Patents Examined by Stephen Crow
  • Patent number: 9295893
    Abstract: Individual swimmers may routinely and easily perform exercise regiments to maintain or enhance their general health and fitness utilizing the present invention. A pole may be secured adjacent a body of water to retain a tether and a harness which retains the swimmer. The pole mount provides for securement at generally any swimming pool utilizing a hand rail which exists with generally all swimming pools. This provides for the swimming exercise device to be extremely transportable while ensuring use without any structural modification to any existing structure of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Bellerive
  • Patent number: 9289641
    Abstract: The invention provides an antigravity muscle exerciser comprising a garment which when worn by a user is close-fitting and covers at least the torso of said user. The garment comprises separate top and bottom portions or is a one-piece article, and has incorporated therein first portions of flexible material on each side of the torso which extend from the pelvis to beyond a respective shoulder where the portions are contiguous with a second portion of flexible material which extends across the top of the head of the user in a coronal plane. The portions of flexible material in combination have a length and elasticity which creates axial compression between the top of the head and the pelvis. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the garment exercising deep posture and anti-gravity muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GRAVITY FITNESS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David Alexander Richardson, Carolyn Anne Richardson
  • Patent number: 9289638
    Abstract: An exercise equipment frame, such as a power cage, is formed from uprights that comprise at least two sections that are telescopically interfit with one another. The sections have an interference fit between them when the telescopic interconnection is made that is tight enough to require the use of a tool that enables leverage greater than that achievable by the hand pressure of a user. The sections may be of substantially equal length to one another when forming the main uprights of the frame to allow packaging of the sections when disassembled in a carton of more regular dimensions. The sections may also be unequal length to allow coupling of a frame extension to the top of a completed power cage type frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PowerBlock Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl K. Towley, III, Gregory S. Olson
  • Patent number: 9283425
    Abstract: An exercise assembly comprises a frame and elongated foot pedal members that are each movable along user-defined paths of differing dimensions. Each foot pedal member has a front portion and a rear portion. Footpads are disposed on the rear portion of one of the pair of foot pedal members. Elongated coupler arms have a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally connected to the frame. Crank members have a first portion that is pivotally connected to the front portion of one of the pair of foot pedal members and have a second portion that is pivotally connected to the lower portion of one of the pair of coupler arms, such that each crank member is rotatable in a circular path. Elongated rocker arms have a lower portion that is pivotally connected to one of the pair of foot pedal members in between the foot pad and the crank member and have an upper portion that is pivotally connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Zhi Lu, Gary Scott Clayton, Mark C. Termion
  • Patent number: 9282786
    Abstract: A device (10) for exercising a foot (12) has a base (16) onto which the foot (12) to be exercised is located and an upper (18). A number of resilient members (20) are secured to the upper (18) and on moving the foot (12) between an extended position and a retracted position, the resilient members (20) provide a resistive force on the foot (12) which opposes the movement of the foot (12) between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Gerrard Farrell
  • Patent number: 9272180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus operated in a seated position where foot operated pedals and arm operated handles follow linear paths. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise apparatus having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with motion of the feet. The foot pedals and handles are positioned forward the operator to allow easy ingress and egress. The handles and pedals may be operated in unison for rowing exercise or the left handle and pedal may be operated independent of the right handle and pedal for opposing stepping exercise. Adjustable resistance is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Paul William Eschenbach
  • Patent number: 9272182
    Abstract: An exercise device providing a fore and aft horizontal component of striding motion that is dynamically user-defined, while providing a vertical component of the motion that is maintained on a predetermined vertically reciprocating path in some embodiments. The exercise device guides the user's foot in a pseudo-elliptical stride path, while providing a dynamically variable stride length that allows the user to move with a natural stride length. The exercise device allows tall and short users to extend or curtail the stride length to match their natural stride lengths. The length of the reciprocating path is dynamically adjusted during the exercise operation without equipment adjustments by changes in the length of the stride input by the user at a pair of foot engagement pads disposed on laterally spaced apart foot support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NAUTILUS, INC.
