Patents Examined by Jerome W. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 9011297
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus and methods to support a punching bag, or a punching bag and rebound platform, within a doorway or other architectural opening. Mounting the apparatus does not involve modifying or altering the supporting architectural structures and surfaces (e.g., with screws, brackets, adhesives, etc.). Clamps are instrumental in safely securing the apparatus and stabilizing it for high-performance use of a plurality of punching bags. Adjustment mechanisms not only facilitate the mounting of the apparatus to a plurality of doorframes and other architraves but also accommodate the height and depth preferences of a user. In addition, a folding mechanism allows the apparatus to be compacted for storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Jason Sagall
  • Patent number: 9005084
    Abstract: An improved finger exerciser to exercise each finger individually by depressing directly against the resistance of a spring. Embodiments are described wherein the device includes an electronic controller in operative communication with individual finger exercise elements to sense exercise parameters and provide tactile feedback to a user. In embodiments, the disclosed finger exerciser is configured to communicate sensed measurements to an integrated controller and/or a mobile device, such as a distance each finger is pressed, speed, response time, repetition count, and so forth. In embodiments, the exerciser is configured to provide tactile feedback, such as vibration, to a user via the finger pads. The finger exerciser may receive communications from an integrated controller and/or mobile device to activate a tactile stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cognatus Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Robert Silagy, Dennis Waldman
  • Patent number: 9005086
    Abstract: A portable rowing machine is disclosed that includes a tubular frame consisting of two parallel tubes positioned and supported by floor brackets, a seat that is removably situated on top of the tubular frame and slidable along the tubular frame on rollers mounted to the underside of the seat, swivel arms attached to brackets and extending perpendicularly outward from the tubular frame, and oar arms attached to the ends of the swivel arms. The tubular frame includes a telescoping portion enabling adjustment of the length of the frame from a compact storage size to a size desired for a users leg length. The swivel arm brackets are pivotally positionable in a storage position and a working position. The oar arms are adjustable in length to suit the users body size. A clutch bearing and band brake assembly provides oar arm motion resistance comparable to rowing a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: John J. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8998780
    Abstract: The disclosed fitness equipment allows a user to target different muscle groups using tri-planar coordination of movement, which was previously difficult (if not impossible) to achieve using conventional suspension training equipment. This is done by providing a resistance between suspension training straps, namely, by mechanically coupling an elastic band between the suspension training straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Stanley Lewen
  • Patent number: 8998778
    Abstract: An exercise weight comprises a plate having a width, a length and a thickness. The length is substantially greater than the width, and the width is substantially greater than the thickness. The plate has opposed longitudinal edges and opposed end edges, and has opposed lengthwise grip apertures adjacent respective longitudinal edges and opposed end grip apertures adjacent respective end edges. The grip apertures cooperate with their respective edges to form lengthwise handgrips and end handgrips. A barbell comprises a main support portion for receiving exercise weights and which includes at least one mounting projection adapted to be received in a corresponding aperture in one of the exercise weights to support the exercise weight on the barbell. Opposed lifting handles extend outwardly from opposite ends of the main support portion and an elongated lifting bar is carried by and spaced from the main support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Terence Scott Potts, Paul William Dorsett
  • Patent number: 8992395
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided including a board and a pull-up bar integrated with a detachable barbell and dumbbell. The apparatus may be used for body weight exercise, such as pull-ups, when the mount is installed in a doorway or other suitable location. The detachable barbell and dumbbell functionality may be used for free weight exercise when detached from the mount. The mount may serve as a rack for holding the detachable barbell and dumbbell functionality when not in use for free weight exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Obidi Orakwasi
    Inventor: Obidi Orakwusi
  • Patent number: 8986171
