Abstract:
An exercise ball stabilizer apparatus includes a ball stabilizing assembly and a telescopically connected platform assembly to allow for length adjustment along an axial distance between the stabilizer assembly and the platform assembly. The stabilizer assembly is adjustable to accommodate different exercise ball diameters. The exercise ball is stably maintained within the stabilizer assembly, thereby providing a stable support during conventional exercise ball exercising activities.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Aug. 4, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and in particular, to a stabilizing base for retaining an resilient exercise ball in a stationary position and an adjustable foot platform to provide leverage to a user performing exercises on the exercise ball. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Physical fitness and health concerns are among the areas of highest concern for people around the world. More than ever, people are frequenting health clubs and performing exercise routines at home in order to lose weight, improve muscle tone, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One (1) popular exercise device found at many homes and gyms is that of the exercise ball. It is commonly used to strengthen core body muscles such as the abdominal muscles and back muscles. It does this by using the instability of the ball to force the user to engage additional core muscles to remain balanced. However, the round nature of the invention poses several problems. 
     The ball has a tendency to move about on the floor during use. This requires the user to brace it against an unmovable object such as a wall, which limits the exercise routines that can be performed and the range of motion of most exercises. Additionally, depending on the nature of the floor, it can be difficult to gain traction with one&#39;s feet during use. This forces the user to brace their feet against an unmovable object such as another exercise machine, a cabinet, a wall or the like. 
     There have been various attempts to provide exercise devices which are intended to be used with exercise balls to address one (1) or more of these problems. Typically, these devices also attempt to include ancillary exercise equipment. Examples of these devices can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,587, issued to Strong et al. discloses an apparatus and method for exercising having a base with a concave recess to receive the exercise ball and at least one attachment for an elastic exercise band. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,026, issued to Almada, discloses an abdominal exercise station intended to allow the user to perform sit-up type exercises having a frame assembly with footholds and handholds for stabilization while performing the exercises. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,216, issued to Bolling, discloses a fitness apparatus also having a base with a concave recess and attachable adjustable resistance training mechanisms for a variety of strength training exercises performed atop the exercise ball. 
     While these devices may achieve their purported objectives each suffer from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, none of these devices provide for a convenient and adjustable way to stabilize the body of the exerciser while performing exercises on the exercise ball. Additionally, these devices limit the position of the body of the exerciser during the exercises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an apparatus by which usage of exercise balls can be accomplished without the disadvantages as described above and a method of performing exercises on the exercise ball. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve at least one of these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing an exercise ball stabilizer that allows participants to perform physical workouts using an exercise ball in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing the exercise ball stabilizing apparatus having a stabilizing base with a semi-spherical stabilizing recess for at least partially retaining a lower portion of the exercise ball in a stationary position. A platform is provided that is adjustably connected to the stabilizing assembly for supporting a user&#39;s feet when a user is in contact with an upper portion of the exercise ball. A stabilizer is also provided and is adjustably connected to the platform to retain the user&#39;s feet when the user is in contact with the upper end of the exercise ball. 
     In at least one embodiment, the stabilizing base includes at least two (2) adjusting jaws slidably coupled along a radius of the stabilizing recess, such that each adjusting jaw is selectably adjustable to engage the lower portion of the exercise ball and adjusts the inner diameter of the recess to accept exercise balls of varying diameters. 
     In at least one embodiment, the exercise ball stabilizing apparatus includes a stabilizing base having a semi-spherical recess and an outer extension member. An exercise ball having a lower portion at least partially retained in a stationary position within the recess. A platform having an inner extension member is adjustably connected to the outer extension member to adjust the position of the platform relative to the stabilizing base. The platform also includes a foot plank that is adjustably connected to the inner extension member for supporting a user&#39;s feet when a user is in contact with an upper portion of the exercise ball, said foot plank. A stabilizer is adjustably connected to the foot plank to retain the user&#39;s feet when the user is in contact with the upper end of the exercise ball and the bottom of the user&#39;s feet are in contact with the foot plank. 
     Furthermore, in at least one (1) embodiment a method of performing exercises on an exercise ball is provided by positioning an exercise ball atop of a stabilizing base having a semi-spherical recess for at least partially receiving a lower end of the exercise ball. The user slidingly adjusts each of a pair of jaws about a radius of the recess such that the engaged diameter of the recess supports the lower end of the exercise ball. The user mounts a portion of a body on an upper end of the exercise ball and performs various exercises upon the exercise ball. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise ball stabilizer, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an orthographic side view of the exercise ball stabilizer according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective transparent view of the exercise ball stabilizer depicting a pair of adjusting jaws in a forwardly adjusted position, according to the preferred embodiment. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  exercise ball stabilizer 
                 11  stabilizing base 
                 12  stabilizing recess 
                 13   a  first jaw 
                 13   b  second jaw 
                 14  keyway 
                 15  key 
                 16  jaw pin 
                 17  jaw aperture 
                 18  key aperture 
                 19  slot 
                 20  stabilizing assembly 
                 21  outer extension member 
                 22  inner extension member 
                 23   a  extension aperture 
                 23   b  extension aperture 
                 24   a  extension adjusting aperture 
                 24   b  extension adjusting aperture 
                 25  extension pin 
                 26  tab 
                 27  arm adjusting plate 
                 29  stabilizer adjusting plate 
                 30  platform assembly 
                 31  platform 
                 32   a  first arm 
                 32   b  second arm 
                 33  cross member 
                 34  arm adjusting aperture 
                 35  arm pin 
                 36  stabilizer adjusting aperture 
                 37  adjusting lever 
                 38  stabilizer 
                 39   a  first extension 
                 39   b  second extension 
                 40  arm aperture 
                 80  exercise ball 
                 81  floor 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , depicting an exercise ball stabilizer (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes the apparatus  10  which provides a stability platform for preventing an exercise ball  80  from rolling away from a user in the course of specialized exercises. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a stabilizing assembly  20  to prevent the exercise ball  80  from rolling away from under a user while exercising. Additionally, the apparatus  10  includes a platform assembly  30  to stabilize the feet of the user while performing various exercises on the ball  80 . The stabilizing assembly  20  includes a stabilizing base  11 , a semi-spherical stabilizing recess  12 , and a pair of radial slots  19  to slidingly contain a first jaw  13   a  and a second jaw  13   b.    
     Since a perimeter of an inelastic ring configuration cannot be altered without deformation, the radially moveable pair of jaws  13   a ,  13   b , in conjunction with an opposing side wall of the stabilizing recess  12  provides for adjustability to support exercise balls  80  having varying smaller diameters. The jaws  13   a ,  13   b  are slidably adjustable to configure the stabilizing recess  12  into three (3) equally spaced contact areas. An interior portion of each jaw  13   a ,  13   b  includes a radial keyway  14  slidingly enclosing a key  15 . The key  15  forms an inverted narrow rectangular U-shape and is integral to a bottom portion of the slot  19 . A jaw aperture  17  is disposed within an upper portion of each jaw  13   a ,  13   b . A series of key apertures  18  is disposed within the top portion of the key  15 . A jaw pin  16  is insertable through the jaw aperture  17  when aligned to a preselected one of the key apertures  18  to secure each jaw  13   a ,  13   b  to the adjusted position. This secures the exercise ball  80  within the recess  12 . 
     The tray assembly  20  and the jaws  13   a ,  13   b  include a core made of materials such as: mild steel, aluminum or fiber composite and having exposed portions of the core covered by chemically bonded cushioning members, including a foam interior and a plastic covering. 
       FIG. 2  shows an orthographic side view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes an axial outer extension member  21 , envisioned as an integral member of the stabilizing base  11  of the stabilizing assembly  20 , and an inner extension member  22  which provides for length adjustment between the stabilizing assembly  20  and the platform assembly  30 . This adjustment is secured by inserting a first of a pair of extension pins  25  through an extension aperture  23   a  within a first side of the outer extension member  21  and a corresponding opposing extension adjusting aperture  24   a  selected from a series of extension adjusting apertures  24   a  disposed within a first side of the inner extension member  22 . Another extension pin  25  is likewise inserted through an opposing extension aperture  23   b  within a second side of the outer extension member  21  and through a corresponding extension adjusting aperture  24   b  selected from a series of extension adjusting apertures  24   a  disposed within a second side of the inner extension member  22 . 
     The angle of the platform assembly  30  is adjusted by removing an arm pin  35  from within a selected arm adjusting aperture  34  of a plurality included within an arm adjusting plate  27  and manually rotating a foot plank affixed between and opposing first arm  32   a  and second arm  32   b  about an axis defined by a cross member  33  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until a selected arm adjusting aperture  34  is aligned with an arm aperture  40  included within a lower portion of a first arm  32   a . The arm pin  35  is reinserted into the aligned location and secures the angle of the platform assembly  30  relative to the inner extension member  22 . The platform assembly  30  also includes a platform  31  permanently fastened between the first arm  32   a  and the second arm  32   b , the tubular cross member  33 , and a stabilizer adjusting plate  29 . Additionally, the platform assembly  30  includes a concentric stabilizer  38  having a first eccentric extension  39   a  and a second eccentric extension  39   b  extending between the arms  32   a ,  32   b.    
     The concentric stabilizer  38  stabilizes the user&#39;s feet, toes, or heels against the durable platform  31  while performing a variety of exercises. Rotating an adjusting lever  37  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction reduces or increases a space between an upper portion of the platform  31  and the stabilizer  38 . The stabilizer  38  is preferably a padded tubular member surrounding a cylindrical core where the first extension  39   a  and the second extension  39   b  are the ends of the core and are rotatably connected between the upper ends of the arms  32   a ,  32   b . The adjusting lever  37  is rigidly affixed to the extension  39   a  such that rotation of the lever  37  correspondingly rotates the core between the arms  32   a ,  32   b . The first extension  39   a  and the second extension  39   b  are located eccentrically through the stabilizer  38  such that rotation of the lever  37  adjusts the space between the platform  31  and the stabilizer  38 . This adjustment allows for the foot to interface with the platform  31  and the stabilizer  38  depending upon the type of exercise being performed. For instance, when the user is performing exercises supported by the ball  80  in the supine position, the stabilizer is rotated such that sufficient space is provided to retain the toes and forward portion of the foot the user between the platform  31  and the stabilizer  38 . When the user is in the prone position upon the ball  80  the heels of the foot are in contact with the stabilizer  38 . When the user is in the side stabilized position, the outer side of the upwardly facing foot is in contact with the stabilizer  38 . The portion of the adjusting lever facing a stabilizer adjusting plate  29  includes a detent intended to lock into any of a plurality of stabilizer adjusting apertures  36 , thereby securing this adjustment and locking the rotatable position of the stabilizer  38  about the stabilizer adjusting plate  29 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective transparent view of the second jaw  13   b  of the apparatus  10 . The first jaw  13   a  and the second jaw  13   b  each include the keyway  14  which slidingly encloses the key  15 . The lower portion of each leg of the key  15  includes a pair of tabs  26  intended to form an integral connection onto the bottom portion of each slot  19 , while the upper surface portion of the key  15  includes the plurality of key apertures  18 . 
     It is envisioned that plastic members of the apparatus  10  are permanently fastened together by processes such as chemical bonding, welding, stitching, or heat sealing, and that metal members are permanently fastened together by processes such as welding, riveting or bolting, and that exposed steel members, such as the outer extension member  21 , a welded assembly including the inner extension member  22  and the tubular cross member  33 , the adjusting plates  27 ,  29 , the arms  32   a  and  32   b , are chrome or nickel plated, in the customary manner of state-of-the art exercise apparatus. 
     It is further envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: checking the functioning and locking of all adjustments; becoming familiar with the features of the apparatus  10 ; procuring an exercise ball  80 ; checking the diameter of the ball  80 ; performing any necessary adjustments to accommodate the diameter of the selected exercise ball  80  by removing the pair of first pins  16  to free the jaws  13   a ,  13   b ; moving the jaws  13   a ,  13   b  to the selected location; ensuring the alignment of the apertures  16 ,  18 , at the selected location; reinserting the pair of jaw pins  16  to secure the adjustment of the jaws  16  at the selected location; checking the distance between the stabilizing assembly  20  and the platform assembly  30  for user-friendliness; adjusting, if and as necessary, by removing the pair of extension pins  25  to free the inner extension member  22 ; sliding the inner extension member  22  in the required direction; ascertaining the alignment between the apertures  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b ,  24   b ; reinserting the pair of extension pins  25 ; checking the angle of the platform assembly  30  for user-friendliness; adjusting, if and as necessary, by removing the arm pin  35  to free the first arm  32   a ; using a first hand to hold and move the platform assembly  30  in the desired direction; using a second hand to reinsert the arm pin  35  after insuring the alignment of the aperture within the first arm  32   a  and a selected arm adjustment aperture  34  of the arm adjusting plate  27 ; checking the opening between the upper edge portion of the platform  31  and the stabilizer  38  for a user-friendly retention of the user&#39;s foot for the particular exercise position; adjusting as necessary by moving the adjusting lever  37  in the desired direction until its detent locks into a selected stabilizer adjusting aperture  36 ; performing a variety of desired exercises; after use, spraying a cleaning agent onto all plastic coverings of the apparatus  10 ; and, wiping the cleaning agent from all sprayed areas. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.