Abstract:
In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an exercise device comprising: an axial structure defining an axis of rotation; a user support structure rotatably coupled to the axial structure; and a ball member supported by the axial structure and disposed with radial symmetry corresponding points along the axis of rotation. Thus, the ball member may be substantially spherical in shape, elliptical, oblong, etc.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/627,165 filed Oct. 7, 2011, entitled “Fitness Device”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to fitness equipment, and more specifically to a fitness device for strengthening various muscles of the body. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many types of exercise devices and methods for exercise are used to strengthen a person&#39;s abdominal and oblique muscles, often called the “the core” muscles. One such popular device is a single-wheel with a shaft passing through the center of the wheel allowing the wheel to rotate. This device is placed on the surface of the floor and is pushed and pulled away from the torso by gripping the shaft on either side of the wheel with hands. A severe limitation of this type of device, however, is that it can only move in a straight line, thus limiting the muscle groups affected while using the device. A further limitation of the wheel and shaft design is the inability to conduct other core exercises, such as those performed on an exercise ball. Thus, what is needed is an exercise apparatus that surmounts these limitations, and that can be used to perform exercises not possible with the currently available devices. 
         [0004]    Existing exercise balls have an inherent instability, and do not provide for leg extension type exercises. An exercise ball is typically made of a flexible material, is inflatable to cushion and support the user during exercises, and is substantially spherical in shape. Exercise balls are made in many different sizes to accommodate different body types, and some exercise balls may be substantially heavier in order to enhance therapeutic recovery exercises or merely for strength training. Most often, exercise balls are used on the surface of the floor with at least some portion of the user contacting the ball and causing the ball to deform and it is squeezed between the user and the floor. Because the ball is used in this manner, it is inherently unstable when a user rests upon it because the ball is free to travel in any direction across the floor. However, this instability does have useful purpose in that it promotes strength in many frequently and infrequently used muscles because minute adjustments must be made quickly to maintain control and to prevent falling to the floor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an exercise device comprising: an axial structure defining an axis of rotation; a user support structure rotatably coupled to the axial structure; and a ball member supported by the axial structure and disposed with radial symmetry about the axis of rotation, the ball member having varying circumferential distances at corresponding points along the axis of rotation. Thus, the ball member may be substantially spherical in shape, elliptical, oblong, etc. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an exercise device comprising: a ball that is substantially spherical in shape and substantially rigid; an axis of rotation that substantially passes through the center of the ball; an axle coinciding with the axis of rotation and being able to support the weight of a user performing exercises thereupon; and 
         [0000]    at least one mounting member freely coupled to the axle, whereby the at least one mounting member allows the axle to rotate. 
         [0008]    In still another aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an exercise device comprising: a ball that is substantially spherical in shape; an axis of rotation that substantially passes through the center of the ball; an axle coupled to the ball with a first protrusion and a second protrusion, whereby the axle coincides with the axis of rotation; and a first mounting member and a second mounting member, freely coupled to the first protrusion and the second protrusion, whereby the first mounting member and the second mounting member independently rotate about the axle. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect of various exemplary embodiments, an exercise device comprising: a ball that is substantially spherical in shape; an axis of rotation that substantially passes through the center of the ball; an axle fixedly coupled to the ball, comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow tube with a first end and a second end of the tube tangentially coincident with the outer surface of the ball, whereby the axle coincides with the axis of rotation; and a mounting shaft housed within the axle with the first end and second end evenly protruding beyond the outer surface of the ball, whereby the shaft can freely rotate. 
