Patents Examined by Jerome W. Donnelly
  • Foot and ankle exercise device
    Patent number: 8529411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rocker boot for stretching or strengthening muscles. The rocker boot may include a base having a arcuate surface and a footrest attached to the base. The footrest may be adjustable to provide one or more different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Craig S. DiGiovanni
  • Neck exercise machine
    Patent number: 8529414
    Abstract: A neck exercise machine includes a position plate fixed to a cam for rotation therewith about an axis of rotation. The position plate has a multiple of apertures which defines a multiple of start positions for the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Rogers Athletic Company
    Inventors: Tyler James Hobson, Kenneth Edward Staten, Michael Gittleson
  • Exercise device
    Patent number: 8500610
    Abstract: An exercise device for allowing a user to obtain a full body workout includes an innermost tubular member and an outermost tubular member, the tubular members fitted together and longitudinally and slidably movable in a telescoping manner relative to each other during the workout, a chamber within the outermost tubular member, the chamber receiving a compressible gas that provides resistance to relative movement of the tubular members, a collar between the innermost tubular member and the outermost tubular member, a lower limb connector attachment mounted to an end of one of the innermost or outermost tubular members for attachment to a lower limb of a user, and a gripping area at or near an opposite end of the other of the innermost and outermost tubular members to the lower limb connector attachment to stretch and strengthen the user's body muscles during the workout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Season 4, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory M. Bruce
  • Apparatus and method for temporary mounting of a hangboard
    Patent number: 8500605
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting of a hangboard includes first and second brackets each having first and second opposing end regions and a first elongate member having first and second spaced apart connection points configured for attachment to the first end regions of the first and second brackets. A second elongate member has third and fourth spaced apart connection points configured for simultaneous attachment to the first and second brackets. The second elongate member has a third connection point configured for attachment at a point along a portion of the first bracket between the first and second end regions thereof; and the fourth connection point configured for attachment at a point along a portion of the second bracket between the first and second end regions thereof. When the first and second members are so attached the assembly can be suspended within a wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan M. Skipper
  • Multi-positionable resistance exercise apparatus
    Patent number: 8500607
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus is disclosed including one or more interface members which allow a user to engage the exercise apparatus with one or more of the user's appendages and encounter resistance with high freedom of motion. The location of the interface member relative to the user is preferably repositionable in both a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. Resistance is preferably provided in part by a pulley system including a cord and a movable weight bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Larry W. Vittone, Suzanne R. Vittone
  • Method and apparatus for increasing grip strength
    Patent number: 8496565
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of increasing grip strength, includes gripping with one hand a weighted block having first and second side gripping surfaces such that the fingers and the thumb of the hand are disposed on the first and second side gripping surfaces, respectively, the fingers and the thumb extending substantially straight along the first and second side surfaces, respectively, and holding the weighted block such that an arm connected to the hand is extended substantially straight along a side of a user and the fingers and thumb are disposed substantially parallel to the side of the user. The weighted block has a width of about 1.75 inches to 3 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Alexander M. Rothacker
  • Inhaler
    Patent number: 8495998
    Abstract: A portable, handheld breath-actuated inhaler comprises a generally cylindrical body that comprises body portions 1, 3 that receive a canister 2 of pressured fluid such a nicotine to be inhaled in an aerosol by a user, a mouthpiece 7 in the first body portion 1 configured to deliver an amount of the aerosol to the mouth of the user from the canister. A trigger is cocked ready for releasing pressurized fluid from the canister by manually sliding the body portions 1, 3 towards one another. The trigger comprises a compression spring 26 and a cam 33 which engages a pressure sensitive puff lever 28 with a plate 29 that releases the cocked trigger when a user sucks on the mouthpiece and draws in air through air inlet opening 26. Release of the trigger releases spring 26 which slides the body portions apart and also opens a valve in the canister so as to deliver the aerosol to the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventor: Steven Michael Schennum
  • Regulating member
    Patent number: 8496566
    Abstract: Regulating member (1) carried by an operating unit (100) provided with a frame (10) coupled in a slidable manner to a support member (M); the regulating member (1) comprising a handle (2) suitable to move the frame (10) relative to the support member (M); a blocking device (70) comprising a pin (72) movable between an engagement position (PI) and a regulating position (PR) transversally to the support member (M) to connect the frame (10) to the support member (M) in a longitudinal position definable at will; a switching member (76) being hinged to the first pin (72) to move it between the engagement position (PI) and the regulating position (PR); the handle (2) being connected rigidly to the switching member (76) to actuate the pin (72) transversally to the support member (M) and move the frame (10) along the support member (M) with the pin (72) arranged in the regulating position (PR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Technogym S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Casadei
