Patent Application
20060025291
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly to a physio-ball.
Physio-balls, also known as “Swiss balls” or stability balls, are a popular type of exercise apparatus for promoting balance, flexibility, strength and alignment. Physio-balls are typically spherical, cylindrical or ovoid-shaped balls that have a vinyl outer coating. They are filled with air or some other type of fluid in order to provide a moderate degree of flexibility and compressibility when sat on by a user or when pressed upon by a user during use.
A physio-ball may be used in many different ways. For instance, a physio-ball may be used as a seat when exercising, e.g., a user may sit on top of the physio-ball while performing sit-ups or some other type of movement of the upper body relative to the lower body. Alternatively, a user may balance a portion of her body, e.g., her feet or her hands, on the ball, thereby forcing the user to balance that portion of the body during the performance of an exercise. For instance, a user may position her feet, or her hands, on top of the physio-ball while performing push-ups, lunges, hip lifts, etc.
A physio-ball provides several advantages. For example, a physio-ball is typically semi-firm, and thus conforms somewhat with a user's body when being used. Thus, less pressure or contact is experienced by a user when performing an exercise with a physio-ball as compared to performing the same exercise on a conventional hard surface. Furthermore, a physio-ball may roll in one or more directions, thereby promoting balance and developing muscles that contribute to the user's stability and strength. Still further, the rolling motion of the physio-ball against the user's muscles may facilitate myofascial flexibility and release.
The present invention relates to a physio-ball including a shell and a support member attached to the shell. The support member is sufficiently rigid so as to support at least a portion of a user's body when the portion of the user's body is in contact with the support member.
The shell of the physio-ball may be inflatable, and may be, for instance, spherical, cylindrical or ovoid in shape. Preferably, the shell of the physio-ball is about 55 cm, 65 cm or 75 cm in diameter and is comprised of a non-latex material. The shell is preferably filled with air or another type of fluid such that the physio-ball has a moderate degree of compressibility during use.
The support member may be a ring with a circular cross-section, may be curved or straight, may have the form of a rim, a lip, a handle, or any other shape. The support member may fully encircle the shell, although it may instead extend around one or more portions of the shell, each portion extending less than the full circumference of the shell, e.g., disposed in symmetrical fashion around the circumference of the physio-ball. Furthermore, the support member may be positioned at approximately the vertical midpoint of the shell, or else may be positioned above or below the vertical midpoint of the shell.
Additional features of the physio-ball of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.
The present invention, according to one embodiment thereof, is directed to a physio-ball that includes a support member.
The physio-ball 10 also includes a support member 14. The support member 14 functions to provide a user with a surface, other than the surface of the shell 12, that assists the user in balancing or supporting him or herself when using the physio-ball. For instance,
The support member 14 may be formed of a rigid plastic or PVC material. Other materials may also be employed.
The support member 14 may be permanently attached to the shell 12. For instance,
The physio-ball 10 of the present invention, in accordance with various embodiments described hereinabove, may be used in many different ways. For instance, the physio-ball 10 may be used as a seat, e.g., a user may sit on top of the physio-ball while performing sit-ups or some other type of movement of the upper body relative to the lower body. In addition, a user may balance a portion of her body, e.g., her feet or her hands, on the ball, thereby forcing the user to balance that portion of the body during the performance of an exercise. For instance, a user may position her feet, or her hands, on top of the physio-ball while performing push-ups, lunges, hip lifts, etc.
The physio-ball 10 of the present invention, in accordance with various embodiments described hereinabove, has several advantages over conventional physio-balls. For instance, the physio-ball 10 enables a user to grasp the support member 14 with her hands, thus reducing the likelihood that her hands will slip off of the physio-ball during use. Furthermore, the physio-ball 10 enables a user to position her feet on the support member 14, e.g., by standing on top of the support member 14, by resting her feet on the support member 14 while performing push-ups, etc., thus reducing the likelihood that her feet will slip off of the physio-ball during use.
Thus, the several aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention are most effectively attained. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications of the exemplary embodiment described hereinabove may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although various exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been described and disclosed in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby.