         [0010]    In one aspect of various exemplary embodiments, a method for exercising using a ball with an axle, comprising: gripping the exercise device comprising a ball that is substantially spherical in shape; an axis of rotation that substantially passes through the center of the ball; an axle coupled to the ball, whereby the axle coincides with the axis of rotation; and at least one mounting member freely coupled to the axle, whereby the at least one mounting member allows the axle to rotate; kneeling on a floor; first engaging at least abdominal muscles to move the exercise device in a first direction, wherein the first direction can be a straight line, an arc, and any combination thereof; and second engaging the at least abdominal muscles to move the exercise device in a second direction opposite from the first direction, wherein the second direction can be a straight line, an arc, and any combination thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The various embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way. Accordingly, other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the embodiments presented herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it is intended to refer to the same or like components or steps. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of another exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of still another exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of  FIG. 7  showing yet another exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an exemplary method for using an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an exemplary method for using an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a secondary position of  FIG. 10  for an exemplary method for using an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a side view of still another exemplary method for using an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a secondary position of  FIG. 12  for yet another exemplary method for using an exemplary embodiment exercise device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In the following detailed descriptions of various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-8  are illustrations of exemplary embodiment exercise devices  100 - 800  for strengthening muscles. In various embodiments, the fitness device may be used for arm, leg, shoulder, and abdominal strengthening, as well as strengthening and/or exercising other parts of the body. An exemplary embodiment exercise device  100  comprises a ball member  170  that may be substantially spherical or may alternatively have a shape such as elliptical, oblong, and so forth, an axial structure such as axle  510  (see  FIG. 5 ) with a first protrusion  110  and a second protrusion  120 , user supports structures such as mounting members  130 ,  140 , that are rotatably coupled to the axle, and couplers  150 ,  160  to carry load from the axle  510  to the ball  170 . In general, as used herein, the user support structure is rotatably coupled to the axial structure associated with the ball, such that a user is provided with a support that does not rotate while the ball and its axial structure rotates while in use. The user support structure and the axial structure take different forms in the various embodiments as described herein. 
         [0027]    In one exemplary embodiment, no artificial resistance is employed, and merely a user&#39;s body position and the natural force of gravity may be used to strengthen muscles. 
         [0028]    In another exemplary embodiment, a resistance element may be added to increase the difficulty and, thus, the strength required to move the exercise device. Such a resistance element may be a viscous damper between user support structures, such as a mounting member  130 ,  140 , such as a handgrip, and the axial support structure, which in this embodiment may comprise axle  510 . 
         [0029]    In still another exemplary embodiment, a resistance element may be adjustable from a lower setting to a higher setting and back again in order to adjust the difficulty required to move the exercise device. 
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment, the resistance element may increase or decrease the difficulty during a user moving the exercise device from a first position to a second position. Such a resistance element may be a rotary spring, torsional spring, rubberized band, or the like. The resistance element may generally be disposed between the user support structure and the axial structure. 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment, the exercise device  100 - 800  on which a user may place extremities or other body parts including, but not limited to feet, elbows, hands, and so forth. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the exercise device  200  may lie on a floor and may roll in any direction about the axis of rotation  230  of the ball  240 . Furthermore, the ball  240  and the axial support structure  220 ,  225  may freely rotate about the user support member  210  or, as previously mentioned, rotate about the user support member  210  with some resistance. 
         [0032]    The ball  240  may be a particular weight or may have the ability to become a different weight by a user adding items such as sand, water, metal plates, and so forth. The ball may also be manufactured in a plurality of different weights to provide a variety of options. The ball  240  may comprise a thin wall to allow greater flexibility or may comprise a thick wall to allow greater rigidity. In addition to adding rigidity, increasing wall thickness also functions to create the axial support structure  220 ,  225  by forming two concentric cylinders in opposite walls of the ball  240 . As used herein, the term substantial rigidity means that the shape of the ball is not deformed while in use and under the weight of an adult user. 
         [0033]    Various methods are contemplated to maintain a substantially spherical shape of the ball  240  during exercise such as using an inflatable bladder, increased wall thickness, using a rigid plastic, metal or composite (e.g. fiberglass) material, incorporating rings of varying diameter concentric with the axis of rotation within a stretched fabric or elastic material, combinations of these types, and so forth. The mounting member  210  may act as the surface on which a user may place extremities such as, but not limited to, hands and feet. The mounting member  210  may be housed within an axle  640  (see  FIG. 6 ) and may or may not be retained. All forms of retaining the mounting member  210  within the user support structure  220 ,  225  or axle  210 ,  640  are contemplated such as snap rings, step joints, press fits, threaded inserts, and so forth. The axle  210 ,  640  may be a hollow tube and may be coupled to the ball  240  at  220 ,  225  with the ends of the axle  640  being substantially coincident with the outer surface of the ball  240 , and the user support structure  220 ,  225  being capable of transferring the weight of a user from the axle  210 ,  640  to the ball  240 . 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment, the exercise device  100 - 800  may include at least one user support member or mounting member  130 ,  140 . The at least one mounting member  130 ,  140 ,  210  includes, but is not limited to, a handle grip to grasp with one&#39;s hand(s), a toe cup (not shown), a heel cup (not show), a foot strap  610 ,  620 , a heel strap  650 ,  660 , and so forth. When it is mounted, the user may rest their hands or feet on the mounting member  130 ,  140 ,  210  depending on body orientation. 