    Abstract: A boxing game machine includes a punch bag, a frame, a rocker, a catch, a latch and a spring. The rocker is pivotally connected to the frame between an idle position and an active position. The punch bag is secured to an end of the rocker. The catch is secured to another end of the cocker and formed with a radial edge. The latch is movably supported on the frame and formed with an edge for sliding into contact with radial edge of the catch so that the latch engages with the catch. The spring biases the latch into engagement with the catch to keep the rocker in the idle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Feiloli Electronic Co., Ltd., Department of Electrical Engineering, National Changhua University of Education
    Inventors: Shen Te Feng, Chi-Ming Tsai, Tsair-Rong Chen, Yu-Lin Juan
  • Patent number: 8979718
    Abstract: An exercise weight includes a weight member, a handle member spaced apart from and substantially surrounding the weight member, and at least one attachment member joining the weight member to the handle member so that the weight member is located inside the handle member. The exercise weight has a relatively narrow profile, or width, to avoid contact with the body during exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald Mathews
  • Patent number: 8951172
    Abstract: An adjustable-weight club exercise device is provided having improved safety, adjustability, and manufacturability. The club body includes multiple recesses designed to receive removable weights. The recesses are all accessible individually to insert or remove weights in a motion perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The recesses are formed by ridges designed to secure the weights to prevent any movement in the longitudinal direction. The device may be operated with any or none of the recesses filled. A door and latch design are provided to allow access to the recesses and securely close the club body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Onnit Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Aubrey Marcus
  • Patent number: 8951173
    Abstract: An apparatus for exercising muscles of a user. At least one member has a dynamic mass distribution that changes according to an orientation of the apparatus. The orientation of the apparatus may be altered by the user so as to exercise the user's muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Marcus Kovach
  • Patent number: 8944974
    Abstract: A motion resistance suit provides adjustable musculoskeletal compression and increasing resistance over a user's full range of motion. The suit provides increasing resistance over the range of user movements through the use of a porous elastic material that allows for the body to dissipate heat and perspiration. The suit utilizes pockets located in strategic areas for the addition of weights, thereby controlling the amount of resistance felt during use. The pockets are located to allow full range of motion. Cinches are used to control the amount of compression and to create a snug fit which minimizes unwanted movement of the suit and weights. The suit consists of a shirt portion, detachable sleeves, a pants portion, and detachable pant extensions. The user is able to quickly and easily change the amount of weight and the amount of compression based on the exercises being performed and the desired effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: James J. Foster
  • Patent number: 8944963
    Abstract: According to one embodiment a removable assembly provides for mounting of a hangboard including a first unit and at least a first bracket for connecting the hangboard to the first unit. The first unit may include a first member configured to be placed over a door opening on a fist side of a wall and a second member which can be positioned across the opening and against a second side of the wall. A third member is configured for attachment to the second member such that when the first member is placed over the opening and the second member is positioned against the second side of the wall, at least a portion of the third member is positioned above the second member. A related method provides a removable assembly for mounting of a hangboard. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Ryan Skipper
  • Patent number: 8944969
    Abstract: A rowing exercise machine provides a declining, substantially linear path of motion while offering a consistent force angle at the grip. This allows for a fairly consistent torque application at the shoulder joint, throughout the range of motion of the exercise. The exercise machine includes an input assembly which enables a user to maintain biomechanical alignment of the user's wrist and forearm during performance of the exercise, while maintaining a consistent torque applied to the shoulder joint, in the stability of an exercise machine. The input assembly defines a declining, substantially linear path, where the user's forearms remain substantially parallel to the ground as the input assembly is drawn back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Giannelli
  • Patent number: 8936537
    Abstract: An exercise arm apparatus and method of use. The exercise arm comprises at least one finger, a spindle attached to the finger, and weights sized to reside on the spindle. One end of the exercise arm is rotatably attached at a pivot point to a frame or to a vertical surface; a belt is attached to an opposite end of the exercise arm by means of a belt line. Where the exercise arm is rotatably attached to a frame, dip bars and chin bars are disclosed wherein an exerciser may perform dips and chins. Upward motion by an exerciser wearing the belt is impeded by spindle weights, a belt elastic attached at one end to the belt and at an opposite end to the exercise arm, and/or an elastic member attached at one end to the frame and at an opposite end to the exercise arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Richard J. Hoole
