U.S. patent application number 09/746655 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-10 for athletic apparatus and method of use.
Invention is credited to Panes, Howard.
Application Number | 20010001094 09/746655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26808418 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Panes, Howard |
May 10, 2001 |
Athletic apparatus and method of use
Abstract
An athletic apparatus has a resilient ball and a pair of
elongate weights. The athletic apparatus enables an large number of
different exercises and stretching activities because the athletic
apparatus can adapt to three different configurations. The
resilient ball of the athletic apparatus is functional as a
medicine ball when neither of the pair of elongate weights are
attached thereto. With one of the pair of elongate weights
attached, the athletic apparatus allows various functional
exercises such as rowing, shoveling, and hammering, as well as
training for golf and tennis. Fully assembled with both of the pair
of elongate weights, the athletic apparatus enables another
plurality of exercise and stretching exercises.
Inventors: |
Panes, Howard; (Roseland,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ERIC K KARICH
3151 AIRWAY AVENUE
SUITE K 105
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
|
Family ID: |
26808418 |
Appl. No.: |
09/746655 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09746655 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
09275720 |
Mar 24, 1999 |
|
|
|
6190292 |
|
|
|
|
60110826 |
Dec 2, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 ;
482/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 43/02 20130101;
A63B 21/06 20130101; A63B 65/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/93 ;
482/109 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An athletic apparatus comprising: a resilient ball; a pair of
elongate weights, each of the pair of elongate weights having a
locking end and an extending end, the extending end of each of the
pair of elongate weights includes a cylindrical sidewall having a
predetermined length and a constant diameter along the entirety of
the predetermined length without protrusions; a cylinder fixedly
and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and extending at
least partially across a diameter thereof, the cylinder having a
first end and a second end, the first and second ends being shaped
to receive the locking end of each of the pair of elongate weights;
and a means for removably attaching each of the pair of elongate
weights within the cylinder, whereby each of the pair of elongate
weights may be removably joined to the resilient ball.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extending end of each of
the pair of elongate weights is covered with a resilient gripping
layer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylindrical sidewall of the
extending end of each of the pair of elongate weights is
constructed of a material having a density of equal to or greater
than steel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an internal chamber
within the resilient ball; a liquid receiving aperture through the
resilient ball, the liquid receiving aperture being shaped to allow
liquid to be poured into the internal chamber of the resilient
ball; a plug shaped to fit within and engage a perimeter of the
liquid receiving aperture to seal the internal chamber; and a fluid
injection aperture through the resilient ball, the fluid injection
aperture being sealed with a fluid injection valve.
5. An athletic apparatus comprising: a resilient ball; an elongate
weight having a locking end and an extending end; a cylinder
fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending at least partially across a diameter thereof, the
cylinder having a first end shaped to receive the locking end of
the elongate weight; a means for removably attaching the locking
end of the elongate weight within the cylinder, whereby the
elongate weight may be removably joined to the resilient ball; and
a tennis racket handle extending from the extending end of the
elongate weight, the tennis racket handle being covered with a
resilient gripping layer.
6. An athletic apparatus comprising: a resilient ball; an elongate
weight having a locking end and an extending end; a cylinder
fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending at least partially across a diameter thereof, the
cylinder having a first end shaped to receive the locking end of
the elongate weight; a means for removably attaching the locking
end of the elongate weight within the cylinder, whereby the
elongate weight may be removably joined to the resilient ball; and
a golf club handle extending from the extending end of the elongate
weight, the golf club handle being covered with a resilient
gripping layer.
7. An athletic apparatus comprising: a resilient ball; a cylinder
fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending across a diameter thereof, a first elongate weight having
a first locking end and a first extending end, the first locking
end having an externally threaded portion; a second elongate weight
having a second locking end and a second extending end, the second
locking end having an internally threaded portion shaped to
threadedly receive the externally threaded portion of the first
locking end; and the first and second locking ends, together, being
of approximately the same length of the cylinder, such that when
the first and second locking ends are threadedly engaged within the
cylinder, the first and second locking ends are positioned within
the cylinder and the first and second extending ends extend from
opposing ends of the cylinder.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a first flange
separating the first locking end from the first extending end; and
a second flange separating the second locking end from the second
extending end, the first and second flanges being larger than an
internal diameter of each of the opposing ends of the cylinder.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: an internal chamber
within the resilient ball; a liquid receiving aperture through the
resilient outer skin of the resilient ball, the liquid receiving
aperture being shaped to allow liquid to be poured into the
internal chamber of the resilient ball; a plug shaped to fit within
and engage a perimeter of the liquid receiving aperture to seal the
internal chamber; and a fluid injection aperture through the
resilient outer skin of the resilient ball, the fluid injection
aperture being sealed with a fluid injection valve.
