Patents by Inventor Mark A. Krull

Mark A. Krull 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).

  • Amusement methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 8142252
    Abstract: Items are releasably interconnected to one another to create amusing assemblies. In one particular application, a humanoid figurine is mounted on a base, which in turn, is mounted on an article of clothing. For example, a LEGO figurine is press fitted onto a base, and the base is secured beneath a closure on a shoe. In another example, the base is secured to the bill of a visor. In still other examples, the base is secured to a shirt pocket or a shirt button. In various applications, the base is configured to support the figurine in more than one orientation. Furthermore, the base or other first item may be provided with one or more walls that surround the figurine or other second item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise resistance apparatus
    Patent number: 8137248
    Abstract: A vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath a base member, and at least one selector rod is mounted on the base member and selectively engaged with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. A horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the base member selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. Various combinations of these arrangements may be used to provide adjustable resistance to exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Adjustable weight kettlebell apparatus
    Patent number: 8033965
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that houses a vertical stack of weights. Shelves on the housing portion of the weight lifting member are rotatable into and out of underlying engagement with respective weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight selection methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 8002678
    Abstract: Exercise dumbbells are made with weights at opposite ends of a handle member. Exercise kettlebells are made with weights beneath a handle member. The weights may be selectively connected to the handle members using knobs and springs, for example, to alternatively hold the selector members in weight engaging positions and weight releasing positions. The dumbbells and the kettlebells may be made using some of the same components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Kettlebell apparatus
    Patent number: 7981013
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise weight selection methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7981012
    Abstract: A weight lifting member is configured to accommodate a plurality of weights. A selector rod is movably mounted on the weight lifting member for rotation about an axis to selective engage and disengage a first subset of the weights, and for movement axially to selectively engage and disengage a second subset of the weights. A latch must be moved in order to release the selector rod for movement relative to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Adjustable weight kettlebell
    Patent number: 7976443
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Methods and apparatus for supporting selectorized dumbbells
    Patent number: 7914424
    Abstract: Various exercise systems include first and second selectorized dumbbell assemblies; and a frame having first and second weight supports to support respective dumbbell assemblies. Generally speaking, the systems assume multiple configurations to facilitate both use and storage of the dumbbell assemblies. Many of the systems include at least one body supporting platform that is movable between a first position that is suitable for exercise, and a second position that is suitable for transportation and/or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise weight stack methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7766800
    Abstract: Weights are arranged in a vertical stack and movably mounted on a frame. On some embodiments, variable length members are provided to exert upward force against a weight supporting member associated with the stack when the weight supporting member is proximate its rest position relative to the frame. On other embodiments, the weights are rotated relative to the frame to selectively engage and disengage the weights for purposes of providing resistance to exercise motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Kettlebell methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20100120589
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Adjustable weight kettlebell
    Publication number: 20100120588
    Abstract: An adjustable weight kettlebell includes a weight lifting member that rests on top of a vertical stack of weights. A weight selector is rotatable into and out of underlying engagement of the weight plates to secure a desired amount of mass to the weight lifting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight selection methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7648448
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Knobs on the handle member have contoured bearing surfaces that bear against respective selector members to alternatively hold the selector members in weight engaging positions and disengaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise weight adjustment methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7625322
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Weight selectors are rotatable 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 selectively underlie peripheral portions the weights to secure the weights to the handle member. Different arrangements may be used to bias the weight selectors toward desired orientations relative to the weight plates, and/or to lock the weight selectors in desired orientations relative to the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise dumbbell methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7621855
    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 routed through the hand grip portion of the handle member, and are accessible via upwardly opening slots in the weight plates. Different latching arrangements may be used to releasably latch the weight selectors in desired locations relative to the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7614984
    Abstract: A hand-held exercise device includes left and right handles that rotate through respective paths about an axis that is centrally located between the handles. In one mode of operation, the device is rotated while walking to enhance aerobic exercise. In another mode of operation, a strap is secured between the device and at least one of a person's lower limbs to link rotation of the device to movement of the person's hands and at least one of the person's lower limbs toward one another, thereby assisting the person in the performance of abdominal exercises and/or muscle stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Apparatus for adjusting weight resistance to exercise
    Patent number: 7614983
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle member and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship at opposite ends thereof. Weight selectors are rotatable 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 occupy respective upwardly closed notches in the weights to secure the weights to the handle member. Different arrangements may be used to bias the weight selectors toward desired orientations relative to the weight plates, and/or to lock the weight selectors in desired orientations relative to the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise resistance methods and apparatus
    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
  • Door stop
    Patent number: D601413
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventors: Leah Wise, Rona Shepherd, Mark A. Krull, Darrin M. Swagel
  • Exercise kettlebell
    Patent number: D628251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Darrin M. Swagel
  • Golf tee
    Patent number: D651266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Darrin M. Swagel, Mark A. Krull