Exercise equipment with instructional indicia and method of use

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has plural indicia printed on its exterior surface, including warm-up, work out and cool down indicia depicting exercises by the use of a graphic figure in various poses, the indicia also includes frontal and rear views of the figure showing the portions of the anatomy that benefit from each exercise.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of a prior filed, and currently pending U.S. application having Ser. No. 11/387,249 and official filing date of Mar. 22, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to an exercise equipment that has printed on its outer surface one or more graphical indicia showing the sequence and methods of using the equipment in a manner that enables use of the equipment and displays the muscles used.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

McGinley, U.S. 2003/0235809, discloses a hitting training kit which includes equipment to hit a baseball and instructions to assist a user in learning the technique of hitting a baseball, a portion of the instructions appearing on the baseball bat of the kit to permit the user to review the sequence of user movements for hitting a baseball.

Mostardi, U.S. 2004/0102293, discloses a soft, durable, inflatable, exercise device, preferably trapezoidal in shape to enable a user to apply compressive isometric forces against the device to train, strengthen and/or condition major muscles and muscle groups of the human body.

Carbonero, U.S. 2005/0119071, discloses a sporting good comprising indicia disposed thereon including at least one figure demonstrating an action to take with the sporting good. The figure is shown in a sequence of positions representing the action whereby a person can view the indicia, and learn and practice the action.

Phipps, U.S. 2005/0130805, discloses a device to facilitate stretching before engaging in athletic activities, particularly golf. Two inverted U-shaped members are permanently affixed to the ground using mounting plates or any other potential means. One of the U-shaped members runs underneath the other in a transverse direction generally along the center of each member. The top surfaces of the U-shaped members are designed to provide three differing levels of height thereby allowing a variety of stretches to be performed by the user. An informational sign depicting a variety of stretches may be included. One or multiple users may use this device to help facilitate a variety of stretches to improve flexibility.

Williams, U.S. Des 329674, describes a training aid basketball for the right hand.

Kawamoto, U.S. Des 397269, describes an exercise mat.

Poegel, Jr., U.S. Des 485316, describes a training basketball.

Maley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,782, discloses a ball game device and method of using the same comprising a spherical body made of a resilient material preferably durable plastic or rubber and dimensioned to be kicked or struck on a playing surface either indoors or outdoors. The spherical body has eight equally-sized faces all of which are generally flat-surfaced for resting upon the surface. Each face has indicia displayed thereupon which describes and displays an outcome in a baseball game. Base members have words displayed thereon which correspond or are synonyms to the indicia displayed on the spherical body. The face facing upwardly on the surface after the spherical body comes to rest on the surface upon being struck, kicked, or rolled by the user determines the fate of the user in the ball game.

Swezey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,776, discloses a versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball, about 18 inches in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles, secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the in a tension mode. The ball is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball. Attachment of the handles to the main ball portion may be made by sonic welding. In one embodiment an internal bladder is enclosed in a fabric cover, and in one version of this, two hemispheric portions are formed to each provide an integral looped handle. A pressure gauge and/or user-adjustable alarm indicator may be provided to indicate muscular force applied in either compression or tension.

Weiss, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,984, discloses a flexible resistance exerciser which includes a stretchable member having fixable portions and at least one indicator positioned at a preselected location on the stretchable member visible to a user of the exercise equipment and identifying to the user a desirable location on the stretchable member, a relative degree of resistance provided by the stretchable member, fatigue of the stretchable member or any combination thereof. The indicator may take the form of a contrasting colored area, lines, symbols, words and the indicator may change configuration as the stretchable member is stretched.

Pettigrew et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,459, discloses an instructional golf ball including a spherical body having an outer surface with a plurality of dimples formed therein. Situated on the outer surface of the body is instructional indicia. Such instructional indicia include text for providing guidance as to the manner in which a user should play the golf ball. During use, a user might read the instructional indicia while addressing the golf ball, and address and/or strike the golf ball in the manner indicated by the instructional indicia.

The related art described above shows that it is known to include indicia on sports and athletic equipment that show techniques of using the equipment. McGinley teaches a bat with batting instructions and graphics printed on it. Carbonero teaches a ball having printed on it a sequence of figures to show the several stages in a single physical act so that one can more easily follow the instructions to imitate the act. In fact, Carbonero teaches the use of several figures shown in sequence to demonstrate a complete portion of the use of the ball, i.e., dribbling, passing, shooting and so on. Further Carbonero shows that it is known to place such indicia sequences, themselves in sequence around the object. Kawamoto also teaches physical fitness routines using graphical figures shown at various progressive stages of an exercise on a piece of exercise equipment. Swezey et al shows that pictorial representations of exercises may be placed on a ball.

