Patents Examined by Jerome W. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 9056219
    Abstract: A volumetric weight system with an elongated handle is provided as a fitness tool used in performing a plurality of exercise routines unique to the volumetric weight system. The present invention accomplishes this through the use of an elongated handle centrally attached to a spherically shaped volumetric weight. The elongated handle provides the present invention with a maniputable surface that enables the user to vary the intensity of their work out by repositioning their hands relative to the volumetric weight. The volumetric weight is centrally attached to elongated handle providing balance while performing a plurality of exercises. The volumetric weight system utilizes an interchangeable engagement for the purposes of switching between weighted components during a workout without complicated disassembly steps. Additionally, the present invention is provided with secondary weights that are attach to the volumetric weight in order to slight vary the resistance of an exercise routines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Brent Hess, II
  • Patent number: 9056215
    Abstract: A half-pipe trampoline is comprised of a horizontal trampoline runway with inclined trampoline beds angled approximately 45-53 degrees relative to the surface of the horizontal trampoline runway. The inclined trampoline beds are positioned all along the length of the horizontal trampoline runway, thus creating a three-dimensional corridor or track of flexible trampoline surface for the participants. The inclined trampoline beds are connected directly to the horizontal trampoline runway, rather than to a rigid frame. To accomplish this, rigid frames are positioned around the periphery of the trampoline surfaces rather than underneath those surfaces, keeping them well away from the trampoline surfaces. Chains and springs are used to span the distance between frames and the horizontal trampoline runway. Additional chain is stretched from the horizontal trampoline runway to the floor to keep the inclined trampoline beds from pulling on the horizontal trampoline runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventors: A. Michael Canales, Wayne Jewell
  • Patent number: 9056221
    Abstract: User-manipulated exercise equipment of the type utilizing a weight-plate stack comprises a stack of weight plates, of which a user-selected portion moves as a unit along a pair of guide rods in response to an exercise movement by the user. The selected portion of the stack moves with virtually no cross-wise (i.e., lateral) shifting among the plates and virtually no friction between the moving portion of the stack and the guide rods because (1) a keystone bushing below the weight plate stack provides virtually error free alignment with the guide rods by setting the non-selected portion of the stack at a highly accurate “home” position that resets the moving stack if it has shifted laterally during movement, even if that shift is very slight, and (2) the guide rod holed in the weight plates carry bushings which align with the bushings of the adjacent weight plates to prevent the plates within the moving portion of the stack from shifting laterally with respect to each other and thereby contacting a guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: Ace Specialty, Inc., Grace Premier Fitness and Wellness Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Anderson, Mark Harigian
  • Patent number: 9056216
    Abstract: A weighted jump rope includes an elongated cord having a first end, an opposing second end, an intermediate portion and an axial bore extending from an opening on the first end to an opening on the second end. The axial bore is filled with a predetermined amount of weighted material, such as sand. A dowel received within each opening forms an expanded portion that retains a bearing disc on each end of the cord. Each bearing disc engages an internal bearing surface within a rotating handle assembly that prevents the cord from binding or contorting as it encircles an exerciser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Bouza
  • Patent number: 9050490
    Abstract: A rehabilitation mechanism includes a supporting base having a seat member, a frame member is mounted on the supporting base and includes two protrusions each having a pivot shaft, two handle members and two foot supports are pivotal attached to the pivot shaft, and a latch device includes two catch members slidably attached to the handle members and each catch member includes one end for selectively locking the handle member to the frame member and for preventing the handle member from being rotated relative to the frame member, and the catch members each include another end for selectively locking the handle member to the foot support and for allowing the handle member and the foot support to be rotated relative to the frame member altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 9050492
    Abstract: Machine for exercising the core muscles having a swiveling seat mounted on a base for receiving a person in a reclined position with his legs and torso extending in opposite directions, a pad for supporting the upper portion of the torso while the legs are swung back and forth in a horizontal direction, resilient means connected to the seat for resisting the swinging of the legs, and handles on opposite sides of the seat in position to be gripped by the person while he is swinging his legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: 2014 Shifferaw Family Revocable Trust
    Inventor: Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
  • Patent number: 9044643
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a weight support assembly including a main support mountable to an upright frame member to define a coarse position and a secondary support movable relative to the main support to define a fine position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Rogers Athletic Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Staten, Kyle R. Camp
  • Patent number: 9044635
    Abstract: An exercise bicycle including a frame supporting a flywheel. A magnetic brake assembly includes a brake arm pivotally mounted to the frame and including at least one magnet. The magnet is positioned adjacent to the flywheel and not in contact with the flywheel, the position of the magnet relative to the flywheel inducing a magnetic braking force on the flywheel. The pivot of the brake arm is positioned such that a pivot force vector induced on the brake arm by the magnetic braking acts to pivot the brake arm away from the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Foundation Fitness, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew P. Lull
  • Patent number: 9039584
    Abstract: A martial arts training system has a solid body formed of resilient material with a front surface, a back surface, side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The front surface has a number of holes arranged thereon for receiving at least one accessory member. The system has at least one accessory having an attachment section shaped and sized to be received in a hole of the front surface and a training section adapted to extend from the front surface to form a contact target, such as an arm, leg, or weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Chiang
  • Patent number: 9039585
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, a pivotable body support assembly, a lifting mechanism in parallel linear engagement with the frame, and a counter balance assembly connected to the body support assembly, wherein the body support assembly is pivotable from a downward position to a top position. The lifting mechanism includes a foot plate, an ankle pad, and a foot pad. The lifting mechanism also includes a lifting assist mechanism, such as a spring or gas shock. The counter balance assembly partially balances a body weight of a user as the body support assembly is pivoted from the downward position to the top position. A method of using an exercise machine includes stepping onto the foot plate and securing the back of a user's foot against the ankle pad, releasing the lift assist mechanism, and bringing the foot plate to the toe pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Derrick
