Utilizing Inertial Force Resistance Patents (Class 482/110)
  • Patent number: 6719675
    Abstract: A inertial rocking type exercising device includes a rotation main body, and a support rack. The rotation main body is provided with two semi-spherical bodies, and a rotation disk rotatably mounted on the two semi-spherical bodies. The rotation disk is provided with an extension portion for receiving a counterweight ball. The support rack is provided with two handles and has a first end inserted into one of the two semi-spherical bodies, and a second end provided with an arcuate catch plate. Thus, the inertial rocking type exercising device that has a small volume and can be assembled and dismantled easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 6695752
    Abstract: A wheel-type resistance device for providing a resisting force to a bicycle exerciser, includes two swing arms pivotally mounted on an exerciser frame and outboard to two side walls of a flywheel so as to swingable to be remote from or close to the side walls respectively in first and second positions. A right magnet member and a left magnetically attractive member are mounted respectively on the swing arms such that movement to the second position will cause an increased dragging force on the flywheel. A force adjusting cable is connected to the swing arms and is operable to pull the swing arms, as well as the right magnet member and the left magnetically attractive member, to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Lung-Huei Lee
  • Publication number: 20040033868
    Abstract: An exercise machine which includes a base upon which a user stands alongside an upwardly extending support. A handle, mounted to a lever rotatably fixed to the support, extends over the base so that the user can grip the handle with both hands and rotate the handle along a circular loop, alternately bending at the knees and then moving to an upright position, with arms extended, against a variable resistance force which is generated by a flywheel connected via a drive mechanism to the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Willem Johannes Van Straaten
  • Patent number: 6689024
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method utilizes a flywheel mounted on a rotatable axle. The user exercises by accelerating and decelerating the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a line which wraps around the axle provides a mechanism for accelerating and decelerating the flywheel when a user applies a pulling force to the line. The inertia of the flywheel resists the user applied pulling force and provides the exercise mechanism. Preferably, spool mounted on the axle and variable pivot locations provide a mechanism for easily varying the exercise resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Richard D. Charnitski
  • Publication number: 20030228961
    Abstract: An inner tangentially driving exerciser, more particularly an exerciser providing a moving wheel for an exercising means and driving inner tangentially, mainly includes a driving apparatus, having an eccentric shaft, disposed relatively on the position of a circular tangent point at the lower aspect of an inner circle of the motion wheel and indirectly moving the motion wheel through a link effect to achieve a safe application objective of lowering an operation position and having a hollow circular breadth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 6659918
    Abstract: A device and method is shown for invoking a muscle's natural involuntary, reflexive response or stretch reflex by imparting a sudden increase in load on the muscle over a defined period of time from a predetermined base load at which the muscle has assumed a baseline tonus, and over a predetermined amplitude of motion. The muscle is stimulated by cycling the load with a frequency of between 1 and 60 Hz, or more preferably between 10 and 30 Hz, and an amplitude of displacement of the muscle between 2 and 50 mm, or more preferably between 5 and 10 mm. The force input to the muscle can be provided by either the mass of the body to which the muscle is connected or by an external mass or resistance to motion. A seesaw platform can be oscillated in a vertical direction at the correct frequency and amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Schiessl
  • Patent number: 6659920
    Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels and a guide along which the flywheels move linearly while rotating. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Norman Kurz
  • Publication number: 20030190999
    Abstract: A swingable exercising device includes a main body, a handle, and a counterweight. The handle is pivotally mounted on the main body eccentrically, so that the main body may be rotated about the handle. The handle has two opposite sides each provided with a first handgrip and a second handgrip. The counterweight is mounted in the main body eccentrically, and is located opposite to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Man Tien Liu
  • Patent number: 6629908
    Abstract: A precessional gyroscopic exercise device includes a housing containing a tiltable rotor assembly. The housing and the rotor assembly may be coupled together by a tilt assembly that defines a fixed precession axis for the rotor assembly and allows the rotor assembly to be tilted relative to the fixed precession axis. When the rotor is spinning, and the rotor assembly is tilted contact between the spinning axle and the interior surfaces of a circumferential channel in the housing causes the rotor assembly to rotate about the fixed precession axis, producing a gyroscopic precessional torque—this torque, and resultant wobbling of the device, is opposed by the user for the exercise effect. The tilting mechanism may be associated with handles on the outside of the device, allowing the user to selectively control the tilting of the rotor assembly. The handles may be rotatably coupled to the device, permitting operation of the device using a pedaling motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Winston Hamady
  • Publication number: 20030186790
