Patents by Inventor David C. Pratson
David C. Pratson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9242143Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: iStep Global, LLCInventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Axel Mnich, Jeff Harlan
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Publication number: 20140302974Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: iStep Global, LLCInventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Axel Mnich, Jeff Harlan
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Patent number: 8753252Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: iStep Global, LLCInventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Axel Mnich, Jeff Harlan
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Patent number: 8632440Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a person's weight. A first inflatable tubular support includes a fastener for clamping the platform to a top surface of the first tubular support. A second inflatable tubular support includes a fastener for fastening a top surface of the second inflatable tubular support to a bottom surface of the first inflatable tubular support. The first inflatable tubular support is inflatable to a first inflation pressure and the second inflatable tubular support is inflatable to a second inflation pressure separately and independently from the first inflation pressure to effect a vertical instability and a horizontal instability of the rigid platform relative to a support surface under the second tubular support.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: iStep Global, LLCInventors: David C. Pratson, Tien Le, John Cole, Irene Elisa Mnich
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Publication number: 20130260971Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Axel Mnich, Jeff Harlan
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Patent number: 8460161Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: iStep Global, LLCInventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Jeff Harlan, Irene Elisa Mnich
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Publication number: 20110111935Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: ISTEP GLOBAL, LLCInventors: John Cole, David C. Pratson, Tien Le, Jeff Harlan, Axel Mnich, Irene Elisa Mnich
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Patent number: 7722506Abstract: An exercise for step aerobics, games, and proprioceptive input training. The device features a rigid platform supported by a resilient inflated tubular sidewall. The sidewall may be of a single tube or a plurality of tubular members engaged on top of each other. Inflation pressure of said sidewall provides an adjustment of the resilience thereby adjusting instability of the platform in the horizontal and vertical directions. Instability in the vertical direction provides a cushioning to users in a step aerobics exercise while instability in both direction provides a manner for a user moving or exercising on the platform to obtain proprioceptive input training.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: iStep Global, LLCInventors: David C. Pratson, Axel Mnich, Tien Le, John Cole
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Publication number: 20100087300Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a person's weight. A first inflatable tubular support includes a fastener for clamping the platform to a top surface of the first tubular support. A second inflatable tubular support includes a fastener for fastening a top surface of the second inflatable tubular support to a bottom surface of the first inflatable tubular support. The first inflatable tubular support is inflatable to a first inflation pressure and the second inflatable tubular support is inflatable to a second inflation pressure separately and independently from the first inflation pressure to effect a vertical instability and a horizontal instability of the rigid platform relative to a support surface under the second tubular support.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: ISTEP GLOBAL, LLCInventors: David C. Pratson, Tien Le, John Cole, Irene Elisa Mnich
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Publication number: 20080220944Abstract: An exercise for step aerobics, games, and proprioceptive input training. The device features a rigid platform supported by a resilient inflated tubular sidewall. The sidewall may be of a single tube or a plurality of tubular members engaged on top of each other. Inflation pressure of said sidewall provides an adjustment of the resilience thereby adjusting instability of the platform in the horizontal and vertical directions. Instability in the vertical direction provides a cushioning to users in a step aerobics exercise while instability in both direction provides a manner for a user moving or exercising on the platform to obtain proprioceptive input training.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: David C. Pratson, Axel Mnich, Tien Le, John Cole
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Patent number: 5455969Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a user's knee or other joint which comprises two generally semi-cylindrical rigid members each having semi-hemispherical overlapping portions and hingedly connected to allow a movement of the joint. Additional features of the protector include a replaceable inner pad, easily releasable and reusable hinges which provide the only attachment means for inner padding of the protector, replaceable outer attachment strips which may be made of varying materials which provide different adhesion properties, slightly elastic straps, and an attachment clip which adjustably attaches to one end of a strap and securely and releaseably attaches to a buckle located on a side edge of the rigid semi-cylindrical member.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: Knee-Pro Industries, Inc.Inventors: David C. Pratson, Charles B. Knox