However, the apparatus of the present invention further extends the use of such graphical instruction on a piece of equipment, as for instance, equipment used for sport or exercise, by including a graphical demonstration of the portions of the body that take active part in each exercise so as to beneficially instruct the user that certain portions of the body, including which muscle groups are to be used. A further benefit is that the user is informed prior to taking part in the exercise so that he/she has the option of avoiding exercises that may injure or exacerbate sensitive or weak portions of the user's body. The present apparatus distinguishes also by presenting a full routine including warm-up, work-out and cool-down postures. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention is a piece of exercise or sporting equipment. The equipment has certain pictorial indicia printed on its exterior surface wherein the indicia are placed so as to be viewed by a person using the equipment. The indicia depict graphically, the postures of a figure demonstrating warm-up elements, work-out elements and cool-down elements, where each element shows particular postures exemplary of a single exercise. The indicia are specifically arranged with warm-up elements preceding work-out elements, and cool-down elements succeeding the work-out elements. The indicia are arranged in a sequence, preferably side-by-side on the equipment so as to be able to fit the maximum number of such indicia on the space provided, and each shows a figure in a start and in a finish posture with the implication that the exercise corresponds to the body motions that are necessary to move between these two positions or postures when using the apparatus. The indicia include also graphical representations of the front plan view and rear plan view of a figure showing, by shading or otherwise, the parts of the body that benefit from the exercise.

A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a convenient and handy instructional graphical representation of the movements one would use with the apparatus, and in particular how the movements relate to the apparatus.

A further objective is to graphically demonstrate the motions of such exercises by providing graphical representations of the exerciser at the beginning, and at the end, of each exercise.

A further objective is to graphically represent the muscle groups that are exercised in each of the exercises.

A further objective is to show the exercises in a linear sequence with warm-up exercises first, work-out exercises next, and cool-down exercises last, with the sequence moving from left to right, and if necessary due to physical space constraints, from top to bottom on the surface of the exercise apparatus.

A still further objective is to show a complete exercise program to an exercising person using an exercise apparatus by graphically displaying individual exercises of the program on the surface of the exercise apparatus in such a manner that the person is directed in the sequence of the exercises and in the motions to be conducted in executing the exercises.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 is a side view of a person using an exercise ball apparatus and showing exercise indicia printed on the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a typical set of exercise indicia thereof;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are further views of typical indicia showing a preferred arrangement thereof as printed on an exercise apparatus;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of the exercise ball apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia printed thereon;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dome apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roller apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mat apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slide apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bench apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a step apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bar apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a band apparatus showing typical sets of exercise indicia according to the invention printed thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated herein is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation to the scope of the present apparatus and methods of use.

Described now in detail are several apparatuses as shown in FIGS. 1-14. The term “apparatus” in this description refers to each one and all of the illustrated exercise apparatuses and to apparatuses that are not described herein as well and all will be referenced by numeral 2 with a letter following for each specific apparatus. Each apparatus has an exterior surface 5, and printed on the exterior surface 5 are indicia, with FIG. 2 exemplary of a typical set. Each individual indicia refers to a particular and specific exercise so that an exercise program includes a plurality of the indicia representing a corresponding plurality of exercises that a person (the apparatus user) will do in completing the program. Thus, the user is able to conduct his own exercise program by referring to the indicia and avoiding the need for manuals, wall charts or any extrinsic materials, such as cards, booklets, and electronic gadgets. It should be pointed out that printed indicia similar to those described herein are well known in this art on single exercise apparatus and have the objective of teaching a user to conduct a particular exercise on the apparatus. However, the present invention deals not with single purpose or single exercise apparatuses, but rather with apparatuses that are designed to be used in conducting a program of exercises and more specifically a program of exercises that are designed to condition most or even all of the muscle sets of the body. This distinction is critical to an understanding of the objectives and the value of the present invention and how it distinguishes over the prior art.

Preferably, the indicia are of three types: warm-up indicia 10, workout indicia 20, and cool down indicia 30, i.e., the three phases of a typical workout program. The indicia appear on the exterior surface 5 of the apparatus and may be applied thereto by any means including printing or screening with ink, adhering or bonding, and any other method.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each one of the indicia 10, 20 and 30 preferably includes a peripheral boundary line 17; a surrounding line defining the extent of a particular indicia thereby distinguishing one from the others. Each of the indicia further has interior lines 19 separating graphical, text and numerical elements from each other thereby enabling the user to recognize the several aspects of a specific exercise more easily and more quickly.

