Patents Examined by Lynne Reichard
  • Patent number: 5713821
    Abstract: A portable exercise device for use by a human in a seated position in a seat is provided herein. The exercise device includes a pair of grips, a flexible member interconnecting the grips, a pivot and a connector. Each of the grips is suitable for interacting with a human hand or foot. The pivot, i.e., a roller contacts the flexible member and allows for movement of flexible member over the pivot. The connector retains the pivot proximate the human while the human is in the seated position. The connector is typically attached to a seatbelt and exercise device functions somewhat similar to a stationary cycle. Alternately, the connector is attached to one of the feet of the human and the exercise device is useful for exercising the upper body of the human. A tubular housing can be used for positioning the pivot above the seat and storing the grips, flexible member, pivot and connector when the exercise device is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: George Nissen
  • Patent number: 5713822
    Abstract: A thigh and buttocks exercising device includes a pair of hook shaped or curved clamp members terminating in linear inner legs connected to respective knuckles of a torsion spring-loaded hinge to bias the clamp members to a contracted position with their free ends in relatively vertically offset overlapping positions. Each clamp member is formed of a rigid metal tube preferably covered by a soft plastic or elastomeric sheath. The biasing torsion spring may terminate in tangentially projecting hook shaped cores of the clamp members. In alternative constructions, the clamp members are biased by resilient devices, such as a flexible-compressible member, a compression spring, or an elastomeric cord adjustably extending between the free ends of the clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventors: Geraldine Newman, Catherine McWilliams
  • Patent number: 5713820
    Abstract: Equipment for carrying out anterior and posterior flexion exercises of the foot and lower limbs for athletic training and rehabilitation comprising a surface (2) for the foot to rest on connected to a curved surface (3) suited to roll on the plane of execution of the exercise and able to provoke, following a corresponding movement of the body, the forward and backward inclination of the footrest surface. Means for the adjustment of the footrest (7) as well as means for fastening the foot to said rest are provided. The curved surface is formed by two portions of different extent and radii of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Giuseppe Carbone
  • Patent number: 5711745
    Abstract: A multi-purpose exercise machine is composed of a grip frame and a treading frame. The grip frame is of a U-shaped construction and is fastened at both ends thereof with the treading frame which can be folded to join with the grip frame so as to reduce the volume of the exercise machine for easy storage and shipping. The treading frame is provided with a plurality of rolling cylinders capable of affording an exerciser ther massaging exercise, the jogging exercise, and the walking exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Li-Hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 5711749
    Abstract: Apparatus for exercising a user's abdominal muscles and/or back muscles. This exercise apparatus includes a dynamic means in the form of an upper frame which is pivotally attached to a lower form. With the use of the user's abdominal and/or back muscles, the dynamic means produces a forward folding movement and a return straightening movement. A framework means in the form of a vertical frame affixed to a horizontal frame which maintains the vertical frame in an upright position supports the dynamic means. This exercise apparatus also includes a resistance means for opposing the forward folding movement and/or the return straightening movement. Various resistant means include fly wheel-fan, electro-magnetic and weight stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Aerobic Funding One, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 5709650
    Abstract: An orthopedic appliance for reinforcing a patient's skeletal anatomy from a rigid shell fitted at the inside to the patient at skin overlying the skeletal anatomy to be reinforced, has an improvement for adhering the rigid shell to the skin of the patient. A strip of flexible tensile tape has a first side for fitting to the skin of a patent and a second side outward exposed for fitting to the inside of the rigid shell. A hypoallergenic non-inflammatory adhesive is coated on one side of the strip of flexible tape for fitting to the skin. Means for removable attachment to the inside of the rigid shell is placed on the second side of the strip of flexible tape for outward exposure and attachment to the rigid shell. Complimentary means for removable attachment is fitted to the inside of the rigid shell. This attachment transfers loading from the skin of the patient to the rigid shell for orthopedically reinforcing the skeletal anatomy of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: John P. Colman
  • Patent number: 5709634