    Abstract: A inertial rocking type exercising device includes a rotation main body, and a support rack. The rotation main body is provided with two semi-spherical bodies, and a rotation disk rotatably mounted on the two semi-spherical bodies. The rotation disk is provided with an extension portion for receiving a counterweight ball. The support rack is provided with two handles and has a first end inserted into one of the two semi-spherical bodies, and a second end provided with an arcuate catch plate. Thus, the inertial rocking type exercising device that has a small volume and can be assembled and dismantled easily and conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 6626802
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus is provided for enabling reciprocating motion of the user's legs or feet while the user remains generally stationary. The apparatus includes a stationary frame, a first longitudinal rail supported, at least partially, by the frame, and a second longitudinal rail also supported, at least partially, by the frame and in generally parallel relation with the first rail. The apparatus further includes a first foot carriage assembly movably engageable along the first rail, a second foot carriage assembly movably engageable along the second rail, and an inertia drive assembly disposed proximate the first and second rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Robert E. Rodgers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6623409
    Abstract: This is an automatic locking exercise device that incorporates a one-way locking mechanism. The device includes a frame, which supports a track, preferably a pair of linear bearing rods one on each side. A guide member, or linear bearing runs on each bearing rod and is attached to a handle or bar that is grasped by a user. A one-way lock is used to provide movement of the bar along the track in an upward direction but opposes movement down. In the preferred embodiment, rotating the bar actuates a lock release. This disengages the one-way lock and enables the bar to move freely up and down along the track. If the user ever drops the weight the one-way lock automatically engages and catches the weight. Explosive power training can also be performed on the device in that the user can safely throw the weight, knowing that the weight will be automatically caught at its highest point without risk of injuring someone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin G. Abelbeck
  • Patent number: 6595827
    Abstract: The present invention is a swinging toy intended for the purpose of recreation, physical and mental health, agility and leisure purposes. The present invention includes a padded object and a cord with a hand or finger loop. The object includes a central cavity that may selectively or permanently contain a substance. The substance may include colored water, beads which may glow in the dark, chemiluminescent fluid, batteries together with a light, reflective material, e.g, tin foil, chemical compositions that alternate between colors or other such substances, or magnetically powered light sources. Further, a decorative tail may be attached to the end of the object to enhance the user's enjoyment of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Lance A. Kirley
  • Publication number: 20030134726
    Abstract: A multi-directional swivel body builder constitutes a bent shank, two sections of joint tube having a ring groove and a lock hole at its far end. The joint tube houses a retaining spring having a turnover leaf and a lock post fitted into the lock hole of the joint tube. The joint tube is inserted into the sleeve tube of the handle. The sleeve tube provides a plurality of adjusting holes. When the joint tube slides in place in the sleeve tube, the catch lug on the inner wall of the sleeve tube will enter the ring groove of the joint tube and press the retaining spring so to allow the handle to move freely along the ring groove for proper angular adjustment. The far end of the handle links with an end wheel. When waving the end wheels with two hands, the bent shank will rotate in cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Ya-Chu HSIAO
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Publication number: 20030134716
    Abstract: A hand operable exercising machine includes a handle, an inertial rotation body rotatably mounted on the handle, and an electronic counter secured on the handle. The handle includes a pivot rod, two detachable connecting seats secured on the two ends of the pivot rod, and two handgrips pivotally mounted on the two detachable connecting seats respectively. Thus, the user's hands may hold the two handgrips to rock and rotate the inertial rotation body, so that the inertial rotation body may be rotated by the inertial action of the inertial weight, thereby exercising the muscles of the user's hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Publication number: 20030134727
    Abstract: A cyclonic rotor is a arm muscle trainer, comprising a semicircular shield and a rolling ball, where the round shield is composed of an outer shield and inner shield. These two shields are superposed and expanded conically downward with a larger space at the bottom to contain a rolling ball. In the interior of the semicircular shields, there are two lock ears to be inserted into the T-type channel on the handle. The lock ears and the handle are fastened firmly together by two outer screws which come from the exterior of the semicircular shields. While holding the handle, waving the rotor, the ball rolls within the hollow space. If waving slowly, the ball rolls slowly; if waving fiercely, the ball rolls fast and violently and continues self-rolling with centrifugal and inertia force and effects vigorous training on arm muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Ya-Chu HSIAO
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Publication number: 20030100408
