Patents Examined by Jerome W. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7981012
    Abstract: A weight lifting member is configured to accommodate a plurality of weights. A selector rod is movably mounted on the weight lifting member for rotation about an axis to selective engage and disengage a first subset of the weights, and for movement axially to selectively engage and disengage a second subset of the weights. A latch must be moved in order to release the selector rod for movement relative to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7981010
    Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one multi-function user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. The user engagement device has two different modes of operation selectable by a user for performing different exercises which exercise distinct muscles or muscle groups. A load provides resistance for both exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7981003
    Abstract: The present invention combines an articulated stilt with a rear-mounted leg support or brace behind the leg of the user. The articulating stilt has a foot operative to contact a surface to be traversed, a boot rest operative to support a human foot thereon extending in a longitudinal direction between a heel region and toe region and thereby defining a longitudinal axis, and at least two risers extending between the foot and boot rest coupled thereto through pivotal joints. The rear leg brace has an upper leg binding, and an extension coupling the upper leg binding to articulating stilt. According to further manifestations, the rear leg brace may be fixed or pivotal relative to the risers, and when pivotal, may be adjusted to user preferred angular orientations. The use of a rear-mounted brace eliminates undesirable torque during movement, enabling a more anatomically and bio-mechanically correct movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Zachary T. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7976438
    Abstract: A grip assembly for a jump rope includes a grip body having a first end formed with an open casing and a second end formed with a receiving space, a counter mounted in the casing, a cover mounted on the casing and abutting the counter to locate the counter between the casing and the cover, a pivot head rotatably mounted on the casing and connected with the counter to drive the counter, and a weight member mounted in the receiving space of the grip body. Thus, the counter can count and indicate the jump number of the jump rope so that the user can know the jump number exactly. In addition, the weight member provides a damping force to the user' arms so as to exercise the user's arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Chi-Kun Hsu
  • Patent number: 7976441
    Abstract: A weight training machine having a moment arm weight resistance means for creating a weight resistance or weight load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Fitness Tools LLC
    Inventor: Joseph K. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7976440
    Abstract: An 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 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, and 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. The user engagement device is at least partially non-rigid to allow a user to define the path of the handle and thus the type of back exercise performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Christopher E. Brennan, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7967732
    Abstract: A finger and hand exerciser includes a housing defining four chambers arranged side-by-side in parallel with one another. Each chamber receives a tension adjustment member, a plunger that is reciprocatingly slidable in the chamber, and a helically wound compression spring extending between the plunger and the tension adjustment member. Each tension adjustment member includes a knurled wheel which the user of the finger and hand exerciser may turn to decrease or increase the force the spring exerts on the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James D'Addario, Alexandru Maxim
  • Patent number: 7963890
    Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation about a user support pivot axis between start and end positions. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and an at least partially flexible connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. The connecting linkage includes at least two axially spaced winding portions mounted for rotation about a common cam axis. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Christopher E. Brennan, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7963897
    Abstract: A resistance apparatus for a waist-twisting exerciser wherein the resistance apparatus includes a spring and an adjuster with a pulley block. The adjuster is mounted on a swing element while the spring is fixed at a proper position of the swing element such that the spring is correctly engaged into the pulley block of the adjuster. In applying force to the swing element in motion, the spring may be pulled to create an effective exercise resistance force for increasing the exercise effect. Moreover, the position of the adjuster is adjustable for changing the tension of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Leao Wang
  • Patent number: 7959541
    Abstract: An ultra light but resistive ball device for exercise is provided comprising: a flexible sheet with least one preliminary broken section of collapse for allowing contraction of the sheet under bias about at least one flex point in response to an exertion of hand grip. The sheet has two free ends extending substantially half the circumference of the ball and partially folded back on the sheet. Two lateral apertures are located at opposite ends of the free ends to permit an uninterrupted collapse of the sheet. A sheath envelopes the sheet to provide a slip resistant exterior surface for grasping the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Man-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 7955233
    Abstract: An abdomen exercising device includes a soft cushion, a base combined with the cushion, a sliding unit slidably mounted on the base, an elastic cord biased between the base and the sliding unit to provide a damping force to the sliding unit and a top cover mounted on the base to cover the elastic cord and to partially cover the sliding unit. Thus, the parts of the abdomen exercising device are almost hidden between and covered by the base and the top cover to prevent the user from being clamped or scratched by the elastic cord or the sliding unit during the exercising process so as to protect the user's safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Twinsonic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 7955222