  • Patent number: 9039573
    Abstract: Trampolines and trampoline frames configured to support a rebounding mat that extends from a horizontal plane into a vertical plane that is below the horizontal plane. The trampoline includes a horizontal frame that connects to a first portion of the rebounding mat to hold the mat in a substantially horizontal plane and a vertical frame that connects to a second portion of the rebounding mat to hold the mat in a substantially vertical plane that extends downward from the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TRAMPOLINE PARKS, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Smock, Val Iverson, Van Stapley
  • Patent number: 9033853
    Abstract: A pneumatic tube jumping structure system to increase the safety and enjoyment of jumping and other physical activities. The pneumatic tube jumping structure employs a metal frame to support a pneumatic tube upon which a single user or multiple users may jump, bounce, or otherwise play. The frame provides safety handrails that serve dual purposes: ensuring the safety of a user; and aiding a user in jumping and otherwise making use of the pneumatic tube jumping structure system. The frame also allows for the connection of an activity attachment, such as a rope swing, for the enjoyment of a user, making the structure a multi-purpose amusement and exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen McMurtrey
  • Patent number: 9028380
    Abstract: A resistance band tensioner is disclosed. The tensioner includes a main body and a pivot pin disposed on the main body proximate a first end, where the main body is configured to rotate about the pivot pin between an up position and a down position. The tensioner also includes a handle extending from a second end of the main body configured for a user to grasp with a hand. A cantilever shaft extends outward perpendicular from the main body and is interposed between the handle and the pivot pin, where the shaft is adapted to secure a first portion of a resistance band around its periphery. In addition, the tensioner includes a locking pin to lock the tensioner in the down position when the resistance band is placed under tension by rotating the main body from the up position to the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Richard J. Hoole
  • Patent number: 9028378
    Abstract: In general, an exercise device includes a handle having a first end and a second end. A curved member is coupled to the first end of the handle. A movable member is coupled to the curved member, with the movable member configured to travel along a length of the curved member, where the movable member has a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion is configured to move relative to the first portion. An elongate member has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the elongate member is coupled to the second portion of the movable member. A weight is coupled to the second end of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Shalin N. Shah
  • Patent number: 9028377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for increasing strength through exercise and training. Specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses that increase the difficulty of well-known exercises and weight lifting techniques in order to increase the efficiency of work-outs. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses that promote whole-body stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald Hood
  • Patent number: 9022908
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a first elastic material portion having a first face and a second face disposed opposite the first face, a second elastic material portion having a third face and a fourth face disposed opposite the third face, and a plurality of joining regions, wherein the second face of the first elastic material portion attaches to the third face of the second elastic material portion at each joining region. Each joining region is capable of simultaneous multidimensional stretching when subjected to or released from an applied load. An assembly of integrally connected exercise devices includes a first exercise device integrally connected to a second exercise device, wherein a joining region is capable of separation into two smaller joining regions when the first exercise device and the second exercise device are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hygenic Intangible Property Holding Co.
    Inventors: Jason Alan Crowell, Anna Schrock, Tanya Loraine Weiker, Nevin Dean Gerber
  • Patent number: 9022903
    Abstract: A neuromuscular oral appliance comprises a channel with a base adapted to accept teeth from one of an upper and a lower jaw. The oral appliance further comprises a bite pad adapted to accept teeth from the other of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, the bite pad extending from the base and including a pliable chamber that partially deforms when compressed. The oral appliance allows the lower jaw to find a balanced position relative to the upper jaw which will correspond to a position at which the facial muscles are generally at minimal tension. It has been observed that the lower jaw is naturally urged forward relative to the upper jaw in this position. This motion and the position of the lower jaw generally tend to urge the neck backward so that the cervical vertebrae substantially align, thereby facilitating an erect spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Zaki Rafih, Anil Makkar
  • Patent number: 9017225
    Abstract: A workout device with a foot-oriented elliptical loop is provided and bilaterally equipped with a transmission rod, a first link rod, a driving rod, a second link rod, a swing arm, and a supporting rod. The transmission portions are pivotally coupled to cranks to enable the cranks to undergo revolution. The supporting rods each have a supporting portion to support a user's feet. The aforesaid rods interact with each other. The supporting portions of the supporting rods move along a closed elliptical loop with segmental junctions spaced apart by a relatively short distance, such that the user's treading process is prevented from undergoing abrupt descents, unsmooth transitions, and thus jolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Dyaco International Inc.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Fu Huang, Shih-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 9017232
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an invention directed to a weightlifting aid that an individual would utilize. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to a device directed to a weightlifting aid that an individual would couple to their hand to assist in the lifting of weights in an exercise or fitness environment. In one embodiment, the weightlifting swivel wrist hook is comprised of a user attachment element, a swivel element, and a hooking element. In another embodiment, the user attachment element is a wristband that allows attachment of the device to the user's wrist through various strapping means such as velcro, buttons, clips, and/or buckles. The swivel element is connected to the user attachment element and the hooking element and allows the hooking element to rotate about the swivel elements' pivot point. This movement of the hooking element allows the user to position the hooking element in an in use position or an out of use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Dario Samuel Olivarez, David Manuel Olivarez
  • Patent number: 9017222
    Abstract: A machine for testing and training jumping and reaching ability for use by athlete or by other people for recreation is disclosed having the following attributes: centrally balanced, light weight and portable, usable indoors or outdoors, resets to starting position after each use, signals contact by flashing light or sound, and has means of measuring the height reached by the extended hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Herman Hofeldt, Albert John Hofeldt