Abstract:
A fitness apparatus which allows for simultaneous strength training and core muscle building/strengthening, the apparatus incorporating an inflatable exercise ball. The apparatus includes a base which allows for selectively controlling the lateral movement and compressibility of the ball while performing various exercise routines. Also incorporated in the base are adjustable resistance training devices which allow for a variety of strength training, the resistance training devices allowing routines ranging from very light to sufficiently strenuous to challenge advanced users. The apparatus is collapsible and stowable, and may be used without the exercise ball to facilitate both strength/flexibility training, as well as aerobics.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to fitness apparatuses. More particularly, it relates to an improved Swiss ball or inflatable ball apparatus which includes a variable stabilizing base as well as variable resistance extension devices for working various muscle groups. 
   STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART 
   A Swiss ball or inflatable exercise ball is an inflatable exercise apparatus which is used primarily to promote core fitness as a way of, inter alia, increasing core (abdominal) strength and balance. The ball, being inherently unstable, is positioned between the user and a stable support surface such as a floor, the user typically having to use core muscles for stability as he performs various routines designed to isolate and target specific core muscles. The primary benefit of the exercise ball is to promote core strength and to exercise various muscle groups which are difficult or impossible to exercise using traditional weight training devices such as barbells, dumbbells, resistance training machines, and the like. 
   It is known to incorporate various devices in, on, or around an exercise ball to allow for the implementation of various core strengthening exercises, the resultant apparatuses including pull handles, grasping handles, and the like allowing for limited arm and leg exercises while positioned on the ball. 
   U.S. Design Pat. No. 503,756 issued to Chiang discloses one such device which has extended handles which apparently allow for flexibility training while positioned on the ball. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,487 issued to Carter et al. discloses another such device having a central bore through which a flexible, adjustable tension cord with attached grasping portions extends. U.S. Pub. App. No. 2008/0176727 issued to Heitzman discloses a frame or partial enclosure positioned around an exercise ball to restrict lateral movement of the ball while the user is positioned thereon. 
   The preceding devices suffer from serious drawbacks for a user attempting to achieve a full body workout or exercise regimen incorporating an exercise ball. First, the ball, being both compressible and laterally movable, presents a serious challenge to any user attempting to maintain a specific position while performing even the most routine exercises. Novice users, users engaging in physical therapy to recover from accidents or illnesses, or the elderly risk serious injury as a result from falls while attempting an exercise routine. Even more advanced users risk injury using the ball, which often requires a trainer to prevent injury from falls. The Heitzman device recognizes this problem but only provides a partial solution by providing some lateral restraint of the ball. Second, the user attempting to do a more strenuous exercise runs an even greater risk of injury both from falls and from the improper execution of specific routines as he/she attempts to maintain balance. Third, the prior art apparatuses must be used with an exercise ball. Fourth, the prior devices do not allow for varying the intensity of core building exercises. Finally, those apparatuses which do incorporate limited strength training peripherals do not allow for much variation in the applied resistance or for varying the positions from which the apparatus is used, and thus the user is limited to only a few upper body routines. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a fitness apparatus which allows for simultaneous strength training and core muscle building/strengthening, the apparatus incorporating an inflatable exercise ball. The apparatus includes a base which allows for selectively controlling the lateral movement and effective compressibility of the ball while performing various exercise routines. Also incorporated in the base are adjustable resistance training devices which allow for a variety of strength training routines, the resistance training devices allowing routines ranging from very light to sufficiently strenuous to challenge advanced users. The apparatus is collapsible and stowable, and may be used without the exercise ball to facilitate both strength/flexibility training, as well as aerobics. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which selectively incorporates an inflatable exercise ball. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which allows for selectively restricting the lateral movement of an inflatable exercise ball. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which allows for selectively restricting the effective compressibility of an inflatable exercise ball. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which selectively incorporates an inflatable exercise ball in combination with adjustable, repositionable resistance training devices. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which is reconfigurable to allow for core building, aerobics, and strength training. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitness apparatus which is collapsible. 
   Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of the fitness apparatus of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear perspective view of the fitness apparatus of the invention with the exercise ball removed. 
       FIG. 3  shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus illustrating an alternative operational mode of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the interior of the base component of the apparatus illustrating the ball stability adjustment mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the housing for the resistance training component. 
       FIG. 7A  shows a side sectional view of the housing for the resistance training component. 
       FIG. 7B  shows a rear perspective view of the housing for the resistance training component. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top sectional view of the housing viewed from line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6  for the resistance training component. 
