GB2436804A

GB2436804A - Inflatable exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2436804A
Application number: GB0626006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2006-12-29
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Also published as: FR2899119A3; TWM297771U; FR2899119B3; GB0626006D0; DE202007000297U1

Abstract

An inflatable fitness ball type apparatus comprises a torus shaped structure. The sectional diameter L1 of the structure is bigger than the diameter L2 of central through-portion 14. The structure may be partially filled with a material 20 to give the apparatus stability. The structure may be provided with projections 30 to massage the uses and with resistance cords 17 the user to perform pull exercises.

Description

2436804

A HOOP FITNESS BALL

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fitness ball, and more particularly to an improved one which is designed with a hoop.

2. Description of Related Art

The typical fitness ball has a spherical surface covered with convex grains for massaging purpose. However, such fitness ball provides poor balance control for human body, often leading to fall-down incidents due to its good rolling characteristics, especially for the new beginners or those with poorer equilibrium sense. Such a fitness ball is not a choice of fitness tool. For this reason, non-spherical fitness balls, e.g. semi-circular or semi-cylindrical fitness balls, are recommended. Due to the absence of rolling characteristics, this new fitness ball increases the reliability for the human body, irrespective of relatively lower efficiency.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

i

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as follows:

1. Based upon an innovative design that a circular aeration space is formed within the loop capsule, a circular surface and a central through-portion is formed outside of the loop capsule, and the sectional diameter of circular aeration space is bigger than that of central through-portion, the hoop fitness ball of the present invention could offer reliability and safety for sitting and lying. Referring to FIGS. 14-26, due to the remaining rolling characteristics, this structure is ideally designed to achieve the fitness and entertainment effect.

2. As the circular surface of loop capsule is laterally provided with through-hole projecting lugs for threading of the flexible rope, and the flexible rope is fitted with a handle, the hoop fitness ball allows for additional pulling exercises.

3. Based upon an innovative design a payload, that may be powder-like, is accommodated within the circular aeration space; the loop capsule of the hoop fitness ball could generate proper balance weight and stabilizing force, thus improving the reliability and safety of the hoop fitness ball. Meanwhile, whenever the user swings, rolls or shifts the hoop fitness ball, the balance weight of the payload could generate bigger resistance and gravity for muscle exercises.

4. Based upon another technical feature that projecting portions are alternatively arranged on the circular surface of the loop capsule, the massaging portion formed from the projecting portion could

2

assist the users in removing fatigue and improving health when playing the hoop fitness ball.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of application of the payload of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another view of application of the payload of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a view of application of the projecting portion configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows another view of application of the projecting portion configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a view of application of the projecting lug of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows another sectional view of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows another prospective view of the present invention.

3

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the structure as disclosed in FIG.9.

FIG. 11 shows a general view of handheld hoop fitness ball of the present invention.

FIGS. 12-26 show a general view of the operating status of the present invention.

FIG. 27 shows another view of the projecting portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict preferred embodiments of improved fitness ball of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory purpose for patent claims. The said hoop fitness ball 10 comprising a loop capsule 11, which is made of plastic leather; within the loop capsule 11, there is a circular aeration space 12, which is provided with a nozzle (not shown in the figure) at a preset location for aeration or discharge; a circular surface 13 and a central through-portion 14 are formed outside of the loop capsule 11; and, the sectional diameter LI of circular aeration space 12 must exceed sectional diameter L2 of central through-portion 14; thus, the hoop fitness ball 10 of the present invention provides a bigger and more robust bottom for improved stability and safety.

A payload 20 is accommodated within the circular aeration space

4

12; and projecting portions 30 are distributed at interval onto the preset location of circular surface 13.

The said payload 20 may be comprised of: sand, metal sand, bead, plastic grain, plastic ball and paper scrap, etc; FIG. 2 depicts a payload 20 made of tiny powder; FIG. 3 depicts a payload 20B made of bigger grains or balls; FIG. 4 depicts a liquid payload 20C.

The said projecting portion 30 may be a hollow or solid flange formed by the circular surface 13.

The said projecting portion 30 may be placed at top, bottom or local location of the circular surface 13, or only placed at top, or bottom or local location of the circular surface; referring to FIG. 3, projecting portions 30 are only arranged at top of the circular surface 13; referring to FIG. 5, projecting portions 30 are arranged at both sides of the top of circular surface 13; referring also to FIG. 6, projecting portions 30 are arranged at top and bottom of circular surface 13; thus, the pattern of projecting portions 30 on the fitness ball 10 enables massaging for the users. Referring to FIG. 13, desirable massaging effect could be achieved through the projecting portion 30 when a user lies on the circular surface 13.

Referring also to FIG. 7, projecting lugs 15 are arranged laterally onto the circular surface 13 of the loop capsule 11. And, the projecting lugs 15 are provided with through-hole 16 for threading of flexible rope 17. A handle 18 is placed at one end of the flexible rope 17. The hoop fitness ball 10 of the present invention is additionally designed with other functions, namely, when a user sits on the circular surface 13 of the loop capsule, and then holds the handles 18, pulling exercise is made possible through the resistance from the flexible rope 17.