  • Hemisperical grip handle apparatus
    Patent number: 8491448
    Abstract: A hemispherical grip member has an outer hemispherical surface and a grip layer and a grip member opening. A length of aircraft cable having a first cable end extends through the opening and is crimped in position onto the grip member with a cable nut. A connector is provided on an opposite cable end. A length of a soft flexible tubing surrounds the cable between the grip member and the connector. When a user grasps the hemispherical surface of the grip member, the first cable end is located inside the grasp of the user and the cable and tubing passes between two fingers of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel W. Emick
  • Hand exercising glove device
    Patent number: 8491447
    Abstract: The hand exercising glove device is a glove having a back side spaced apart from a palm side, a quintet of digits extended from the back side and the palm side, each digit comprising an open end disposed at an existing fingertip of a user, a pad disposed within the back side atop each base knuckle of a user, a wrist section extended from the back side and the palm side, an adjustable retaining strap encircling the wrist section, a digit reinforcement encircling each digit back side adjacent to each open end, a back side reinforcement embedded within the back side adjacent to the wrist section, a hook disposed on each digit reinforcement, a plurality of spaced apart hooks disposed on the back side reinforcement, and an elastic tensioned strand connecting each back side reinforcement hook to one of each of the digit hooks, the tensioned strands disposed over four of the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew T. Koranic
  • Elastic exercising bar assembly that is operated in a swinging manner
    Patent number: 8485949
    Abstract: An exercising bar assembly includes a holding unit and two opposite swinging units each removably mounted on the holding unit. Thus, each of the two swinging units can be removed from the holding unit when not in use to reduce the whole volume of the exercising bar assembly and to facilitate storage, packaging, carrying and transportation of the exercising bar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Chi-Kun Hsu
  • Leg elevator system
    Patent number: 8485952
    Abstract: A leg elevator is disclosed. The leg elevator includes a base having a lower leg end and an upper leg end, a portion of the base having at least one support retaining device. A lower leg support is provided. A height adjustment mechanism is also provided having a support leg pivotally attached at a first end to the lower leg support. The support leg has a second end attached to a support bar extending perpendicular to the support leg. The support bar is removably engaged with the at least one support retaining device such that a height of the lower leg support above the base may be adjusted. An upper leg adjustment mechanism is operably connected to the upper leg end of the base for adjusting a distance between the upper leg end of the base and the lower leg support. An upper leg support is operably attached to the upper leg adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Ellavations, LLC
    Inventor: Jon C. Gehrke
  • Breathing assistance apparatus
    Patent number: 8479726
    Abstract: The breathing assistance apparatus has a patient interface with a body section adapted to cover the nose, or nose and mouth of the patient. The apparatus includes a sealing interface, including at least an outer sealing member. The outer sealing member has a periphery that is attached to the body section in a sealing manner. The periphery is substantially rigid compared to the remainder of the outer sealing member. The outer sealing member is adapted to substantially seal around the facial contours of the patient to provide a sealed fluid communication to the respiratory tract of the patient. The sealing interface may also include an inner sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventor: Alastair Edwin McAuley
  • Speed doctor speed builder
    Patent number: 8480546
    Abstract: Improvements in a foot exerciser are presented that provides variable resistance for foot extension and flexing. The improvements are presented with two varieties where a first variety is fit onto an existing shoe and a second variety that is a complete shoe with the resistance elements built into or on the shoe. The amount of resistance can be changed or varied based on the abilities of the athlete by changing the resistance material, length, number and or the attachment location of the resistance element on the shoe or foot exerciser. The Speed Doctor speed builder foot exerciser provide athletes with a simple and effective way to improve the strength, agility and jumping ability of their legs by wearing shoes that offer resistance and tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Clevon Spencer
  • Gymnastic machine
    Patent number: 8480542
    Abstract: A gymnastic machine (1) comprising a frame (10) supporting a first actuating device (40) provided with at least a pair of first levers (102)(104), each of which presents a respective implement (112)(116) suitable to act as user interface; a load unit (300) being provided in connection with the first levers (102) so as to dissipate power applied to each implement (112)(116) in a proportion definable at will; said load unit (300) being designed to maintain the first levers (102)(104) in phase opposition; second actuating devices (50) of magnetic kind being associated with the load unit (300) to bring and maintain the first levers (102)(104) at rest in a neutral position so as to prevent stopping conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Technogym S.p.A.