The warm-up indicia 10 in FIG. 2 shows a graphic FIG. 15 representing a posture of a person involved in one particular warm up exercise. A double headed arrow 12 indicates a desired motion of the FIG. 15 and therefore the posture and motion of the person. The indicia 10 further includes the boundary line 17 and the interior lines 19 as described above. Preferably, the indicia 10 further includes a descriptive term 11A characterizing the exercise; in this case, “side to side” describes the motion to be performed. Preferably, the indicia 10 further includes a tag 13 which is used for reference. Each of the warm-up tags 13 has a letter “W” and a sequence number, so that the complete warm-up part of the exercise program preferably has plural warm-up exercises arranged in a side-by-side sequence labeled: “W1,” “W2,” “W3,” and so on as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Below the warm-up indicia 10, in FIG. 2, is an example of a typical workout indicia 20 representing a single workout exercise in the exercise program. As with the warm-up indicia described above, the workout indicia provides the boundary line 17, the interior lines 19, the descriptive term 11 and the sequence indicating tag 13 all of which are used for the same reasons as described. A starting posture 12 is depicted using the graphic FIG. 15, the starting posture 12 being related to a specific workout exercise using the apparatus. Adjacent to the starting posture 12 is a finishing posture 14 of the same graphic FIG. 15 with respect to the same exercise. The starting and finishing postures 12, 14 are arranged in side-by-side positions on the surface 5 thereby indicating that a complete exercise motion is made between the starting posture 12 and the finishing posture 14, that is, a person is able to assume the starting posture 12 and then move to the finishing posture 14 without further assistance, instruction or prior know-how. In some cases, the user will move from the starting posture 12 to the finishing posture 14 and then back again to the starting posture 12, repeating this cycle for a number of repetitions. However, there is no need to graphically depict this cyclic repetition as the use and benefit of such exercise cycles or “reps” is well known. Preferably, the words “Start” and “Finish” are positioned adjacent to the postures 12 and 14 respectively to further indicate that the postures and their represented movements are end points in the motion of a complete exercise.

Preferably, each one of the workout indicia 20 further includes a frontal view 16 of the graphic FIG. 15, as well as a rear view 18 of the graphic FIG. 15, where the frontal and rear views 16, 18 depict anatomical portions of the person exercising, as for instance by shading, coloration or other graphic techniques as shown in FIG. 2, where such anatomical portions are primarily benefited by the corresponding exercise. Preferably, the words “Front” and “Back” are placed adjacent to the views 16 and 18 respectively to further assure an understanding of what the views represent.

Below the workout indicia 20, in FIG. 2, is an example of a typical cool down indicia 30 representing a single workout exercise in the exercise program. As with the warm-up 10 and workout 20 indicia described above, the cool down indicia 30 provides the boundary line 17, the interior lines 19, the descriptive term 11 and the sequence indicating tag 13 all of which are used for the same reasons as previously described. The tag 13 of each of the cool-down indicia 30 includes a letter “C” to indicate that it is a cool down exercise, and a numerical sequence number so that the complete cool down part of the exercise program preferably has plural cool down exercises arranged in a side-by-side sequence labeled: “C1,” “C2,” “C3,” and so on as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each one of the third indicia 30 depicts the graphic FIG. 15 in a selected cool-down posture and may further comprise a double headed arrow 22 indicating a motion to be engaged in by the person as a cool-down exercise, may just indicate a static figure engaged in resting postures and, or stretching postures.

After becoming familiar with the apparatus, its best use exercises, and the graphics printed thereon, a person is more easily able to conduct an exercise program concentrating on only those portions of the body desired. The indicia show the person which exercises to do, in what order they are to be done, and how to do them. Without requiring reference to charts hung on walls which are not near the workout apparatus, or the use of ones hands in handling books, pages, cards and other extrinsic materials, the indicia program printed on the apparatus itself provides reference to self directing materials without stopping the exercises to consult and handle extrinsic reference materials. This enables the exercise program to proceed more quickly and without interruptions causing a loss of concentration. During exercising, one is constantly reminded of postures, moves and muscle involvement.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the indicia 10 are arranged in side-by-side adjacency so that the user may follow a set pattern of exercises in the sequence shown thereby avoiding the possibility of forgetting the desired sequence of exercises or of forgetting to complete one or another of the exercises, or of knowing the correct postures and movement.

Preferably, the warm-up exercises 10 are placed above the workout exercises 20, and the cool down exercises 30 are placed below the workout exercises 20. In this manner, the user is able to quickly sight the exercise sequence desired for the phase of the exercise program that is being conducted.