         [0035]    In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one mounting member  130 ,  140 ,  210  may include a joint  250  to reduce the mounting member  130 ,  140 ,  210  into one or more shorter lengths to facilitate easier storage, reduce packaging, reduce shelf space, and so forth. That is, if the shaft is a single, non-break apart handle, this may limit the storage ability for end users, and increases the shipping and packaging costs for distributors and end retailers. Different forms of the joint  250  are contemplated such as a sliding interface (cylinder within a cylinder) with a stepped diameter held together with a tapered friction fit, or with a pin and slot configuration, threaded coupling, telescoping joint, and so forth. The mounting member  130 ,  140 ,  210  may separate into two or more predetermined lengths, or in the case of the telescoping joint, reduce to one shortened length as a cylinder within a cylinder. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the ball is eight to twelve inches in diameter, and made of rigid plastic or rubber material. This range of diameters allows the handles to remain four to six inches from the exercise surface, thereby increasing the user&#39;s range of limb extension, and ability of the user to achieve a nearly parallel position with respect to the exercise surface. The relatively small diameter further provides an ease of portability and storage without the disadvantages of embodiments that use an inflatable ball (e.g., risk of ball punctures or ruptures, and inflation set up time). 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the ball is an ellipsoid or elliptical sphere, whereby the greater diameter of the elliptical sphere may be eight to twelve inches and may be parallel or perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and whereby the lesser diameter of the ellipsoid or elliptical sphere is four to eight inches. As previously mentioned, the ellipsoid or elliptical sphere may be made of a rigid plastic, rubber, or elastomer. The elliptical shape may allow for the handles  140 ,  150  to remain closer together for better usability, while also allowing for the handles  140 ,  150  to remain four to six inches from the exercise surface, thereby increasing the user&#39;s range of limb extension, and ability of the user to achieve a nearly parallel position with respect to the exercise surface. While in other embodiments, the handles  140 ,  150  may remain further apart to increase the difficulty and increase strength in the upper body muscles. 
         [0038]    In still other exemplary embodiments, the exercise device  100 - 800  may include one or more rests on or in which to place one&#39;s hands, elbows, forearms, knees, feet, or other body parts. 
         [0039]    In various exemplary embodiments, the exercise device  100 - 800  allows for the axle  510 ,  640  to be easily and smoothly tilted in a vertical and horizontal direction while maintaining stability. The axle  510 ,  640  may also be tilted or turned to various angles in order to roll the ball  170 ,  240  in a non-linear or linear direction, such as an arc, figure-eight, and so forth. These capabilities are significant improvements over existing fitness devices because prior art devices do not maintain stability when traveling in a non-linear fashion. To facilitate travel in a non-linear fashion, the ball  170 ,  240  surface may incorporate anti-slip features  630  such as ribs or channels. Also contemplated, is the ball  170 ,  240  surface may be partially (surface coating) or entirely comprised of a high-friction material such as rubber, elastomer, and so forth. 
         [0040]    In yet another embodiment, various couplers  150 ,  160  are contemplated such as bolted flanges to capture and squeeze at least a portion of the ball  170 , molded-in-place flanges, deformable inserts, and so forth. 
         [0041]    In  FIGS. 7-8 , the illustrations are provided to depict one of several possible alternate exemplary embodiments. In some embodiments, the exercise device  700 ,  800  may employ a balance board  710  on which a user places extremities, such as, but not limited to, feet. The balance board  710  may be supported and coupled to the axle  510  or mounting members  110 ,  120 ,  210  using straps  720 ,  730  or other coupling mechanisms. Depending on a user&#39;s body orientation to the exercise device  700 ,  800 , one&#39;s toes, heels, or balls of feet may rest on the balance board  710 ,  830  or the axle  510  or mounting members  110 ,  120 ,  210 . This may be accomplished with rotating the balance board  710 ,  830  one-hundred eighty degrees around the axle  510  so that the balance board  710 ,  830  is facing down. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the exercise device  700 ,  800  may employ foot straps (not shown), toe cups  810 ,  820 , heel cups (not shown), or any combination thereof. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the exercise device  800  may comprise a balance board  830  that is removable from the mounting members  110 ,  120 ,  210  or axle  510 . The balance board  830  may have a circular cut out in order to fit over ball  740 ,  840 . The balance board  710 ,  830  may securely attach to mounting members  110 ,  120 ,  210 , to the axle  510 , to the ball  170 ,  240 , or in any combination of those. 
