot
    Patent number: 8900102
    Abstract: An exercise machine for strengthening the foot and for treating plantar fasciitis includes a foot pad for receiving a patient's foot and a resistance member associated with the foot pad. As the patient pivots the foot pad on a pivot pin located near the heel section of the foot pad, a resistance is applied to the toe section of the foot pad thereby providing strengthening for the plantar fasciitis band of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Stuart Greenburg
  • Portable exercise machine for lower body
    Patent number: 8894551
    Abstract: An exercise device comprising a foot carriage slideably mounted on tracks, the tracks are held together parallel to one another and resistance elements provide opposition against the relative motion of the foot carriage. The foot carriage can be a frame carrying wheels and a foot support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mohamed Kerdjoudj
  • Pivotal pulley for exercise machine
    Patent number: 8894554
    Abstract: A physical exercising machine includes a platform to support a user, an aperture formed in the platform, a pulley device includes a shaft for engaging with the aperture of the base and for pivotally attaching to the base, a shank is extended from the shaft and pivotal relative to the base with the shaft, a bracket is rotatably attached to the shank, and a pulley member is rotatably attached to the bracket with a spindle, and a cable is engaged with the pulley member, the pulley member is pivotal relative to the base with the shaft and rotatable relative to the shank for preventing the pulling cable from being disengaged from the pulley member and for allowing the user to suitably actuate or operate the pulling cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Abdominal muscle exercise machine
    Patent number: 8888661
    Abstract: A machine for exercising at least a user's abdominal muscles, the machine having a base having front and back ends; an arm lever mounted to the base near the front end of the base; a user platform moved by a user and/or by the arm levers, the user platform slidably and pivotably mounted to the base; and a linkage mechanism operatively connecting the arm lever to the user platform so that when the arm lever is moved towards the user platform, the user platform is moved towards the arm lever and a front end of the user platform is moved upwards, pivoting the user platform into an angled configuration, and when the arm lever is moved away from the user platform, the user platform is moved away from the arm lever and the front end of the user platform is moved downwards, pivoting the user platform into a horizontal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph K. Ellis
  • Exercise device
    Patent number: 8888665
    Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed having a main body including a chamber formed therein and a pair of spaced apart outer hubs disposed thereon. The main body is configured to be grasped by a user. The exercise device may also include at least one containment article having a chamber formed therein and extending between the outer hubs. A displaceable component may be disposed in the chamber of at least one of the main body and the at least one containment article to provide a selected total weight to the exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fitness Stability Dynamics, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Pfitzer
  • Artificial limb for combat training
    Patent number: 8888662
    Abstract: An artificial limb assists a user in combat training. The artificial limb comprises a first arm retainer mechanically coupled to a first upper arm and a first cord, where the first cord travels through a first hollow portion of the first upper arm. The first cord is immediately adjacent to a first lower arm and terminates at first end ball. The first arm retainer is mechanically coupled to a piece of equipment by an upper strap and a lower strap. When a user strikes the piece of equipment the first upper arm, first lower arm and first end ball flail in a manner that simulates an actual assailant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Gomez, Jr.
  • Clamp device for elastic band
    Patent number: 8888667
    Abstract: A clamp device is for use with an elastic band and includes first and second clamp components and a coupling unit. The first clamp component has a resiliently deformable clamping arm portion connected to one end of a connecting arm portion, cooperating therewith to define a clearance, and defining a clamping side. The second clamp component has a clamping side disposed to confront that of the first clamp component. The coupling unit couples the two clamp components together in a manner that permits relative movement of the clamp components between a non-clamping state and a clamping state. In the clamping state, the clamping arm portion of the first clamp component deforms to contract the clearance and the clamping sides of the clamp components clamp cooperatively and tightly a portion of the elastic band therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ZMI Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Lee, Po-Ming Yang
  • Exercise apparatus and method of using
    Patent number: 8882641
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method of use for a total body workout. The exercise apparatus includes at least one stationary exercise equipment directed for lower body exercise, and at least one resistance device for upper body exercise deployed over the at least one stationary exercise equipment. Also included is a system adapted for providing a total body workout for an indoor cycling class that includes a plurality of stationary indoor cycling bikes and a plurality of resistance bands, one set of resistance bands deployed over each of the plurality of stationary indoor cycling bikes. The system enables users of the plurality of stationary indoor cycling bikes and resistance devices to simultaneously exercise the upper and lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: Elizabeth P. Cutler, Julie J. Rice
  • Omni-directional exercise device
    Patent number: 8876670
    Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, an omni-directional exercise device. The device may include a platform base and resistance bands/tubes coupled to the platform base. The device further includes one or more enclosures coupled to the plurality of resistance bands/tubes. The one or more enclosures are positioned on top of the platform base at a home position. The one or more enclosures are configured to slide on top of or above the platform base in a 360-degree range of motion such that the plurality of resistance bands/tubes provide resistance at any point on the platform base and are configured to return to the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Resistance Dynamics
    Inventor: Catherine Reade
  • Selectable weight stack
    Patent number: 8876674
