Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing force resistance generated by user only
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-03
2003-06-10
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing force resistance generated by user only
C482S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06575883
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Exercise Equipment
2. Description of the Prior Art
Occasionally a descriptive term in this application may be shortened so as to recite only a part rather than the entirety thereof as a matter of convenience or to avoid needless redundancy. In instances in which that is done, applicant intends that the same meaning be afforded each manner of expression. Thus, the term foot engaging elastic ring (
40
) might be used in one instance but in another, if meaning is otherwise clear from context, expression might be shortened to elastic ring (
40
) or merely ring (
40
). Any of those forms is intended to convey the same meaning.
The term attach or fasten or any of their forms when so used means that the juncture is of a more or less permanent nature, such as might be accomplished by nails, screws, welds or adhesives. Thus it is stated herein that the connection of the axle cradle (
27
) to the footrest (
20
) is one of attachment, for which purpose molded one-piece construction is typically employed. A connection in which one object is easily removed from another is described by the word emplace, as where it is stated herein that in some instances, the foot engaging elastic ring's mid-portion (
41
) is emplaced beneath the footrest (
20
), partially encircling the heel of the operator's (
100
) foot. A connection in which two objects, though not attached, could be separated only with considerable difficulty is referred to herein as one of rigid emplacement. The fastening of the footrest (
20
) to the axle (
11
) by means of interior adjustable tubular screws (
23
) is stated herein to be such a connection. Employment of the words connector join or any of their forms is intended to include the meaning of any of those terms in a more general way.
The word comprise may be construed in any one of three ways herein. A term used to describe a given object is said to comprise it, thereby characterizing it with what could be considered two-way equivalency in meaning for the term. Thus, it is stated that the foot engaging elastic ring (
40
) comprises a stretchable loop present to provide a secure connection of the operator's (
100
) foot to the footrest (
20
). The term comprise may also be characterized by what might be considered one-way equivalency, as when it is stated herein that the elastic ring's (
40
) emplacement beneath the footrest (
20
) merely comprises the ring's (
40
) underlying the axle (
11
), meaning that in the given instance, that disposition is itself the type of emplacement employed. This use of the word has a generic sense to it. That is, the ring's (
40
) underlying of the axle (
11
) will always be an emplacement but emplacement may be the underlying of the axle (
11
) in one case but something else in another. However, the word comprise may also be used to describe a feature which is part of the structure or composition of a given object. Thus, each foot emplacement assembly is stated to comprise, among other things, a footrest (
20
) as a component thereof. The meaning in the respective cases is clear from context, however. Accordingly, modifying words to clarify which of the three uses is the intended one seem unnecessary.
Terms relating to physical orientation such as top or bottom, upper or lower, refer to the positioning of the assembly in the manner it would be observed during a commonly practiced mode of operation. This convention has been adopted as a matter of convenience in discussing orientation and as shown in the drawings. Thus, the operator's (
100
) feet are said to be stationed upon the footrest's top (
21
) and the axle (
11
) is considered to underlie the footrest (
20
). For such a spacial relationship, it is assumed that the operator (
100
), in a feet forward mode of exercise is postured face upward as shown in FIG.
1
. The use of the terms in this manner must, of course, be interpreted so as to be equally understood regardless of what attitude the assembly is positioned—such as, for example, if it were inverted so that the operator's posture is face down. In such instances, it is necessary to specifically qualify what is meant by such recitations as on top of or beneath. The very expression feet forward or hands forward, ante, when referring to alternative modes of exercise is a fitting example of the use of those terms of orientation herein.
The word longitudinal and derivations thereof refer merely to the longest dimension of a given object, provided it has one. Thus, it is stated herein that the elastic ring's first and second ends (
42
,
43
, respectively) are disposed in longitudinal opposition to one another (
42
,
43
). This merely means that as the ring's mid-portion (
41
) is emplaced beneath the footrest (
20
), the elongated shape extends both forward and rearward with respect to the operator's (
100
) foot.
The term reeve, or any of various forms thereof, is occasionally employed herein. It is stated, for example, that each foot-strap (
31
) is reeved through the foot-strap slots (
30
) or as otherwise expressed, disposed for emplacement at the foremost part of the footrest (
20
) by enreevement through the slots (
30
). This merely means that it (
31
) is inserted, strung or threaded in the familiar manner. Enreevement may be through a singular appropriate opening, of course, but where more than one is present—as in the case of the openings on the buckle (
32
)—passage is through first one slot (
30
) and then, the other (
30
). The same meaning applies in that instance.
In some cases, the same word expressed as a noun is also used for a verb. Thus, it is stated, for example, that the axle cradle (
27
) preferably comprises an axle tunnel (
28
), which is the opening through which the axle (
11
) passes. Yet, it is also stated that the interior adjustable tubular screws (
23
) used for fastening the footrest (
20
) to the axle (
11
) tunnel through the axle cradle and impinge it (
11
). The propriety of this divergent use of the term is established by the dictionary. Occasionally, however, certain words may be coined herein to simplify discussion by interchanging noun, verb or adjective or by modifying certain words. For example, coengage and interthread are terms occasionally applied to describe the relationship of objects brought into conjunction with one another in a particular way—by threading, by the buttressing of one against the other for an intended purpose or by some other mutual interrelationship.
The manual operation of a wheel and axle upon an underlying surface (
200
) by an operator (
100
) occupying a horizontal position has become an increasingly popular mode of exercise. The operator (
100
) may be oriented either feet first, in which case the part of the body most proximate the apparatus is the feet—or hands first—in which case, it is the hands. In either case, the operator (
100
) may be postured either face up or face down. When operating face up in the feet first mode, for example, either the operator's (
100
) back, the head and shoulders or merely the forearms may rest upon the underlying surface (
200
). If the exercise is feet first and face down, a part of the thorax or merely the hands in pushup fashion may rest upon it (
200
). In hands first mode, face down mode, the thorax or merely the lower legs or even the toes may rest upon it (
200
). Hands first, face up exercises present a special challenge and variations in chosen postures would, of course, be possible for the imaginative. Any of these horizontal exercises, though sometimes difficult for the novice to perform, result in considerable benefit to the body.
It has been observed also that in feet forward modes of operation, different sets of leg and lower body muscles are focused upon depending upon the particular operator (
100
) and the lateral placement of the feet with respect to the wheel. Thus far, little attention had been given to this aspect of the matter in that footrests have often been attached in place a predetermi
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