    Abstract: A wrist exercise includes a casing defining an interior space rotatably receiving a rotor. The casing includes upper and lower casing members. The upper casing member has a first mating edge forming a first mating device. The lower casing member has a second mating edge forming a second mating device for mating the first mating device to attach the lower casing member to the upper casing member whereby a circumferential groove is defined between the first and second mating edges. A first retention ring is at least partially fit over the upper and lower casing members and forms an inwardly-projecting portion fit into the groove to securely retain the upper and lower casing members in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Yun Yu Chuang, Ming Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6565492
    Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Norman Kurz
  • Patent number: 6565491
    Abstract: An inertial training apparatus and method utilized for strength training and rehabilitation strength training of muscles. The inertial training apparatus and method allows for generation of rotational inertial forces by accelerating a mass by a concentric contraction of a muscle and converting the rotational inertial forces of the mass into a substantially equivalent eccentric action of the muscle used to decelerate the mass. A tether is coupled between the mass and a body part to transfer the tension forces provided by the body part to accelerate the mass and, in turn, those provided by the body part to decelerate the mass. A swing arm and a mass on the swing arm are rotatably mounted to a frame to preferably allow for low-friction rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A primary tether guide is preferably coupled to the frame and can be positioned near an intermediate rotational position of the swing arm where acceleration forces are transferred into deceleration forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: I.K.E. Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Thompson, Allen Perkins, II
  • Patent number: 6540649
    Abstract: Exercise apparatus comprising a lanyard having opposing ends, and a handle secured to one of the opposing ends and a device secured to the other one of the opposing ends, the device having a capacity to resist movement, the device capable of being set in motion in response to a force acting upon the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas Niedrich
  • Publication number: 20030060340
    Abstract: This device assists individuals training in the fighting arts, or athletes performing impacts or tackles in sports. It makes detailed measurements of the energy and force sustained by a target from an impact performed by a test subject and immediately displays feedback information showing the power and effectiveness of the impact performed. The device comprises: an impact target designed to provide a predetermined amount of resistance to the force of an impact, while allowing unrestricted linear displacement in the opposite direction of the force; a sensor means for detecting the velocity of target displacement at predetermined sampling intervals; an electronic interface to measure and store data received from the sensor means; application software residing in a computer processor, which receives stored data from the electronic interface, and interprets the data and; a computer to process software application instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Jeff Brian Freeman
  • Patent number: 6527684
    Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels and a guide along which the flywheels move linearly while rotating. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Norman Kurz
  • Patent number: 6527675
    Abstract: An illuminating hand-shaking exerciser with a triple rotating axle mainly comprises a main shell having internal rotary collars connected to shells by an axle. When two semi-spherical covers of two sets of matching shells are closed against each other, a space is provided for internal rotary collars. One shell holds several lighting coils. The internal rotary collars are placed in the order of large, medium and small collars. The small collar has a groove at inner edge to lock an inertial magnetic weight inside. When the user grasps the shell and shakes it around, the large, medium and small collars will rotate three-dimensionally. Further, due to inertial rotation by the inertial magnetic weight inside the small collar, the entire exerciser will shake vigorously. Meanwhile, the lighting coils will illuminate due to inertial rotation of the magnet. Thus, the exerciser provides hand exercise with entertaining effect of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Publication number: 20030036466
    Abstract: A dual path helical ramp consisting of a wire rail formed as a helix, a straight rail, a closed transparent cylindrical wall rail, and a ball. The helical rail extends between a first elevation where the ball enters or exits the ramp to a second, lower elevation where a ball exits or enters the ramp. The straight rail extends through the center of the helical rail for the length thereof. The cylindrical wall rail extends outside of the helical rail for the length thereof. The helical rail is joined at either end of the straight rail and the straight rail is joined at either end of the cylindrical wall rail, thereby forming two elevations. The helical rail is dimensioned such that the distance between it and straight rail and it and wall rail is less than the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Saunders Sommer
  • Patent number: 6514179
    Abstract: A rolling ball hand-shaking exerciser comprises at least one main casing and one ball coated externally with soft material which rolls internally in the casing. The casing constitutes two identical semispherical shells interlocked integrally and extend outward to form tow handles. At the central beak of the shell a string of small pellets encircles one layer after layer with slightly projected head. When the player holds the handles and turns it around an orbit, the ball rolls in an inertia revolution manner with the limited space inside of the casing, it creates a vibration and damper action to achieve the hand exercise, and the pellets work as the massaging material as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 6500102
