Exercise devices – Sit up device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-20
2001-08-28
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Sit up device
C482S077000, C482S026000, C482S027000, C473S197000, C473S422000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280367
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exercise devices and, more specifically, to a ball return apparatus with a pivoting bi-sectional spring-loaded base platform to help propel the user from a reclined position to a sitting position as he throws a weighted ball towards an elevated ball deflection net that is connected to the stationary portion of the base platform by means of a releasable high-tension mechanical stabilizing spring. A similar spring connects the stationary and pivoting portions of the base platform to provide lift when the user is on the upswing and shock dissipation when reclining. The present invention incorporates skill and gamesmanship into abdominal exercises so as to provide a fun and interesting way for the user to get a complete abdominal workout.
Use of the present invention requires the user to lay on his back upon the base platform with his feet secured within foot straps located in the proximity of the deflection net. The user's feet and buttocks reside on the stationary portion of the base platform while his back and head are supported by the pivoting backrest which is at approximately a 45 degree angle to the floor and stationary portion. The user begins the exercise by holding a ball and leaning back against the pivoting backrest to provide tension on the spring mechanism so he is propelled forward when he begins the sit-up. As the user is moving upward he throws the ball towards one of the deflection nets depending on which abdominal muscle group is selected to be worked. The user tries to time the throw so that the rebounding ball could be caught as he is heading back down to the reclined position where the tension spring provides resistance to dissipate impact and then reverses momentum to provide upward impetus for the next throw.
The deflection nets are maintained by a framework that is connected to two vertical support members. Each support member comprises a cylindrical tube that telescopes into a cylindrical tube of a larger diameter with both tubes having matching apertures to receive a lockout or pin to secure it into place and adjust the height of the deflection nets. The inferior ends of the support members are attached to the base platform via a high tension mechanical stabilizing spring that will prevent erratic movement of the deflection nets when impacted by the ball.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other ball return devices designed for returning balls while exercising. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,109 issued to Kenneth J. Mahoney et al. on Aug. 13, 1991.
Another patent was issued to Andrew Caruso on Feb. 15, 1994 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,020. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,048 was issued to Kerry D. Mullen et al. on Dec. 3, 1996. Another was issued on Mar. 25, 1997 to Hua-Lu Hsiang as U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,922 and still yet another was issued to Ronald A. Anderson et al. on Jun. 30, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,537.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,109
Inventor: Kenneth J. Mahoney et al.
Issued: Aug. 13, 1991
The portable mounting stand apparatus of this invention is adapted to receive a ball return apparatus for the like thereon and provide means for ease of movement from a portable transport condition to a rigid usage condition. The portable mounting stand apparatus includes a main support base assembly; a forward base support assembly secured to a forward portion of the main support base assembly; and a rearward base support assembly connected to a rear portion of the main support base assembly. The forward and rearward base support assemblies are each provided with support wheel assemblies to contact a support surface for ease of mobility in the transport position. The rearward base includes a pivotal stationary support assembly having a pivotable stand assembly which is selectively actuated to move support leg assemblies into and out of contact with the support surface. When in the rigid usage condition, the pivotable stationary support assembly acts to elevate the rearward support wheel assemblies out of contact with the support surface so as to present a rigid nonmoving structure for the use of the ball return apparatus, for example, on a basketball court in a basketball practice drill session.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,020
Inventor: Andrew Caruso
Issued: Feb. 15, 1994
A medicine ball construction includes a pliable cover of leather with an inflatable rubber bladder within said cover., the bladder wall being thick and the bladder being inflated to a low pressure so that the ball is pliable and light.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,048
Inventor: Kerry D. Mullen et al.
Issued: Dec. 3, 1996
A modular return apparatus for reflecting back an object such as a ball or a puck when struck by the ball or puck traveling on a playing surface, for use in returning the ball or puck to the player for another shot and in training the player to shoot the ball or puck accurately and anticipate the anode of reflection and velocity of the puck or ball comprises an elongated reflecting bumper a pair of supports for the reflecting bumper, and a rod for connecting the supports to each other and preventing their relative motion. A net may be attached to the return apparatus to catch the puck.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,922
Inventor: Hua-Lu Hsiang
Issued: Mar. 25, 1997
A multipurpose athletic training apparatus including a trampoline, two fastening devices for fastening the trampoline to the stands, the fastening devices being adjustable to fix the trampoline to between a horizontal position in which the trampoline is used as a table, and a tilted position in which the trampoline is used as a rebound apparatus for rebounding balls thrown against it, a handrail for fastening to the stands at the top, and two net posts for fastening to the stands for stretching the net for the game of badminton.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,537
Inventor: Ronald A. Anderson et al.
Issued: Jun. 30, 1998
A ball return device that enables a user to quickly and easily adjust the force with which a ball thrown into the device is returned. The ball return device includes a frame constructed from sections of plastic tubing joined by 90-degree elbows, forming a base and an elevatable portion. The elevatable portion of the frame is pivotally mounted to the base and adjustably positioned at a desired angle relative to the generally horizontal base by a pair of support members. The angle of the elevatable portion of the frame to the base determines the direction in which the ball is returned relative to a given incident path. The support members extend between the base and the elevatable portion of the frame, and each includes a smaller diameter tube slidably fitted into a larger diameter tube and selectively fixed at one of a plurality of preset lengths by a pin that passes through orifices formed in the two tubes. In one preferred form of the invention. a net having hexagonal openings is suspended within the elevatable portion of the frame by lengths of an elastomeric cord that connect a periphery of the net to the frame. The hexagonal openings deform around a ball impacting the net in such a way as to ensure that the ball is consistently returned at a predictable angle relative to the angle at which the ball impacts the net. The elastomeric cord can be tightened or loosened to adjust the tension of the net, thereby determining the relative force with which a ball impacting the net is returned. A friction clip attached to the elastomeric cord retains the selected tension.
While these ball return devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses an exercise device wherein a user exercises the abdominal muscles by throwing a ball against a net system. The user places his head and back on a pivotable platform and his buttocks and feet on a stationary platform which pivots about spring. The spring provides lift assistance when the user throws the ball and shock
Amerson Lori Baker
Donnelly Jerome W.
Kroll Michael I.
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