Abstract:
An apparatus and method to hold and stabilize canine conditioning balls. This apparatus is independent of the trainer, and secures the ball to the support. Use of multiple balls and holders is possible and supports a wide variety of canine conditioning exercises.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/089,936, filed Dec. 10, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to canine conditioning and, more particularly, to a system and method for canine body conditioning with fitness balls. 
         [0003]    Oblong, peanut or egg shaped canine fitness balls in the art need to be stable for the dog to properly get up on them to exercise. Manually holding the ball limits the trainer&#39;s ability to work with the dog on the ball and also the types of exercises that can be done. Wedging the ball against furniture limits the dog&#39;s access to the ball. 
         [0004]    The makers of canine peanut balls currently suggest positioning the ball between ones knees or putting it against an immovable object like a sofa. The trainer is responsible for stabilizing the ball and can really only handle one ball. Similarly, manual techniques make it virtually impossible to employ more than one ball in a canine exercise routine. The problems with current practices are: unstable support for the exercise ball; trainer focus on the ball rather than the dog; limited types of exercises available; and an inability to easily use multiple balls at a time. 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method for stabilizing canine fitness balls for body conditioning and training to provide mobility to the trainer and secures the ball to the support. Use of multiple balls and holders is possible and supports a wide variety of exercises. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for canine conditioning exercises, comprises a plurality of longitudinal frame members disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another; a plurality of upright frame members attached to and extending substantially vertically from the longitudinal frame members; and a transverse frame member interconnecting the longitudinal frame members. The apparatus is adapted to receive an elongate exercise ball between the plurality of upright frame members. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a first pair of laterally opposed upright frame members are adjustably attached along a longitudinal length of the longitudinal frame members. A second pair of laterally opposed upright frame members may be attached in a fixed position to the longitudinal frame members. The first pair of upright frame members may be adjustable via a slot defined along a portion of the longitudinal frame member, a sleeve defined at a lower end of the laterally opposed upright frame members; and a fastener, captively received in the slot, and operable with a knob, to clamp the sleeve to the longitudinal frame member. 
         [0008]    In some aspects of the invention the apparatus may also include a strap extending substantially around a circumference of the elongate exercise ball and the transverse frame member. An adjustable buckle may be attached to the strap, wherein the length of the strap is adjustable around the ball and the transverse frame member. 
         [0009]    Other aspects of the invention include a method of training canine fitness, comprising: providing a canine conditioning ball stabilization frame, comprising: a plurality of longitudinal frame members disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another; a plurality of upright frame members attached to and extending vertically from the longitudinal frame members; and a transverse frame member interconnecting the longitudinal frame members. The method may include securing a canine exercise ball between the upright frame members; and training the canine to mount the exercise ball. According to other aspects of the invention, the method may also include providing a plurality of canine conditioning ball stabilization frames; securing a canine exercise ball in each of the stabilization frames; and training the canine to mount a first exercise ball and a second exercise ball. The method may also include strapping the exercise ball to the stabilization frame. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown in exemplary usage. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the invention shown in use. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the invention shown in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a detail perspective view of the invention demonstrating adjustability. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a section detail view of the invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5  demonstrated in locked configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a section detail view of the invention demonstrated in unlocked configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a detail section view of the invention taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a detail section view of the invention taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a section detail view of the invention taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0022]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a frame to hold an oblong, peanut, or egg shaped canine fitness ball in order to stabilize the ball for the dog to perform conditioning exercises. The apparatus and method of the present invention independently holds the ball in a stable position allowing access from any direction. The trainer can then work with the dog independently without having to manage the ball. In addition, multiple balls and holders can be positioned in a variety of ways to give the dog a complete body work out, as best seen in reference to  FIG. 1 . The canine conditioning ball stabilization frame  10  is adapted to receive and stabilize a canine conditioning ball  46  between a plurality of upstanding frame members  26  &amp;  28 , so as to permit a canine  48  to mount the ball  46  and perform a variety of conditioning exercises. 