         [0043]    In other embodiments, with the balance board  710 ,  830  installed, ball  740 ,  840  may or may not have the ability to freely rotate around axle  510  or mounting members  110 ,  120 ,  210 . In other parlance, the ball  740 ,  840  may be locked from rotation. 
         [0044]    The exercise devices  100 - 800  may be utilized in a variety of manners. The examples given herein are merely illustrative, with other exercises and methods of use being contemplated. Referring to  FIG. 9 , this illustration is a top view of a user having their knees on a floor and gripping onto the mounting members  130 ,  140  with their hands. A user may extend their torso forward away from their knees and then back towards their knees. The exercise devices  100 - 800  may allow this movement, along with contemporaneously extending one&#39;s torso at a diagonal to either left or right to work different muscle groups, such as the oblique abdominal muscles. Besides straight line extensions, other directions are contemplated such as the arc shown in method  900 . Again, an arc may be accomplished by tilting the axis  230  of the exercise device  100 - 800  away from horizontal. In general, as the angle of tilt increases, the radius of the arc decreases. 
         [0045]    Turning now to  FIGS. 10-11 , a side view of an exemplary exercise method using an exemplary embodiment exercise device  200  is shown. Exercise methods  1000 ,  1100  are substantially similar to exercise method  900  except  FIGS. 10-11  illustrate the user moving the exercise device  200  away from the torso using the arms. 
         [0046]    Another exemplary exercise method using an exemplary embodiment exercise device  100 - 800  involves sitting on the floor and placing one or both feet on the exercise device  100 - 800 . While resting one&#39;s feet on the exercise device  100 - 800  and angling the torso about at approximately a 45 degree angle relative to the floor, a user may extend and contract their legs to exercise lower abdominal muscles. Other angles between zero and ninety are contemplated to change exercise difficulty. Similar to exercise method  900 , the exercise device may be moved in a straight line, at a diagonal, or any number of other directions such as an arc. In the same position, the exercise device  100 - 800  may be lifted up and away from the floor by contracting one&#39;s abdominal muscles and lifting one&#39;s legs. 
         [0047]    A further exemplary exercise method using an exemplary embodiment exercise device  100 - 800  comprises gripping the mounting member  110 ,  120 ,  210  or axle  510  as a handle and lifting the device up and away the floor. In this regard, the exercise device  100 - 800  functions substantially similar to a weight. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIGS. 12-13 , a side view of an exemplary exercise method using an exemplary embodiment exercise device  600  is shown. Exercise methods  1200 ,  1300  are substantially similar to exercise methods  1000 ,  1100  except  FIGS. 12-13  illustrate the user assuming the push-up position with hands flat on the floor and at least one foot secured by both foot strap  600 ,  610  and heel strap  650 ,  660 . The user may move the exercise device  600  away from the torso using the legs or pull in the legs toward to the torso. Again, similar to exercise method  900 , the exercise device  200  may be moved in a straight line, at a diagonal, or any number of other directions such as an arc. Advantageously, in some embodiments, an exercise device  100 - 800  may be provided to roll in any number of directions without repositioning the device. 
         [0049]    Another exemplary embodiment method using the exemplary embodiment exercise device  100 - 800  involves using the balance board  710 ,  830 , whereby a user would simply stand on the balance board  710 ,  830 , trying to maintain balance without the balance board  710 ,  830  contacting the floor. The act of maintaining one&#39;s balance while standing on the balance board  710 ,  830  is an exercise in and of itself. 
         [0050]    Still another exemplary embodiment method using the exemplary embodiment exercise device  100 - 800  involves standing on the balance board  710 ,  830 , maintaining one&#39;s balance, and then performing a body-weight squat exercise. 
         [0051]    Yet another exemplary embodiment method using the exemplary embodiment exercise device  100 - 800  involves using the balance board  710 ,  830  as the base to place one&#39;s hands when doing a pushup exercise. 
         [0052]    What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.