Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing resilient force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-14
2003-12-16
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing resilient force resistance
C482S121000, C482S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06663544
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 and 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 elastic member impinger tethering loop (
33
) might be used in one instance but in another, if meaning is otherwise clear from context, expression might be shortened to impinger tethering loop (
33
) or merely loop (
33
). 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 handgrip strapping (
600
), stitched in fastening loops at its (
600
) ends, is attached to the connection bar (
21
). A connection in which one object is easily removed from another is described by the word emplace, as where it is stated herein that an impinger (
3
) is emplaced in the channel nest (
5
) before tugging an elastic member (
200
,
201
,
202
) against it (
3
). A connection in which two objects, although not attached could be separated only with considerable difficulty is referred to herein as one of rigid emplacement The pressured fitting of the impinging plug (
500
) within the exercise cord (
200
) 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 meaning in the respective cases is clear from context, however. Accordingly, modifying words to clarify which of the two uses is the intended one seem unnecessary.
The word comprise may be construed in any one of two ways herein. A term used to describe a given object is said to comprise it, thereby characterizing it with equivalency in meaning for the term. Thus, it is stated that in
FIG. 5
, the elastic member addressed comprises an elastic exercise strap (
202
), meaning that in the given instance, that object is the type of elastic exercise member impinged. 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, the impinger (
3
) is stated to comprise, among other things, an impinger head (
31
) as a feature thereof.
Terms relating to physical orientation such as top or bottom, upper or lower, refer to the positioning of the assembly (
20
) such that, as a matter of convenience in discussing orientation and as shown in the drawings, the handhold (
302
) is observed at the top with the elastic exercise member (
200
,
201
,
202
) running from the exterior channel end (
7
) at the bottom.
The term longitudinal refers to generally elongated configuration. Thus, a given embodiment of the impinger head (
31
) is stated to lack longitudinal symmetry, as in the case of the ovate shaped (
94
) version, or to be longitudinally curved, as in the case of that which is bean shaped (
95
).
Certain words have been coined herein to simplify discussion. Thus, a curved surface is occasionally spoken of as comprising arcuitry, thereby transposing the adjective arcuate into a noun. When convenient and appearing to be appropriate, the reverse—by which a noun may be converted to a verb or adjective—might be undertaken.
In the historical development of exercise equipment, designs affecting portability, compatibility, safety and convenience in use have all become a matter of focus. The parent application from which the subject matter hereof derives addressed in considerable detail with reference to a solid handgrip (
300
) and certain versions of the strapped one (
400
) the aims of quickly adjusting the length of an elastic exercise member (
200
,
201
,
202
) or interchanging one thereof (
200
,
201
,
202
) for another (
200
,
201
,
202
). This application follows that conception into a particular type of strapped handgrip (
20
) comprising limitations differing from those addressed therein. The significance of this focus is best understood in terms of the field's history.
U.S. Pat. No. 27,611 issued to Bussey is characteristic of the first approaches to cord-handgrip interface. Because inelastic cord was employed, mere knotting was considered sufficient. U.K. Patent No. 16,404 issued to Wie/and; U.S. Pat. No. 1,112,114 issued to Caines; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,965,511 issued to Preston featured hooks and eyelets to that end.
U.S. Pat. No. 196,324 issued to Barnett comprises a 19th Century solution to the jump rope connection interface problem which an inelastic cord is doubled over and embedded within a plug (
500
) which is glued in place, the opening being merely capped off with a sealing plug. U.S. Pat. No. 232,579 issued to Weeks illustrates a braided type rope connection to rigid stirrup handgrips (
300
) with a system of snap-hook connections at intermediate places along a series of interconnected cords, some of which appear to be elastic (
200
). U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,907 issued to Zito illustrates a metallically clamped doubled over cord (
200
).
Assemblies eventually began to appear in which a hollow elastic exercise cord (
200
) was extended, or reeved, though part of a solid handgrip (
300
) and then stoppered by a plug (
500
) inserted therein. The cord (
200
) was thereby retained in place by what would appropriately be referred to herein as a connection of rigid attachment. U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,614 issued to McIntosh illustrated such a device, the patent also featuring a special stick-like tool to manipulate the plug (
500
), configured with an impaling tunnel within it (
500
) for the purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,867 issued to Hinds, the applicant herein, was another in which, as an incidental feature of the patented assembly, adopted a stoppering plug (
500
) for connection purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,248 issued to Vani provided an early model strapped handgrip in which the elastic tubing (
200
) was run through grommets and also secured by a stoppering plug (
500
). However, while the foregoing provided the security required for exercise purposes, none provided either for length adjustment or interchangeability of the elastic exercise member, whether cord (
200
), sheet (
201
) or strap (
202
).
Two patents of greater interest had emerged before the filing of the parent application from which this application was derived, however: U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,677 issued to Hinds, also the applicant herein and U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,532 issued to Kropp. Both patents disclose what is described herein, ante, as a certain type of elastic exercise member impinger (
330
).
The claims of the Hinds patent, for which the application was filed as early as Aug. 4, 1993, addressed innovations therein completely foreign to impingement of an elastic exercise member (
200
,
201
,
202
). However, one embodiment of the impinger (identified as
3
herein) which is an element of the subject matter hereof is shown in two of the drawings thereof and referenced in two paragraphs of the text. One might ponder the significance of that disclosure from which no claims were drawn. Although there is no textual description therein of the particular way in which the tethering loop (
33
herein) is connected back upon itself (
33
), the first of the drawings suggests that connection means are present. Moreover, common experience informs one that the means must permit connection and disconnection without which, the mechanism would defeat its own purpose. It is not too difficult to envision a familiar prior art hook or snap structure of one shape or another. Certainly by reason of its Apr. 9, 1996 patenting, the impinger (
3
) thereof—described as a “spherical plug” comprising in turn a “ball” portion—would from that time forward constitute notice to the world of the means of impingement by which an impinger's head (
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