Patents Examined by Victor K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7922632
    Abstract: A multipurpose personal training device with a pair of press arms that can be set to numerous different lateral angles. Each press arm can be equipped with a functional trainer handle coupled by cable and pulleys to an adjustable weight engine. The final pulley at the end of each arm is free to rotate to any angle. In addition to exercises involving the arms, the device can supply a full complement of most standard training exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Body Solid Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng I Chou
  • Patent number: 7901336
    Abstract: The present invention is for the rehabilitation of stroke, brain or nerve damaged patients whose feet are paralyzed or unresponsive and must relearn lower leg and foot muscle control. A foot box can support a patient's foot with the foot box mounted above a flat base plate for movement by the patient. The foot box can be pivotally mounted by a swivel bearing to a shaft on the base plate with a forward end of the foot box supported by a wheel. A hemisphere support on the lower surface of the foot box permits movable support of the foot box when the swivel bearing is disengaged from the shaft and the wheel is raised. Attachments for the ends of handled pull cords are provided on the front corners and sides of the foot box. Pulleys on the base plate guide the pull cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: John Michael McDuffie
  • Patent number: 7874962
    Abstract: A wheelchair exercise apparatus has a platform which will support a wheelchair. The platform has an elongate slot which the driving wheels of the wheelchair can drop slightly into. An elongate roller, having a central axis which is vertically below the center line of the slot, is movable between a lowered position where it is substantially below the upper surface of the platform and a raised position where it projects through the slot and extends partially above the upper surface of the platform. A locking system holds the wheelchair while the roller is being moved to its raised position and during the exercise period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Larry Pestes
  • Patent number: 7867152
    Abstract: A collapsible device includes extendable hydraulic cylinders mounted on a base by swivel joints and which are amenable to use with a plurality of different grips whereby the device is amenable to a wide variety of exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Jesse Y. Harris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7857733
    Abstract: A device for stretching or flexing the calf muscles and tendons of the lower leg, the device in one embodiment having a base member formed with a 90 degree angle for positioning at the intersection of two walls and a floor, the base member having elevated non-skid planar surfaces emanating from the 90 degree angle to the edge of the base plate allowing a user to stand on the elevated non-skid surfaces with both feet and use one's body weight to stretch the calf muscles by lowering or raising ones heels below or above the plane of the elevated non-skid surface. In another embodiment, the device consists of a base member having a straight wall engaging edge with an upstanding wall, terminating in a flat planar surface and an angled ramp surface communicating between the flat upper surface and the base member, the calf stretcher allowing the user to stand on the base member and place selective right or left foot onto the ramp section for the respective stretching of the calf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Tsakiris
  • Patent number: 7850627
    Abstract: An exercise machine is provided. The exercise machine includes a support defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a first motion unit coupled to the support to provide a combined translational and pivotal movement of the first motion unit in the transverse direction, a second motion unit coupled to the first motion unit to provide one of a translational movement and a pivotal movement of the second motion unit in the longitudinal direction, and a driving source configured to impart movement to the first and second motion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Chul Woo, Jin Ho Chang, Seon Woong Hwang, Hyung Kyu Youk
  • Patent number: 7846073
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a leg exerciser device offering a pair of footplates arranged for inward and outward reciprocal movement along a respective pair of rails and whereby each of the footplates is operatively connected by way of support arms to a variable number of weights so as to increase the resistance offered by apparatus during an exercise routine. The path of travel of each footplate and the configuration of each arm is such that the vertical distance moved by the weights is greater than the vertical distance moved by each footplate during its reciprocal motion along the rails so as to enhance the degree of work undertaking during an exercise routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ENANEF Limited
    Inventor: Neil Summers
  • Patent number: 7837601
    Abstract: A method to prepare for and conduct an exercise using free weights while minimizing the risk of injury to an individual during the acquisition, use, and return of the free weights includes the step of providing a plurality of cylindrically-shaped free weight plates and a staging station. Each of the free weight plates is mounted on edge in an upright orientation in one of a plurality of detent units of the staging station at a height above the ground. A first one of the free weight plates is manually grasped and rolled from the detent unit onto a horizontally oriented support surface of the staging station, manually removed from the support surface, utilized to perform an exercise, manually returned to the support surface, and manually rolled on the peripheral edge of the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface into one of the detent units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mesacor, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Perry, Paul M. Picciano
  • Patent number: 7837599
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus to enable a user to perform upper extremity exercises. The apparatus includes an arm with one end connected to a base to securely support the arm while locating the other end adjacent to the user, proximate the user's upper extremities. The arm is formed with a plurality of joints at or between its ends, each joint having one or more rotational degrees of freedom while providing resistance to rotational movement in the one or more degrees of freedom, such that the free end of the arm can be moved in three dimensional space, and such that the arm is self-supporting. A manipulandum assembly including a plurality of manipulanda is attached to the free end of the arm, each manipulandum being positioned within hand grasping range of the user, and each manipulandum being or representing an object encountered in an upper extremity activity of the user's daily life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rehabtronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Kowalczewski, Arthur Prochazka
  • Patent number: 7833137
    Abstract: An exercise system includes a flexible attachment member sized for positioning between a shoe's tongue and laces that extends beneath a majority of the laces. The attachment member includes opposed first and second faces, the first face having hook and loop coupling elements of a first configuration, the second face having hook and loop coupling elements of a second configuration. The exercise system includes a plurality of weight members, each having a first face with hook and loop coupling elements of the first configuration and a second face with hook and loop coupling elements of the second configuration. The hook and loop coupling elements of the first and second configurations are complementary to one another to couple at least one weight members to the attachment member first or second face and couple at least one the weight members atop a respective weight member coupled to the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Shawn Garnuette
