U.S. patent application number 14/020037 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for exercise device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tamir Segal. Invention is credited to Tamir Segal.
Application Number | 20150072842 14/020037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52626136 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150072842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Segal; Tamir |
March 12, 2015 |
Exercise Device
Abstract
An improved exercise device is used for a variety of exercises.
In one embodiment, the exercise device has an upper portion having
a contact surface. The contact surface has a partially
hemispherical shape.
Inventors: |
Segal; Tamir; (Dallas,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Segal; Tamir |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52626136 |
Appl. No.: |
14/020037 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/03533 20130101;
A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 21/4035
20151001; A63B 2023/006 20130101; A63B 21/4034 20151001; A63B
23/0355 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/12 20060101
A63B023/12 |
Claims
1. An exercise device, comprising: an upper portion comprising a
contact surface, wherein the contact surface comprises a partially
hemispherical shape.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the partially
hemispherical shape comprises a semi-spherical shape.
3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is
elastically deformable.
4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface
comprises leather, cloth, foam, rubber, or any combinations
thereof.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface
comprises a textured surface.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the upper portion
comprises a body, and wherein the body is substantially rigid.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the exercise device has
a height from about 4 inches to about 8 inches and a width at a
widest point from about 4 inches to about 8 inches.
8. The exercise of device of claim 1, further comprising a bottom
side.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the bottom side is
disposed on an opposing side of the exercise device from the
contact surface.
10. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the bottom side is
substantially flat.
11. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the bottom side
comprises a friction increasing substantially flat surface.
12. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a base.
13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a
substantially cylindrical shape.
14. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a
hollow interior.
15. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the exercise device
comprises a device interior, and wherein the device interior
comprises an open section, further wherein the open section is
disposed in a portion of the upper portion and a portion of the
base.
16. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the exercise device
comprises a solid interior.
17. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface has
an exterior that is in about a same plane with a portion or all of
an exterior of the upper portion on which the contact surface is
not disposed.
18. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface
extends outward beyond a plane in which a portion or all of an
exterior of the upper portion is disposed.
19. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a rotation
base.
20. The exercise device of claim 19, wherein the upper portion
rotates in relation to the rotation base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to the field of exercise equipment
and more specifically to exercise devices with a partially
hemispherical shape.
[0004] With the continued interest in personal health and fitness,
there is an increased interest in improved methods and devices for
conventional exercises. For instance, push-ups have typically been
carried out without exercise devices. However, drawbacks to the
conventional push-ups include a limited range of motion as well as
other drawbacks. For example, some conventional exercise devices
make it difficult to have a full range of motion when performing a
push-up while maintaining proper form.
[0005] Devices have been developed to overcome such drawbacks to
the conventional push-up. Such devices may improve the range of
motion available for the push-up. Drawbacks to such developed
devices include increased force and strain on the wrists, hands and
fingers of the user. Such increased force may cause pain and/or
injury. In addition, other devices may also have limited stability
which can also increase the risk of pain and/or injury.
[0006] Consequently, there is a need for an improved exercise
device. Further needs include an improved exercise device that
allows performance of exercises with increased range of motion.
Additional needs include an improved exercise device that reduces
strain and force (e.g., pressure) on the hands and fingers of a
user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0007] These and other needs in the art are addressed in one
embodiment by an exercise device. The exercise device has an upper
portion having a contact surface. The contact surface has a
partially hemispherical shape.
[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may
be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an
exercise device with a partially hemispherical upper portion;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment
of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of an
exercise device showing the bottom side;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the exercise device showing the bottom side;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a person using an embodiment of an
exercise device;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates another view of a person using an
embodiment of an exercise device;
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a side cross sectional view of an
embodiment of an exercise device having a hollow interior; and
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an
exercise device in which the contact portion has the bottom
side;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross sectional view of an
embodiment of an exercise device having a hollow device
interior;
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional side view of an
embodiment of an exercise device with a contact surface;
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross sectional side view of an
embodiment of an exercise device having an outwardly protruding
contact surface;
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of an exercise device
having a rotation base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of exercise device 5 having
base 15 and upper portion 70, with upper portion 70 having contact
surface 10. In such an embodiment, upper portion 70 and contact
surface 10 have a partially hemispherical shape. Upper portion 70
and contact surface 10 may have a shape of any portion of a
hemisphere. For instance, without limitation, the partially
hemispherical shape may be more or less than half of a hemisphere.
