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).

  • Methods and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
    Publication number: 20020049123
    Abstract: A weight stack exercise machine includes a stack of primary weights movably mounted on a frame, and at least one counter-weight which is selectively alternated between an inactive state, supported by the frame, and an active state, exerting a counter-weight force relative to the top plate in the stack of primary weights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Convertible exercise apparatus with body supporting element
    Patent number: 6350221
    Abstract: An exercise system includes a body support which is movable between a first position which is suitable for exercise and a second position which is suitable for transportation and/or storage. On several of the depicted embodiments, the body support is a bench which is movable relative to a weight container, between a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight selection methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20020022559
    Abstract: Discrete weight selecting members are movably mounted on a handle assembly and selectively rotatable into engagement with respective weight plates to provide adjustable resistance to exercise movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • BALL-JUGGLING ROBOT
    Publication number: 20020005614
    Abstract: An amusement device, comprising two cooperating units. Each unit is equipped with a net for catching an incoming airborne ball, and a launcher for launching the ball, once caught. The two devices, if properly programmed, can juggle two, or more, balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: MARK A. KRULL, GREGORY WELTE
  • Coin display methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20020000387
    Abstract: A set of coins is arranged relative to a display having discrete regions associated with discrete coins within the set. In a preferred embodiment, the display is a map, and an opening is provided within the borders of or proximate to each state on the map in order to receive a respective coin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Gregory A. Welte
  • Adjustable weight exercise methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20020002106
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. At least one latch is movable into and out of engagement with desired weight plates to prevent movement of the engaged weight plates in a first direction, and thereby secure same relative to the handle. At least one catch is connected to the at least one latch and operable in a second, discrete direction to encourage the latch to remain engaged with the weight plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise weight selection methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20010051566
    Abstract: Exercise dumbbells have pairs of weights disposed at opposite ends of a handle. Selector rods are selectively movable into engagement with various combinations of the weights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Adjustable weight exercise methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 6322481
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle and weight plates maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. At least one latch is movable into and out of engagement with a desired amount of weight to prevent movement of the engaged weight plates in a first direction, and thereby secure same relative to the handle. At least one catch is connected to the at least one latch and operable in a second, discrete direction to encourage the latch to remain engaged with the weight plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Energy absorbing system for exercise equipment
    Publication number: 20010024998
    Abstract: An exercise device has a variable amount of energy absorbing material disposed in series between a body supporting member and an underlying floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Pat J. Novak, Mark A. Krull
  • Weight selection methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20010003723
    Abstract: Weight supporting members are rotated into engagement with respective weight plates to provide adjustable resistance to exercise movement. On a first embodiment, the weight supports are rigidly mounted on a selector rod and rotate together therewith. On a second embodiment, the weight supports are rotatably mounted on the selector rod and rotate relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight selection apparatus
    Patent number: 6186927
    Abstract: The selector rod has a dedicated engagement member for each of a plurality of aligned weight plates. Each engagement member is rigidly affixed to the selector rod at a discrete location along the longitudinal axis of the selector rod, and each engagement member extends radially outward from the selector rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Method and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
    Patent number: 6183401
    Abstract: Supplemental weights are disposed above a weight stack and are selectively movable into the path traversed by the top plate in the weight stack. The supplemental weights are maneuvered into and out of storage positions supported by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Multi-functional exercise methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 6183397
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has arm driven members and leg driven members which are movably mounted on a frame. The arm driven members are pivotal relative to the frame, and the leg driven members are movable through various paths relative to the frame. The arm driven members and the leg driven members may be connected to one another and/or the frame to provide facilitate different modes of exercise activity. Also, the leg driven members may be constrained to move through several different fixed paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh, Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise dumbbells
    Patent number: 6099442
    Abstract: An exercise dumbbell includes a handle and pairs of weights disposed on opposite sides of the handle and maintained in spaced relationship relative thereto. At least one latch is movable into and out of engagement with the weights to prevent movement of the weights in a first direction. At least one spring is connected to the at least one latch and operable in a second, discrete direction to encourage the latch to remain engaged with the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Exercise resistance methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 6033350
    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. The resulting adjustable resistance assembly may be used on dumbbells and/or weight stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Coin display methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 5988366
    Abstract: A set of coins is arranged relative to a display having discrete regions associated with discrete coins within the set. In a preferred embodiment, the display is a map, and an opening is provided within the borders of or proximate to each state on the map in order to receive a respective coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Gregory A. Welte
  • Methods and apparatus for adjusting resistance to exercise
    Patent number: 5944642
    Abstract: Supplemental weights are disposed above a weight stack and are selectively movable into the path traversed by the top plate in the weight stack. The supplemental weights are maneuvered into and out of storage positions on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight lifting exercise apparatus
    Patent number: 5935048
    Abstract: Supplemental weights are disposed above a weight stack and are selectively movable along a limited path onto the top plate in the weight stack. The supplemental weights may be moved into and out of a storage position by rotation and/or translation relative to the weight stack frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Weight stack methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 5876313
    Abstract: A selector rod is rotated into engagement with a desired weight within a weight stack to provide resistance to exercise movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Method and apparatus for amusing young children
    Patent number: 5827109
    Abstract: An amusement device for young children includes a cloth housing secured about a core such that peripherally distributed portions of the housing are relatively farther from the core and/or peripherally distributed gaps are defined between the housing and the core. In a preferred embodiment, the cloth housing is formed to assume a first geometric shape, which is substantially pyramidal, and the core is formed to assume a second, discrete geometric shape, which is substantially spherical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull