IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0182174
(2005-07-15)
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등록번호 |
US-7713180
(2010-06-03)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Wickens, Krista Marie
- Butler, Jaremy T.
- Standing, Donald Jack
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
9 인용 특허 :
57 |
초록
▼
An exercise device includes an inflatable bladder and is partially stabilized with a small amount of filler. The bladder includes a first aperture to allow the filler to be easily placed in the bladder. The bladder also includes a valve main body that allows air to be easily injected into the bladde
An exercise device includes an inflatable bladder and is partially stabilized with a small amount of filler. The bladder includes a first aperture to allow the filler to be easily placed in the bladder. The bladder also includes a valve main body that allows air to be easily injected into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In an exemplary method the filler is forced into the inflatable bladder using a mixture of air and filler. The air is under pressure and assists in forcing the filler into the bladder. After a proper amount of filler is in the bladder, the bladder can be deflated for packaging and/or shipping.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, the bladder having a first aperture at least partially defined by a
What is claimed is: 1. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, the bladder having a first aperture at least partially defined by an inwardly extending wall, the inwardly extending wall having a frustroconical shape that enables a filler material to be inserted into the bladder; a loose filler disposed within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the filler being configured to move in the bladder when the bladder is moved; and a valve adapted to seal against substantially all of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall when the valve is inserted into the first aperture so as to form a seal along substantially all of a length of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall, the valve having a second aperture that enables air to be introduced into the bladder to inflate the bladder. 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the seal between the valve and the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall adjacent the first aperture may be selectively opened and closed so as to selectively open and close the first aperture. 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the valve is pressure fitted into the first aperture to hold the valve therein when the valve is inserted into the first aperture. 4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the valve comprises a flexible rubber material. 5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a valve main body having the second aperture therein and a plug that is selectively inserted into the second aperture to form a seal thereby preventing air from escaping through the second aperture. 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the filler comprises a particulate. 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 2 grams/liter to about 26 grams/liter. 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 6 grams/liter to about 20 grams/liter. 9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 10 grams/liter to about 16 grams/liter. 10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the ball is grip texturized. 11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first aperture has a diameter greater than about 1 cm. 12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the second aperture has a diameter less than about 1 cm. 13. A method for filling a partially stabilized exercise device with pressurized air and a filler material, comprising: providing a flexible inflatable bladder that is at least partially deflated, the bladder being configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, wherein the bladder comprises at least one aperture through which air and a filler can simultaneously be introduced into the bladder; and forcing both pressurized air and an amount of filler simultaneously into the bladder through the aperture so as to inflate the bladder, the filler introduced within the bladder acting to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface during exercise by a user on the inflated bladder. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler into the bladder comprises: inserting a funnel into the at least one aperture of the bladder; and injecting the air from an air nozzle through the funnel and into the bladder, whereby the air mixes with the filler and forces the filler into the bladder. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler into the bladder comprises placing an amount of filler in a funnel and submerging an air nozzle below the level of the filler with an air stream from the nozzle directed toward the outlet of the funnel. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler into the bladder comprises forcing air past a hollow tube to create a vacuum, wherein the hollow tube is in fluid communication with a reservoir of filler such that filler is sucked into the forced air to form the mixture that is injected into the bladder. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler into the bladder comprises injecting an amount of filler such that a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 2 grams/liter to about 26 grams/liter. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler into the bladder comprises injecting an amount of filler such that a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 6 grams/liter to about 20 grams/liter. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein forcing pressurized air and an amount of filler comprises injecting an amount of filler such that a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 10 grams/liter to about 16 grams/liter. 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising deflating and packaging the bladder subsequent to forcing pressurized air and the filler into the bladder. 