Patents by Inventor Francois Van Der Hoeven

Francois Van Der Hoeven 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).

  • Patent number: 5820535
    Abstract: The present invention improves on prior art abdominal exercisers with horizontally slidable members by providing a large contact area for a subject's abdomen that maximizes the size of the abdominal region that is exercised and increases user comfort compared to prior art devices. In the preferred embodiment, the contact device comprises a substantially convex shape with respect to the vertical dimension of a subject's abdomen, a substantially flat shape with respect to the horizontal dimension of a subject's abdomen, and an outline that is shaped like a disk with a flattened top and bottom, thereby engaging a larger abdominal area than prior art devices. A vertical channel and two horizontal channels divide the device into six sections that make separate contact with a subject's abdomen. In a preferred embodiment, the individual sections have padded surfaces to increase user comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Six-Pack, LLC
    Inventors: Martin A. Van Der Hoeven, Jaeson Cayne, Francois Van Der Hoeven
  • Patent number: D404446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Six-Pack, LLC
    Inventors: Martin A. Van Der Hoeven, Jaeson Cayne, Francois Van Der Hoeven