    Abstract: A jump training apparatus including a sleeve, a pipe, and an arm. Floor standing embodiments may also include a base that may be operably connected to a weight holder. Wall mounted embodiments may include a mounting bracket, mounting plate, or mounting clamps, for example. At least a portion of the pipe may be slideably inserted into the sleeve. The pipe may be operably connected to the arm. The vertical height of the arm may be adjusted through the movement of the pipe relative to the sleeve. According to certain embodiments, when the arm is positioned at the desired vertical height, the position of the pipe may be secured by operably engaging a fastening element. At least a portion of the arm may be covered by a cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Rick S. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7955221
    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: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Margaret Darlene Loveday
  • Patent number: 7955229
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a portable therapeutic exercise device and more particularly a convenient exercise device, which is particularly adapted for restoring and/or maintaining the range of motion of post-operative patients and also having general therapeutic use. The disclosed device has several significant and novel improvements over prior art devices. Several improvements have resulted in a device which is much easier and less expensive to produce, lighter, more convenient to transport and to store. The device has a lightweight base frame, and a moveable carriage connected thereto. A plurality of elastic members couple the base to the carriage to supply resistant force while in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Gary Graham
  • Patent number: 7955223
    Abstract: A hip thrust sled may include a pair of spaced apart runners configured in generally parallel relation to each other. A first cross member extends between and is connected to the spaced apart runners proximate to a distal end of the hip thrust sled. A second cross member extends between and is connected to the spaced apart runners near a proximal end of the hip thrust sled to receive removable weights. A pendulum arm is rotatably attached at its distal end to the first cross member and is configured at a proximal end to move vertically relative to the spaced apart runners. The pendulum arm extends towards the proximal end of the hip thrust sled at an upward angle. An adjustable stop may limit the vertical movement of the pendulum arm. A handlebar may be attached to the proximal end of the pendulum arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Marty Gilman, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil F. Gilman
  • Patent number: 7955224
    Abstract: The invention includes an exercise mat that provides intuitive tactile feedback allowing a user to determine body placement using the sense of touch. The invention enables visually impaired users to determine location and/or direction on the mat. The invention includes devices to assist a user in correct foot and hand placements during a yoga posture sequence, an exercise program, a dance routine, and so forth. Tactile markers for hand and foot placement enable discerning a reference marker as either intended for hand or foot, right side or left side, and forward or backward. The invention makes yoga more accessible to the visually impaired and enables a user to participate in mainstream yoga communities. The invention can be used for the practice of yoga in a class setting in schools for the blind, in public or private studios, or at home. The mat can be used in a yoga class to follow instructions with more ease and independence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Tracy Lynn Curley
  • Patent number: 7951054
    Abstract: A therapeutic and/or exercise apparatus is provided for use in connection with structured, multiaxial, multi-pattern movement that aids in rehabilitation or enhances conditioning. The apparatus generally includes a base and a posture bar that is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The posture bar is affixed to a top surface of the base and can be removable or collapsible for ease of storage. The top surface of the base also includes a recess therein for receiving one of a variety of controlled motion devices such as a rotary disk that moves freely or is restrained by resistance means or other proprioceptive tools. This feature provides a much more balanced exercise process while also naturally working the entire set of muscle groups related to the exercise rather than simply isolating a single motion or muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Lifting Up Life, LP
    Inventors: Donna Snow, Robert Ayres
  • Patent number: 7951051
    Abstract: An flexible elongated device for use in human exercise routines or as an implement having an elongated pultruded plastic rod or rods fitting loosely within a plastic tube. At least one of the rods is rectangular in cross section and the tube may be covered by a soft foam plastic sleeve. The rod may be produced by the pultrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Gordon L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7951047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rope game device with an outer frame and with ropes rigged within the outer frame forming a spatial net and which are attached in a tensionable manner to specific node points of the outer frame. The invention has the object, to provide a new rope game device, which displays a distinct “fullness” of the spatial net and which manufacture has distinct technological and cost advantages compared to known devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Berliner Seilfabrik & Co. KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Köhler
  • Patent number: 7946968
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus comprising a weight stack for opposing a given exercise motion through a cable and pulley system. The weight stack comprises a set of weights vertically stacked on each other. The weights have a central aperture formed therein through which a lifting stem is downwardly insertable. Each weight is provided with weight selector means, which are pivotally engagable with said lifting stem for connecting and locking a selectable number of weights to the central lifting stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Mats Thulin AB
    Inventor: Otto Kjellberg