         [0023]    As seen in reference  FIGS. 2-4  the stabilization frame  10 , comprises a plurality of elongate horizontally disposed longitudinal frame members  12 . The longitudinal frame members  12  may be disposed in a generally parallel configuration to provide a base for the stabilization frame  10 . A transverse frame element  16  may be disposed to interconnect and brace the longitudinal frame members  12 . The transverse frame element  16  may be permanently secured to the longitudinal frame members  12 , via a weld. In a preferred embodiment, the transverse frame element  16  may be remove ably attached to the longitudinal frame members via a fastener, such as bolts, screws, latches or pins  20 ,  22 . For added stability, transverse frame element  16  may also include a brace flange  18  to prevent torsional movement of the frame members. The brace flange  18  may be secured via fasteners, such as a bolt  20 , a washer  22 , and a nut  24 , such as depicted in reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0024]    A plurality of upstanding frame members  26  may be attached to the longitudinal frame members  12 , generally parallel and spaced apart to define a cradle for retaining the conditioning ball  46 . The upstanding frame members  26  are preferably about (but not necessarily) 4 to 18 inches in length, more preferably about 10 inches in length. In a preferred embodiment, the upstanding frame members  26  may be adjustably secured to the longitudinal frame members  12 . 
         [0025]    The longitudinal frame members  12  may be formed with an adjustment slot, or a rail  14  defined along a longitudinal length of the frame member  12 . The upright frame member  28  may then be adjustably secured along the rail  14  via a fastener, such as bolts, screws, thumb screws, handled bolts, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, a first pair of transversely opposed upright frame members  28  may be adjustable, while a second pair of transversely opposed upright frame members  26  may be attached in a fixed relationship to the longitudinal frame members  28 . 
         [0026]    Alternatively, as best seen in reference to  FIG. 5  a lower end of the upright frame  26  may be defined with a sleeve  30  that may partially or substantially surround the longitudinal frame member  28 , such that the sleeve may slidably adjust along the longitudinal frame member  28 . Once positioned, the adjustable upright frame members  26  may be secured via fastener, such as a threaded knob fastener, or a pin  38 . As seen in reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in a preferred embodiment, a bolt  34  may be captively retained within the slot  14  with the threads  32  extending through the slot  14  and an aperture defined in the sleeve  30 . The knob  38  has corresponding threads  36  so that when it is tightened, it clamps the sleeve  30  against the longitudinal frame member  12 . 
         [0027]    The stabilization frame  10  is preferably (but not necessarily) about 2 to 4 feet in length, more preferably about 3 foot long. The frame  10  and its structural members may be constructed of any suitable rigid material and may include metal, wood and plastics. The frame elements may be formed of any shape materials including but not limited to square, rectangular, round, triangular. 
         [0028]    The ends of the longitudinal frame members  12  may be provided with an anti-skid element  50 , such as an end cap, shown in  FIG. 9 , which may be comprised of a material that may include but is not limited to rubber plastic or metal. Similarly the ends of the upright frame members  26  &amp;  28  may be provisioned with protective endcaps  40 . 
         [0029]    While the upright frame members  26  &amp;  28  may be adequate to secure the exercise ball  46  within the frame  10 , during particularly rigorous exercises, the exercise ball  46  may bounce within the frame  10 . To provide added retention and security for the ball  46 , a strap  42  may be applied around a circumferential aspect of the exercise ball  46  and the transverse frame member  16 . The strap  42  may be adjustably secured via a buckle  44 , as seen in reference to  FIGS. 2, 3 &amp; 10 . 
         [0030]    A method of use for the canine conditioning ball stabilization frame  10  includes providing at least one stabilization frame  10 . Placing an exercise ball  46  between upright frame members  26  &amp;  28 . Optionally securing the exercise ball  46  to the frame  10  with a strap  42 . Directing the canine  48  to mount the exercise ball  46  to perform conditioning exercises. The method may include providing a plurality of stabilization frames  10  with exercise balls  46  in a spaced apart relation and having the canine perform conditioning exercises on one or more of the exercise balls  46 . 
         [0031]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.