Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ISOMETRIC EXERCISE BALL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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
io of osteoporosis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need for exercise has been increasingly recognized. In
addition to the benefits of better overall health and fitness,
1s the strengthening of muscles and bones reduce the risk of
fractures of the spine and hips as a major consequence of
osteoporosis. Strong muscles stimulate the formation of
stronger bones, provide the muscle control that helps to keep
one's balance and prevent falls, help maintain an upright
20 posture and prevent the "dowager's hump" of osteoporosis, and
provide shock-absorbing fracture protection to the skeleton
when an unavoidable fall occurs.
The present invention addresses isometric exercise,
wherein, with little or no movement, one set of muscles is
zs 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
3o exercise when a constant weight is lifted through a range of
motion.
Many isometric exercises require or are enhanced by the
use of an exercise device providing force(s) that-
counterbalance the muscular. force(s) applied by the exercising
35 person. Amongst a recommended set of isometric exercises, some
will require muscles to contract concentrically under uniform
fiber tension, while others will require excentric muscular
expansion. Accordingly, in the field addressed by present
invention, the exercise device must be bidirectional, as
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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.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED KNOWN ART
Examples of unidirectional isometric exercise devices are
found in U.S. patents 4,023,808 to Hebert for a RESILIENT FORCE
RESISTOR TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,852,874 to Sleichtser III
et al for a PORTABLE ISOKINETIC EXERCISING DEVICE: these
utilize elastic stretch band loops as resistance elements.
Examples of bidirectional isometric exercise devices are
found in U.S. patents 4,376,533 to Kolbel for a PUSH AND PULL
TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,406,453 to Herzfeld for a PORTABLE
EXERCISER: these utilize metal springs as resistance elements.
is U.S. patent 2,115,926 by Hatton for HANDLE FOR INFLATED
BALLS AND THE LIKE is of interest in showing an inflated ball
with a pair of solid hand grips recessed at diametrically
opposite locations of the ball; however the ball is for
athletic game purposes only and is not intended or suitable for
use as an
isometric exercise device as addressed by the present
invention.
In the above mentioned examples of known art exercise
devices, 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.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide
a versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device that can be
utilized in conjunction with various body parts such as hands,
legs, knees, feet, etc., for exercising muscles in both
opposite directions, i.e. not restricted to isotonic exercises.
It is a further object to provide an exercise device
directed to overall body and paraspinal strengthening
particularly for persons prone to or desiring protection from
the effects of osteoporosis.
It is a further object that the exercise device permit
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soft accommodation to various body surfaces for a broad array
of isometric exercises.
It is a further object to realize an exercise device
meeting the foregoing objects in a very simple structure that
does not require metal springs, stretch cords or the like, or
mechanisms such as lever arms.
It is a further object to realize an inflatable exercise
device that can be deflated for easy carrying and convenient
storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The abovementioned objects have been accomplished in the
present invention of 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. in a
recommended sequence of isometric exercises directed to
particular different body regions, 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.
In one aspect, the invention provides an exercise
ball, comprising a hollow inflatable main ball portion made
from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of
predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, the ball
portion being partially inflated to within a range from
about two-thirds to three-quarters of the volume capacity,
a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at
diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, the
handles being dimensioned to allow a human foot to pass
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through the looped handle, an inflatable bladder portion,
first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover
portions constructed and arranged to each have a
corresponding one of the looped handles attached integrally
thereto at a peripheral region thereof by an attachmerlt
strap, the first and second fabric cover portions being
mutually attached around the peripheral region, fully
enclosing the bladder portion, each of the fabric cover
portions each being constructed and arranged to have pass-
through slot means defined in a peripheral region opposite
the location of the attachment.strap, for utilizing the
attachment strap passing through the slot means in order to
assist in holding the fabric cover portions together, and
the first and second fabric cover portions being
constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion
arid to be mutually attached around peripheral regions
thereof so as to form a spherical entity, such that the
looped handles are caused to become effectively attached
via the respective straps to diametrically opposed regions
of the main ball portions, disposed at substantially equal
distances outwardly from the main ball portion.
In another aspect, the invention provides an exercise
ball, comprising a hollow inflatable bladder portion made
from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of
predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, a fabric
cover constructed and arranged to surround the bladder
portion so as to form a spherical entity, at least two
attachment straps, each attachment strap having a first end
attached to the fabric cover, one or more strap holders,
each strap holder of the one or more strap holders
configured to receive and hold a portion of at least one
attachment strap of the at least two attachment straps, and
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a pair of looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed
regions of the bladder portion, each looped handle of the
pair of looped handles being attached to one attachment
strap of the at least two attachment straps.
