Patent Publication Number: US-6712745-B1

Title: Cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like

Description:
The present application is a continuation of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,593, filed on Jan. 17, 2001, entitled “Fabric Cover for Exercise Fitness Ball”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a cover device for covering an object and, more particularly, it relates to a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like which substantially covers the exercise fitness ball and is releasably secured thereto. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Exercise fitness balls are a popular form of exercise and are commonly used for persons with injuries and other disabilities for rehabilitation and comfort. Some persons use the exercise fitness ball by lying upon the surface of the exercise fitness ball and rolling the exercise fitness ball in various directions on the floor or other substantially flat surface. Other persons use the exercise fitness ball by sitting upon the exercise fitness ball at a desk, at a table, while reading, or while watching television. In these situations, the exercise fitness ball is perfectly suited for promoting comfortable seating, maintaining a proper posture, and minimizing injuries especially those injuries associated with the neck, back, and rear area of the injured or otherwise disabled person. 
     Typically, the exercise fitness ball is constructed from a durable plastic material and inflated to a predetermined pressure with predetermined resiliency. The exercise fitness balls are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the intended use and desired exercise and/or comfort. For instance, the exercise fitness ball can be substantially spherical with a predetermined diameter. Typical diameters of currently manufactured exercise fitness balls have diameters of approximately sixty-five (65 cm) centimeters and approximately fifty-five (55 cm) centimeters. Other diameters of exercise fitness balls are manufactured depending on the desires of the user. Furthermore, in the alternative, the conventional exercise fitness ball can be substantially “peanut shaped” or any other shape. 
     Unfortunately, while sitting upon the exercise fitness ball, the user must contact the plastic surface of the exercise fitness ball with his or her body. In colder climates, for instance, the surface temperature of the ball can feel cold and hard to the user as the user mounts the exercise fitness ball. This could possibly deter the user from using the exercise fitness ball during sitting activities for maximum benefit and comfort. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like which provides a comfortable contact between the user and the exercise fitness ball. Additionally, a need exists for a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like which can be easily and releasably secured to the exercise fitness ball. Furthermore, there exists a need for a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like which can accommodate a wide variety of exercise fitness balls regardless of size or shape. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball or the like. The cover device comprises a fabric cover having a perimeter. The fabric cover is positionable over at least one-half of the exercise fitness ball. A fastening mechanism is positioned about the perimeter of the fabric cover for releasably securing the fabric cover to the exercise fitness ball. 
     Additionally, the present invention is a covering for an exercise fitness ball with the exercise fitness ball having a diameter. The covering comprises a covering material having a diameter greater than the diameter of the exercise fitness ball. A cord is positioned about the perimeter of the covering material. A cord-receiving area is formed along the perimeter of the covering material. Tightening means associated with the cord releasably tighten the cord about the exercise fitness ball. 
     The present invention further includes a method for covering an exercise fitness ball with the exercise fitness ball having a diameter. The method comprises providing a covering material having a diameter greater than the diameter of the exercise fitness ball, positioning a cord about the perimeter of the covering material, folding a portion of the covering material upon itself over the cord along the perimeter of the covering material, securing the folded portion of the covering material over the cord, positioning the covering material over the exercise fitness ball, tightening the cord about the exercise fitness ball, and releasably securing the cord about the exercise fitness ball. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a elevational side view of a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is top plan view of another embodiment of a cover device for covering an exercise fitness ball and the like, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is a cover device, indicated generally at  10 , for covering an exercise fitness ball  12  and the like. As discussed above, the exercise fitness ball  12  is typically constructed from a durable plastic material and inflated to a predetermined pressure with predetermined resiliency. While the exercise fitness balls  12  can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the intended use and desired exercise and/or comfort, the exercise fitness ball  12  as illustrated in FIG. 1 is substantially spherical. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that while a substantially spherical exercise fitness ball  12  is shown, use of the cover device  10  with other shapes of exercise fitness balls  12  including, but not limited to, “peanut shaped” exercise fitness balls  12  is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, the cover device  10  of the present invention is preferably constructed from a circular piece of fabric having a predetermined diameter depending on the size of the exercise fitness ball  12 . The inventor of the present invention has discovered that a cover device  10  constructed from a cotton print fleece or BERBER® (fleece) fabric is perfectly suited for use with the exercise fitness ball  12 . A SHERPA® (pile) fabric manufactured by Haber fabrics can also be used. The BERBER® and SHERPA® fabric are beneficial in that they provide a “warm” contact and feel for the user. It should be noted that while the cover device  10  has been described heretofore and will be described hereafter as being constructed from certain fabrics, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the cover device  10  from any type of fabric material. 