    Abstract: An abdominal exercise apparatus including a substantially flattened concave frame comprising a center portion having internal cavities and two opposing handholds, and furthermore the internal cavities of the center portion are filled with a desired quantity of fluidlike weight additive materials and sealed using a removable plug or cap. The apparatus is held behind the head when performing abdominal exercises including body curls wherein the added weight increases resistance to muscle contraction. In another embodiment one or more incremental weights in the form of annular discoids is affixed to a shaft protruding from the apparatus thereby providing a selection of significantly greater weight for training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Randy V. Pointer
  • Patent number: 5709630
    Abstract: An adjustable rotating resistance exerciser wherein an adjustment knob functions to supply an axial force to a series of interleaved washers and compressible washers to adjust the rotational restriction of a tubular grip handle, which is disposed on an inner collar that is affixed to a tubular handlebar. The exerciser may be configured such that it is adaptable to a riding bicycle or a stationary exercise bicycle or the exerciser may be affixed to various size tubes or bars such that it may be used in any convenient location. A further embodiment of the present invention may be utilized by incorporating the adjustable rotating resistance exerciser with a tabletop unit which can be used by individuals confined to wheelchairs, hospital beds or nursing homes. Furthermore, the tabletop unit may be modified to accept foot plates so that individuals may use the rotational exerciser to exercise ankle and calf muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas E. Froelich, Sr.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Froelich, Sr., Jeffrey T. Bertka
  • Patent number: 5709638
    Abstract: A strength training exercise apparatus includes a frame having a generally upright back rest portion, and a generally horizontal seat portion, and further includes opposing arm members pivotally mounted to the back rest portion of the frame. The arm members are movable through an arcuate range of motion, and include locking pins for selectively locking the arm members in desired angular positions. The apparatus still further includes a resistance assembly consisting of a fixed anchor mounted on the frame, a movable anchor which is movable relative to the fixed anchor, and a plurality of elastomeric resistance cords releasably secured between the movable relative to the fixed anchor to provide resistance to movement of the movable anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fitness Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross A. Mackert, John E. Titus
  • Patent number: 5709637
    Abstract: A portable exercise device is provided for specific strength training of the rotator cuff. A cylindrical spool member is provided with a handle across its diameter. A length of rubber exercise tubing is fixed tangentially to one point of the spool, with the other end attachable to a fixed point on an inertial resistance, allowing the user to grip the handle and rotate or move the spool against a continuous resistance for muscle development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventors: Gordon Gow, Edward Martin
  • Patent number: 5707320
    Abstract: Disclosed is a swimming exerciser mainly including a main frame, a pair of pedal means pivotally connected to two rear ends of the main frame, an height-adjustable abdomen cushion connected to a front top of the main frame, a front telescopic tubular support angularly and pivotally connected to and in front of the main frame, and a damping-type grip means mounted on a top of the telescopic tubular support. The grip means, the abdomen cushion and the pedal means together form an angle-adjustable inclined plane suitable for a user to train his or her body through imitative swimming movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Huei-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 5707319
    Abstract: A treadmill having an adaptive speed control for the belt drive in which members engageable by the user to be pulled have signal generators associated therewith to enable signals proportioned to the degree of pulling to be used to correspondingly reduce a selected belt speed so that a lagging pace of the user is detected and the belt speed reduced automatically. Hand rails and/or pivoted vertical poles can be used as the user-engageable members. The mean position of the poles can be monitored to generate signals corresponding to the degree of pulling exerted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Ronald J. Riley
  • Patent number: 5707324
    Abstract: A belt that can be worn around a person's waist and which has a back support along a portion of the belt. The belt contains loops positioned along the sides of the belt to attach various elastic resistance elements for exercising a person's arms and legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Ricky Sam Blake
  • Patent number: 5707323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising the rear deltoid muscle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a seat and a chest pad that are adjustably mounted to a frame to form a user support. Two arms are independently pivotally mounted at a first end by hinges to the frame. A handle is mounted to each arm whereby an exerciser grips the handle to use the apparatus. A means for resisting the movement of the handle is provided which is adapted to affect the force required to move the handles. According to the method, a seated exerciser grasps at least one handle and moves it outwardly and pulls it towards himself so that the handle moves in a substantially arcuate path towards the exerciser's shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Roy Simonson