5

FIG. 8 depicts another preferred embodiment of hoop fitness ball 10 of the present invention. The feature is that, a punchless central groove 19 is shaped on the circular surface 13 of the loop capsule 11. The central groove 19 has a bottom edge 191 connected to the circular surface 13; with this bottom edge 191, the central groove 19 could be fitted with an upper and lower handle 192. Referring to FIG. 8, the bottom edge 191 is provided with a punch hole 193, a handle assembly portion 194 is placed between upper and lower handles 192, and a reducing portion 195 at middle section of the handle assembly portion 194 could be tightly snapped into the aforementioned punch hole 193 for positioning purpose.

Of which, the said hoop fitness ball 10 may be designed into a bigger size for sitting (shown in FIG. 12); or the hoop fitness ball 10B may be designed into a smaller size for manual holding as shown in FIG. 11.

Referring also to FIGS. 9, 10, the hoop fitness ball 10 of the present invention could be assembled simply with circular surface 13 and central through-portion 14, without needing the above-specified payload 20, projecting portion 30, flexible rope 17 and handle 18.

Based upon the above-specified structural design, the hoop fitness ball 10 of the present invention is operated as follows:

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, the user could sit on the hoop fitness ball 10 with both feet on the ground, and then make stretching and swinging exercises; referring to FIG. 16, the user could sit on the hoop fitness ball by crossing his/her legs, and the hoop fitness ball 10 could

6

provide a reliable support.

Referring to FIG. 17, the user could lie on the hoop fitness ball 10 with both feet on the ground, and then stretching and swinging exercises; referring also to FIGS. 18, 19, the user could also make pulling or lifting exercises.

Referring to FIGS. 20, 21, the user could bend over the hoop fitness ball 10, and then make stretching or swimming-like exercises.

Referring to FIG. 22, the user could lie laterally on the hoop fitness ball 10, and then make leg extension exercises.

Referring to FIG. 23, the user could lie on the hoop fitness ball by facing upwards, and also place two feet on it for sit-ups exercises.

Referring to FIG. 24, the user could hold the hoop fitness ball 10, and then make lifting and swinging exercises, or lifting and dropping exercises (shown in FIG. 25).

Referring to FIG. 26, the hoop fitness ball 10 has still rolling characteristics due to the circular shape at one side, so the user could make interesting fitness movement like rolling tires.

In addition to the alternatively arranged projecting portions 30 on the circular surface 13, the projecting portions 30B could also be arranged in rings or sectional strips as shown in FIG. 27.

7

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

8

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hoop fitness ball structure, which comprises a loop capsule; a space is formed within the loop capsule, with a central through portion extending through the loop of the capsule.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the space is a circular space.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 or 2 in which the space is an aeration space.

4. The structure defined in any preceding claim with a circular surface and a central through portion formed outside of the loop capsule with the sectional diameter of the circular aeration space being bigger than that of the central through portion.

5. The structure as defined in any preceding claim in which a payload is accommodated within the space.

6. The structure as defined in any preceding claim in which projecting portions are distributed at intervals onto the preset location of the circular surface.

7. The structure defined in any preceding claim, wherein a projecting lug is arranged laterally onto the circular surface of the said loop capsule, and also fitted with through-hole.

9

8. The structure defined in Claim 7, wherein the through-hole of the said projecting lug could be used for threading of the flexible rope; the said flexible rope is fitted with a handle.

9. The structure defined in Claim 5 or any claim when dependent on Claim 5, wherein the said payload may be comprised of: sand, metal sand, bead, plastic grain, plastic ball, paper scrap and liquid.

10. The structure defined in Claim 6 or any claim when dependent on Claim 6, wherein the said projecting portion may be a hollow or solid flange formed by the circular surface.

11. The structure defined in Claim 6 or any claim when dependent on Claim 6, wherein the said projecting portion may be placed at top, bottom or local location of the circular surface, or only placed at top, or bottom or local location of the circular surface.

12. The structure defined in any preceding claim, wherein the said loop capsule may be designed into a bigger size for sitting, or designed into a smaller size for manual holding.

13. The structure defined in Claim 1, wherein the portion which may comprise a central groove is provided with a bottom edge connected to a surface of the loop that may be circular.

14. A hoop fitness ball structure, which comprising a loop capsule; a circular aeration space is formed within the loop capsule, while a circular surface and a central through-portion are formed outside of

10

the loop capsule; and, the sectional diameter of the circular aeration space must be bigger than that of central through-portion.

15. The structure defined in Claim 14, wherein projecting lug is arranged laterally onto the circular surface of the said loop capsule, and also fitted with through-hole.

16. The structure defined in Claim 5, wherein the through-hole of the said projecting lug could be used for threading of a flexible rope; the said flexible rope being fitted with a handle.

17. The structure defined in any of Claims 14 to 16, wherein a said central groove is provided with a bottom edge connected to the circular surface.

n