Patents by Inventor Stephen P. Ihli

Stephen P. Ihli 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: 11745040
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a seat to accommodate a person in a seated position, an upper back rest to support the person's back, a foot rest to the person's feet, and a lap engaging member spanning the person's lap. A first resistance device is connected to opposite ends of the lap engaging member to resist movement of the lap engaging member away from the seat. A second resistance device is connected to a handle to resist movement of the handle from a position behind the back rest toward the back rest. A person sits on the seat and performs a combination exercise involving both: (a) a hip thrust exercise, wherein the person thrusts her hips and the lap engaging member upward and away from the seat; and (b) a lat pull down exercise, wherein the person pulls the handle from an arm's length distance behind the back support to a position more proximate the upper back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: 11491363
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a resistance device including left and right sheaves and associated rewind mechanisms. Left and right cords are routed from the sheaves through left and right swivel pulleys to left and right force receiving members. A person stands on a foot platform and exercises by using her arms and/or her legs to pull the cords from the sheaves. The person may stabilize herself by placing one or both hands on handlebars when those hands are not involved in the pulling activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Expectations, LLC
    Inventors: Rylie Teeter Leier, Nicholas M. Soller, Christopher H. Leier, Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Publication number: 20200289872
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a resistance device including left and right sheaves and associated rewind mechanisms. Left and right cords are routed from the sheaves through left and right swivel pulleys to left and right force receiving members. A person stands on a foot platform and exercises by using her arms and/or her legs to pull the cords from the sheaves. The person may stabilize herself by placing when one or both hands on handlebars when those hands are not involved in the pulling activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Expectations, LLC
    Inventors: Rylie Teeter Leier, Nicholas M. Soller, Christopher H. Leier, Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: 10512812
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is extracted from a housing when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is rotatably mounted within the housing. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution relative to the housing. In the absence of user applied force, a rewind spring draws the cable back into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: 10398919
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is pulled from a sheave when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is linked to the sheave. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without adversely affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Publication number: 20180280753
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is extracted from a housing when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is rotatably mounted within the housing. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution relative to the housing. In the absence of user applied force, a rewind spring draws the cable back into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Publication number: 20180021617
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is pulled from a sheave when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is linked to the sheave. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without adversely affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: 8998779
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is extracted from a housing when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is rotatably mounted within the housing. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and at least one tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the at least one tension band without affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia associated with rotation of the knob show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8684892
    Abstract: A jump rope has a flexible rope interconnected between left and right handles. Each handle includes two elongate half-pipe members that are held together by a sleeved collar at one end and a sleeved end cap at the other end. On each handle, a rope holder includes a rotor portion rotatably retained within the handle, and a clamping portion configured to releasably clamp a cross-section of the rope. Tubular elastomeric hand grips are preferably sleeved onto intermediate portions of respective handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8622879
    Abstract: Exercise shoe assemblies include a shoe body, at least one support bracket integrated into the shoe body, and a resistance device connected to the support bracket. The resistance device preferably includes a flexible member, and may include a housing from which the flexible member is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8556785
    Abstract: Golf swing exercises are performed with left and right resistance devices proximate a person's left and right feet, respectively. Left and right flexible members extend from respective left and right resistance device housings to a lower portion of a golf club handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8556783
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a cable that is extracted from a housing when the extraction force is sufficient to rotate a drum that is rotatably mounted within the housing. A brake material is sandwiched between the drum and a tension band to provide adjustable resistance to rotation of the drum. A knob is rotated to adjust tension in the tension band without affecting tension in the brake material. Indicia on the knob cooperate with indicia on a secondary display member to show changes in the resistance level as the knob rotates through more than one complete revolution relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8523745
    Abstract: A person lies supine on a floor surface with her knees bent and her feet resting on a foot supporting portion of an exercise assembly. The person uses her hands to grasp respective left and right handles on the exercise assembly proximate her left and right hips. The person positions her abdomen beneath a strap secured in series with at least one resistance device. The person moves her pelvis off the support surface subject to resistance from the resistance devices. Parts of the assembly may be used apart from the overall assembly to perform other sorts of exercises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 8465401
    Abstract: Left and right resistance devices are configured and arranged in different ways to accommodate different types of exercises. In one arrangement, the resistance devices are connected to respective ends of a bar. In one exercise, a person stands on the bar and pulls on handles connected to flexible members emanating from the resistance devices. In another exercise, a person sits down, supports the bar on her feet, and pulls on the handles. In another arrangement, the resistance devices are instead connected to a pole, and the person pulls on the handles. In yet another arrangement, the resistance devices are connected to a person's hands and/or feet, and the flexible members are connected to a harness secured about the person's torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli, Mark A. Krull
  • Patent number: 7087001
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable personal training and exercise device with a cable and pulley mechanism which also is a mobile personal training and exercise device having an ergonomic plastic external housing that with the use of straps fits in the hand as well as against different parts of the body. The present invention has a cable and pulley mechanism inside a housing which has a pulley rotatably mounted on a shaft that spins in only one direction. The pulley spins in both directions so that it is spring biased for rewinding a cord onto the pulley. Next to the pulley is a brake wheel or brake bushing that is attached to the shaft. The brake wheel or brake bushing and a pulley spinning on a single shaft inserts into a sealed ball bearing on both ends. A spring is connected to the bottom of the pulley. In the center of the pulley is a combination ball bearing/one-way clutch that turns the shaft only in one direction. The shaft is attached to the brake wheel or brake bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: 6726607
    Abstract: A portable personal training and exercise device having a base assembly, a pole assembly and cable and pulley assembly. The base assembly has a tilt mechanism for holding the pole assembly in different orientations. The cable and pulley assembly is attached to the pole assembly and has two coaxial pulleys rotatably mounted on a common single stationary shaft. Each pulley is spring biased for rewinding a cord onto the pulley. The cable and pulley assembly also has a tension adjustment unit for adjusting the resistance of the pulleys, and two multi-direction guide units mounted on the housing of the cable and pulley assembly for allowing the pulley cords to be pulled in multiple directions with reduced friction. A user may pull the cords of the pulleys for exercising various muscles of the user and adjust the resistance force of the cords at an appropriate level suitable to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: D487123
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen P. Ihli
  • Patent number: D657009
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Stephen P. Ihli