       FIG. 9  shows a detail of the control rod of the ball stability adjustment mechanism. 
       FIG. 10  shows a user positioned to perform an upper body strength training routine. 
       FIG. 11  shows a user positioned to perform a lower body strength training routine. 
       FIG. 12  shows a user positioned to perform an aerobic training routine. 
       FIG. 13  shows a user positioned to perform another upper body strength training routine. 
       FIG. 14  shows a user positioned to perform an upper body strength routine while standing. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-14 , the fitness apparatus of the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral  10  is shown. The apparatus  10  can be operated in four distinct but selectively overlapping modes. First, it may be operated in core building mode. It may also be operated in strength training mode, with an emphasis on core stabilizing. It may be operated in strength training mode in the same manner as a conventional resistance training apparatus. Finally, it may be operated in aerobic mode. Reconfiguring the apparatus is facilitated by the modular nature of the various components, and the apparatus  10  is collapsible and stowable as will be discussed later. 
   Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 10 , the apparatus  10  is shown with a user positioned thereon and using the apparatus in strength training mode with an emphasis on core stabilizing, that is, with the user positioned on the exercise ball  20  and operating the resistance training component  22 . This is the primary mode of operation of the apparatus  10 , as it affords the user many different strength training routines, all of which are amplified in varying intensity, with respect to the core muscles, by the user&#39;s position on the ball  20 , and by adjustments to the stability of the ball  20  itself. It should be noted that the user may use the ball  20  in core building mode, that is, without using the various other components as described below, with the ball  20  on or off of the base  24 . 
   The apparatus  10  can be seen to comprise three main components. Referring now to  FIG. 2  in view of  FIG. 1 , the three components are the base  24 , which serves to contain the ball  20  and anchor the resistance training component  22  and the ball  20 . The base  24  is seen to comprise a substantially frusto-conical main body  26  formed of heavy plastic or other durable material and having a hollow interior  28  which forms a recess defined by a substantially continuous annular interior sidewall  25  of the main body  26  and a bottom panel  29 , the main body including sloping exterior sidewalls  33 , the interior wall  25  also sloped. The base  24  may be vertically adjustable using any means as may be apparent to one of skill in the art, a vertically adjustable base  24  allowing for the performance of different routines, or for performing routines from different angles. For example a mat, as shown and described below, may be folded and placed beneath the base  24 . The effective depth of the interior  28  is adjustable via a ball  20  stability adjustment apparatus  30 , the hollow interior  28  facilitating storage of the apparatus  10  components as will be explained in more detail later. The base  24  must be sufficiently large to allow the ball  20  a few inches, e.g. 2 to 5 inches, of lateral movement, with an adjustment mechanism  30  as described below adjustably positionable to constrict lateral movement of the ball  20 . A pair of recesses  31  formed in the sloped exterior sidewalls  33  of the front portion of the base  24  allows for foot placement of the user nearer to the ball  20  while performing routines, and to ease user disengagement from the ball  20 . The adjustment mechanism  30  includes an operating handle  32  which allows the user to manipulate the mechanism  30  from a high position to a low position within the base  24  to affect stability of the ball  20  within the base  24  as can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . Adjusting the mechanism  30  to a selected position within the base  24  is facilitated by several radially spaced rod-like projections  34  extending outwardly from the annular main body  38  of the mechanism  30 , each of the projections  34  positioned for sliding engagement with inclined surfaces  36  of respective guide members  37 . While shown as annular, the main body  38  of the adjustment mechanism  30  may be any shape which could fit about the lower end of an exercise ball  20  and restrict movement thereof. There is one guide member  37  for each projection  34 , with the inclined surface  36  of each of the guide members  37  terminating at its apex with a recess  39  within which projections  34  are seated ( FIG. 2 ) when the main body  38  of the adjustment mechanism  30  is positioned at its highest level within the base  24 . Guide members  37  are securely attached to the bottom panel  29  proximate the interior sidewall  25  of the base  24 . Thus it can be appreciated that the inclined surfaces  36  act as camming surfaces to translate rotational movement of the main body  38  into reciprocal movement between an upper and lower position. Handle  32  is secured to the annular main body  38  of the mechanism by a control or connecting rod  40  which extends through the sidewalls  25 ,  33  at the rear of the base  24  via an angular slot  42  which has a length and slope corresponding to the length and slope of inclined surfaces  36 . Thus, mechanism  30  can be selectively raised or lowered by grasping handle  32  and moving it within the slot  42  between first and second positions as can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
   At the lowermost position, indicated as position  1  in  FIG. 3 , adjustment mechanism  30  allows for some lateral movement and compression of the ball  20  at the lower end. Specifically, it can be seen that the ball  20  can roll freely limited only by the interior sidewall  25  of the base  24 , with the lower end of the ball  20  resting primarily upon the bottom panel  29 . When the adjustment mechanism  30  is at the highest position, indicated as position  2  in  FIG. 3 , and shown with the ball  20  in place in  FIG. 1 , virtually no lateral movement of the ball  20  is allowed as the annular main body  38  of the adjustment mechanism  30  confines and restricts lateral movement of the ball  20 , and deformation at the lower end  49  of the ball  20  is greatly restricted. To the user, the ball  20  is thus relatively stable when the adjustment mechanism  30  is at the highest level, effectively reducing the amount of effort required by the user to stabilize her position on the ball  20 , the result being a comparatively reduced core workout. The user may then progress to a more difficult core routine by adjusting (lowering) the vertical position of the adjustment mechanism  30 . 
