Patents Examined by Victor K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7549951
    Abstract: A hand-weight cradle apparatus includes a first cradle/base module which includes a base portion, a cradle portion, and base-to-cradle connection means connected between the base portion and the cradle portion. A second cradle/base module includes a base portion and a cradle portion, and base-to-cradle connection means connected between the base portion and the cradle portion, and a first bridge member is connected between the first cradle/base module and the second cradle/base module. A third cradle/base module can be provided which includes a base portion, a cradle portion, and base-to-cradle connection means connected between the base portion and the cradle portion. Also, a second bridge member is connected between the second cradle/base module and the third cradle/base module. The hand-weight cradle apparatus of the invention is especially useful for a person who is sitting on the seat of a wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Scrivens
  • Patent number: 7547268
    Abstract: Weights are disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and selector rods are selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of weights on each side of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7540832
    Abstract: An exercise device including one or more weight stacks moveably supported on a frame. Each weight stack includes one or more weight plates that may be selectively engaged by way of a dial arrangement operably coupled with the weight stack. The dial arrangement is connected with a selection member that extends through a selection aperture in the weight plates. Each selection aperture defines a unique contour with at least one engaging surface, such as a tab. The selection member has corresponding protrusions adapted to engage the engaging surface of the weight plate. Each dial arrangement may be configured so that the weight stack may only be actuated when the selection member is properly positioned so that the protrusions properly engage the engaging surfaces. By adjusting the dial setting, the selection member is rotated so that one or more of the various protrusions engage associated engaging surfaces in order to engage some combination of weight plates. Upon actuation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7537551
    Abstract: Bidirectional resistance apparatus for exercise equipment are disclosed. An example exercise apparatus comprises a resistance source coupled to a cable between first and second ends of the cable, a rotational resistance mechanism coupled to the first and second ends of the cable, and an exercise arm coupled to the rotational resistance mechanism to rotate in first and second directions, the rotational resistance mechanism to apply a substantially constant resistance to the exercise arm when the exercise arm is rotated in the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Clay Steffee
  • Patent number: 7537547
    Abstract: A bicep exercising device has a frame with a housing, and a elbow cradle to hold the elbow in a chosen flexed position. The elbow cradle is adjustably attached to a frame and a rotatable handle grip. This allows for comfortable position of the hand in a palm down position and the elbow in a flexed position between about 179 degrees and 15 degrees. The handle rotates 180 degrees or more, thus allowing for full supination of the forearm. Using a supination motion of the forearm a user can exercise the bicep muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Inventors: Colton D. Hosick, Albert W. Gebhard
  • Patent number: 7534198
    Abstract: A dumbbell supporting apparatus having a matching pair of stanchions and a matching pair of stands, each stand for optional combined use with the castered stanchions. The adjustable height cradle positions of each stanchion position a removably placed dumbbell at least 25 inches outwardly from the upright of each stanchion, thereby providing clearance for exercise. Each stand can store weights, and each stand is selectively and elastomerically hooked to a stanchion, providing for stanchion retreat from an exerciser with the dumbbell lifted from the stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Fredric D. Strong
  • Patent number: 7530934
    Abstract: An exercise machine including a frame and a drive arm pivotedly engaged to the frame, for example, on an upright thereof. A cylinder is mounted at one point to the frame and, at a removed end of a plunger, has links or rod members to engage the removed end of the plunger to the frame and also to the drive arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Garner
  • Patent number: 7527582
    Abstract: An exercise device comprising a bar, a weight assembly, an end plate and a securing member. The bar comprises an end portion onto which the weight assembly is mounted. The securing member co-operates with the end plate to secure the weight assembly to the end portion of the bar. The end plate is rotationally fixed relative to the weight assembly to mitigate against loosening of the securing member during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Escape Fitness Limited
    Inventor: Richard Zdzislaw Januszek
  • Patent number: 7520843
    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. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes three guide rods coupled vertically within the frame. The three guide rods include two side guide rods and a middle guide rod that is positioned at about the center point between the two side guide rods. The apparatus may include a weight holder positioned at about the center point of the weight bar so that the weight is more evenly distributed between the two lifters. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an adapter for switching between a roller weight guide and a linear bearing weight guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Dan Goddard
  • Patent number: 7520844
    Abstract: The present invention provides a weight exercise device for use with dumbbells. The weight exercise device is an elongated J-shaped device having a support member with an elongated belt passage at the top thereof. An elongated channel being the lower section of the J-shaped device is attached to the bottom of the support member for holding the dumbbell. The dumbbell retention means is either an integral part of the J-shaped device or is an separate device for removable placed thereon. The J-shaped device includes the means for attaching said support member to the user; a support member; the means for supporting a dumbbell, said dumbbell supporting means being attached to said support member; and the means for insuring the retention of said dumbbell in said dumbbell supporting means while being used by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas Flynn
  • Patent number: 7507189
    Abstract: An exercise device including one or more weight stacks moveably supported on a frame. Each weight stack includes one or more weight plates that may be selectively engaged by way of a dial arrangement operably coupled with the weight stack. The dial arrangement is connected with a selection member that extends through a selection aperture in the weight plates. Each selection aperture defines a unique contour with at least one engaging surface, such as a tab. The selection member has corresponding protrusions adapted to engage the engaging surface of the weight plate. Each dial arrangement may be configured so that the weight stack may only be actuated when the selection member is properly positioned so that the protrusions properly engage the engaging surfaces. By adjusting the dial setting, the selection member is rotated so that one or more of the various protrusions engage associated engaging surfaces in order to engage some combination of weight plates. Upon actuation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7503881