In another aspect, the invention provides an exercise
ball comprising a hollow main ball portion made from
flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined
volume capacity when fully inflated, a pair of like
flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed
regions of the main ball portion, each of the looped
handles having ends separately attached to different
portions of the main ball portion, and an inflatable
bladder portion is contained within the follow main ball
portion.
In another aspect, the invention provides an exercise
ball, comprising a hollow inflatable bladder portion made
from a flexible material shaped to form a sphere of
predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, first
and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions,
the first and second bladder portions constructed and
arranged to surround the bladder portion and to be mutually
attracted so as to form a spherical entity, a first
attachment strap attached at a first attachment point at a
peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the
first attachment strap having a looped handle attached
thereto, a second attachment strap attached at a second
attachment point at a peripheral region of the second
fabric cover, the second attachment strap having a looped
handle attached thereto, a first strap holder located near
the first attachment point on a peripheral region of the
first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder
configured to receive and hold a first portion of the
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second attachment strap, a second strap holder attached at
a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion
diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the
second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second
portion of the second attachment strap, and a third strap
holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric
cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment
point, the third strap holder configured to receive and
hold a third portion of the second attachment strap,
wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first
strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap
holder to assist in holding the cover portions together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and further objects, features and advantages of
the present invention wi11 be more fully understood from the
following description taken with the accompanying drawings in
which:
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.
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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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10A, in a
io 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 lOB, 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 lOB by a sonic
weld 14. The hand grips 16 may be round or oval in cross
section.
In either embodiment 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 1OA/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 1OA/B may be covered with a fabric such as
3o nylon or lycra.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third
embodiment of an exercise ball loC of the present invention
illustrating a pre-assembled condition. The main b-ladder
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.
Shown above and below bladder 24, 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
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strap 30B. 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 30F 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. In subsequent assembly, handle 30A
will be moved around cover portion 28B as indicated by arrow
io 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 10C of FIG. 3
in an assembled condition. Strap 30B, 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 lOC thus simulating a pair
of identical handles attached at diametrically opposite points
in a like manner. This enables the ball lOC 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. -
In the case where 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
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as and LED or LCD display panel.
Force applied to the exercise ball in either in tension
via the handles, tending to distort the ball shown by dashed
lines in FIG. 4, or in compression by squeezing the ball,
increases the air pressure within the ball, thus the air
pressure as sensed and indicated is generally proportional to
the applied force.
As a further refinement, either as an addition to a
pressure gauge or as an alternative thereto, 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. As a further alternative,
a keypad may be provided separately or built in, for the
purpose of enabling a user to enter muscular force and/or other
data.
As optional variations to the structure shown in FIGs. 3
2o and 4, portions 28A and 28B could be made identical, at least
with regard to the straps and handles:
(a) if both portions were made in the form of portion 28B,
then each handle, being on a short strap 30D, would thread
through the pass-through slot 30F of the opposite portion;
there would be no need for the pass through slot 30E in the
handle 30D; or
(b) if both portions were made in the form of portion 28A
with a long strap 30B on each handle and provided with a pass-
through slot 30F at the opposite edge, then the straps would
3o each pass through a slot 30E, make a half turn around opposite
sides of the ball and then pass through slots 30F, extending
therefrom to the respective handles.
For exercise use, the main ball portion 10A/BIC 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.
There are two basic modes of using the ball for exercise:
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(1) utilizing the ball as a tensile load by pulling apart on
the handles, e.g. with hands or legs, so to effectively stretch
the ball, and (2) utilizing the ball as a compressive load by
squeezing it between user body regions or between a user body
region and an immovable object such as a floor, bed or wall.
A special sequence of recommended exercises may be
illustrated by graphics printed on the ball as indicated in
FIGs. 1 and 2. An instruction booklet describing these
exercises in detail may be provided in a marketing package with
io the exercise ball. Each exercise is directed to different areas
of the body and utilizes the ball in an appropriate mode.
Generally in each exercise, a steadily increasing muscular
force is applied to the ball over a given time period,
typically five seconds, then the force is released steadily
over a similar time period.
When provided, 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.
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