   A key aspect of the invention is to allow for selectively restricting the lateral translation and effective compressibility of the ball  20  in order to allow for varying the intensity of the core workout. As previously mentioned, an exercise ball  20  effectively strengthens core muscles by forcing the user to balance herself on the ball while performing an exercise routine. The need to maintain balance is a direct result of the fact that the ball  20  is inherently unstable, rolling and compressing with even the slightest shift in the user&#39;s balance. Therefore, the less the ball  20  rolls and compresses, the less the user must “recruit” core muscles to maintain his position on the ball  20 . Accordingly, with the handle  32 , and therefore the adjustment mechanism  30  at the highest position, indicated by the numeral  2  in  FIG. 9  and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mechanism  30  affords maximum stability of the ball  20 , effectively reducing the intensity of the core workout for any routine done on the ball  20 . With the handle  32  at the lowest position, indicated by the numeral  1  in  FIG. 9  and shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  9 , there is a corresponding increase in core workout intensity as the ball  20  is allowed to compress and roll within the limits as discussed above. It should be noted that the adjustment mechanism  30  may be configured to allow for infinite adjustment, or to allow for stepped increments by providing additional recesses  39 , or by other modification as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. Also, the annular main body  38  and the base  24  are sized in accordance with the size of the ball  20 . The inner surface of the main body  38  should be sized so that only about ⅛ th  to ¼ th  of the ball  20  can fit through to ensure that the ball  20  is seated firmly within the main body  38  and cannot move laterally. The base  24 , adjustment mechanism  30 , and resistance component  22 , as well as all subcomponents may be made of any rigid durable material such as hard plastic, except as otherwise indicated. 
   Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 6-8 , the resistance training component  22  can be seen. At least two resistance components  22  are preferably provided, but more may be provided as necessary. A single resistance component  22  may be provided and used as described in detail below. Each resistance component  22  comprises a removable housing  60 , the housing  60  having an angled and contoured rear face  62  corresponding to the slope and contour of the exterior wall  33  of the base  20  to enable a flush engagement therewith. Extending from the rear face  62  is an elongated guide  63  which is sized for sliding engagement within a track  70  formed in the exterior wall  33 . 
   A removable, spring loaded “pin” or connecting member  64  extends laterally through a bore  65  formed in the housing  60  from the front face  66  to the rear face  62 , the bore  65  terminating in an aperture  72 . The pin  64  is sized for insertion into one of a series of apertures  68  formed in the track  70 , the connecting member  64  in combination with angled rear face  62  and guide  63  serving to secure the housing  60  to the base  24 . The apertures  68  are formed in circumferential spaced relation within the track  70  to allow for repositioning of the components  22  as necessary to facilitate a full range of motion for a particular exercise routine. Indicia such as opposing arrows  71  or the like may be imprinted on the housing  60  and at points along the upper edge of the base  24  corresponding to the positions of the apertures  68  to allow for proper user alignment. The tip of the pin  64  is a spring loaded extension  74  biased in the extended position. Rotation of the pin  64  by grasping and twisting tab  76  causes retraction of the extension  74  within aperture  72 , disengaging the pin  64  from the aperture  68  allowing the component  22  to slide along track  70 . Repositioning of the component  22  is accomplished by twisting tab  76  until the extension is disengaged from the aperture  68 , sliding the component  22  along track  70  until arrow  71  imprinted thereon is aligned with a selected arrow  71  imprinted on the base  24 , and releasing the tab  76  allowing the extension  74  to engage within the selected aperture  68 . This type of pin or connecting member  64  is well known in the art. Guide member  63  has opposing flanges  77  which are sized for sliding engagement within grooves  78  formed in the track  70 , the grooves  78  extending along the track  70  from the front end  79  of the track  70 , terminating proximate the rear end  81 . The housing  60  may be disengaged from the track  70  at the point  81  where the grooves  78  terminate. 