    Inventors: John Arthur Ohrt, James A. Duncan
  • Patent number: 9265686
    Abstract: A system for exercising muscles that move the thigh according to various aspects of the present invention provides a source of resistance, suitably positioned, for the user to use when forcing the thigh to return to its original standing position, for instance, returning the foot to the floor. Such a system may include a base, an exerciser, and an upward motion limiter. The exerciser may include a position adjuster and a compliant surface. The compliant surface may include an elastic support and a foot receiver. The upward motion limiter may be mechanically coupled to any part of the exerciser to protect the user from unintended, perhaps sudden, release of energy, for example, from the elastic support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Kathy Pichnarcik
  • Patent number: 9259609
    Abstract: An exercise bike includes a frame, a driving member, two sun gears, two swing arms, two planet gears, and two cranks. The driving member is assembled to the frame and has a shaft extending from two sides of the frame. The two sun gears, the two swing arms, the two planet gears, and the two cranks are respectively assembled to the two sides of the frame. For each set, the crank drives the planet gear to rotate so as to drive the swing arm to rotate the shaft, and the planet gear is rotated around the sun gear. Accordingly, a pedal connected to each of the cranks moves around the axis of the corresponding planet gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ventek Fitness Corporation
    Inventor: Wen Chang Yang
  • Patent number: 9259611
    Abstract: An adjustable exercise slide board, includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is smooth and planar; wherein the top surface includes a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is in a keyhole configuration having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion; and a plurality of repositional stops including mounting posts configured to be selectively received within a selected plurality of the apertures in the top surface for selectively securing the repositional stops to the top surface, wherein the mounting posts include a large distal head and smaller shaft wherein the large distal head is sized and configured to fit into the larger diameter of the keyhole shaped aperture and the smaller shaft of the mounting post allows the post to slide to the smaller diameter portion of the keyhole shaped aperture thereby locking the mounting post within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Christianna Lynn Abel, David Hugh Armet
  • Patent number: 9259603
    Abstract: A portable spotting apparatus includes a pair of support assemblies positioned a distance from each other to define a spotting area for a user. The support assemblies each have an upright member that includes a top portion coupled with a pulley and a bottom portion configured to rest on a floor surface. A pair of legs each have an upper end coupled with an intermediate portion of the upright member and a lower end configured to rest on the floor surface on opposing lateral sides of the upright member. At least one cord is configured to extend over the pulley and to couple with a harness for spotting the user in the spotting area. A cross member is coupled between lower regions of the support assemblies to maintain the distance between the support assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAM Spotting Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Justin Wireman
  • Patent number: 9254411
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame, a support plate mounted on the frame, and a shock-absorbing structure mounted on two opposite sides of the frame. The shock-absorbing structure includes an elastic bar mounted between the frame and the support plate to support the support plate and to provide a shock-absorbing function. The elastic bar is above the frame and under the support plate and has two opposite ends each pivotally mounted between the frame and the support plate. Thus, the elastic bar is movable in a horizontal direction and is elastically bendable toward an inner side or an outer side of the support plate to increase or decrease a contact area of the elastic bar and the support plate and to change the position of the elastic bar relative to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Li-Ling Chang
  • Patent number: 9254405
    Abstract: An exercise device is provided using a variable resistant exercise band having spaced apart eyelets along the length of the band. Each eyelet located at respective ends of the band is secured onto a hook member attached to a rigid bar, or a grip handle which permits the band to be pulled up to different levels, or in different directions. A method is also provided for using the exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Sammy Black Marji
  • Patent number: 9248339
    Abstract: An elliptical trainer includes a base, a post, a circular movement unit, two elliptical movement units and a stride-adjusting device. The post and the circular movement unit are supported on the base. Each elliptical movement unit includes a swing bar and a pedal carrier. The pedal carrier includes a front end pivotally connected to a lower end of the swing bar and a rear end pivotally connected to the circular movement unit. The stride-adjusting device includes a power unit and a lever set. The power unit is supported on the post. The lever set includes a middle portion pivotally connected to the post, an end pivotally connected to the power unit, and another end pivotally connected to the swing bars. The power unit is operable to pivot the lever set to move upper ends of the swing bars to change the strides of the elliptical movement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: DK CITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chiu Hsiang Lo