  • Patent number: 8926478
    Abstract: An elliptical trainer includes a base, a pair of foot-oriented elliptical mechanisms, and a pair of hand-oriented elliptical mechanisms. The base is anteriorly provided with a frame having a first axle and a second axle. The first and second axles are parallel and spaced apart by a distance. The foot-oriented elliptical mechanisms flank the frame and include a revolving assembly pivotally disposed at the first axle and adapted to enable the foot-oriented elliptical mechanisms to revolve relative to the first axle. The hand-oriented elliptical mechanisms flank the frame and include a reversing assembly pivotally disposed at the second axle. The revolving assembly and the reversing assembly revolve in opposite directions. The hand-oriented and foot-oriented elliptical mechanisms enable a user's hands and feet to revolve in the same direction and follow closed paths, respectively. Hence, the user can exercise ergonomically and work different muscle groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Dyaco International Inc.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Fu Huang, Shih-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8920290
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for attaching a trampoline enclosure net to an enclosure pole involves attaching the enclosure net directly to the top end of the enclosure pole with an elastic cord. The enclosure pole may curve outward from the trampoline. The enclosure pole may pass through an opening in a protective pad to prevent the protective pad from moving out of place. The entire trampoline may be densely packaged for easy storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Steven G. Stokes, Michael H. Morrill, Nathanael Andersen
  • Patent number: 8915826
    Abstract: A hopping play ball comprises a pair of elongated grips or handles adjacent to each other and extending radially outward from the surface of the ball. The ball may also comprise an array of mammillated protrusions on the lower surface, opposite the handles, to improve the stability during bouncing on a soft or elastic surface, such as a trampoline rebounding mat. In other embodiments, the ball has one or more water reservoirs in fluid communication with squirt nozzles disposed on either the surface of the ball or an outward facing portion of the handles. The squirt nozzles are activated by the player via the handle grips, and may pump or squirt water in response to each bounce or may be triggered independent of the players bouncing movement. The mammillated surface aids in preventing slippage of the balls during such types of wet play with multiple players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Mark W. Publicover
  • Patent number: 8915824
    Abstract: An exercise device for improving thumb strength in a user of a thumb-driven throttle machine is provided. The exercise device comprises a shaft component, a grip component, and the throttle component, and generally resembles a right side of a handle of a vehicle having a hand throttle mechanism. The exercise device allows a user to exercise a thumb by moving a throttle component from a relaxed position to a position under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Russell Roberts
  • Patent number: 8911333
    Abstract: Jump rope devices which allow for the quick and easy interchanging of a cable of varying weight and length from handles configured to provide smooth rotation of such cables at both low and high speeds are disclosed. Devices in accordance with the disclosure may comprise a ball bearing assembly configured to facilitate 360-degree rotation of the cable. In an aspect, the handle of such jump rope devices is comprised of a ball bearing portion which enables both speed of rotational movement for a plurality of relatively lighter cables, and strength and durability for a plurality of relatively heavier cables. Handles may further comprise a snap hook assembly configured to facilitate rapid interchanging of cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: CrossRope, LLC
    Inventor: David Hunt
  • Patent number: 8911335
    Abstract: An athlete training device that includes a platform that includes a plurality of spaced apart attachment members disposed adjacent to the periphery of the platform. A pole extends upwardly from the platform and is affixed to the platform. A weight, defining a hole passing therethrough, is disposed on the platform so that the pole passes through the hole. A top plate is affixed to the top of the pole and includes attachment structures disposed about the top plate. An attachment device is coupled to one of the attachment structures. A redirecting device is coupled to one of the attachment members. An elastic cord is attached to the attachment device and is engaged with the redirecting device so that the cord extends radially away from the pole. An exercise device is affixed to the end of the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Speed Tracs America LLC
    Inventor: Matt Thompson