US20060135331A1

US20060135331A1 - Support for an exercise ball

Info

Publication number: US20060135331A1
Application number: US11/017,844
Authority: US
Inventors: Hsiao-Chieh Chin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-22
Filing date: 2004-12-22
Publication date: 2006-06-22

Abstract

A support for an exercise ball includes multiple support sections to form an annular shape. Each support section has a tapered thickness so as to form a triangular shape in section, multiple extensions formed on a first end of the support section and multiple cutouts defined in a second end of the support section opposite to the first end to receive therein the extensions of an adjacent support section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support for an exercise ball, and more particularly to the support that is sectioned so that the volume of the support is compact when in storage.
2. Description of Related Art
An exercise ball is of course spherical in shape and thus a support is required to position the ball when not in use, otherwise the ball tends to roll around causing a nuisance and possibly danger through someone tripping over the it. A conventional support (70) for such an exercise ball (72) is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The support (70) is annular and has a tapered thickness so that the support (70) has a wedged shape in cross section. In a central area of the support (70), a through hole (71) is defined so that the exercise ball (72) is supported by a periphery (700) adjacent to the through hole (71). However, because the conventional support (70) is fixed in structure, the user has to prepare too much space for storage when the support (70) is not in use. Furthermore, it is very inconvenient for the user to transport such a support (70) especially when the structure of the support (70) cannot be disassembled.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved support to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a support for restraining an exercise ball. The support is sectioned so that the volume for storage is small.
Another objective of the present invention is that the support has a groove defined in each of the support sections for receiving therein a periphery of an elastic elliptical body.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support section of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the support section in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing that the support sections are assembled;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the application of the support of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a different application of the support of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the application of a conventional support; and
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the conventional support in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, it is noted that the support for an exercise ball in accordance with the present invention includes multiple support sections (10) (there are four support sections shown in this embodiment) respectively having a substantially triangular shape as shown in FIG. 2. The support sections (10) are able to be assembled into an annular shape as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the support sections (10) has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the support section (10) is provided with multiple extensions (11) (two are shown) and the second end of the support section (10) has multiple cutouts (12) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the extensions (11). Each support section (10) has a tapered thickness, a through hole (13) defined in a top side of the support section (10) and a groove (14) defined in a top face of the support section (10).
When the support sections (10) of the present invention are assembled and after the extensions (11) are received in the corresponding cutouts (12), an annular shape is formed. Thus an exercise ball (20) is able to be rested on top of the support of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, an elastic rope (not shown) may be extended through two opposite through holes (13) so that the user is able to stand on top of the support of the present invention to do exercise using the elastic rope.
With reference to FIG. 5, it is noted that an elastic elliptical ball (21) having a peripheral edge (22) can be supported by the support of the present invention. That is, the peripheral edge (22) of the elastic elliptical ball (21) is able to be inserted into the grooves (14) of each of the support sections (10) and thus the user is able to sit on top of the elastic elliptical ball (21).
From the previous discussion, it is noted that the support of the present invention is sectioned so that the storage space thereof is compact and thus the user will feel convenient when carrying the support. Furthermore, the user is able to use the support to work on the body by applying the elastic rope or the elastic elliptical ball.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An annular support for an elliptical exercise ball having a peripheral edge extending out from an outer periphery of the elliptical exercise ball, the support comprising:

multiple support sections combinable to form an annular support member, each support section having a tapered thickness such that each section has a substantially triangular shape in section, at least one extension formed on a first end of each support section and at least one cutout defined in a second end of each support section opposite to the first end to receive therein the at least one extension of an adjacent support section, wherein a through hole is defined in a top side of each support section such that two ends of an elastic rope are able to be secured to the top side of the support by extending through two opposite through holes, and

wherein a groove is defined in the top side of each support section such that said annular support member has an annular groove for receiving therein a peripheral edge of an elliptical ball.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)