Patents Examined by Rae Fischer
  • Patent number: 8974353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stair exercise device for simulating stair climbing, the device having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person walking up them. A stationary platform at the base of the stair exercise device sends a signal to a controller to bring the exercise device to a controlled stop when an operator steps onto the platform. The steps of the exercise device stop in a predetermined location when the exercise device comes to a controlled stop, ensuring proper step location to allow the operator to easily enter and exit the exercise device. Steps have a step platform of a different color than the risers between steps to aid in foot placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mrako A Fenster, Derek L Nelson, Chih-Ming Lai, Kung-Lung Lai, Chieh-Wen Lin, Ming-Hsin Chi, Chinh-Kuo Huang, Yung-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 8974350
    Abstract: A trampoline includes a rebounding portion and a circular support rack. The rebounding portion includes a pad and a plurality of elastic members located on the circumference of the pad. The circular support rack is located around the rebounding portion and connected to the elastic members, and includes an inner ring side facing the rebounding portion and an outer ring side opposite to the inner ring side, and also includes at least one first support tube and one second support tube. The first support tube and second support tube have respectively a bent tube section, a first coupling end and a second coupling end corresponding to the first coupling end. The first coupling end includes a first support section located on the inner ring side, a second support section located on the outer ring side and at least one first ridge between the first and second support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Crowntec Fitness Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hua-Lu Hsiang
  • Patent number: 8968166
    Abstract: A sport performance enhancing system includes a left glove, a right glove, a vest, a belt, a left shoe, a right shoe, and a plurality of resistance bands. The left glove and the right glove each consist at least one D-ring which provide the attachment of the left and right glove with the plurality of resistance bands. The vest also consist a plurality of vest rings that attaches with the plurality of resistance bands, attaching the left and right glove. A plurality of O-rings and a shoe D-ring in the left and right shoe are attached to the plurality of resistance band from one end, and the free end of the plurality of resistance bands attaches with a plurality of vertical rings and a plurality of horizontal rings which are positioned around the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: True Form, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher T Cranke
  • Patent number: 8968159
    Abstract: A folding elliptical exercise machine includes a main frame, a guider frame coupled to the main frame for being moved between a use position and a storage position, a rotatable crank mechanism arranged on the main frame, two supporting members coupled between two crank units of the rotatable crank mechanism and two tracks of the guider frame, and two pedals coupled to the two supporting members. The engagement of the locking device is affected by the position of the guider frame. The locking device has a latch which can be located in an unlocked position where it is not interfering with the rotatable crank mechanism when the guider frame is oriented in the use position, or can be located in a locking position for stopping the rotatable crank mechanism from rotating when the guider frame is moved from the use position to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Health Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noel Johnson
  • Patent number: 8944964
    Abstract: An exercise device for exercising the grip muscles of the hand and auxiliary muscles used in gripping by simultaneous isometric exercise of the hand muscles while exercising other muscles isotonically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Saffaie
  • Patent number: 8944966
    Abstract: An adaptive exercise device includes a frame which supports swing arms which provide for horizontal motion of associated foot links. A crank system provides for vertical motion of the foot links and is movable relative to the frame. The vertical and horizontal motions of the foot links are mechanically decoupled and may be blended to approximate a desired foot path. The movable crank system causes the foot path to correspond to a natural running action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Larry D. Miller Trust
    Inventor: Larry D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8944979
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an exercise step that utilize spirally shaped air-cushioning legs. The direction of the spiral of the air-cushioning legs is alternated around the periphery of the exercise step to eliminate rotational creep. Flow regulators are utilized to control the flow of air from the top of each of the air-cushioning legs into an interior portion of the base of the exercise step. Spokes provide an air flow passage between the air flow regulators and the central air regulator, as well as providing structural support for the base. Rings are also used around the base that inner connect the spokes and provide additional support. Recessed portions of a lower plate of the base are welded to an upper plate during a blow molding process to add additional support to the base of the exercise step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: B&R Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell A. Kulzer
  • Patent number: 8936534
    Abstract: A free walking training machine includes a chassis having a left supporting frame and a right supporting frame, a left swing arm having a left axial portion extending laterally, a right swing arm having a right axial portion extending laterally, a left lifting mechanism, a right lifting mechanism, a first linking unit, and a second linking unit. The left lifting mechanism makes the left swing arm move upward and downward relative to the left supporting frame. The right lifting mechanism makes the right swing arm move upward and downward relative to the right supporting frame. The first and second linking mechanisms are connected with the left and right swing arms for enabling the left and right axial portions and the left and right swing arms to make coordinated movement and move in opposite directions, respectively. The first and second linking mechanisms are operable independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center
    Inventors: Chun-Ho Chen, Chia-Hsun Chuang
  • Patent number: 8932191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a training device for fixing in the area of the human waist, composed of a belt-like element (2) and of at least one force element arranged on the belt-like element (2), wherein the force element is coupled at least indirectly to a grip element, and the force element has the property of providing a resistance force (tensile force) against the pull of the grip element. According to the invention, provision is made that the force element (4; 204) is additionally designed such that it also provides an opposing force (pressure force) when the grip element (4.3; 204.3) is moved back in the direction of the force element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Failer
  • Patent number: 8915827