  • Patent number: 5704880
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a device for an arm free treadmill workout. It has a belt having a left side and a right side. There is a left loop attached to the left side of the belt. The device has a right loop attached to the right side of the belt. A first strap has a first end connected to the left loop and a second end connected to the treadmill. A second strap has a first end connected to the right loop and a second end connected to the treadmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Pasquale J. Amatulle
  • Patent number: 5704897
    Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a precise superimposition of an optical representation with a data field to support the navigation during endoscopic operations. An optical representation is acquired by an endoscope with a camera and displayed on a screen. A sensor is attached to the endoscope or camera to continuously detect its spacial position. A spacial data field is also acquired, from such techniques as X-ray tomography, NMR tomography or ultrasound, and allocated to a body in a certain position. A sensor which is adapted to be attached to the body compensates for any movement of the body. A computer is provided for registering selected points of the data field with respective points of the optical representation by displacement certain points of the data field while superimposed on the optical representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Michael J. Truppe
  • Patent number: 5704879
    Abstract: A cabinet has a tread base rotatably connected to be oriented in an exercise position extending outwardly and in a stored position extending inwardly secured within the enclosure of the cabinet. The underside of the tread base may be configured to provide a suitable aesthetic exterior surface. A latching arrangement is provided to secure the tread base within the enclosure in the second or stored position. Elevation structure and motor structure are provided to elevate the tread base when in the first position and to power the endless belt of the tread base when in the first position. The elevation structure may be operated to vary the inclination of the tread base when in the first position. The underside of the tread base has a decorative panel and functions as a door for the cabinet. The elevation structure may include an electrically driven rack and pinion as well as a gas cylinder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Frank Troy Miller, Timothy Q. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5704883
    Abstract: A hand and wrist weight assembly has a web with a finger-receiving part, a back section on which a hand weight is mounted along the back of the user's hand, and a wrist section on which a wrist weight, independent of the hand weight and spaced from the hand weight is mounted along the back of the user's wrist. The wrist section has a strap for retaining the assembly on the user's arm. The back section and wrist section are flexible both transversely and longitudinally to permit flexing of the user's wrist while the assembly is in place, and conformance to a part of the user's hand and wrist over which the back section and the wrist section extend. The hand weight and the wrist weight are both soft and complaint to the extend that they will conform to the contours of the back of the hand and the wrist. The wrist weight can take the form of one or more elongated, transversely extending, particle-filled pouches, secured to the wrist section of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sportworks, Ltd.
    Inventor: James A. Eckmann
  • Patent number: 5702332
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus having movable elements which are manipulatable against resistance by a user to selectively exercise either the abdominal muscles or the back muscles of the user. The movable elements are interconnected for concurrent movement. Resistance to their movement is provided by an elastic resistance band which is secured to one of the elements and to a fixed support structure of the exercise apparatus. An adjustment mechanism is provided for pre-tensioning the resistance band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: LifeGear, Inc.
    Inventor: Yi Fong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5702325
    Abstract: A cabinet has a tread base rotatably connected to be oriented in an exercise position extending outwardly and in a stored position extending inwardly secured within the enclosure of the cabinet. The underside of the tread base may be configured to provide a suitable aesthetic exterior surface. A latching arrangement provided to secure the tread base within the enclosure in the second or stored position. Elevation structure and motor structure are provided to elevate the tread base when in the first position and to power the endless belt of the tread base when in the first position. The elevation structure may be operated to vary the inclination of the tread base when in the first position. The underside of the tread base has a decorative panel and functions as a door for the cabinet. The elevation structure may include an electrically driven rack and pinion as well as a gas cylinder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Watterson, William T. Dalebout, Frank Troy Miller