  • Patent number: 7833138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bi-directional exercising of upper body muscle groups including the steps of mounting lever arms for pivotal movement about primary and secondary axes; arranging the axes so that they are essentially perpendicular and intersect at a shoulder of a user, wherein the user exercises by grasping the lever arms and pivoting each of them independently about both axes simultaneously moving them close together from an extended position, with resistance opposing such exercise movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kent Fulks
  • Patent number: 7819781
    Abstract: Devices and methods providing for improved training of isolated regions of the human physiological system are disclosed and described herein. The devices and methods provide isolated training of muscle groups that may be transferrable to the sport of cycling or other athletic activities. An exercise apparatus is disclosed to enable training. In an embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a front portion adapted to provide a vertically supported hand support assembly. The apparatus further includes a back portion adapted to be coupled to the front portion. The back portion is constructed to present an exercise support member with at least one exercise support surface adapted to receive an exercise ball such that a user may grip at least one gripping member presented by the hand support assembly and position him or herself upon the exercise ball to perform exercises according to various aspects of the invention described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Brian Maldonado
  • Patent number: 7815552
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention involve an exercise device configurable to allow a user to perform various exercises. The exercise devices include an adjustable bench assembly connected with a frame supporting adjustable arm and cable-pulley assemblies providing a user interface with a resistance system. In some embodiments of the invention, the adjustable bench assembly includes a bench seat and a pivotal back support supported on an adjustable bench frame. The exercise devices also utilize various configurations of adjustable arm assemblies that are selectively positionable for numerous exercises and to suit a user's particular body size and shape. Other embodiments of the exercise devices include a resistance system with a transmission supporting a plurality of resistance packs. The transmission allows a user to conveniently engage any number of resistance packs to change the resistance level for a particular exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan R. Dibble, Patrick A. Warner, Eric D. Golesh, Brent Christopher
  • Patent number: 7811211
    Abstract: Principles of exercise machine construction, an exercise machine, components of an exercise machine, and methods related to exercising on or constructing an exercise machine that allows for the performance of multiple different exercises, where the user utilizes related arcs of an arm with a fixed path of motion for the different exercises. Generally the arcs will be utilized for both pull-type exercises and push-type exercises and/or for diverging and converging exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas J. Habing
  • Patent number: 7806814
    Abstract: An exercise device having many advantageous features is described, including the ability to provide a combination of grips to the user, and the ability to easily mount the device to a wall. One exercise device described is an inelastic resistance device having a combination grip that includes hand grips and a loop. The hand grip and loop may be used as a foot grip, or alternatively, just the hand grip can be used by the hand. The selection of a specific accessory grip allows the user to exercise by specific body parts and provides for a greater number of possible exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fitness AnyWhere, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Hetrick
  • Patent number: 7803096
    Abstract: An exercise machine which has a base with at least three spaced apart legs and two spaced apart handles attached to the base. A rocker assembly that includes a rocker fastener and first and second sets of spaced apart brackets is provided where the second set of brackets rotates relative to the first set of brackets along a longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation passes between the handles and is substantially parallel to the handles and the second set of brackets rotates only about the longitudinal axis of rotation. The first set of brackets is secured to the base and the second set of brackets is secured to the underside of a rotation assembly. The rotation assembly is coupled to a seat to enable rotation of the seat relative to the second set of brackets. The rotation assembly includes a stop to limit rotation of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Je Matadi, Inc.
    Inventor: Pershant Mehta
  • Patent number: 7798945
    Abstract: An adjustable exercising device includes two grip members, each including a lateral coupling seat having a plurality of inserting holes disposed on a front end thereof and an engaging device mounted thereon. Each of a plurality of resilient straps has a connector fixed on each of two ends thereof. Each connector includes an engagement slot or engagement bore arranged on one side thereof, so that the connectors are inserted to the inserting holes to be retained by the engaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ming-Jen Ko
  • Patent number: 7794373
    Abstract: A dumbbell is described including a handle having a grip and at least one end, an inner plate mounted on the handle adjacent the grip, in a fixed rotational orientation, a support plate rotationally mounted on the handle adjacent the inner plate, at least one collar rotationally mounted on the handle adjacent the support plate, and rotationally fixed with the support plate, a selector knob rotationally mounted on the handle adjacent the at least one collar, and rotationally fixed with the collar, a weight plate removably mounted on the handle adjacent the at least one collar, and a means for selectively securing the support plate to the inner plate to resist the rotation of the support plate, collar and selector knob with respect to the inner plate and handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Crawford, Patrick A. Warner, Eric D. Golesh, Edward L. Flick, Lopin Wang
  • Patent number: 7794372
    Abstract: A leg press machine has a floor engaging main frame, a user support pivot, a user support assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame via the user support pivot, and a pivotally mounted exercise arm assembly having a main exercise arm and a user engaging footplate. A connecting link, which may be a direct connection between the user support and exercise arm, translates movement of the exercise arm assembly to movement of the user support assembly so that pivotal movement in the exercise arm assembly results in a self-aligning, pivoting movement of the user support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Bruce Hockridge, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7794376
    Abstract: An abdominal muscle exercise machine that generally contains a diagonal member with an adjustable seat and a backrest and a pivot member that pivots with respect to the diagonal member. A chest push can be mechanically coupled to the pivot member through an adjustable force multiplier. An optional counterweight can be placed near one end of the pivot member to lighten the force, or an optional load weight can be placed near the other end of the pivot member to increase the force. The pivot member can be constructed to telescope or otherwise adjust for different body sizes. The machine provides a smooth exercise where the top and bottom portions of the body move together in a linked fashion. The machine of the present invention works without heavy external weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Body Solid, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng I. Chou