EXERCISE BALL AND SIMILAR STATIONARY EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
An exercise ball including: a spherical elastomer ball; and a device one of mounted and integral therewith for one or more of; increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise balls and similar stationary exercise equipment.
2. Prior Art
Use of a large ball for exercising is well known in the art. Typically, such balls, known in the art as exercise or stability balls are very useful for developing the abdominal muscles and can also be used to develop other core muscle groups.
However, the spherical shape of an exercise ball is inherently unstable, making it easy for users to fall from the ball during exercise leading to injury, including head trauma. Users of exercise balls may try to increase the stability of the ball by using it while it is propped against a wall or other stable member. However, use of the exercise ball in such a way severely limits it usefulness and effectiveness.
Furthermore, exercise balls are also inherently clumsy to use and are generally limited to developing the core muscle groups.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThus, there is a need in the art of exercise equipment to provide a stable exercise ball to limit the likelihood of injury from use therefrom without limiting the usefulness and/or effectiveness of the exercise ball.
There is also a need in the art of exercise equipment to provide an exercise ball that is easier to use and can be used to develop a wider range of muscle groups.
Accordingly, an exercise ball is provided, the Exercise ball comprising: a spherical elastomer ball; and a device one of mounted and integral therewith for one or more of; increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.
Also provided is a device adapted for mounting on an exercise ball, the device comprising one or more of: means for increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; means for increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.
The means for increasing a usefulness of the ball can comprise: a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and a pair of arm rest members secured to the band, each of the pair of arm rest members having a hand grip for being grasped by a user. Each of the pair of armrest members can further comprise a height adjustment device for adjusting a height of the handgrip relative to the ball.
The means for increasing a usefulness of the ball can comprise: a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and one or more pulley devices for performing resistance exercises while using the ball. The one or more pulley devices can be adapted for use with one or more of the arms and legs of the user.
The means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball can comprise one or more handle members secured to the ball and having at least one handgrip for being grasped by a user. The device can further comprise a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball wherein the one or more handle members are secured to the band. The device can further comprise means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball. The means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball can comprise a shaft running through the ball and rotatably secured to the ball.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise three or more stability projections integrally formed with an outer surface of the ball, each of the three of more stability projections projecting radially out from the outer surface of the ball and having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise: a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and three or more stabilizers secured to the band for stabilizing the ball relative to a surface upon which the ball rests. The three of more stabilizers can comprise three or more projections projecting radially out from a portion of the band and having a surface adapted to contact the surface upon which the ball rests.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise three or more stabilizing feet secured to the band, each of the three of more stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests. Each of the individual stabilizing feet can comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests. Each of the individual stabilizing feet can comprise an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting an extension length of the stabilizing feet. The device can further comprise one or more handles secured to the band and having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise two pairs of stabilizing feet secured to the ball, each pair having two individual stabilizing feet, each of the individual stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests. The device can further comprise means for rotatably securing the pairs of stabilizing feet to the ball. Each of the individual stabilizing feet in the stabilizing pair can be angled with respect to each other. Each of the individual stabilizing feet can comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests. Each of the individual stabilizing feet can comprise an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting a extension length of the stabilizing feet. At least one of the pairs of stabilizing feet can include a handle having at least one handgrip for being grasped by a user.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise: a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and a hoop extending at least partially circumferentially extending from the band and adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
The means for increasing a stability of the ball can comprise a ballast adapted to be rotatably secured on an interior of the ball and having an internal volume to sealingly contain one or a liquid, gel or solid. The ballast can be secured to a rotatable shaft rotatably secured through the ball, the ballast extending radially from the shaft. The shaft can be secured through a diameter of the ball. The shaft can include a conduit in communication with the internal volume of the ballast, the conduit having an inlet on an end of the shaft for filling the one of the liquid, gel or solid into the internal volume. The device can further comprise one of a handle or body rest secured to the shaft.
Still further provided is an exercise device comprising: a base; a user platform for holding a user of the device, the user platform having one or more handles for being grasped by the user; and a spring element for connecting the user platform to the base and allowing a restricted range of motion of the user platform relative to the base.
The spring element can comprise a compression spring.
