Patents Examined by Victor K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7785244
    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 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fitness Anywhere Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Hetrick
  • Patent number: 7780576
    Abstract: A resistance tubing fitness system and method for climbing walls. The system and method provides a plurality of cooperating components which permit a user to enhance workout activities at a climbing wall. The system may include a guide, instruction cards, resistance bands, handles and hand holds designed to receive a resistance band, step holds and usage and safety instructions. In use, students may perform lateral raises, bicep curls, step-ups and other exercises at designated workout stations at the climbing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Everlast Climbing Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sudeith, Kevin Sudeith, Lyle Helke, John Kidd
  • Patent number: 7771323
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a leg exercise arm assembly pivotally attached to a frame or user support assembly. A user can perform leg extension exercises and leg curl exercises with the leg exercise arm assembly. The exercise apparatus also includes a wrist roller assembly that is also pivotally attached to the user support assembly, frame, or leg exercise arm assembly. The wrist roller assembly can be locked into at least one storage position that allows a user to perform leg extension and leg curl exercises without interference from the wrist roller assembly and locked into at least one use position that allows a user to perform wrist rolling exercises. The wrist roller assembly includes a flexible line that can be connected to a high station free flexible line end, a mid section free flexible line end, or a low section free flexible line end based on the ratio of resistance desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Roger Batca
  • Patent number: 7771322
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a leg exercise arm assembly pivotally attached to a frame or user support assembly. A user can perform leg extension exercises and/or leg curl exercises with the leg exercise arm assembly. The exercise apparatus also includes a wrist roller assembly that is also pivotally attached to the user support assembly, frame, or leg exercise arm assembly. The wrist roller assembly can be locked into a first position that allows the user to perform leg extension and leg curl exercises without interference from the wrist roller assembly and a second position that allows a user to perform wrist rolling exercises. A flexible line interconnects the leg exercise arm assembly with the wrist roller assembly as well as connecting the leg exercise arm assembly and the wrist roller assembly directly or indirectly with a resistance element. The flexible line maintains a substantially constant tension whether the wrist roller assembly is locked into a first position or into a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Roger Batca
  • Patent number: 7766801
    Abstract: A method of using an exercise device by following guidelines from a selected strength chart, hypertrophy chart, power chart or endurance chart. The exercise device includes a vertical support member; an adjustable incline having a first end and a second end, the first end of the adjustable incline adjustably supported by, and vertically movable with respect to, the vertical support member for adjusting the incline of the adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline; first and second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or more cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled to the user support platform for movement of the support platform along the adjustable incline through cable movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Engineering Fitness International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campanaro, Joy L. Campanaro, Dan McCutcheon, Douglas Dale McMurray
  • Patent number: 7753828
    Abstract: A jump rope simulator for aerobic and anaerobic exercise having a hand-held unit comprising a handle, a base length connected to the handle, and one or more concatenated extension lengths attached to the base length. To exercise, the user grasps one or two units, imitates the motions of swinging a conventional jump rope, and jumps up and down, but there is no risk to the user of tripping over a rope as with a conventional jump rope. If the user desires, two units may also be linked together with an easily attachable connector to form a device similar to a conventional jump rope. A user can quickly convert between the two configurations of the jump rope simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Cynthia L. Joy, Kenneth R. Johnson, F. Michael Sophir
  • Patent number: 7740568
    Abstract: The present invention is a weight exercise machine for use by a user. The machine comprises an exercise member, a plurality of weights, and an index. The user exerts an exercise force against the exercise member when using the machine to exercise. The index is rotated to operably couple the exercise member to at least one of the weight plates such that the displacement of the exercise member causes the at least one of the weight plates to displace. The plurality of weight plates includes a first weight plate type and a second weight plate type having configurations and masses that differ. The index allows selection of different combinations of weight plates for operable coupling to the exercise member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Webb
  • Patent number: 7736284
    Abstract: A hand-grip accessory includes a body having a deformably resilient cylindrical shape provided with open end portions and an axial bore formed therebetween. The body further has separable longitudinal edge portions adapting the body between expanded and equilibrium arrangements such that the apparatus can be nested about a dumbbell. The accessory further includes a mechanism for tethering the body to a user's wrist such that the apparatus can be maintained within a restricted spatial distance from the user during operating conditions. The tethering mechanism includes a lanyard having oppositely situated looped end portions securely coupled to the body and removably positional about the user's wrist respectively. One of the looped end portions has a fixed diameter while another of the looped end portions preferably includes a coupling slidably mated to the lanyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: George S. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7731639
    Abstract: Weight bench having a frame that rests on the floor, a seat mounted on the frame, a backrest pivotally mounted on the frame to the rear of the seat for movement between horizontal, inclined, and declined positions relative to the seat, a plurality of resilient elements which can be selectively connected between the backrest and the frame for lifting the backrest toward the inclined position, a swinging arm pivotally mounted to the frame in front of the seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, a weight bar extending laterally from a free end of the swinging arm for engagement by the legs of a person doing leg exercises, a handle attached to the swinging arm for engagement by the hands of a person sitting on the seat for doing upper body and arm exercises, and weights stored in holders attached to the frame for attachment to the weight bar and for manual use in doing exercises that do not involve the weight bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