21. A kit for assembling a partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible inflatable bladder having a degree of curvature, the bladder being configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when said bladder is inflated; a loose filler suitable for placement within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the loose filler being configured to flow toward the bottommost portion of the bladder when the loose filler is positioned in the bladder and the bladder is stationary, the bladder having a first aperture, the first aperture having a diameter large enough to allow the filler material to be introduced therethrough, the first aperture being at least partially defined by an inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall; and a valve having a second aperture that can be selectively opened to introduce air into the bladder to inflate the bladder, the valve having an outer surface that seals against substantially all of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall when the valve is placed in the first aperture, wherein the valve can be selectively opened to inject air into the bladder to inflate the bladder. 22. A kit as in claim 21, further comprising an air pump. 23. A kit as in claim 22, wherein the pump is a hand pump or foot pump. 24. A kit as in claim 21, wherein the seal between the outer surface of the valve and the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall adjacent the first aperture may be selectively opened and closed so as to selectively open and close the first aperture. 25. A kit as in claim 21, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 2 grams/liter to about 26 grams/liter. 26. A kit as in claim 21, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 6 grams/liter to about 20 grams/liter. 27. A kit as in claim 21, wherein a weight of the filler and a volume of the inflated bladder have a ratio within a range from about 10 grams/liter to about 16 grams/liter. 28. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder assembly configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder assembly is inflated, the bladder assembly having first and second apertures, the apertures enabling a filler material and air to be introduced into the bladder assembly, wherein the bladder assembly comprises (i) a bladder having the first aperture therein, the first aperture defined by an inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall, and (ii) a valve, the valve comprising a valve main body having the second aperture therein and a plug configured to plug the second aperture in the valve main body, wherein the valve is sized and configured to seal against substantially all of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall when the valve is placed in the first aperture so as to form a seal along substantially all of a length of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall; and a loose filler disposed within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the filler being configured to move in the bladder when the bladder is moved. 29. A device as recited in claim 28, wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture. 30. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, the bladder having a first aperture at least partially defined by an inwardly extending wall, wherein a filler material can be inserted into the bladder through the first aperture, wherein at least a portion of the inwardly extending wall comprises a separate piece from the bladder, wherein the inwardly extending wall comprises a material that is more rigid than a valve insertable into the first aperture; a loose filler disposed within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the filler being configured to move in the bladder when the bladder is moved; and a valve having a second aperture that enables air to be introduced into the bladder to inflate the bladder. 31. The device as recited in claim 30, wherein the entire inwardly extending wall comprises a separate piece from the bladder. 32. The device as recited in claim 30, wherein the valve comprises a valve main body adapted to seal against substantially all of the inwardly extending wall when the valve is received into the first aperture so as to form a seal along substantially all of a length of the inwardly extending wall. 33. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, the bladder having a first aperture that enables a filler material to be inserted into the bladder; a loose filler disposed within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the loose filler being configured to move in the bladder when the bladder is moved; and a valve having a second aperture that enables air to be introduced into the bladder to inflate the bladder, wherein the first aperture comprises an inwardly extending wall extending into the flexible bladder between a first opening and a second opening, the inwardly extending wall having a frustroconical shape and wherein at least a portion of the valve can be pressure fitted into the first aperture so as to seal against substantially all of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall when the valve is placed in the first aperture so as to hold the valve therein. 34. A partially stabilized exercise device for performing core body exercises, comprising: a flexible, inflatable bladder configured and arranged to support a user exercising thereon when the bladder is inflated, the bladder having a first aperture that enables a filler material to be inserted into the bladder, wherein the first aperture comprises an inwardly oriented wall extending between a first opening and a second opening, the inwardly extending wall having a frustroconical shape; a loose filler disposed within the bladder to stabilize the bladder with respect to a support surface, the loose filler being configured to move in the bladder when the bladder is moved; and a valve comprising a valve main body having a second aperture therein that enables air to be introduced into the bladder to inflate the bladder, wherein the valve main body is sized and configured to seal against substantially all of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall when the valve is placed in the first aperture so as to form a seal between the valve main body along substantially all of a length of the inwardly extending frustroconically shaped wall, further comprising a plug that is selectively inserted into the second aperture to form a seal thereby preventing air from escaping through the second aperture. 35. The device as recited in claim 30, wherein the inwardly extending wall comprises a piece of rigid smooth plastic.
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