Patent Publication Number: US-2015065313-A1

Title: Medicine Ball

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     A medicine ball is used for working multiple areas of the body. The medicine ball was introduced by the ancient Greeks for therapeutic usage. It began as sand-filled ball evolved over centuries into the modern medicine ball seen in every gym and fitness facility. It is available in many different forms, made out of various materials and intended for strength, aerobics, and resistance training. 
     Physical trainers in the 1800s used four fitness tools. One of which was the medicine ball used to strengthen the arms, legs and core muscles. The balls were used through the 1930s in YMCAs, military organizations, colleges, boxing gyms and fitness gyms. The medicine balls at that time were filled with sand, feathers or air, depending on the use. 
     The medicine ball comes in different poundage, typically from 4 pounds to 90 pounds and is used as a device to improve musculature, strength and coordination as well as reduce the risk of injury. Most fitness facilities and household gyms have more than one medicine ball of various weights. This takes up vast amount of space and expands the time it takes going from one medicine ball to another. Not so with the present invention. The new invention with add-on attachments provides a total complete and time saving workout routine. One of the typical exercises with the invention is to place your feet in the foot attachment that is attached to resistance bands and the new invention in your hands. Bend your knees and lift the ball shoulder high. From this point, place your hands underneath the ball and proceed to lift above your head. This exercise strengthens your legs, chest, and shoulders. It is different from a typical dumbbell because the mass of the circular form. The new invention resistance attachment increases the workout intensity allowing users to work multiple body parts while doing one exercise. 
     The unique shape of the invention allows a mass center to be located more distal to the joint as compared to dumbbells. One major advantage of the new invention is its friendly appearance that has remained unchanged throughout its long history. The shape is comfortable to the user while exercising, and in particularly, in carrying out the basic exercise where dumbbells and your traditional kettle bell is flipped over the handle and stopped on the back of the wrist. The new invention shape does not can cause discomfort and bruising to the user, especially to the beginner who has not mastered the equipment. 
     A problem associated with the traditional medicine ball is that each medicine ball has specific poundage, generally measured in kilograms, and therefore, the user requires multiple balls with different weights to do a variety of exercises expanding the length of time to complete a workout regimen. 
     There have been kettle bells and dumbbells with adjustable weight but not so with medicine ball. As an example, there is a kettle bell shown and described in U.S. Published Patent Application 2006/0035767 where the device has removable and replaceable weight but no attachments to increase the intensity of the workout. In addition, the adding and subtracting of the weight in the current systems changes the size and shape of the kettle bell and dumbbells, again, an undesirable feature, however not so with the new invention. 
     Others devices are constructed in uncomfortable and dangerous forms and, generally, there are difficulties in changing the weight. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a device that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties and problems in the outdated design, hence the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     In accordance with the present invention, there is an exercise device, such as a medicine ball with attachments that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the described prior devices. With the present invention, the exercise device is design with various body parts in mind. The primary function of the device is ability to change the weight of medicine ball without altering the center of gravity of the overall exercise device. The device also has the capability to add on attachments without altering the center of gravity of the overall shape as well. The invention is capable of being used as a basic medicine ball or enhanced with the add-on attachments for an elite workout routine; only limited to the users&#39; creativeness and imagination. 
     The attachments when nested together are generally annular in configuration having different radii so that the medicine ball can nest against each other. In addition, the presence of the primary weight frame slot allows traditional weights at varies poundage to be inserted, plus add various attachments while still retaining the same physical size and shape of the device. As an enhanced feature, the attachments are color coded so that the user can easily identify which right and left weight attachments are being used such that the determination of the overall exercise device is easily too recognized and the weight is evenly distributed throughout the invention. The primary weight frame of different poundage&#39;s are designed to fit most right and left weight attachments of different weights. 