In embodiments as shown, the partially hemispherical shape is a
semi-sphere. It is to be understood that a semi-sphere is about
half a sphere. Without limitation, the partially hemispherical
shape of contact surface 10 may allow a comfortable and stable
leverage point. In embodiments, the base 15 may be integral with
the upper portion 70. Exercise device 5 may be used for any of a
variety of exercises such as muscle building and stretching
movements. Examples of muscle building exercises include push-ups,
tricep bends, dips, straight aim planks, straight arm side planks,
mountain climbers, and the like. Device 5, through increased range
of motion comfort and stability, allows for a variety of
modifications to the traditional pushup including triangle pushups,
handstand pushups, and others. For stretching one can use device 5
as an object of stability and lean against it with hands or feet.
Additional exercises such as squats, lunges, and calf stretches,
for example, may be performed if the exercise device 5 is used to
support a user's feet.
[0023] Exercise device 5 may be composed of any material suitable
for exercise. In an embodiment, contact surface 10 is composed of a
different material than base 15 and/or body 80 of upper portion 70.
In embodiments, contact surface 10 has a softer material than base
15 and/or body 80. In such embodiments, contact surface 10 may be
elastically deformable (i.e., may undergo elastic deformation), and
base 15 and/or body 80 may be substantially rigid. As used herein,
the contact surface 10 may be considered to be substantially rigid
if it is unable to bend or be forced out of shape under standard
exercise conditions, such as during performance of a push-up by a
150-pound user. As used herein, the contact surface 10 may be
considered to be elastically deformable if it undergoes elastic
deformation under standard exercise conditions, such as during
performance of a push-up by a 150-pound user. In embodiments,
contact surface 10 comprises any elastically deformable materials
suitable for use with exercise device 5. Contact surface 10 may be
composed of leather, cloth (i.e., cotton, synthetic material, and
the like), foam, urethane, rubber, or any combinations thereof.
Base 15 and/or body 80 may be composed of rubber, plastic, wood,
metal, glass, ceramic, urethane, foam, or any combinations
thereof.
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a side cross sectional view of an embodiment
of exercise device 5 in which contact surface 10 is composed of
different material than body 80. In some embodiments, contact
surface 10 and body 80 are composed of the same materials. Contact
surface 10 covers all or a portion of body 80. In embodiments,
contact surface 10 is attached to body 80. Contact surface 10 may
be attached to body 80 by any suitable method. In some embodiments,
contact surface 10 has a textured surface (i.e., textured surface
features). Without limitation, the textured surface features hinder
the slipping of a person's hands or feet. Any textured surface
features may be used that are suitable for use with exercise device
5. In embodiments, the textured surface features include dimples,
protrusions, adhesives, or any combinations thereof.
[0025] Exercise device 5 may have any height suitable for the
desired exercise. In embodiments, the height is from about 4 inches
to about 8 inches, alternatively from about 5 inches to about 7
inches, and alternatively about 6 inches. Without limitation, the
height may provide a larger range of motion to a person e.g., for
push-ups or tricep bends, dips, etc.) while allowing for
maintenance of better form. Additionally, exercise device 5 may be
placed in any width suitable for the desired exercise. In
embodiments, the width at a widest point is from about 4 inches to
about 8 inches, alternatively from about 5 inches to about 7
inches, and alternatively about 6 inches. For example, the base 15
may have a width of about 4 inches to about 8 inches, alternatively
from about 5 inches to about 7 inches, and alternatively about 6
inches.
[0026] In embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, exercise
device 5 has bottom side 20. In embodiments, bottom side 20 is on
the opposing side of exercise device 5 from contact surface 10.