     With an exercise fitness ball  12  having a diameter of approximately sixty-five (65 cm) centimeters, the cover device  10  preferably has a diameter of approximately fifty-nine (59″) inches. With an exercise fitness ball  12  having a diameter of approximately fifty-five (55 cm) centimeters, the cover device  10  preferably has a diameter of approximately forty-three (43 cm) centimeters. While the above-referenced cover device  10  diameters are preferred for a particular-sized exercise fitness ball  12 , it should be noted, however, that various sizes of fabric covers can be used with various-sized exercise fitness balls  12 . In fact, the cover device  10  can be variably sized and shaped to substantially cover any size or shape exercise fitness ball  12 . 
     The cover device  10  of the present invention further includes a fastening mechanism  14  for releasably fastening the cover device  10  to the exercise fitness ball  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism  14  includes an elastic or bungee cord  16  having a cord lock  18  or other mechanism for releasably securement. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic or bungee cord  16  has a diameter of approximately one-eighth (⅛″) inch and a length at least slightly longer than the circumference of the cover device  10 . While the elastic or bungee cord  16  has been described as having a diameter of approximately one-eighth (⅛″) inch, having an elastic or bungee cord  16  with a diameter greater than approximately one-eighth (⅛″) inch and less than approximately one-eighth (⅛″) inch is within the scope of the present invention. Further, the cord lock  18  can be any type of locking mechanism which is secured to the ends of the elastic or bungee cord  16  to tighten and releasably secure the elastic or bungee cord  16 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     Preferably, the ends of the elastic or bungee cord  16  are melted or otherwise secured to prevent each end of the elastic or bungee cord  16  from unraveling. Furthermore, a metal or plastic covering (not shown) or the like can be positioned over the ends of the elastic or bungee cord  16  for aesthetic and functionality reasons. 
     The elastic or bungee cord  16  is secured to the cover device  10  of the present invention by positioning the elastic or bungee cord  16  about the perimeter or circumference of the cover device  10  and folding a portion of the cover device  10  over the elastic or bungee cord  16 . Preferably, approximately one (1″) inch of the cover device  10  is folded over the elastic or bungee cord  16  although folding more than approximately one (1″) inch of the cover device  10  over the elastic or bungee cord  16  or less than approximately one (1″) inch of the cover device  10  over the elastic or bungee cord  16  is within the scope of the present invention. The cover device  10  is then secured over the elastic or bungee cord  16  by stitching the fabric material to itself with thread or the like. Preferably, the stitching is performed in a zigzag stitch for secure holding of the elastic or bungee cord  16  therein. It should be noted that other types of stitching and other methods of securing the cover device  10  to itself including, but not limited, to staples, fabric rivets, adhesive, etc., is within the scope of the present invention. 
     An approximately one (1″) inch cut or button hole  20  is formed in the folded portion of the cover device  10  for allowing the ends of the elastic or bungee cord  16  to extend therefrom. Grosgrain ribbon  22  secured in a button hole fashion is secured to the cut area  20  of the cover device  10  to inhibit fraying of the cover device  10 . 
     In another embodiment of the cover device  10  of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cover device  10  is similar to the embodiment as illustrated in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, the cover device  10  further includes a seat cover  24  (having any size or configuration) secured to the cover device  10  in the substantial center of the cover device  10  by stitching or the like. An underlying batting  26  can be positioned between the seat cover  24  and the cover device  10  for added comfort to the user. Furthermore, preferably, the design of the seat cover  24  is different than, but compatibly matching, the design of the cover device  10 . 
     To position the cover device  10  over the exercise fitness ball  12 , the cover device  10  is positioned directly over and onto the exercise fitness ball  12 . The elastic or bungee cord  16  is then tightened about the exercise fitness ball  12  and releasably secured about the exercise fitness ball  12  at some point below the center line of the exercise fitness ball  12  by the cord lock  18 . Preferably, as mentioned, the cover device  10  is positioned over the exercise fitness ball  12  such that the perimeter of the cover device  10  extends over the centerline of the exercise fitness ball  12 . By positioning the cover device  10  in such a manner, the cover device  10  is maintained on the exercise fitness ball  12  while in use by the user. 
     To remove the cover device  10 , the cord lock  18  is released thereby untightening the elastic or bungee cord  16 . The cover device  10  can then be easily lifted from the exercise fitness ball  12 . Removal of the cover device  10  allows the user to wash and/or otherwise clean the cover device  10  or to use the exercise fitness ball  12  for other activities. 
     The cover device  10  of the present invention provides a novel and unique approach to creating a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing cover for an exercise fitness ball  12 . The user of the exercise fitness ball  12  fitted with the cover device  10  will enjoy additional comfort and benefits associated with the use of the exercise fitness ball  12  in a variety of uses. Furthermore, the cover device  10  can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement, depending on the desires of the user. 
     The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.