10. A method for exercising with an athletic apparatus, the method
comprising the steps of: a) providing a resilient ball having a
cylinder fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending across a diameter thereof, b) providing a pair of
elongate weights, each of the pair of elongate weights having a
locking end and an extending end, the locking end having a means
for removably engaging the cylinder; c) inserting the locking ends
of each of the pair of elongate weights into either end of the
cylinder; d) grasping one of the pair of elongate weights with a
hand while lying on one side, and resting the other of the pair of
elongate weights on an ankle; and e) raising and lowering the
resilient ball by raising and lowering both the arm and the
leg.
11. A method for exercising with an athletic apparatus, the method
comprising the steps of: a) providing a resilient ball having a
cylinder fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending across a diameter thereof; b) providing a pair of
elongate weights, each of the pair of elongate weights having a
locking end and an extending end, the locking end having a means
for removably engaging the cylinder; c) inserting the locking ends
of each of the pair of elongate weights into either end of the
cylinder; d) grasping one of the pair of elongate weights with a
hand while resting the other of the pair of elongate weights on the
ground; and e) pivoting the resilient ball up and down by stepping
forward and back.
12. A method for exercising with an athletic apparatus, the method
comprising the steps of: a) providing a resilient ball having a
cylinder fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending across a diameter thereof; b) providing an elongate
weight, each of the pair of elongate weights having a locking end
and an extending end, the locking end having a means for removably
engaging the cylinder, the extending end having a tennis racket
handle covered with a resilient gripping layer; c) inserting the
locking end of the elongate weight into the cylinder, thereby
locking the locking end within the cylinder with the means for
removably engaging the cylinder; d) grasping the tennis racket
handle of the elongate weight with a hand; and e) swinging the
resilient ball and tennis racket handle in a fashion similar to a
tennis racket.
13. A method for exercising with an athletic apparatus, the method
comprising the steps of: f) providing a resilient ball having a
cylinder fixedly and immobily engaged within the resilient ball and
extending across a diameter thereof, g) providing an elongate
weight, each of the pair of elongate weights having a locking end
and an extending end, the locking end having a means for removably
engaging the cylinder, the extending end having a golf club handle
being covered with a resilient gripping layer; h) inserting the
locking end of the elongate weight into the cylinder, thereby
locking the locking end within the cylinder with the means for
removably engaging the cylinder; i) grasping the golf club handle
of the elongate weight with both hands; and j) swinging the golf
club handle and the resilient ball in a fashion similar swinging a
golf club.
Description
1. This application for a utility patent is a continuation-in-part
of a previously filed utility patent having the application Ser.
No. 09/275,720, filed Mar. 24, 1999, and claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/110,826, filed Dec. 2, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2. 1. Field of the Invention
3. This invention relates generally to athletic equipment, and more
particularly to a resilient ball having one or two attachable
elongate weights, the attachable elongate weights enabling a
plurality of additional exercises.
4. 2. Description of Related Art
5. The prior art teaches various devices that are structurally
similar to the present invention, but used for different purposes.
Irving, U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,219, teaches a swim ball constructed of
rubber or synthetic rubber. The ball includes a pair of cups shaped
to receive wooden paddles. While the swim ball appears similar to
the present invention, the wooden paddles are not equivalent to the
elongate weights of the present invention, and do not allow the
proper function of the device as an exercise tool.
6. Alonzo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,371, teaches a similar flotation
ball having a cylinder through the center of the ball. The
flotation ball includes a rod that fits through the cylinder, and a
pair of paddles that removably attach to either end of the rod.