    Abstract: A method of exercising and various exercise devices. The exercise device includes a substantially circular hoop, the hoop comprising a hollow chamber for allowing a member to move within the chamber. One of at least one handle or at least one mechanism is attached to the hoop for supporting the hoop at a location on a user's body. At least one member is disposed in the hollow chamber, wherein the hoop is postionable around a portion of the user's body. The exercise device can also include at least one substantially circular casing comprising a hollow chamber for allowing a member to move within the chamber and a centrally disposed through opening. A handle rod at least partially disposed within the opening, and at least one member is moveably disposed in the hollow chamber. The casing is removably fixed to the handle rod so that movement of the handle rod causes movement of the at least one member within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Alberto G. Domenge
  • Patent number: 6494760
    Abstract: An exercise and/or play hoop, made of semi-rigid plastic tubing, is partially filed with water (30) to between ⅙ and ½ full, most preferably ¼ full. The water improves the dynamics of the hoop and makes it easier to keep the hoop elevated by gyration. The hoop is made of a length of hoop tube (10) bent into a circle. A coupling tube (20) is inserted where the ends (11, 12) abut, spanning the joint. The coupling tube includes a bore (25) through which the liquid flows circumferentially around inside the hoop, and past the joint. The joint is sealed on the outside with a shrink-plastic tube. A decorative, preferably iridescent cover (18) may cover the hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Patent number: 6488614
    Abstract: A cycle waist slimmer machine, wherein its main body is a long rod, at each end of the long rod is a pressure component to press down at the user's abdomen, another heavy thing is a rope-like object which is threaded through the corresponding ends of the pressure components which are at both ends of the long rod, when in use, the user holds the handles at both sides of the long rod, and then uses the pressure components to press down at the abdomen in order to allow the heavy thing at the other end of the long rod to turn, the user can, in conjunction with the centrifugal force created by the turning of the heavy thing as well as the size of the movement of turning to change the angle of the turning of the heavy thing, to achieve the results, fun-wise and health-wise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chuan-Pin Chang
  • Patent number: 6488613
    Abstract: A method of exercizing, various exercize devices and a method of assembling the exercizer devices. The exercise device includes at least one weight system comprising at least a first weight and a second weight, the first and second weights being rotatably mounted, at least one chamber for at least partially enclosing the weight system, and at least one mechanism for allowing a user to grip the inertial exercizer. A method of exercizing provides for gripping the exerciser with at least one hand, and moving the exercizer in at least one direction. A method of assembling an inertial exerciser, includes installing the at least one first weight and the at least one second weight into the at least one chamber, and attaching the at least one mechanism to the at least one chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Alberto G. Domenge
  • Patent number: 6482136
    Abstract: An exercise and/or play hoop, made of semi-rigid plastic tubing, is partially filled with water (30) to between ⅙ and ½ full, most preferably ¼ full. The water improves the dynamics of the hoop and makes keeping the hoop elevated by gyration easier. The hoop is preferably made of a length of hoop tube (10) bent into a circle. A coupling tube (20) is inserted where the ends (11, 12) abut, spanning over the joint. The coupling tube includes a bore (25) through which the liquid flows circumferentially around inside the hoop, and past the joint. To seal the water in O-rings (41, 42) are used. A decorative, preferably iridescent cover (18) may cover the hoop. Tape (50) keeps the joint together. The hoop may be scented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6482137
    Abstract: A spinning exercise device manipulated by the user and to which weights may be added to increase the level of exercise of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Brett C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6471564
    Abstract: The splattle paddle comprises a main housing with a handle secured thereto. A stretchable, flexible material is secured at an outer edge to the main housing. A button is secured centrally of the main housing to which one end of a linear stretchable cord is secured. The opposite end of the cord is secured to a holding apparatus, such as a clip. In use, a water-filled balloon or ball is secured to the holding apparatus and the water-filled balloon is then hit by the paddle until the balloon breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 6461276
    Abstract: A hand-shaking exerciser outfitted with an internal rotor comprises a hollow casing and a rotor shaft. The hollow casing consists of two identical semispherical shells interlocked integrally and extending outward to form two handles. At the far top of the shell, many small hard pellets are installed. The internal inertia rotor shaft is composed of two crown plates, an inertia weight and a wheel plate, one of which has an oval head at one side and one sleeve at other to receive the inertia weight. Two crown plates will hold and lock the inertia weight and wheel plate firmly to constitute an integral rotor shaft. When the player holds the handles and shakes the exerciser, the rotor shaft will make a free inertia rolling within the casing. The vigorous rolling of the rotor shaft will produce powerful vibration force acting as a massaging force to achieve the practical purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Hui-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 6450928