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of exercise device 5 showing
bottom side 20, and FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of exercise
device 5 having bottom side 20. In embodiments as shown, bottom
side 20 is substantially flat. Without limitation, bottom side 20
is substantially flat to provide a stable contact surface with
flooring and the like. As shown by FIGS. 3 and 4, bottom side 20
may be generally circular shape. Bottom side 20 is not limited to a
generally circular shape but in alternative embodiments (not
illustrated) may have any shape suitable for use with exercise
device 5, such as elliptical, for example. In some embodiments,
bottom side 20 has a friction increasing substantially flat
surface. Without limitation, such a friction increasing
substantially flat surface may facilitate movement of exercise
device 5 along the flooring or the like when in use. Any method of
increased friction suitable with an exercise device may be used
such as, without limitation, ridges, adhesives, suction devices,
and the like. The substantially flat bottom side 20 provides a
stable contact with the flooring.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, base 15 has a substantially
cylindrical shape. Base 15 is not limited to a substantially
cylindrical shape but in alternative embodiments (not illustrated)
may have any shape suitable for use with exercise device 5.
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of a person 30 using
exercise device 5. As shown, person's hands 35 are disposed on
contact surface 10 with fingers 40 of person 30 also disposed on
contact surface 10. Without limitation, the partially hemispherical
shape of contact surface 10 may allow person's 30 body weight to be
distributed throughout hands 35, which may facilitate avoidance of
a concentrated weight load on a portion of hand 35. Further, the
partially hemispherical shape allows for hands 35 to be positioned
in a variety of locations on contact surface 10, for example, to
increase use comfort and minimize wrist strain. FIGS. 5 and 6 show
two exercise devices 5 being used but embodiments include any
desired number of exercise devices 5 may be used. For instance,
alternative embodiments (not illustrated) may include only one
exercise device 5 being used with one hand 30 or four exercise
devices 5 being used, one exercise device 5 for each foot 75. In
some embodiments (not illustrated), exercise device 5 may be used
with one or two feet of person 30 and without hands 35. For
instance, person 30 may stand with one foot 75 on an exercise
device 5 or with each foot 75 on a different exercise device 5.
Person 30 may then do exercises such as squats, lunges, calf
stretches, and the like. The shape of the contact surface and
overall rigid stricture can add increase balance and stability to
the exercise.
[0029] Exercise device 5 may have a solid interior or may have a
hollow interior. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of
an embodiment of exercise device 5 in which base 15 has a hollow
interior 45. Hollow interior 45 may comprise any portion of the
interior of base 15 and may have any configuration that is suitable
for exercise device 5. In embodiments as shown, hollow interior 45
has a configuration in which interior sides 50 are about
perpendicular to bottom side 20.
[0030] It is to be understood that exercise device 5 is not limited
to embodiments comprising base 15. For instance in an embodiment as
shown in FIG. 8, exercise device 5 includes upper portion 70 with
contact surface 10 but without base 15. In such an embodiment,
contact surface 10 has bottom side 20. In such an embodiment, the
interior of exercise device 5 may be hollow or solid.
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional side view of an
embodiment of exercise device 5 in which exercise device 5 has
device interior 55. As shown, device interior 55 provides exercise
device 5 with a hollow interior. In such an embodiment, device
interior 55 is an open section of exercise device 5 that is
disposed in a portion of both upper portion 70 and base 15.
[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of exercise
device 5 in which contact surface 10 covers a portion of upper
portion 70. In embodiments as shown, contact surface 10 has an
exterior that is in about the same plane with a portion or all of
the exterior of upper portion 70 on which contact surface 10 is not
disposed.
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of exercise
device 5 in which contact surface 10 extends outward beyond a plane
in which a portion or all of the exterior of upper portion 70 is
disposed.
[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of exercise
device 5 having rotation base 60. In such an embodiment, rotation
base 60 has bottom side 20. Rotation base 60 allows device body 65
to rotate radially. Device body 65 includes upper portion 70 and
base 15. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated) in which
exercise device 5 does not include base 15, device body 65 includes
upper portion 70 that rotates. In embodiments as shown in FIG. 12,
device body 65 rotates in relation to rotation base 60, which
remains stationary. In alternative embodiments, a portion of
rotation base 60 rotates. In embodiments, device body 65 rotates
about a center point 25 of rotation base 60. Rotation base 60 may
allow for rotation of device body 65 by any suitable means such as
by ball bearings and the like.
[0035] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Although individual embodiments are discussed, the
invention covers all combinations of all those embodiments.
* * * * *