  • Patent number: 9248332
    Abstract: A variable resistance-type exerciser has pivotally interconnected arms with a longer pair of padded handle forming ends and a shorter pair of padded handle forming ends. An elastomeric band is interchangeably fitted to the arms through integral slots in each arm forcing the longer handles apart and the shorter handles together. The elastomeric band can easily be replaced or additional bands added to vary the resistance and resulting weight bearing equivalent load of the device. A pin interconnects the arms forming a device that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the device and in such a fashion as to allow for pushing and/or pulling motions. The exerciser is used by pushing or pulling the longer ends toward one another and/or by pushing or pulling the shorter ends apart. A multitude of exercises results from applying the above described motions to various upper or lower body muscle groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dennis, David W. Frey
  • Patent number: 9248330
    Abstract: A leg exercising apparatus includes a back support having a brace connected thereto, a seat support attached to the brace and spaced from the back support, a plurality of deformably flexible leg supports having proximal ends pivotally coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of foot supports pivotally coupled to distal ends of the leg supports, respectively. In this manner, the leg supports are independently pivoted along arcuate leg support paths defined about mutually exclusive leg fulcrum axes located at the proximal ends of the leg supports, respectively. Similarly, the foot supports are independently pivoted along arcuate foot support paths defined about mutually exclusive foot fulcrum axes located at the distal ends of the leg supports, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Nybil Ghanem
  • Patent number: 9248329
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an exercise apparatus. In certain embodiments, an exercise apparatus comprises an exercise station coupled to a resistance system, the exercise station comprising a frame, an arm assembly, and a seat assembly comprising a seat, the seat having a first position and a second position and configured to move between the first and second positions, wherein the first position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting on the seat and wherein the second position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting in a wheelchair. In some embodiments, the seat assembly may comprise a biasing element which allows users to move the seat from the first position to the second position without needing to lift the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Gordon M. Heideman
  • Patent number: 9242139
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise apparatus for use in developing strength and flexibility in all muscular groups of a person's core as well as the major muscle groups of in the arms, legs and neck. The device uses an elastic ball and ball support to evenly distribute contact forces between the person's body and the device while preventing ball motion during stretching, exercising, and physical therapy. The exercise apparatus also comprises a torso support and a foot ladder to that are configured to provide stability and comfort to a user while enabling the user to undertake a multitude of optimal stretching, exercising and rehabilitation regimens. Additionally, the device may be used with free weights or elastic members. In some embodiments the exercise device further comprises elastic members comprised of elastic straps, wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to provide resistance directions, planes of motion, and range of motion to a user that are not achievable with other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Terry Reed Holley
  • Patent number: 9242138
    Abstract: A multifunctional elliptical trainer equipped with steps that have an increased size transverse to the motion trajectory thereof, allowing the foot of the user to be positioned perpendicular to the motion trajectory of said steps, wherein the steps can have an increased length allowing the user to take a wide stance for side-step movement, or normal size steps which can be rotated and repositioned to achieve the same result. In addition to imitating forward walking, the invention allows the user to do the following exercises: Lunges, side steps and crossover side steps, thus training the inner and outer leg muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Erzhan Karymgazyuly Mukenev
  • Patent number: 9239616
    Abstract: An apparatus simulates motion in a virtual environment. The apparatus has a constraining structure mechanically coupled to an adjustable user support system. Rotational movement of the human user is accommodated by rotation of the adjustable user support system within the constraining structure. A stationary friction reducing platform is proximate the constraining structure. A foot platform is configured to be worn on a foot of a human user. The foot platform is configured to engage the stationary friction reducing platform to simulate motion. A motion simulating device is proximate a foot of the human user. The motion simulating device is communicatively coupled to an electronic foot speed measurement device and an electronic measurement device. A measurement system communicatively coupled to the electronic measurement device and the electronic foot speed measurement device. The adjustable user support system is a user support and belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew Carrell