     The present invention is designed to feel comfortable against your body reducing the trauma, pain, and minimize the impact and discomfort on your wrist, and ankles as with kettle bells and dumbbells in particularly in the case of a novice attempting to establish a exercise routine. Although the invention is comfortable to the novice its superior capabilities are sufficient enough for the more serious athlete. 
     There is a unique primary slot receiving slides that allows the traditional weights of various kilos to be easily and quickly added and/or removed from ball&#39;s primary weight frame. The primary frame includes a method of safely locking and securing single or double side attachments. To secure right and left weight attachment, place them one at a time, on their respective side of the primary frame. Slide the weight attachments through the groves and turn the locking mechanisms located on the bottom of the primary frame to the right, to lock. The weight attachment is now secured to the primary frame. When the attachment is locked into the medicine ball, it can only be removed by performing the aforementioned steps above in reverse order. 
     These and other features are advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the invention with the various parts labeled. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the three primary parts; right and left weight attachment and the primary weight frame. The primary weight frame remains constant while the right and left weight attachments are replaceable. For the shape of the devices to maintain its circular form the right and left weight attachment can be of equal or lesser weight to the primary frame. The primary weight frame unit ranges from 2 lbs and higher. 
         FIG. 3  depicts how the three major components are assembled. 
         FIG. 4  depicts shows how the three parts are nested together from a front and side view. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the left and right roll bar attachments. The attachment allows the user to conduct an abdominal muscles workout similar to wheel roller exercise equipment, however, with added weights. 
         FIG. 6  depicts the left and right handlebar attachment and how it is attached to the invention. 
         FIG. 7  depict the completed attachments of  FIG. 6  with the left and right handlebars nested to the primary weight attachment and ready for use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  shows 10 lbs primary weight frame and a 2 lbs right and left weight attachment, separated. 
       FIG. 3  shows how the 10 lbs primary weight attachment will look once the right and left 2 lbs weight attachments are firmly nestle to the primary frame. The weight of the primary base unit does not change, but the weight of the attachments can equal up to the amount of the base on each side. The attachments must be of lesser or equal weight of the primary weight frame the same kind. All attachments are color-coded to allow users&#39; to easily depict the correct weight or attachment device. The primary weight frame of different poundage&#39;s are designed to fit most right and left weight attachments of different weights. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view of the device constructed in accordance with the present invention along with its base. The interrelationship between the exercise device and the base will be later explained. Basically, the primary frame unit has two slides, on the right and left designed to secure the right and left weight attachments. The attachments are fitted within the primary base leaving no gaps and a tightly secured device. The primary base can be a molded component and has a cavity for supporting and storing a plurality of attachments, that is, an single or double outer attachments. 
     As can be seen, the attachments are concentrically oriented and are shaped so as to be nested within the primary weight frame unit. While only three attachments are illustrated, it can be understood that a greater or lesser lbs attachments could be used consistent with the teaching of the present invention. Since the attachments are generally annular, the center of gravity remains intact. 
       FIG. 3  shows the weight of the primary base which is 10 lbs with an hand grip attachment. The weight of the primary base does not change. 
     The invention shown in  FIG. 1-3  shows a frame that can be made of a heavy material, such leather, rubber, plastic and any similar materials. The primary weight frame is constructed as a one piece unit. As also can be seen, there are the two primary slide for securing the right and left weight. As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the primary medicine ball, and outer attachments are illustrated in their nested orientation such that the right and left weight attachment are nesting within each other maintains the center of gravity in a fixed location. As a feature of the present invention, the attachments are color coded so that the user can easily see what attachments are being used with the exercise device 
     When the attachment(s) are secured to the medicine weight ball, the user is not ready to attach the other end of the attachment(s) to their corresponding body part. The dual locking slide on the primary base unit is designed to prevent the invention from inadvertently becoming disengaged from its engaged position within one of the primary slot receiving openings and that dual locking system is carried out by same method and structure for safety precautions. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the exercise device of the present invention which will result in an improved device and method of using the same, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined under the CLAIMS heading. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.