The apparatus of the present invention is particular useful and most applicable to an equipment upon, or with, which one may conduct a range of exercises, i.e., an exercise program. Such a program is helpful in developing the health of at least several muscle groups in the body, neck, arms and legs. To conduct such a program one must usually refer to a schedule of exercises which depict each exercise, and may indicate the technique of the exercise, the number of repetitions required and the sequence of the exercises as well. Apparatuses that are most applicable to this approach are the exercise ball 2a (FIGS. 1, 5 and 6), exercise dome 2b (FIG. 7), exercise roller 2c (FIG. 8), exercise mat 2d (FIG. 9), exercise slide 2e (FIG. 10), exercise weight bench 2f (FIG. 11), exercise step 2g (FIG. 12), exercise bar 2h (FIG. 13) and stretchable exercise band 2i (FIG. 14). These apparatuses are well known in the art. In FIGS. 7-13 show only examples of workout indicia 20 are shown, however, in FIG. 14 indicia 10, 20 and 30 are shown as they might appear on each of the exercise apparatuses shown in the other figures, albeit, with poses appropriate for each apparatus.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use by a person following a program of exercises, the apparatus comprising: an exercise equipment having an exterior surface and printed on the exterior surface, plural workout indicia, each of the workout indicia representing one exercise of the program of exercises, the workout indicia arranged in a linear sequence representing a desired order of use of the respective exercises of the program of exercises, the indicia placed so as to be visible to the person using the exercise equipment; each of the indicia providing:

a) a graphic figure posed in a starting posture of the exercise represented by the indicia, and immediately adjacent thereto;

b) the graphic figure posed in a finishing posture of the exercise represented by the indicia, wherein the starting and finishing postures indicate an exercise motion of the exercise represented by the indicia;

c) the graphic figure posed in a frontal view; and

d) the graphic figure posed in a rearward view, wherein at least one of the frontal and rearward views provides an indication of anatomical portions that are used during the exercise motion of the exercise represented by the indicia.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the indicia provides a name associated with the exercise represented by the indicia.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the indicia provides a sequence number associated with the exercise represented by the indicia.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the indicia provides a peripheral boundary line thereof, and further provides interior lines, the interior lines separating graphical, text and numerical elements of the indicia.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising plural warm-up indicia, each one of the warm-up indicia representing a warm-up exercise, each one of the indicia depicting the graphic figure in a selected warm-up posture, and corresponding thereto, a double headed arrow indicating a motion to be engaged in by the person when executing the warm-up exercise.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each one of the warm-up indicia further includes a name for the warm-up exercise.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each one of the warm-up indicia further includes a sequence number for the warm-up exercise.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each one of the warm-up indicia further includes a peripheral boundary line surrounding the indicia and interior lines separating graphical, text and numerical elements of the warm-up indicia.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising plural cool down indicia, each one of the cool down indicia representing a cool down exercise or posture depicting the graphic figure in a selected cool down posture.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each one of the cool down indicia further includes a name and a sequence number for the cool down exercise.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each one of the cool down indicia further includes a peripheral boundary line surrounding the indicia and interior lines separating graphical, text and numerical elements of the cool down indicia.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exercise equipment is selected from the group consisting of a ball, a dome, a roller, a mat, a slide, a bench, a step, a bar and a band.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the workout indicia are arranged in order, according to a desired sequence of execution.

14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the warm-up indicia are arranged in order, according to a desired sequence of execution.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the cool down indicia are arranged in order, according to a desired sequence of execution.

16. An apparatus for use by a person following a program of exercises, the apparatus comprising: an exercise equipment having an exterior surface and printed on the exterior surface, plural warm-up, workout and cool down indicia representing three types of exercises, each of the workout indicia representing one exercise of the program of exercises, each of the types of the workout indicia arranged in a linear sequence representing a desired order of use of the respective exercises, with the workout indicia placed below the warm-up indicia, and the cool down indicia placed below the work-out indicia; the indicia placed so as to be visible to the person using the exercise equipment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the workout indicia provides:

a) a graphic figure posed in a starting posture of the exercise represented by the indicia, and immediately adjacent thereto;

b) the graphic figure posed in a finishing posture of the exercise represented by the indicia, wherein the starting and finishing postures indicate an exercise motion of the exercise represented by the indicia;

c) the graphic figure posed in a frontal view; and

d) the graphic figure posed in a rearward view, wherein at least one of the frontal and rearward views provides an indication of anatomical portions that are used during the exercise motion of the exercise represented by the indicia.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of the warm-up indicia provides the graphic figure in a selected warm-up posture, and corresponding thereto, a double headed arrow indicating a motion to be engaged in by the person when executing the warm-up exercise.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of the cool down indicia represents a cool down exercise or posture depicting the graphic figure in a selected cool down posture.