    Abstract: An upper body exerciser assembly is comprised of a rigid circular tubular frame, a pair of planar handgrip mounts rigidly joined to the frame in diametrically-opposed relation, and a pair of ball bearing-supported handgrips carried by the planar handgrip mounts and fully rotatable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Richard T. Larkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6440047
    Abstract: An exercising device for simulating hula-hoop rotations includes: a housing having at least a track annularly formed in the housing, at least a ball rolling or rotably moving in the track upon a hula-hoop rotation by a user who wears the housing of the exercising device, and an audio and visual device provided on the housing to indicate or display the whirling movements audiovisually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Hsiao-Ping Huang
  • Publication number: 20020086777
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method utilizes a flywheel mounted on a rotatable axle. The user exercises by accelerating and decelerating the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a line which wraps around the axle provides a mechanism for accelerating and decelerating the flywheel when a user applies a pulling force to the line. The inertia of the flywheel resists the user applied pulling force and provides the exercise mechanism. Preferably, spool mounted on the axle and variable pivot locations provide a mechanism for easily varying the exercise resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Richard D. Charnitski
  • Publication number: 20020068663
    Abstract: A gyroscopic wrist exerciser having a rotor on a shaft having two shaft ends; a guide ring accepting shaft ends in diametrically spaced notches formed within the inner periphery of the rotor, a housing made of a plastic upper shell and a plastic lower shell. The upper shell has an upper stepped joint engagable with a lower stepped joint of a lower shell to form a stepped joint union that forms an internal circumferential groove upon the internal periphery of the housing and an external circumferential groove upon the external equatorial periphery of the housing. The internal circumferential groove receives a guide ring. A rubber annular grip has an inner protrusion that is smaller than the external circumferential groove to allow a clearance. The rubber annular grip protects a stepped joint union located along the internal circumferential groove and the external circumferential groove from external impact. The rubber annular grip protects a user's hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Floyd Thomas Smith
  • Publication number: 20020065175
    Abstract: A spinning exercise device manipulated by the user and to which weights may be added to increase the level of exercise of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Brett C. Walker
  • Publication number: 20020065177
    Abstract: A dynamic energy converter is provided as an exercise and amusement apparatus. The physics of a torsion pendulum and button and string child's toy are employed in to provide a novel mode of exercise. An inertial component of significant mass and diameter has a flexible strand or cord of significant strength threaded through holes in the inertial component and formed into a closed loop. A means for gripping the ends of the loop of cord so that the inertial element is midway between the gripping means is attached to the loop. The user of the apparatus twirls the inertial element to create twists in the cord and then applies opposed tension to the cord to cause the inertial component to rotate as the twists in the cord unwind. The inertia of the inertial element under controlled tension causes the cord to unwind and then wind in the opposite direction until increased tension in the cord causes the inertial component to rotate and accelerate in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Gary V. Werner
  • Patent number: 6379288
    Abstract: A variably-weighted exercise hoop includes a plurality of large hollow balls, a plurality of plugs corresponding to and received in the balls, and a cable extending through and securing together the combined balls and plugs. A fixed quantity of pellets is enclosed in each combined ball and plug, and that quantity is varied by the manufacturer to achieve hoops of different weights using only one mold, whereby users of different abilities can have suitable hoops. The pellets provide both audible and physical rhythms for a user as the hoop rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6315701
    Abstract: Portable exercise machine having a base, a capstan rotatively mounted within the base, an elongated cable wrapped about the capstan and trained about guides toward opposite ends of the base with end portions of the cable extending beyond the base, handles attached to the end portions of the cable for drawing the cable back and forth through the base and thereby rotating the capstan, and means for resisting rotation of the capstan. The handles have frames with reels rotatively mounted on the frames and the end portions of the cable being wound about the reels, springs for rotating the reels to wind the end portions of the cable onto the reels, first grips connected to the reels and adapted to be grasped by the hands of an exerciser to prevent rotation of the reels and second grips connected to the frames and adapted to be engaged by the hands of the exerciser for moving thee handles without inhibiting rotation of the reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
  • Patent number: 6283899
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus and method utilizes a flywheel mounted on a rotatable axle. The user exercises by accelerating and decelerating the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a line which wraps around the axle provides a mechanism for accelerating and decelerating the flywheel when a user applies a pulling force to the line. The inertia of the flywheel resists the user applied pulling force and provides the exercise mechanism. Preferably, spool mounted on the axle and variable pivot locations provide a mechanism for easily varying the exercise resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Richard D. Charnitski