    Abstract: An exercise machine with a bench press and a pair of weight stacks, which are operationally connected to a lifting bar of a barbell. Pushing motion on the lifting bar transmits the force to a series of wheels connected by flexible bands and to a pair of weight stacks positioned behind the bench press. The weight members of the weight stack are connected by pins, such that upward movement of the uppermost weight members causes pulling force to be applied to successive lower weight members one at a time, thereby allowing incremental increase in the resistance force to the lifting motion of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: Leonard Charles Quick, Brandt Michael Quick
  • Patent number: 7503880
    Abstract: An 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; and a non-motorized lift assist mechanism coupled to the adjustable incline and configured to impart a force on the adjustable incline to assist a user in adjusting the incline of the adjustable incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Engineering Fitness International Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Campanaro, Joy L. Campanaro, Dan McCutcheon, Douglas Dale McMurray
  • Patent number: 7503882
    Abstract: A multiple exercise performance or positioning apparatus comprising a generally upright stationary frame on which is mounted an elongated arm mechanism which is mounted on a pivot mechanism, the arm mechanism extending from a proximal end to a distal end relative to the frame, the pivot mechanism enabling pivoting of the arm mechanism such that the distal end of the arm mechanism is adjustably movable between positions of variable distance away from the frame, wherein a cable mechanism is mounted around one or more pulleys, the cable mechanism having a first end interconnected to a handle mechanism which is mounted at the distal end of the elongated arm mechanism, the cable mechanism being interconnected to a weight resistance mechanism such that a user may grasp and pull the handle mechanism against an opposing force exerted by the weight resistance mechanism through the cable mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cybex International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sechrest, Raymond Giannelli, Stephen C. Wendt, Scott Lee
  • Patent number: 7497814
    Abstract: At least one set of weights is arranged into a stack for selective connection to a weight lifting member. On some embodiments, a vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath the weight lifting member, and at least one selector rod is rotatably mounted on the weight lifting member and selectively rotated into engagement with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. On some embodiments, a horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of the weight lifting member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the weight lifting member and selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. The horizontal stack of weights may be used to supplement the vertical stack of weights, or on an independent exercise device, such as a dumbbell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7497813
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Weight selectors are movable into and out of engagement with different combinations of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the handle. The weight selectors are preferably nested within respective ends of the handle member and accessible via upwardly opening slots in the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7494451
    Abstract: A barbell collar apparatus features an elastomeric, flexible cylinder with a magnetic inner and an outer layer. Magnets are disposed adjacent to the inner layer, in various arrangement embodiments, to selectively secure the apparatus to a bar, typically disposed immediately adjacent to weights chosen, so that weights are retained against shifting and slippage along the bar. The apparatus is spread apart as needed for installation and removal from a bar. The apparatus is provided in pairs. The apparatus is provided in various colors to be easily identified and located. The light weight of the apparatus provides that additions to the weight and bar are negated in figuring the total weight lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Kervin R. Ramos
  • Patent number: 7491157
    Abstract: A weight-adjustable dumbbell includes a dumbbell shell unit, a weight unit, and an insert pin unit. The dumbbell shell unit includes a shell body confining a receiving space, and a weight selector rod connected to the shell body, extending into the receiving space, and formed with through holes registered with insert holes in the shell body. The weight unit is extended removably into the receiving space via an open bottom of the shell body, and includes a base member provided with two positioning posts, and weight pieces stacked on the base member. Each weight piece is formed with a rod hole for extension of the weight selector rod, and two post holes for extension of the positioning posts. The insert pin unit includes an insert pin inserted removably into a selected insert hole and extending removably through a corresponding through hole in the weight selector rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Regent Limited
    Inventor: William Lin
  • Patent number: 7491159
    Abstract: A resistance assembly for a hydraulic resistance exercise apparatus includes a single-action hydraulic cylinder having a longitudinal axis and extending from a first end to a second end. The single-action cylinder provides resistance to compression of the cylinder, one end toward the other, but provides little or no resistance to extension of the cylinder, one end away from the other. A first compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a first exercise resistance lever in a first direction. A second compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a second exercise resistance lever in a second direction directly opposed to the first direction. An engagement exercise lever includes an engagement pin for selectively engaging the engagement exercise lever to move in fixed relation to one or the other the first or second exercise levers in both the first and second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Gary W. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7488277
    Abstract: A weight lifting frame system with a rear frame member, first and second side frame members coupled to opposite ends of the rear frame member and a barbell holding and guiding assembly capable of releasably securing a barbell for selectively guided movement of the barbell relative to the side frame members. The assembly is configured to receive and releasably retain the barbell therein, and includes first and second guide members coupleable to the side frame members, and first and second movable holders coupleable to the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Knapp