  • Patent number: 7727128
    Abstract: A leg press exercise machine that provides translational and rotational motion of the user support structure by translating the user support structure along two intersecting non-orthogonal linear paths. A front portion of the user support structure travels along an inclining linear path and a rear portion of the user support structure travels along a declining linear path. The translation of the user support structure along the inclining and declining linear paths results in the user support structure exhibiting a rational motion, defining an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Giannelli, Stephen C. Wendt, Scott Lee, Scott Sechrest, Gary Lurken, Arnold B. Gillen
  • Patent number: 7727126
    Abstract: An automated jump rope exercising device includes a frame, a power operated primary drive pulley system, and a plurality of auxiliary driven pulley systems that may be operably coupled to the primary drive pulley system. Each of the auxiliary driven pulley systems may be simultaneously rotated in a first synchronous path during operating conditions based upon input from the primary drive pulley. The device may further include a plurality of arms that may be conjoined to the auxiliary driven pulley systems respectively. A plurality of ropes may be detachably anchored to the arms, and each of the ropes may be simultaneously rotated during operating conditions. A user interface may be coupled to the primary drive pulley system thereby permitting the user to selectively adjust a tension level and rotational speed of the ropes during operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Tommie Foster, Belvie Foster
  • Patent number: 7727129
    Abstract: A dual lift apparatus is provided for use by up to two people to perform the same lifts and exercises simultaneously. The apparatus includes a frame, guide rods, weight guides and a weight bar. The guide rods are coupled vertically within the frame and the frame provides support for the weights to be lifted. The weight guide is operatively coupled to the guide rods, the weight guide having rollers and a lock device to allow the weight guide to move along a length of the guide rods and also to be locked at a particular position on the guide rods. The weight bar is coupled to the weight guide and provides the weight to be lifted by users. The apparatus may also include at least two benches to allow up to two people to use the apparatus simultaneously and each bench is independently adjustable to accommodate different sized users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Danny Jay Goddard
  • Patent number: 7722510
    Abstract: A two-section physical-exercise elastic cudgel comprises a first carbon-fiber rod and a second carbon-fiber rod. The first carbon-fiber rod has a rod body, a first joint end with a first handle structure, and a first balance-weight end with a balance weight. The first handle structure has a handlebar, a male connection block, a supporter and a sleeve ring. The second carbon-fiber rod has a rod body, a second joint end with a second handle structure, and a second balance-weight end with a balance weight. The second handle structure has a handlebar, a female connection block, a supporter and a sleeve ring. The first handle structure is connected with the second handle structure via engagement of the male connection block and the female connection block to form a complete handle, whereby the first carbon-fiber rod and the second carbon-fiber rod form an easy-to-assemble, easy-to-disassemble, easy-to-carry and easy-to-collect two-section physical-exercise elastic cudgel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Jheng-Gang Jhu
  • Patent number: 7722508
    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 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Fitness Anywhere, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Hetrick
  • Patent number: 7717832
    Abstract: A shoulder press exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame movably mounted on the frame for supporting a user in an exercise ready position, at least one exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames and movable between a start position in which handles are located in front of the shoulders of a user on the user support frame and an end position in which the handles are located above the head of the user. A connecting linkage connects movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, so that movement of the exercise arm from the start to the end position simultaneously moves the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine. The combined motion of the user, user support frame and exercise arm between the start and end position substantially replicates the natural movement of the upper part of a human body when performing a free weight shoulder press exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Webber, Jeffrey O. Meredith
  • Patent number: 7717833
    Abstract: Disclosed are adjustable exercise machines, apparatuses, and systems. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically include an adjustable, reversible mechanism that utilizes pivoting arms and a floating pulley. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically are configured for performing pushing and pulling exercises and may provide for converging and diverging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Westin W. Nelson, Lee M. Atwood, Aaron J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7708672
    Abstract: A weight system includes a selector configured to selectively couple incremental weights that extend through a weight stack to a weight lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald S. Gibson, Blakely T. Pennington, David L. Albert
  • Patent number: 7704200
    Abstract: The invention concerns an exercise apparatus, especially for exercising the back musculature of a user (10) with a support surface (110) to accommodate the user (10) along the longitudinal axis (30). The reclining area (112) of the support surface (110) is largely formed by a number of transverse elements (120, 120a) arranged in succession on the longitudinal axis (30), which accommodates the user (10) preferably in the prone position, the transverse elements (120, 120a) being mounted to pivot around the longitudinal axis (30) to execute a see-saw movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Mehrdad Rahimi
  • Patent number: 7699756
    Abstract: An apparatus for removably mounting an exercise apparatus to a supporting structure such as a ladder-like structure. Various types of mounting apparatus with specially designed brackets having multiple interchangeable parts, attachments and accessories, are used to facilitate easy and quick mounting of several types of exercise apparatus to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: BVP Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Piane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7686745
    Abstract: Posture improvement by conducting a set of stretch protocols with an inelastic strap which lengthen front torso muscles in order to reduce forward head position, and to decrease rounded shoulders. Posture improvement is monitored by periodically taking hip to rib, sternum to shoulder, and shoulder to shoulder measurements. The protocols may be performed at home, or in groups such as company sponsored activity. The strap may include markings to permit a participant to readily determine desired hand positions on the strap for a stretch protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Cynthia N. Koch