The user platform can be configured as a solid sheet.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Referring now to
Specifically with regard to
A pair of armrest members 112 are secured to the band 106, such as by welding and can include features such as padded rests 114 and handgrips 116 for being grasped by a user. Each of the pair of armrest members can further comprise a height adjustment device 118, as are known in the art, for adjusting a height of the handgrip 116 relative to the ball 102.
The armrest members 112 can be used to increase an easiness of use of the ball as well as increase the usefulness of the ball by providing holding members for a user to grasp and allowing additional exercises to be done on the ball 102. The ball can be further modified to add a liquid, such as water 122 (shown in phantom lines) to partially fill an interior volume of the ball to increase a stability of the ball by lowering its center of gravity.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In the configuration of
The ball 302 can further include at least one handle 314 having at least one handgrip 316 for being grasped by a user. The handle 314 can be secured to the pairs of stabilizing feet 304 and can also include an adjustment for height and/or angle with respect to the ball as is shown generally at reference numeral 316 in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The device 700 can also be used with modular handles 712 as shown in
Referring now to
While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An exercise ball comprising:
- a spherical elastomer ball; and
- a device one of mounted and integral therewith for one or more of; increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.
2. A device adapted for mounting on an exercise ball, the device comprising one or more of:
- means for increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device;
- means for increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and
- means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a usefulness of the ball comprises:
- a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and
- a pair of arm rest members secured to the band, each of the pair of arm rest members having a hand grip for being grasped by a user.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the pair of armrest members further comprises a height adjustment device for adjusting a height of the handgrip relative to the ball.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a usefulness of the ball comprises:
- a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and
- one or more pulley devices for performing resistance exercises while using the ball.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the one or more pulley devices are adapted for use with one or more of the arms and legs of the user.
7. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball comprises one or more handle members secured to the ball and having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball wherein the one or more handle members are secured to the band.
9. The device of claim 7, further comprising means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball comprises a shaft running through the ball and rotatably secured to the ball.
11. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises three or more stability projections integrally formed with an outer surface of the ball, each of the three of more stability projections projecting radially out from the outer surface of the ball and having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
12. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises:
- a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and
- three or more stabilizers secured to the band for stabilizing the ball relative to a surface upon which the ball rests.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the three of more stabilizers comprise three or more projections projecting radially out from a portion of the band and having a surface adapted to contact the surface upon which the ball rests.
14. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises three or more stabilizing feet secured to the band, each of the three of more stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprises an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting an extension length of the stabilizing feet.
17. The device of claim 14, further comprising one or more handles secured to the band and having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user.
18. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises two pairs of stabilizing feet secured to the ball, each pair having two individual stabilizing feet, each of the individual stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
19. The device of claim 18, further comprising means for rotatably securing the pairs of stabilizing feet to the ball.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet in the stabilizing pair are angled with respect to each other.
21. The device of claim 18, wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests.
22. The device of claim 18, wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprises an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting a extension length of the stabilizing feet.
23. The device of claim 18, wherein at least one of the pairs of stabilizing feet includes a handle having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user.
24. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises:
- a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and
- a hoop extending at least partially circumferentially extending from the band and adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.
25. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises a ballast adapted to be rotatably secured on an interior of the ball and having an internal volume to sealingly contain one or a liquid, gel or solid.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the ballast is secured to a rotatable shaft rotatably secured through the ball, the ballast extending radially from the shaft.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein the shaft is secured through a diameter of the ball.
28. The device of claim 26, wherein the shaft includes a conduit in communication with the internal volume of the ballast, the conduit having an inlet on an end of the shaft for filling the one of the liquid, gel or solid into the internal volume.
29. The device of claim 25, further comprising one of a handle or body rest secured to the shaft.
30. An exercise device comprising:
- a base;
- a user platform for holding a user of the device, the user platform having one or more handles for being grasped by the user; and
- a spring element for connecting the user platform to the base and allowing a restricted range of motion of the user platform relative to the base.
31. The exercise device of claim 30, wherein the spring element comprises a compression spring.
32. The exercise device of claim 30, wherein the user platform is configured as a solid sheet.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 31, 2009
Inventor: Robert Joseph Baschnagel (Garden City, NY)
Application Number: 12/147,025
International Classification: A63B 26/00 (20060101);