Once again, while the flotation ball appears similar, the unitary
construction of the rod does not allow the attachment or removal of
a separate pair of elongate weights, as provided by the present
invention.
7. Byrd, U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,447, teaches a jogger's rod having a
rigid, hollow body having a pair of detachable plastic handles.
While the rod is similar in appearance, the body is rigid rather
than resilient and the handles are lightweight plastic rather than
heavy elongate weights.
8. The prior art contains a variety of exercise devices, including
medicine balls, free-weights, and dumb bells. Simple medicine balls
are well known in the prior art; however, none of these references
disclose the attachment of elongate weights of any sort to these
exercise devices. Gilman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,438, for example,
discloses a medicine ball having a rigid core surrounded by an
outer layer of foamed polyurethane. Gilman does not disclose the
attachment of elongate weights to the ball, nor does it teach that
this would be a desirable feature.
9. Calvert, U.S. Pat. No. 1,316,683, Metzger, U.S. Pat. No.
560,517, and Schmidt, U.K. No. 2,333, disclose various embodiments
of the traditional dumb bell. These references disclose two handle
attachment ports. However, the dumb bells are constructed of steel
rather than a resilient material. Furthermore, the handle
connections are of entirely different construction. The first
handle attachment port is designed to interconnect two dumb bells
to form a traditional dumb bell. The second handle attachment port
is designed only to facilitate transportation of the dumb bell. The
references do not disclose a dumb bell with a resilient
construction, nor do they disclose the attachment of two elongate
weights to one bell for performing exercises.
10. An exercise bar having a weight mounted in the middle of the
bar is taught by Poichek, U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,227, Lee, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,828,256, and Burzenski, U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,906. The
references do not disclose the use of a resilient ball as the
central weight, nor do they teach the desirability of attaching
such a ball. Furthermore, none of these references disclose an
attachment means that would allow the device to be used with only
one elongate weight, or with no elongate weights at all.
11. Another example of a novel piece of exercise equipment is
disclosed in Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 259,752, which discloses an
exercise club that enables a variety of novel exercises. This
reference discloses the attachment of handles to a centrally
located weight device; however, it does not disclose the use of a
resilient ball as the central weight, nor does it teach the
desirability of making this novel combination.
12. Various additional exercise devices are shown in the prior art.
Alastalo, U.S. Pat. No. 1,536,048, discloses a rigid hand bar for
physical training. The hand bar is modular, thereby allowing the
user to modify the bar to his or her particular exercise. Panagos,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,199, discloses interlocking dumb bells. Various
additional patents have been granted for more unusual exercise
devices. Donato, U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,534, for example, discloses an
exercise bar with revolvable arms; and Dantolan, U.S. Pat. No.
5,334,118, discloses a reciprocating weight exercise device.
13. The prior art teaches various swim balls having paddles; the
prior art teaches a jogger's rod constructed of rigid and
lightweight plastic; the prior art teaches medicine balls; and the
prior art teaches exercise bars with the weights mounted on the
middle of the bar; and the prior art also teaches an exercise club.
However, the prior art does not teach an exercise apparatus having
a resilient ball having a pair of elongate weights that can be
removably attached to the resilient ball for use in various
exercises and training methods. The present invention fulfills
these needs and provides further related advantages as described in
the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
14. The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction
and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
15. The present invention provides an athletic apparatus having a
resilient ball and a pair of attachable elongate weights. The
athletic apparatus enables an large number of different exercises
and stretching activities because the athletic apparatus can adapt
to three different configurations. The resilient ball of the
athletic apparatus is functional as a medicine ball when neither of
the pair of elongate weights are attached thereto. With one of the
pair of elongate weights attached, the athletic apparatus allows
various functional exercises such as rowing, shoveling, and
hammering, as well as training for golf and tennis. Fully assembled
with both of the pair of elongate weights, the athletic apparatus
enables another plurality of exercise and stretching exercises.
16. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an
athletic apparatus having advantages not taught by the prior
art.
17. Another objective is to provide an athletic apparatus that
enables a great number of exercises through its capability to
quickly and easily add or remove one or two attachable elongate
weights.
18. A further objective is to provide an athletic apparatus that
can be easily adapted to provide a range of weights for varying
degrees of resistance while performing the various exercises and
stretching activities.
19. Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
20. The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In
such drawings:
21. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, an athletic apparatus including a resilient ball
and a pair of elongate weights;
22. FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2 in FIG.
1, the view illustrating how one of the pair of elongate weights is
inserted into or removed from a cylinder within the resilient
ball;
23. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment
of the athletic apparatus in which one of the pair of elongate
weights is removed from the resilient ball and the other includes a
tennis racket handle;
24. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment
of the athletic apparatus in which one of the pair of elongate
weights is removed from the resilient ball and the other includes a
golf club handle;
25. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third alternative
embodiment of the athletic apparatus in which the pair of elongate
weights threadedly engage one another within the cylinder of the
resilient ball;
26. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a user practicing a tennis
swing using the first alternative embodiment;
27. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user practicing a golf swing
using the second alternative embodiment;
28. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the athletic apparatus being
used in a reaching pivot-stretch shovel exercise;
29. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the athletic apparatus being
used in a shovel exercise; and
30. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the athletic apparatus being
used in a resistance lateral leg lift exercise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
31. The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention,
an athletic apparatus 10 having a resilient ball 20 and a pair of
elongate weights 30 that can be attached to the resilient ball 20.
The athletic apparatus 10 enables an large number of different
exercises and stretching activities because athletic apparatus 10
can adapt to three different configurations. The resilient ball 20
of athletic apparatus 10 is functional as a medicine ball when
neither of the pair of elongate weights 30 are attached thereto.
With one of the pair of elongate weights 30 attached, the athletic
apparatus 10 allows various functional exercises such as rowing,
shoveling, and hammering, as well as training for golf and tennis,
as described below. Fully assembled with both of the pair of
elongate weights 30, the athletic apparatus 10 enables another
plurality of exercise and stretching exercises, also described
below.
32. As shown in FIG. 1, the resilient ball 20 is constructed of a
heavy yet pliant material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or
similar rubber-like material. While the resilient ball 20 is
referred to as a ball, it is possible for the resilient ball 20 to
be many shapes and sizes, depending on the needs of the user. In
its preferred embodiment, the resilient ball 20 is a molded rubber
sphere because this shape provides a surface that is comfortable to
work with and also facilitates some of the preferred exercises.
Furthermore, the resilient ball 20 is useful in stretching
activities because the smooth shape and resilient feel of the
resilient ball 20 allow for various stretches in which the
resilient ball 20 contacts the user's body.
33. The thickness of the resilient ball 20 is modified to control
the weight of the resilient ball 20. In lighter embodiments, the
resilient ball 20 has a thinner skin; and in heavier embodiments,
the resilient ball 20 has a thicker skin. The weight of the
resilient ball 20 can also be modified by changing the overall
diameter of the resilient ball 20; and the weight can be modified
by inserting mass into the interior of the molded rubber sphere, as
described below. In the preferred embodiment, the resilient ball 20
has a diameter of approximately 9 inches. Another alternative
embodiment is disclosed in Gilman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,438, hereby
incorporated by reference in full.
34. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the resilient
ball 20 includes an internal chamber 21 that is useful for
receiving a liquid such as water for modifying the weight of he
resilient ball 20. The internal chamber 21 is preferably filled
with compressed air. The compressed air biases the resilient ball
20 outward, making the resilient ball 20 feel springy and firm. To
add weight to the resilient ball 20, a liquid is poured into the
internal chamber 21, thereby increasing the mass of the resilient
ball 20. The resilient ball 20 includes a liquid receiving aperture
24 shaped to allow the liquid to be poured into the internal
chamber 21 of the resilient ball 20. In this embodiment, the
athletic apparatus 10 further includes a plug 26 shaped to fit
within and engage a perimeter 25 of the liquid receiving aperture
24 to seal the internal chamber 21 and prevent the liquid from
escaping the internal chamber 21. Once the resilient ball 20 has
been opened, and the integrity of the internal chamber 21 has been
compromised, it is necessary to pump air back into the internal
chamber 21 so retain the preferred inflated look and feel. For this
purpose, the resilient ball 20 includes a fluid injection aperture
27 through the resilient ball 20, the fluid injection aperture 27
being sealed with a fluid injection valve 28. In use, the user
simply uses an air pump, with a standard needle well known in the
art, to inflate the resilient ball 20 in much the same manner as an
ordinary ball or bicycle tire. The combination of the liquid
receiving aperture 24, the fluid injection aperture 27, and the
fluid injection valve 28 allows the resilient ball 20 to be
adjusted to many different weights while still maintaining an
inflated look and feel of the resilient ball 20.
35. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, each of the pair of elongate weights 30
has a locking end 32 and an extending end 34. The locking end 32 of
each of the pair of elongate weights 30 is shaped to engage a
cylinder 22 mounted within the resilient ball 20, as described
below. The extending end 34 of each of the pair of elongate weights
30 includes a cylindrical sidewall having a predetermined length
and a constant diameter along the entirety of the predetermined
length without protrusions. It is critical that the extending end
34 of each of the pair of elongate weights 30 not have protrusions
because a smooth cylindrical profile is required for many of the
exercises. Protrusions such as paddle blades interfere with many
exercise routines, some of which are described below. The extending
end 34 of each of the pair of elongate weights 30 is preferably a
hollow tube; however, in an alternative embodiment, the extending
end 34 is solid.
36. In the preferred embodiment, the extending end 34 of each of
the pair of elongate weights 30 is constructed of a material having
a density of equal to or greater than steel. This is an important
feature because each of the pair of elongate weights 30 must have
adequate mass within their predetermined length and cross sectional
diameter to function as weights for proper exercise. The extending
end 34 of each of the pair of elongate weights 30 is preferably
covered with a resilient gripping layer 36 made of foam or similar
gripping material known in the art.
37. As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder 22 is fixedly and immobily
engaged within the resilient ball 20 and extends across a diameter
of the resilient ball 20. The cylinder 22 has a first end 22A and a
second end 22B, the first and second ends 22A and 22B being shaped
to receive the locking end 32 of each of the pair of elongate
weights 30. The resilient ball 20 is molded, cemented, or otherwise
sealed around the cylinder 22 to secure the cylinder 22 in place.
The cylinder 22 must be strong and durable enough to hold in place
each of the pair of elongate weights 30 during use, and the
cylinder 22 is preferably made of a rigid material such as steel or
hard plastic.
38. The cylinder 22 and the locking end 32 of each of the pair of
elongate weights 30 together include a means for removably
attaching each of the pair of elongate weights 30 within the
cylinder, whereby each of the pair of elongate weights 30 may be
removably joined to the resilient ball 20. As shown in FIGS. 2-5,
the means for removably attaching preferably includes a spring 40
positioned within the locking end 32 of each of the pair of
elongate weights 30. The spring 40 includes a locking portion 42
and an unlocking button 44. The spring 40 biases the locking
portion 42 and the unlocking button 44 through a pair of attachment
conduits 34 in the locking end 32 of each of each of the pair of
elongate weights 30. A locking slot 23 located in the first and
second ends 22A and 22B of the cylinder 22 cooperates with the
locking portion 42 to removably lock the locking end 32 within the
cylinder 22. As shown in FIG. 2, when the locking portion 42 is
properly engaged within the locking slot 23, the unlocking button
44 is positioned outside the cylinder 22. The user can retract the
locking portion 42 from the locking slot 23 by depressing the
unlocking button 44, thereby overcoming the bias of the spring 40
and causing the locking portion 42 to be retracted into the locking
end 32.
39. The means for removably attaching can be modified by those
skilled in the art without avoiding the scope of the present
invention. In one alternative embodiment, the locking end 32 of
each of the elongate weights 30 threadedly engages the cylinder 22,
similar to the engagement mechanism disclosed in Byrd, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,610,447, hereby incorporated by reference. In another
alternative embodiment, the locking end 32 of each of the elongate
weights 30 frictionally fits inside the cylinder 22 similar to the
engagement mechanism disclosed in Irving, U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,219,
hereby incorporated by reference. The prior art is filled with
various locking mechanisms that may be adapted to this invention,
and those skilled in the art can devise many other embodiments that
should be considered equivalent to this invention.
40. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the means for
removably attaching does not directly attach the pair of elongate
weights 30 to the resilient ball 20, but attaches the pair of
elongate weights 30 to each other through the cylinder of the
resilient ball 20. In this embodiment, the pair of elongate weights
30 includes a first elongate weight 50 and a second elongate weight
60. The first elongate weight 50 has a first locking end 52 and a
first extending end 54, the first locking end 52 having an
externally threaded portion 56. The second elongate weight 60 has a
second locking end 62 and a second extending end 64, the second
locking end 62 having an internally threaded portion 66 shaped to
threadedly receive the externally threaded portion 56 of the first
locking end 52. The first and second locking ends 52 and 62,
together, are approximately the same length of the cylinder 22,
such that when the first and second locking ends 52 and 62 are
threadedly engaged, the first and second locking ends 52 and 62 are
positioned within the cylinder 22 and the first and second
extending ends 56 and 66 extend from the first and second ends 22A
and 22B of the cylinder 22. In this alternative embodiment, each of
the pair of elongate weights 30 preferably further includes a first
flange 58 separating the first locking end 52 from the first
extending end 56, and a second flange 68 separating the second
locking end 62 from the second extending end 66. The first and
second flanges 58 and 68 have a greater diameter than the diameter
of the first and second ends 22A and 22B of the cylinder 22,
thereby serving to prevent lateral movement of the pair of elongate
weights 30 and to correctly position the pair of elongate weights
30 with respect to the cylinder 22 of the resilient ball 20. While
this embodiment does not allow for the attachment of a single one
of the pair of elongate weights 30, it does allow the pair of
elongate weights 30 to rotate within the cylinder 22, a feature
that can be beneficial in the performance of certain exercises.
41. In use, the user starts with the resilient ball 20 alone. The
resilient ball 20, alone, is useful for performing exercises
typically performed using a medicine ball. The resilient ball 20
can be thrown, tossed from hand to hand for coordination exercises,
and otherwise used as a weight training device. Since the resilient
ball 20 is relatively soft and resilient, it can be used in direct
contact with the user's body as a motion limitation device and as a
stretching tool. Those skilled in the art are familiar with how to
use the resilient ball 20 for these types of exercises.
42. To perform certain additional types of exercises, the user then
attaches one of the pair of elongate weights 30 to the resilient
ball 20. To accomplish this connection, as shown in FIG. 2, the
user depresses the unlocking button 44 and slides the locking end
32 of one of the pair of elongate weights 30 into the cylinder 22.
The user then releases the unlocking button 44, allowing the spring
40 to bias the locking portion 42 into the locking slot 23 of the
cylinder 22. Once one of the pair of elongate weights 30 has been
attached the user can perform the various exercises.
43. As shown in FIG. 9, one example of an exercise that can be
performed using the athletic apparatus 10 in this configuration is
the shovel exercise. The shovel exercise includes a set up, a
descent, and an ascent. The set up includes the following steps:
(1) position the feet approximately a shoulder's width apart; (2)
stand up straight; (3) hold the resilient ball 20 with an underhand
grip about a shoulder's width apart; (4) look head straight ahead,
shoulders square, lower back slightly arched, arms and legs
slightly flexed. The descent includes the following steps: (1) flex
the knees to 120 degrees and flex the hips to 160 degrees while
keeping the feet flat and slightly externally rotated; (2) flex
spine slightly to approximately 160 degrees; (3) at the lowest part
of descent, flex triceps and extend arm outward; (4) flex the trunk
laterally and dip the lead shoulder; and (5) maintain the lower
back stable and slightly arched, without rounding the upper back
for compensation. The ascent includes the following steps: (1)
extend the knees back to 180 degrees and extend the hips to the
starting position; (2) extend the lower back to the neutral
position, slightly arched; (3) once the knees and the hips are
fully extended, flex the arms and extend them outward; and (4)
contract the abdominal muscles in a smooth and circular motion
through the entire range of motion. The purpose of the shovel
exercise is to simulate the outdoor movement of shoveling snow. The
muscle groups trained include the following: quadriceps,
hamstrings, gluteus, erector spanea, latitimus dorsi, abdominal
muscles, and biceps.