  • Patent number: 6280364
    Abstract: A method for exercising the lower body of a person comprising an elongated spring bar which may or may not be provided with weights at the ends. A protective collar is provided centrally of the bar to permit the user to support the bar on the shoulders or on the back. The user springs up and down between an erected and squat position and the bar oscillates in a manner such that as the user is moving downwardly towards the squat position the bar forms a tension arc with the ends pointing upwardly and after the user has reached the lower most position and is beginning his upward movement, the arc will form a tension arc with the ends pointing downwardly, and as the user reaches his erect position the bar will enhance a further upward movement as the tension is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Titus Deac, Joanna Deac, Charles Kwesi Collisson, Alina Michelle Collisson
  • Publication number: 20010012811
    Abstract: Left and right rails are supported on a frame and movable up and down with respect thereto. Left and right skates are supported on respective rails and movable back and forth with respect thereto. As a result, each skate is movable through a variety of paths within a respective vertical plane. Each rail is a leaf spring and provides its own, inherent reactionary force in response to upward and downward movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Trace O. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6228002
    Abstract: A rigid hollow tube has a hand grip on its upper end and a rotatable weight on its lower end. In use, the device is moved in an arcing up and down motion. The arcing motion forces the rotatable weight to rotate, assisting and intensifying the user's natural motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Harry E. Dantolan
  • Patent number: 6217491
    Abstract: A device and method is shown for invoking a muscle's natural involuntary, reflexive response or stretch reflex by imparting a sudden increase in load on the muscle over a defined period of time from a predetermined base load at which the muscle has assumed a baseline tonus, and over a predetermined amplitude of motion. The muscle is stimulated by cycling the load with a frequency of between 1 and 60 Hz, or more preferably between 10 and 30 Hz, and an amplitude of displacement of the muscle between 2 and 50 mm, or more preferably between 5 and 10 mm. The force input to the muscle can be provided by either the mass of the body to which the muscle is connected or by an external mass or resistance to motion. A seesaw platform can be oscillated in a vertical direction at the correct frequency and amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Schiessl
  • Patent number: 6179758
    Abstract: An inertial exercise device includes an internal hollow casing containing one or more spherical shaped weights for rolling and/or sliding movement within the hollow casing. The weights have an initial force imparted to them by a user of the exercise device. Once set in motion, the mass of the weights provide an inertia to the exercise by requiring the user to maintain the movement or work against the movement of the weights. Different types of motion can be imparted to the weights so as to provide exercise of varying difficulty and to provide exercise to different muscle groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Alberto G. Domenge
  • Patent number: 6106436
    Abstract: This invention describes an exercise machine which is operated in a manner similar to paddling a Kayak or other water craft with a double blade paddle. The device incorporates a "T" bar shaped handle assembly centrally positioned in front of a seated operator and connected at its base with an articulating joint to a torque resisting mechanism. The articulating joint allows the operator to manipulates the handle bar in a pattern similar to that of paddling a Kayak as this configuration allows the handle bar to pivot and be positioned from side to side with a similar freedom of movement experienced with a Kayak type double blade paddle. Only the rotational component of the handle bar movement induced by paddle stroke motions are transmitted through the articulating joint and resisted by the torque resistance mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Dana Lundahl
  • Patent number: 6099444
    Abstract: An inertial exercise device includes an internal hollow casing containing one or more spherical shaped weights for rolling and/or sliding movement within the hollow casing. The weights have an initial force imparted to them by a user of the exercise device. Once set in motion, the mass of the weights provide an inertia to the exercise by requiring the user to maintain the movement or work against the movement of the weights. Different types of motion can be imparted to the weights so as to provide exercise of varying difficulty and to provide exercise to different muscle groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Alberto G. Domenge
  • Patent number: RE37132
    Abstract: An energy absorbing exercising and training machine for exercising a person's ability to accelerate a portion of his body through a path of motion. The machine comprises a flywheel rotatably connected to a frame by means of a pair of journal bearings. A harness assembly is provided for connection to the portion of the person's body to be exercised. The flywheel and the harness assembly are interconnected to allow the flywheel to rigidly engage relative to the harness assembly upon acceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel in a first direction along a path of motion of the body portion being exercised and to also allow the flywheel to disengage and freely rotate relative to the harness assembly upon deceleration of the harness assembly relative to the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: D. Scott Douglas, John D. Webb