    Inventor: Simone Reggiani
  • Tracheostomy tube assembly and pad
    Patent number: 8469024
    Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly comprising a tracheostomy tube and an elongated neck plate secured to said tube having an upper edge, a lower edge and holes at opposite ends thereof, is characterized by a soft, flexible gel-like polymer pad having a center port surrounding the tracheostomy tube and releasably secured on the patient side of the neck plate and extending to or beyond the upper and lower neck plate edges and inside the holes. The pad has a smooth, substantially flat, planar first surface for resting against the patient side of the neck plate and a smooth, soft, transversely concave second surface for resting against a patient's neck, whereby the pad has a thicker cross-section at its opposite side edges and ends, and a thinner cross-section along a center portion extending between the upper and lower pad edges and ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: A Plus Medical
    Inventor: Thomas C. Loescher
  • Respiratory muscle training device
    Patent number: 8459255
    Abstract: A respiratory muscle training device includes a chamber (1) containing a variable orifice valve assembly (3). An inlet (9) is provided at a first side of the valve assembly permitting air to be inhaled into the chamber, and an outlet (11) is provided at a second side of the valve assembly permitting air that has passed through the valve assembly to be inhaled by a user. A pressure sensor (7) determines a pressure differential across the valve assembly. Means is provided for determining the opening area of the valve assembly, and control means (15, 47, 49) is provided for varying the orifice of the valve assembly in dependence upon a pressure differential determined by the pressure sensor and upon an opening area of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hab Holdings Limited
    Inventors: David Alastair Spurling, Darren Hoe Yung Lam, Andrew Skelton, Alison Kay McConnell, Franjo Cecelja, Peter Broomhead
  • Calf enhancer for the lower extremity
    Patent number: 8460163
    Abstract: An ingenious calf, shin and ankle rehabilitation and exerciser apparatus for engagement with the lower leg muscles and ankle comprising of a rigid sole plate member having a sole plate protective pad and affixed fastening sole straps for securing foot to sole plate member, an attachable fulcrum heel ball member for attaching to the bottom of heel section. Sole plate member is pivotally attached to a rigid cross brace member which is comprised of a fastening shin straps affixed to a shin protective pad member to secure the lower leg to a rigid pivoting back support member that is pivotally engaged to cross brace member. Cross brace engages the toe section of sole plate member via an engaging biasing resistance means that provides posterior and anterior resistance not limited to isotonic and isometric for the flexing of the foot and ankle not limited to dorsi-flexion, plantar-flexion, inversion or eversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Vincent B Gibbons
  • Yoga wrist saver device
    Patent number: 8460160
    Abstract: An attractive wrist saver device with an elastomeric body and an adjustable strap is provided for decreasing stress and strain of a user's wrist joint by elevating a heel of a user's hand and lessening the amount and degree of an extension of a user's wrist so as to comfort and cushion the user's wrist and substantially prevent the user's wrist from being positioned at a 90 degree right angle and perpendicular to the user's forearm and hand when the user is performing yoga, pushups, hand stands, dips or other upper body weight bearing exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Stick-E Products, LLC
    Inventor: Elizabeth M. Andrews
  • Throwing hammers
    Patent number: 8454481
    Abstract: Throwing hammers including a handle, a cable having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the cable being coupled to the handle at the first end, a swivel fastener coupled to the elongate tension bearing member at the second end, and an elongate tension bearing member of predetermined mass coupled to the swivel fastener at a plurality of intermediate points along the elongate tension bearing member to define a plurality of loops extending from the swivel fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Lex Strom