44. As shown in FIG. 6, the athletic apparatus 10 can also be used
to train for tennis using a first alternative embodiment of the
athletic apparatus 10. In the first alternative embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 3, only one of the pair of elongate weights 30 is
attached to the resilient ball 20, and this elongate weight
provides a tennis racket handle 70 as an integral part of the
extending end of the elongate weight. The tennis racket handle 70
is covered with a resilient gripping layer 36 similar to ordinary
tennis rackets known in the prior art. In use, the user grasps the
tennis racket handle 70 of the elongate weight with a hand, or with
both hands, and swings the resilient ball 20 and tennis racket
handle 70 in a fashion similar to a tennis racket. The user
receives an excellent workout of exactly the right muscle groups,
and the workout is intensified because the athletic apparatus 10
provides greater resistance than an ordinary tennis racket, which
is specifically designed to be as light as possible.
45. As shown in FIG. 7, the athletic apparatus 10 can also be used
to train for golf using a second alternative embodiment of the
athletic apparatus 10. In the second alternative embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 4, only one of the pair of elongate weights 30 is
attached to the resilient ball 20, and this elongate weight
provides a golf club handle 72 as an integral part of the extending
end 34 of the elongate weight. The golf club handle 72 is covered
with a resilient gripping layer 36 similar to ordinary golf clubs
known in the prior art. In use, the user grasps the golf club
handle 72 of the elongate weight with both hands and swings the
resilient ball 20 and golf club handle 72 in a fashion similar to a
golf club. The user receives an excellent workout of exactly the
right muscle groups; and, as with the tennis racket, receives the
benefit of the increased resistance of the athletic apparatus
10.
46. The user can proceed to attach the locking end 32 of the second
of the pair of elongate weights 30 into the other end of the
cylinder, thereby providing the resilient ball 20 with both of the
pair of elongate weights 30, as shown in FIG. 1. In this
configuration, the athletic apparatus 10 is useful for a plurality
of additional exercises. An exercise bar having the weighted mass
mounted on the middle of the bar provides advantages over
traditional exercise bars having the mass mounted on the ends of
the exercise bar. These advantages are discussed in Lee, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,828,256, hereby incorporated by reference in full. By
providing a round mass on the center of the exercise bar, you
enable further training, exercising, and stretching activities
because a round apparatus 10 can easily roll while in use. This is
discussed in more detail in Burzenski, U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,906,
hereby incorporated by reference in full.
47. As shown in FIG. 8, one example of an exercise that can be
performed when the athletic apparatus 10 is thus configured is a
reaching pivot-stretch the user grasping one of the pair of
elongate weights 30 with an outstretched hand while resting the
other of the pair of elongate weights 30 on the ground. By stepping
forward and back, the user is able to pivot the athletic apparatus
10 up and down. This not only exercises the muscles, it also
assists in safely and efficiently stretching back, arm and leg
muscles. An additional exercise includes push ups using the
athletic apparatus 10, the resilient ball 20 acting as a range
limiter.
48. As shown in FIG. 10, another example of an exercise that can be
performed when the athletic apparatus 10 is thus configured is a
resistance lateral leg lift. To perform the resistance lateral leg
lift, the user first grasps one of the pair of elongate weights 30
with a hand while lying on one side, and resting the other of the
pair of elongate weights 30 on an ankle. The user then raises and
lowers the resilient ball 20 by simultaneously raising and lowering
both the arm and the leg. Direct contact between the athletic
apparatus 10 and the user is not a problem because of the
relatively soft and resilient nature of the resilient ball 20. This
exercise cannot be performed using a traditional medicine ball,
however, because a medicine ball does not provide the pair of
elongate weights 30.
49. Since the user can hold the apparatus 10 by either the
resilient ball 20 or either of the pair of elongate weights 30, the
apparatus 10 is well suited for various tossing and throwing
exercises that improve strength, reaction time, and hand-eye
coordination. The tossing exercises can be performed alone or
between different users. Individuals can practice martial arts
moves with the device, and groups can practice martial arts kicks
using the resilient ball 20 as the target. By manipulating the
resilient ball 20 or one of the elongate weights 30, a personal
trainer can guide the physical training with ease, as well as apply
manual resistance to increase the difficulty of the exercises being
performed.
50. While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
* * * * *