Patent Publication Number: US-10765905-B2

Title: Exercise ball

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates generally to an exercise ball. In particular, the disclosure relates to an exercise ball that can be separated into independent sections for weight training in Tai Chi exercise. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Several types of exercise balls can be utilized to promote physical and mental health. In particular, wooden Tai Chi balls are exercise balls that can be utilized to perform various physical and mental health exercises. However, historically Tai Chi balls are used for light physical exercises and are not used in weight training. Thus, users whose lean mass is reduced, such as from aging, cannot effectively benefit from physical exercise using Tai Chi balls. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an exercise ball that may include a separable first section, a separable second section, and a plurality of polymagnets that may be provided in an interior of the exercise ball. The plurality of polymagnets may attach and detach the separable first section and the separable second section. A core may be arranged in the interior of the exercise ball and may include a hollow hole. The separable first section and the separable second section may be weighted. The separable first section may be held in a user&#39;s first hand and the separable second section may be held in the user&#39;s second hand. A user may utilize the separable first section and the separable second section for weight training. The exercise ball may provide an audio module, and the plurality of polymagnets may provide a twist-release attachment and detachment of the separable first section and the separable second section. The exercise ball may include at least one detent that may be arranged below the plurality of polymagnets. The at least one detent may provide a latched position of the separable first section with the separable second section. The separable first section may be one pound, 1.75 pounds, or 2.5 pounds in weight, and the separable second section may be one pound, 1.75 pounds, or 2.5 pounds in weight. 
     Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a Tai Chi ball that may include a separable first section and a separable second section. The separable first section may provide a decorative Yin or Yang exterior, and the separable second section may provide a decorative Yin or Yang exterior that may be opposite of the separable first section. A plurality of polymagnets may be provided in an interior of the Tai Chi ball, and the plurality of polymagnets may attach and detach the separable first section and the separable second section. The Tai Chi ball may include a core that may be arranged in the interior of the Tai Chi ball and may include a hollow hole. The separable first section and the separable second section may be used for mind-body exercises and/or weight training. The separable first section may be arranged to be held in a user&#39;s first hand, and the separable second section may be arranged to be held in the user&#39;s second hand. A user may utilize the separable first section and the separable second section for weight training, and the separable first section and the separable second section may be weighted. The Tai Chi ball may include an audio module, and the plurality of polymagnets may provide a twist-release attachment and detachment of the separable first section and the separable second section. The Tai Chi ball may include at least one detent that may be arranged below the plurality of polymagnets. The at least one detent may provide a latched position of the separable first section with the separable second section. The separable first section may have a weight selected from one pound, 1.75 pounds, or 2.5 pounds, and the separable second section may have a weight selected from one pound, 1.75 pounds, or 2.5 pounds. 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following drawings, descriptions and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a front view of a section of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a front view of another section of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a separated and detached exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a combined and attached exercise ball an according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective sectional view of an interior of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a section of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a perspective view of a removable portion of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a perspective view of the removable portion of the exercise ball of  FIG. 6A  according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side sectional view of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a section of an exercise ball according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an exercise ball that may be separated into sections. The exercise ball may be separated into two independent sections that may be used for weight training and mind-body exercises. The exercise ball may be a Tai Chi ball that may provide a combination of mind-body exercises and weight or strength training. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may provide first section  110  and second section  120 . First section  110  and second section  120  may be in combined and attached position  150  ( FIG. 3B ) to form exercise ball  100 . First section  110  and second section  120  may each provide a decorative exterior. For example, exercise ball  100  may be a Tai Chi ball, and first section  110  and second section  120  may form Yin and Yang decorated sections, respectively, in an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that exercise ball  100 , first section  110 , and/or second section  120  may include any decorative exterior without departing from the present disclosure. It also should be appreciated that any number of sections may be included in exercise ball  100  without departing from the present disclosure. 