    Abstract: Footwear for use in resistance band training includes plural spaced straps extending loosely over the instep. Each strap is circumscribed by a connection ring freely movable along the strap such that, when the ring is pulled by an applied force, the ring traverses the strap and is repositioned according to the direction of the force. The user may alternatively select any of the straps to engage a resistance band. A belt for connection to the straps includes a band connection ring movable to different positions on the belt. A pad may be positioned over a front belt ring to comfortably project the band away from the user's body. The footwear and belt may be used with a vest connected to limbs and extremities to body parts for a full body workout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: True Form, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Cranke, Daniel Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8894552
    Abstract: An attachment for a heavy bag to use while practicing power striking techniques in ground fighting. The attachment may be used on a bag that is hanging, resting on a free-standing base, or on a bag that has been removed from the hanger or base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Matt Peter Wilson, Bryan Paul Wilson
  • Patent number: 8894549
    Abstract: An exercise device having a selectively adjustable footpad is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention describes a footpad whose angular orientation is adjustable by a cam having at least two support sides. The cam can be positioned between the footpad and a link arm. The cam can be rotatable about an axis with each support side being a different distance from the axis. The angle of the footpad can be adjusted by selectively rotating the cam so that the footpad is resting on different support sides of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Colledge
  • Patent number: 8888663
    Abstract: Adjustable-weight exercise devices are disclosed. An example adjustable-weight exercise device may include an exercise device body; a generally cylindrical cavity extending into the exercise device body and comprising at least one engagement feature; and a generally cylindrical weight insert configured to be slidably received the cavity and comprising a corresponding engagement feature. The engagement feature and the corresponding engagement feature may be configured to releasably engage each other to selectively retain the generally cylindrical weight insert within the generally cylindrical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Exemplar Design, LLC
    Inventors: Adam L. Ross, Benjamin P. Boyer
  • Patent number: 8876668
    Abstract: A selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus supports a user ambulating thereon. The selectively inclining hiking exercise apparatus includes a support base and a treadbase that selectively inclines with respect to the support base. The treadbase includes a motor for driving an endless belt upon which the user ambulates. The treadbase also includes a magnetic braking assembly for regulating the speed of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the treadbase motor is driving the endless belt. The magnetic braking assembly includes a magnet that selectively moves relative to the treadbase flywheel along a threaded lead screw to provide the braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ICON IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Hendrickson, Greg W. Law, Rodney L. Hammer, Paul C. Ricks, Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 8870724
    Abstract: A device (101) for supporting or exercising the pelvic floor muscles in a female human. The device has a unitary elongate body having a first enlarged end (103), a second enlarged end (105), and a relatively narrow interconnecting region (107) that interconnects the first enlarged end and the second enlarged end. The first enlarged end (103) generally extends in a first direction from the interconnecting region (107) and from one end of the interconnecting region. The second enlarged end (105) generally extends in a second generally opposite direction from the interconnecting region (107) and from the other end of the interconnecting region. The first enlarged end (103), the second enlarged end (105), and the narrow interconnecting region (107) are substantially fully insertable into the vagina to provide resistance to contraction of the pelvic floor muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Orelle Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Carol Armitage, Ralph Elliott Schneideman, Patricia Ann Coombes
  • Patent number: 8858401
    Abstract: A training apparatus for a Nordic walker has an elongated pole whose lower end carries at least one wheel having a freewheel permitting rolling of the wheel on the surface only in a forward travel direction. A forearm rest is freely pivotal on an upper end of the pole and defines with the pole an angle increasing on forward rolling of the wheel from a position behind the athlete to a position in front of the athlete as the arm in the rest swings forward in the travel direction. A handgrip fixed on a front end of the forearm rest is gripped by a hand of the forearm in the rest and pivots with the forearm rest. A spring braced between the rest and the pole and pivotally biases the rest so as to increase the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Georg H. Kaupe
  • Patent number: 8834331
    Abstract: A pronged band connector is adapted for securing a flat elastic exercise resistance band to an adjacent structure. The exercise band has a length, width, and thickness. The exemplary band connector comprises a base and a plurality of spaced-apart elongated rigid prongs. The prongs extend substantially perpendicular to the base, and are adapted for receiving a portion of the exercise band between adjacent prongs. A length of each prong may be greater than the width of the exercise band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Jeffrey Boatwright
  • Patent number: 8827881
    Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed. The exercise device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first substantially planar surface and is configured to support a portion of a patient. The second portion includes a second substantially planar surface and is configured to support a portion of a patient. The second substantially planar surface is oppositely disposed of the first substantially planar surface. The first substantially planar surface includes a diameter, and the second substantially planar surface includes a diameter. The diameter of the first substantially planar surface is smaller than the diameter of the second substantially planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Marino
  • Patent number: 8821356
    Abstract: A multi-piece fitness bar may include an outer, a middle, and an inner bar. The three bars may be annular and nested, one inside of the next in size. The inner bar may protrude from the ends of the middle bar, and the middle bar may protrude from the ends of the outer bar. A end-cap may be configured to hold the bars in place and in a staggered manner with respect to each other. The end-cap may include staggered internal surfaces, each designed to mate with and hold in place a specific bar. The multi-piece fitness may provide from several combinations of weight, depending upon which of the bars are used in combination or individually. Each bar may be coated with an external grip. The end-cap may provide for clearance fits between the three bars to protect the external grips and facilitate interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jonathan Burke
  • Patent number: 8814768
    Abstract: An exercise device that includes a base member that includes an upper surface and a cushion seat portion extending downwardly therefrom and a handle cavity defined in and extending downwardly from the upper surface. The device also includes a cushion member attached to the cushion seat portion. The cushion seat portion has a generally convex shape. A handle portion secured to the base member and spanning the handle cavity, and at least a first binding member that is secured to the base member and is configured to secure a user's foot to the upper surface of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Seong Sam Yang, Timothy Nugent