    Abstract: A weight stack for an exercise machine may include one or more primary and secondary load elements that are selectively joined to a weight carriage. The load elements may be supported from below by one or more support beams and positioned at spaced apart locations on the support beam when the weight carriage is located at its rest position or when the load elements are not joined to the weight carriage during an exercise. The load elements may include engagement surfaces that engage the beam either directly by contacting the beam or indirectly via a divider structure positioned between the load elements and the beam. For some load elements, the engagement surfaces define a portion of a slot in the load element. The exercise machine may further include a single guide pole that constrains the weight carriage to move substantially linearly and vertically relative to the exercise machine's support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Webb, Eric D. Golesh
  • Variable resistance pulley for body-weight rotation exercise
    Patent number: 8870723
    Abstract: One example embodiment includes a pulley for providing resistance in an exercise system. The pulley includes a wheel, where the wheel is configured to rotate about an axis, and includes a groove, where the groove is located along the circumference of the wheel. The pulley also includes a cable, where the cable makes contact with at least a portion of the groove. The pulley further includes a resistance adjustment, where the resistance adjustment is configured to change the force required to rotate the wheel about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas Morris
  • Knee exerciser
    Patent number: 8870715
    Abstract: An apparatus for flexing the knee comprising a U-shaped bar having two straight arms each having a distal end and a handle portion generally perpendicular to the straight arms and a perpendicular cross-member adjustably attached to the straight arms; and a method for flexing the knee comprising the steps of providing a patient with device having a handle section and two parallel straight sections with a perpendicular cross-member attached to the straight sections, having the patient to place his or her foot onto the cross-member, and having the patient to pull the device toward the knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Michelle Stiles
  • Exercise device
    Patent number: 8870717
    Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed having a main body including a material chamber formed therein. A flowable material is disposed within the material chamber and a level indicator is coupled to the main body. The exercise device is grasped by user. The flowable material and the level indicator provide sensory feedback to the user in respect of maintaining the exercise device in a substantially level position while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fitness Stability Dynamics, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Pfitzer
  • Flexible shroud for exercise equipment
    Patent number: 8870718
    Abstract: A flexible shroud is used to cover weights and hide pulleys and cables on exercise machines. The flexible shroud can be a coarse mesh or screen for see through areas, cloth such as canvas or other fabrics, or other flexible sound absorbing materials. The material may be supported around or between a framework of ribs, poles, or metal screen and takes the shape of the framework. The material may also be supported only at the top and bottom of a weight stack or structure by a rigid template from which the material takes shape. The top or bottom support may be adjusted to stretch the fabric taut so it takes shape better and tightens to provide a better safety shield. The material may be attached to the supports or framework by snaps, hook and loop material, or other removable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dream Visions, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore G. Habing
  • Coaxial load wheel and cranks
    Patent number: 8870716
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a base, an axle rotationally supported on the base and two cranks connected to the axle. The cranks are rotational synchronously with the axle. A drive wheel unit includes an active wheel provided on the axle so that the active wheel is rotational synchronously with the cranks. A passive wheel unit includes a load wheel supported on the axle so that the load wheel is rotational relative to the axle and a passive connected to the load wheel so that the passive wheel is rotational synchronously with the load wheel. A step-up device includes a shaft rotationally supported on the base and small and large wheels connected to the shaft so that they are rotational synchronously. The small wheel is connected to the active wheel so that they are rotational together. The large wheel is connected to the passive wheel so that they are rotational together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dyaco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Murray, Kuang-Shiung Kao
  • Abdominal exercise device
    Patent number: 8864637
    Abstract: An exercise device for use with a support surface includes a first elongated member defining an elongated bore extending, a second elongated member defining an elongated bore extending, the first elongated member being removably secured to the second elongated member, and an attachment assembly configured to removable secure the first and second elongated members adjacent to the support surface. A user positions a portion of the user's body between the first and second elongated members and the support surface, thereby securing the portion of the user's body in a substantially stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas C. Leirer
  • Face lift exercise device
    Patent number: 8864629
    Abstract: A facial exercise device includes a handle, ring, tongue arm and flexible cheek arms. The device is inserted into a person's mouth and the person's cheeks are tightened against the resistance provided by the flexible cheek arms. An optional eyepiece includes connected flexible right and left eye portions and two or more protrusions extending outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Margaret Darlene Loveday
  • Adjustment mechanism for vacuum load resistance training exercise apparatus
    Patent number: 8864636
    Abstract: Resistance training exercise apparatus provides load resistance with a vacuum load assembly, and has an adjustment mechanism controlling effective vector force between the vacuum load assembly and a user-engaged exercise member. The adjustment mechanism includes a user-controlled adjustment assembly adjustably varying the vector force. The adjustment assembly includes a coupling mechanism adjustably varying a lever arm distance of at least one of a gym cable and a cylinder cable along the adjustment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Danowski, Lee M. Atwood