   An extension element  61  (see especially  FIG. 13  detail) is operatively connected within the housing  60  to allow for variable resistance strength routines. Each extension element  61  comprises a handle  80  selectively connectable to an array of resistance members  82  positioned within housing  60 . A pair of connecting straps  84  extends from opposing ends of the handle  80 , the straps  84  joined together and connected to an elongated loop  86  made of durable material such as metal. A clasp or other releasable connector  92  (e.g., a lobster clasp) is connected to loop  86 , the clasp  92  sufficiently large to connect to any or all of the pull rings  98  which are connected to a length of extension cable  96  which is contained within the resistance members  82 . 
   Resistance members  82 , of which there are may be one or more, but preferably at least two, may be spring reels  94  formed of a length of extension cable  96  terminating in pull ring  98 , the cable  96  wrapped around a groove formed in the reel  94 , which reels  94  are biased to retract the cable  96  by a coil spring as is well known in the art. The reels  94  may be conventional arbor reels encased in plastic cartridges, which may vary in effective resistance from about 5 pounds effective resistance up to 50 pounds or more. The resistance of the resistance member  82  is determined by, e.g., the spring constant of the spring (not shown) within the resistance member  82 . The force/work required to extend the handle  80  to the limit of travel provided by the cable  96 , can be varied from a few pounds up to 40 or 50 pounds or more. Accordingly, the resistance components  22  can be provided for users of all strength levels, with an array of light, medium, or heavy resistances available for each component  22 . Thus, for a user requiring a light resistance, a component  22  having four resistance members  82  offering resistance of 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 pounds may be provided. For a user requiring a more strenuous workout, the resistance members  80  may provide a resistance of, for example, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds. Of course, more or fewer resistance members  82  may be provided within housing  60  than the four shown, with four being optimal as it affords the user some flexibility and keeps the size and weight of the component  22  at a minimum to allow for enhanced portability. 
   Each of the resistance members  82  are self contained cartridges  100  which slide into slots  102  provided in housing  60 . The cartridges  100 , which have a substantially rectangular geometry, with a sloped rearward portion corresponding to the slope of the base  24 , may be made of hard plastic or other durable material. A pin  103 , which may be a conventional pin having a tip with ball plungers as used with weight plates, extends horizontally through housing  60  and cartridges  100 , preventing unintended disengagement of the cartridge  100  due to torque loading as an exercise routine is performed. Apertures  105 ,  107  formed in cartridges  100  and the lower end of the housing  60  respectively, are axially aligned when the cartridges  100  are properly seated within the housing  60 . Both the housing  60  and cartridges  100  have forward grasping areas  97 ,  99  respectively to provide space for hand placement as the housing  60  rests primarily upon the floor which would otherwise interfere with manipulation of the housing  60  and cartridges  100 . The clasps  92  appended to the connecting straps  84  allow for selective engagement with the pull ring  98  of the resistance member  82  to allow the user flexibility with respect to the effective resistance provided to each extension member  61 . Thus, from the example above, the user may select cartridges  100  having a resistance of 5 and 7.5 pounds for an effective resistance of 12.5 pounds. With effective resistance member  82  resistances as discussed above then, the user may select from an effective resistance of between 5 and 37.5 pounds. If the cartridges  100  ranged from 10 to 50 pounds, the user could select from between 10 and 120 pounds effective resistance. Of course, the clasps  92  can be arranged to allow for simultaneous engagement with as many of the four pull rings  98  as desired. The apparatus  10  would be packaged with several cartridges  100  to allow for routines to be performed by users of all strength levels. The apparatus  10  thus provides for variable resistance training regimens by interchanging (replacing) cartridges  100  or by selectively attaching to cartridges  100  already in place. 