     Exercise ball  100  may provide audio module  140  ( FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, and 4B ) that may include a music player, verbal instructions, and/or other sound conveying mechanisms without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that audio module  140  may be provided in first section  110  and/or second section  120 . It should also be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may not provide audio module  140  features without departing from the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first section  110  and/or second section  120  may be weighted and may be used for weight training in combined and attached position  150  and also in separated and detached position  130 . It should be appreciated that when exercise ball  100  is in separated and detached position  130 , first section  110  and second section  120  are completely separated and independent sections. First section  110  may be held in a user&#39;s hand and second section  120  may be held in the user&#39;s opposite hand. The user may perform poses and exercises with exercise ball  100  and/or first section  1110  and second section  120  in separated and detached position  130 . It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may refer to first section  110  and second section  120  in both combined and attached position  150  and in separated and detached position  130 . 
     Poses and exercises with exercise ball  100  or components thereof may improve the user&#39;s strength and exercise the user&#39;s body. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may have a weight that may be 2 pounds, 3.5 pounds, or 5 pounds, in which first section  110  and second section  120  may each have a weight of 1 pound, 1.75 pounds, and 2.5 pounds, respectively. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may have a weight that may be more or less than a range of 2 to 5 pounds without departing from the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that first section  110  and second section  120  may have different weights without departing from the present disclosure. Exercise ball  100  may provide a size and/or a weight that may be compatible with a user&#39;s stature, physical fitness, and/or health goals. 
     It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be made of a material that may be formed using blow molding. It should further be appreciated that blow molding to form exercise ball  100  may be performed using extrusion, injection, biaxial stretch, and/or co-extrusion blow molding in embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be formed through techniques other than blow molding without departing from the present disclosure. 
     Exercise ball  100  may be utilized to integrate weight training and mind-body exercises and may provide a structure that may provide resistance for strength training and meditative exercises. Exercise ball  100  may promote physical and mental health and may provide strength and weight training by offering a combination of mind-body exercise and weight training. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be a Tai Chi ball that may weigh 2 lbs., or 3.5 lbs., or 5 lbs. It should also be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may weigh less than 2 lbs. or may be 5 lbs. without departing from the present disclosure. 
     Exercise ball  100  may be designed based on the Yin and Yang theory in which device  100  may be separated into Yin part or first section  110  and Yang part or second section  120 . Exercise ball  100  may be utilized in different forms for exercise including, but not limited to, the forms provided in Table 1. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be in separated and/or detached in the different forms. It should also be appreciated that an artistic design may be provided on exercise ball  100  and may increase fun and enjoyment during exercise and/or meditation. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Exercise Ball Forms. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Form 
                 Position of Exercise Ball 100 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 1. 
                 Commencing Form 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Part Wild Horse&#39;s Mane 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Brush Knee and Push 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                   
                 Forward 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Curling the Arms 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Left Grasp the 
                 Combined and Attached Position 150 
               
               
                   
                 Peacock&#39;s Tail 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Left Hand of User May Hold Exercise 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ball 100 and Transfer to Right Hand of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 User 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Right Grasp the 
                 Combined and Attached Position 150 
               
               
                   
                 Peacock&#39;s Tail 
                 Right Hand of User May Hold Exercise 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ball 100 and Transfer to Left Hand of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 User 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Wave Hands Like Clouds 
                 Combined and Attached Position 150 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Leading Arm of User May Hold 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Exercise Ball 100 
               
               
                 8. 
                 White Crane Spreads 
                 Combined and Attached Position 150 
               
               
                   
                 its Wing 
                 User May Transfer Exercise Ball 100 to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Right Hand 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Open and Close Hands 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Appear Closed 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Crossing Hands 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Closing Form 
                 Separated and Detached Position 130 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Exercise ball  100  may be utilized to provide aerobic exercise by utilizing the user&#39;s body weight. Exercise ball  100  may prompt the user to shift body weight from one leg to another during slow and continuous movement that may improve balance and flexibility. Exercise ball  100  may increase target muscular strength while a user holds exercise device  100 , first section  110 , and/or second section  120  in one or both hands. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may provide interior  400  that may include a plurality of polymagnets  420  positioned in area  430 . The plurality of polymagnets  420  may employ twist-release locking/unlocking motion  440  that may attach and detach first section  110  with second section  120 . Detent(s)  450  may be provided below polymagnets and may enable the user to easily separate and combine first section  110  and second section  120  of exercise ball  100  during exercise, such as during Tai Chi. Detent(s)  450  may provide different angles that may help align plurality of polymagnets  420  and may provide strong holding of the plurality of polymagnets  420 . The plurality of polymagnets  420  may exhibit a high attraction force when axially aligned and may provide a high repellant force when rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise and/or counterclockwise. Rotation of approximately 45 degrees may form twist-release locking/unlocking motion  440 . It should be appreciated that the plurality of polymagnets  420  may be programmed to behave in different manners including, but not limited to, being programmed as spring, latch, and/or release and align polymagnets. Detent(s)  450  may keep magnetic pairs of plurality of polymagnets  420  or other types of magnets in separated and detached position  130  until explicitly rotated back to combined and attached position  150 . 
     Different weights of exercise ball  100  may be adjusted by fillers that may consist of a combination of BB ammo and epoxy or other materials. Interior  400  of exercise ball  100  may have a core that may be hollow hole  460  that may be arranged to include fillers. An epoxy may be utilized to attach fillers that may be inside of hole  460  to interior  400  of exercise ball  100 , as well as to adjust an exact weight of exercise ball  100  during a manufacturing process. Exercise ball  100  may be filled with objects that may include, but are not limited to, BB gun balls. The objects may fill exercise ball  100  to provide different weights and sizes of exercise ball  100  including, but not limited to, a 2-lb. ball having a 4-inch diameter, a 3.5-lb. ball having a 5-inch diameter, or a 5-lb. ball having a 6-inch diameter. Flat head screw and nut  410  may be provided to allow exercise ball  100  to rotate or adjust to different positions. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be separated into two parts, or first section  110  and second section  120 , that may be a Yin part and a Yang part that may be combined as a whole ball using polymagnets in embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may provide first section  110  ( FIG. 2A ) and/or second section  120  ( FIG. 2B ) that may be formed as Yin and/or Yang symbols that may include hole  510 . Hole  510  may be provided to receive button  600 A ( FIG. 6A ) and  600 B ( FIG. 6B ). Hole  510  may receive button  600 A ( FIG. 6A ) and  600 B ( FIG. 6B ) when inserted and twisted approximately 90 degress to lock into hole  510 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may provide first section  110  ( FIG. 2A ) and/or second section  120  ( FIG. 2B ) that may be formed as Yin and/or Yang symbols that may include button  600 A,  600 B. Button  600 A,  600 B may be inserted and lock inside of hole  510 . When inserted, button  600 A,  600 B may twist approximately 90 degress to lock into hole  510 . It should be appreciated that buttons  600 A,  600 B may be made using 3-D printing; however, buttons  600 A,  600 B may be made using other manufacturing processes without departing from the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, thermoplastic, plastic ball materials, a plastic injection molder, BB Ammo or steel balls with epoxy, and thin flat head screw and nut  410 . Hollow hole  460  may receive filler than may be introduced into the interior or core of exercise ball  100 . It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may provide a spherical shape or body without departing from the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, exercise ball  100  may provide a Tai Chi-ball configuration. Hole  510  may be provided to receive button  600 A ( FIG. 6A ) and  600 B ( FIG. 6B ). Flat head screw and nut  410  may be provided to allow exercise ball  100  to rotate or adjust to different positions. 
     Detent(s)  450  may be provided below polymagnets and may enable the user to easily separate and combine first section  110  ( FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A-3B ) and second section  120  ( FIGS. 1, 2B, and 3A-3B ) of exercise ball  100  during exercise, such as during Tai Chi. Detent(s)  450  may provide different angles that may help align plurality of polymagnets  420  ( FIGS. 4A and 7 ) and may provide strong holding of the plurality of polymagnets  420 . 
     A core may provide hollow hole  460  that may be arranged to include fillers. An epoxy may be utilized to attach fillers that may be inside of hole  460 , and hole  460  may be made to receive a user&#39;s finger(s) for gripping or grapping exercise ball  100 . It should be appreciated that hole  460  may have a one-inch diameter and a thickness of the inner to outer perimeter of exercise ball  100  may be approximately 0.4 inches. It should further be appreciated that the diameter of hole  460  and the thickness of exercise ball  100  may be more or less than one-inch and 0.4 inches, respectively. 
     It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be utilized in many different environments including, but not limited to, health clubs, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. It should be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may be beneficial to a senior population or a population including individuals over 60 years of age and/or individuals having trouble with mobility or balance. It should further be appreciated that exercise ball  100  may improve mobility and balance among these groups. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.