Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B43/00—Balls with special arrangements
  • A63B43/02—Balls with special arrangements with a handle
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/00058—Mechanical means for varying the resistance
  • A63B21/00069—Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/008—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
  • A63B21/0085—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters using pneumatic force-resisters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4001—Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor
  • A63B21/4017—Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor to the upper limbs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B39/00—Hollow non-inflatable balls, i.e. having no valves

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of exercise devices and more particularly a ball-shaped exercise device for performing site-specific isometric exercises directed to overall body strengthening and protection against the effects of osteoporosis.
• the present invention addresses isometric exercise, wherein, with little or no movement, one set of muscles is tensed for a period of seconds in opposition to another set of muscles or to an immovable object.
• Such isometric exercises are thus distinguished from isokinetic exercises wherein a muscle force is applied to a constant velocity of motion, as for example in pulling the handles of a rowing machine, or isotonic exercise when a constant weight is lifted through a range of motion.
• the exercise device must be bidirectional, as distinguished from unidirectional devices, e.g. those utilizing stretch cords or bands, or long thin coil springs that can operate only in tension and cannot operate in compression.
• the handles provided are intended for two-handed operation only, and do not accommodate feet or legs, furthermore they fail to provide a soft accommodating surface that can be applied against various body surfaces.
• the exercise device permit soft accommodation to various body surfaces for a broad array of isometric exercises.
• an inflatable isometric exercise ball about 46 CM (18) in diameter, fitted with a pair of strap-like handles, that can also serve as stirrups, located at diametrically opposite regions of surface of the main ball portion.
• the ball is less than fully inflated so as to interface comfortably with various regions of the body.
• some of the exercises utilize the ball in a tension mode with the user's arms or legs inserted through the handles, while other exercises utilize the ball in a compression mode, squeezed between body parts or between a body part and a wall or floor.
• a recommended sequence of exercises may be depicted by graphic illustrations printed directly on the surface of the exercise ball.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition.
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball embodiment of FIG. 3 in an assembled condition.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10A, in a first embodiment of the present invention equipped with a pair of diametrically-opposed strap-like handles 12A attached to the main portion of ball 10A by a sonic weld 14 at each end of each handle 12A.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10B, in a second embodiment of the present invention wherein each of the diametrically opposed pair of handles 12B consists of a hand grip 16 made from flexible tubing surrounding a flat loop of cord 18 extending as an eye at each end where the cord is threaded through a grommet 20 set in a tab 22. Each of the four tabs 22 is attached to the main portion of ball 10B by a sonic weld 14.
• the hand grips 16 may be round or oval in cross section.
• the handle is made long enough that it forms an arched loop that can be placed over the foot and onto the leg of the person exercising.
• the main ball portion 10A/B and the handles 12A/B are of flexible material, and may enclose a bladder portion; in a deluxe version of either embodiment, the outer surface of the main ball portion 10A/B may be covered with a fabric such as nylon or lycra.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball IOC of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition.
• the main bladder portion 24, preferably made from vinyl, may be fitted with a pressure sensor 26, which may include a pressure indicator such as a digital readout or analog display.
• a fabric cover is made in two hemispheric portions 28A and 28B.
• the upper cover portion 28A is fitted with a handle 30A at the end of a long strap 3OB.
• the lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a handle 30C at the end of a short strap 30D.
• the main lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a pair of similar handle pass- through slots, slot 30E located at the beginning of strap 30D, and slot 3OF located at the edge of lower cover portion 28B diagonally opposite slot 30E.
• Handle 30A of the upper cover portion 28A is shown having been inserted through slot 30E as the first step in assembly.
• handle 30A will be moved around cover portion 28B as indicated by arrow 32, passed through slot 30F as indicated by arrow 34, passed through a similar slot in upper cover portion 28A (not visible in this view) and directed outwardly, pulling the two cover portions 28A and 28B toward each other and securing them in place, fitting snugly over bladder 24.
• Additional fastening means such as Velcro fastenings, may be used to fasten the cover portions 28A and 28B to the bladder 24 so as to effectively join them together around their peripheral region.
• An opening 38 may be provided in the upper cover portion 28A at the location of pressure sensor 26 for visibility of a pressure indicator, when such is provided at that location.
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball IOC of FIG. 3 in an assembled condition.
• Strap 3OB seen laying against the surface of the lower cover portion 28B, is dimensioned in length to space handles 30A and 30C equal distances outwardly from the spherical main body of ball IOC thus simulating a pair of identical handles attached at diametrically opposite points in a like manner.
• This enables the ball IOC to act as a tension device for isometric exercise involving pulling outwardly on handles 30A and 30C in the same manner as described previously in connection with FIGs. 1 and 2.
• An opening 40 is shown for access to a bladder inflation valve; alternatively this could be located at any other location, as could sensor 26 and opening 38.
• sensor 26 drives a separate pressure indicator
• possible alternative locations for the indicator are shown in FIG. 3 at location 36 on the top side of strap 30D, and in FIG. 4 at location 39 on the bottom side of strap 30D.
• the pressure indicator can be of known art such a mechanical gauge or an electronic digital or analog indicator implemented as and LED or LCD display panel.
• the pressure sensor may be made to produce a visible or audible indication upon reaching a predetermined pressure level; the predetermined pressure level may be made variable with provision for adjustment by the individual using the ball, so that different muscular forces may be specified for various exercises and monitored accordingly.
• a keypad may be provided separately or built in, for the purpose of enabling a user to enter muscular force and/or other data.
• portions 28A and 28B could be made identical, at least with regard to the straps and handles:
• the main ball portion 10A/B/C is inflated, via the valve in the manner of beach balls or basketballs, only to a somewhat underinflated condition about two-thirds to three-quarters of its fully distended capacity, so as to allow it to provide a firm accommodating even resistance to body regions of the person exercising.
• the pressure readout can be utilized in connection with tabulated data providing recommended muscular force in the various exercises according to individual characteristics such as age, weight, etc.
• the invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof.
• the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
• Jellies, Jams, And Syrups (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=22266770

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 1998
  • 1998-04-02 CA CA002326876A patent/CA2326876C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-04-02 CN CNB988139456A patent/CN1182895C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-04-02 AT AT98918011T patent/ATE288780T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-04-02 AU AU71021/98A patent/AU763402B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1998-04-02 KR KR10-2000-7011012A patent/KR100512914B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-04-02 EP EP98918011A patent/EP1066088B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-04-02 DE DE69829003T patent/DE69829003T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-07-05 HK HK01104620A patent/HK1034685A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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