     FIG. 4  shows the apparatus  10  reconfigured as an aerobic stepper. In this configuration, the user may step onto platform  110  which is held in place by a recessed annular shelf  112  formed in the upper portion of the base  24 . Platform  110  is essentially a rigid panel which may be formed of the same material as the base  24 , and may include friction material adhered thereto or formed integrally therefrom as by molding a roughened area. The platform  110  is held down by a locking mechanism such as a plurality of radially spaced ball plungers  116  formed in the base  24  proximate the shelf  112 . The ball plungers  116  allow for a snap fit engagement of the platform  110  within the shelf  112 , reducing the possibility of rotational or unintended displacement of the platform  110 . U-shaped cutouts  118  in the platform  110  allow for grasping and removal of the platform  110 . 
   The ball  20  may be a standard exercise ball, inflatable and made from a resilient material such as rubber, and commonly sold as a Swiss ball made of rubber or plastic and sufficiently durable to withstand several hundred pounds of pressure. The ball  20  would preferably have handles  120 , the handles  120  preferably being of a unitary construction to reduce the possibility of unintended detachment, although any means of securely attaching the handles  120  may be employed. A ball  20  of about 26 inches in diameter may be used, but larger or smaller balls may be used, with the size of the base  24  made in accordance with the size of the ball  20 . The handles  120  are spaced to allow the user to support himself thereon while performing the routines as described in more detail below. Specifically, the handles  120  should be spaced slightly more than shoulder width, allowing the user to extend their hands from their core for balance or additional support. Thus handles  120  should be placed on opposing sides of the upper half of the ball  20 , the term upper half being relative with respect to the orientation of the ball  20  on the base  24  or a floor. Multiple handles  120  may also be positioned on the ball  20 . With handles  120  on the ball  20  as shown and discussed, the ball  20  may be used in standalone mode, with the handles  120  used to facilitate certain routines such as leg extensions or any routine where the uses positions her hands on the ball  20 . 
   As previously stated, the apparatus  10  may be used in several modes. In a first mode the user is positioned on the ball  20  performing various routines. In a second mode, the user may stand on the base with the platform  110  secured in position on the base  24  and perform resistance training routines. In a third mode, the user may use the platform  110  secured on the base  24  as an aerobic step. Referring again to  FIG. 10 , a user is shown positioned on the ball  20  performing a resistance training routine. The particular routine shown is a resistance training routine focusing primarily on the upper body and core muscles. Once the user has set the adjustment mechanism  30  as described, and attached the extension element  61  to a selected one of the resistance members  82 , a curling routine may be performed. Unlike traditional curling routines, the user must recruit core muscles in order to remain stably positioned on the ball  20  and perform the exercise using the proper form, i.e. pulling the extension element  61  via handle  80  upwards to the maximum extension possible, and releasing the extension member  61  downwards, with both upward and downward movement performed against the resistance provided by the resistance member  82 . The resistance training component  22  may be repositioned as desired in order to emphasize biceps primarily, i.e., by moving both resistance components  22  forward near the front (foot position  31 ) as would be apparent to one familiar to resistance training apparatuses. 
     FIG. 11  shows a user performing a leg extension routine. It can be seen that this routine requires a foot holder or harness  130  be used in place of handle  80  on extension member  61 , the foot harness  130  being a conventional design used with resistance training devices. The user may grasp handles  120 , spaced as described above, for additional stability, while extending and retracting his legs as shown by arrow  131 . A mat  132  having a circular end portion corresponding to the size and shape of the base  24 , and an elongated forward extension may be placed under the base  24  to protect the primary support surface (i.e., the floor) from, e.g., scuff damage. 
     FIG. 12  shows a user performing an aerobic stepping routine. The resistance training components  22  may be removed and stored in the interior  28  of the base while performing this routine, as may the mat  132  for storage of the apparatus  10 . The base  24  has sufficient volume to contain a deflated ball  20  so that the apparatus  10  may be broken down and stowed or transported as a single unit. 
     FIG. 13  shows a user performing an upper body routine, specifically, a bench press routine performed lying on the ball  20  and extending and retracting the arms as shown. The routine is intensified by the instability of the ball  20 , less so when the adjustment mechanism  30  is positioned in the upper position as discussed. The user may adjust the weight by either attaching the clasp  92  to, for example, only one or two of the rings, or by replacing the cartridges  100  as desired to achieve a desired effective resistance. 
     FIG. 14  shows a user performing a curling routine standing on the platform  110 . In this configuration, the apparatus functions as a standard resistance apparatus. It can be seen that only a single resistance component  22  is used with 2 pull handles attached, allowing for closer spacing of the hands. 
   From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims: