MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ROLLING ABDOMINAL EXERCISE DEVICE WITH MINIMAL SLIP

Abstract

A small, lightweight portable multi-directional or omni-directional rolling abdominal exercise device includes an over-molded roller ball having an outer molded layer; a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement; bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet. The over-molded roller ball includes a ball core formed of a first and second hemispherical core member and an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and which is configured to minimize slip, wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an abdominal and oblique exercise device, and more particularly to a small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device with minimal slip.

Background Information

The history of exercise equipment goes back several millennia. Although body-weight, calisthenics and yoga-based exercises were practiced by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Indians and other cultures, the ancient Greeks are often credited with developing the earliest forms of modern exercise equipment, specifically weight training equipment. According to legend, Milo of Croton, an Olympic wrestler of 6^th century BC, trained by lifting and carrying a newborn calf and repeating the feat daily as it grew to maturity. One of the first documented, more conventional, “free weights” used in athletic training were known as “halteres”, or hand-held weights with a hole for gripping, which were used as early as the fifth century B.C. Early Grecian illustrations also show the use of dumbbells, weight plates and plummets to train for physical strength.

Modern exercise equipment has become ubiquitous and highly specialized. One area of specialization is equipment concentrating on exercising the rectus abdominis muscles, the external oblique muscles, the internal oblique muscles, and the transverse abdominal muscles which is commonly referenced as abdominal and oblique exercise equipment. Within this specialization of abdominal and oblique exercise equipment, there is a definitive sub-set of such equipment that configured to be gripped by the user and rolled along the ground such as via a wheel or ball. The present invention described herein is directed to a small, lightweight portable structure multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device with minimal slip.

The prior art patent literature, some of which are discussed below in greater detail, has disclosed a number of abdominal exercise devices which are formed as a small, lightweight portable structure and configured to be gripped by the user and rolled along the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,906 from over 50 years ago illustrates an “exerciser with grippers on a roller mounting shaft” consisting of a wheel on an axel with user grips on the axel on either side of the wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,229 from over 25 years ago illustrates a “portable exercise device” consisting of a wheel on an axel with user foot engaging grips on the axel on either side of the wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,605 from over a decade ago illustrates “exercise equipment” comprising hand, elbow, knee and feet attachments with each supporting a plurality of casters to allow the user to roll along the ground for exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,080 illustrates an “exercising device having a combination of ball and rod” comprising a ball mounted on an axel (the rod) extending to either side which can serve as user grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,858, analogous to the present invention, illustrates an apparatus for exercise utilizing an omnidirectional roller.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,250 illustrates an exercising device comprising an inflated ball mounted on an axel extending to either side which can serve as user grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,965, analogous to the present invention, illustrates an apparatus for exercise utilizing an omnidirectional roller with handles coupled thereto.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0252645, analogous to the present invention, illustrates an apparatus for exercise utilizing an omnidirectional roller with handles coupled thereto.

WIPO Publication No. 2013-052192, analogous to the present invention, illustrates an apparatus for exercise utilizing an omnidirectional roller with handles coupled thereto.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0190672 discloses a transformable exercise device used for both stability and strength training, which in one variation created a rolling device with handles coupled thereto.

The above mentioned patents and published applications are incorporated herein by reference, however the omni-directional roller devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,621,858, 8,550,965, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2012-0252645 2015-0190672 (the roller device variation) and WO 2013-052192 are more closely related to the present invention.

The present invention builds upon the inventor's earlier work in this field set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,808, which is incorporated herein by reference and which discloses a multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising a housing from which opposing interconnected ends of an axle or yoke extend and a support ball that is captured within and partially extends from the housing. The housing has a cavity defining a partial sphere for receiving the support ball. A plurality of strips are attached to the surface of the cavity and include a plurality of bearings captured within a bearing race. The strips are positioned upon the cavity surface so as to engage the support ball surface and to provide free-rolling support of the housing on the support ball in any direction when the exercise device is in use. Commercial examples of the exercise device of the inventor's '808 patent are available under the ABDOMINATOR™ brand at www.ABDOMINATOR.net. The support ball must be constructed to be strong enough to operate in its intended fashion and have suitable ground engaging properties for the device. There is a need to improve upon the construction of the ground engaging ball design of the '808 patent.

With this background, there remains a need for improved ground engaging ball structures for multidirectional exercise equipment such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,621,858, 8,353,808, and 8,550,965, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0252645.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art and provides a small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device with minimal slip utilizing an over-molded ball.

The present invention, according to one embodiment, provides a small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device including an over-molded roller ball having i) a ball core and ii) an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip; a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement; bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.

The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to one aspect of the invention may provide wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof and wherein the ball core of the over-molded roller ball is formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to one aspect of the invention may provide wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to the invention may provide wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a circumferential channel spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members and which is filled with the material of the over-molded layer providing secure engagement of the outer molded layer to the first and second hemispherical core members.

These and other advantages are described in the brief description of the preferred embodiments in which like reference numeral represent like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is perspective view of a small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device with minimal slip utilizing an over-molded ball according to one embodiment of the present invention with straps removed for clarity;

FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of the exercise device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the exercise device of FIG. 1A with the straps shown;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an over-molded roller ball for use in the exercise device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball core of the over-molded roller ball of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and B are perspective views of a first hemispherical core member of the ball core of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and B are perspective views of an over-molded first hemispherical core member of FIGS. 4A and B;

FIGS. 6A and B are sectional views of the over-molded first hemispherical core member of FIGS. 5A and B

FIGS. 7A and B are perspective views of a second hemispherical core member of the ball core of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8A and B are perspective views of an over-molded second hemispherical core member of FIGS. 7A and B;

FIGS. 9A and B are sectional views of the over-molded second hemispherical core member of FIGS. 8A and B;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the over-molded layer of the first or second hemispherical core member of FIGS. 4A and B or FIGS. 7A and B, with the associated hemispherical core member omitted;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the over-molded layer of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A-C are sectional views of the over-molded roller ball of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A-D collectively illustrate a small, lightweight portable multi-directional (or Omni-directional) rolling abdominal exercise device 10 with minimal slip utilizing an over-molded roller ball 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Apart from the construction and associated properties of the roller ball 100 discussed in detail below, the specific details of the device 10 are found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,808 which is incorporated herein by reference.

In general the small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device 10 includes a yoke or housing 12 supporting the roller ball for Omni-directional or multi-directional movement. Bearing members 14 are provided to allow for the rotational mounting of the roller ball 100, with the bearing members 14 shown being an X shaped (in top or plan view) set of roller bearing raceways and associated bearings as described in further detail in the '808 patent. The device further includes handles 16, shown here in the form of gel grip and knee pad, and straps 18 (FIG. 1D), allowing for the user to engage the device 10 with hand, elbows, knees or feet, depending upon the exercise.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an over-molded roller ball 100 for use in the exercise device 10 of FIGS. 1A-D and yields the minimal slippage aspects of the present invention. The critical aspects of the present invention relate to the construction and associated properties of the over-molded roller ball 100 which yield better ground engaging and tracking properties by minimizing slip. “Over-Molded” within the meaning of this application as referring to the roller ball 100 intends to define the coating of the exterior ground engaging surfaces of the ball 100 with an outer molded layer 110 and in this embodiment is configured to minimize slippage of the ball 100 and the associated device 10 in use. The resulting device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the housing construction and associated arrangement of the '808 patent generally shown in FIGS. 1A-D, but could similarly be implemented in the general configurations set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,621,858, and 8,550,965, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012-0252645, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball core of the over-molded roller ball 100 of FIG. 2, and which ball core is formed of a first and second hemispherical core member 114 and 112. The outer molded layer 110 completely encapsulates the ball core formed by the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 as shown in the figures. The first hemispherical core member 114 of the ball core of FIG. 3 is best illustrated in FIGS. 4A and B, and the second hemispherical core member 112 of the ball core of FIG. 3 is best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and B.

Each of the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 include longitudinal ribbing or grooves 116 which allow for better frictional engagement of the outer molded layer 110 to the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 without slipping. Having these features 116 extend into the surface of the core members 112 and 114 uses less material for the minimal thickness for the outer molded layer 110 then if the same features extended outwardly from the surface “into” the layer 110.

Additional grooves 116 could be added and they may be “latitudinal” or otherwise angled to form a crisscross pattern of locking features 116. Each of the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 include a circumferential channel 118 spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112, shown best in FIGS. 6A and B and 9A and B. The circumferential channel 118 is filled with the material of the over-molded layer 110 and provides secure engagement of the outer molded layer 110 to the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 in addition to the filled grooves 16. Each of the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 include a series of radial and circumferential internal rib elements 120 for support.

The first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 may be formed of any suitable material, such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (chemical formula (C₈H₈)_x.(C₄H₆)_y.(C₃H₃N)_z) or ABS/Poly-Carbonate (PC) mix. ABS is a common thermoplastic polymer exhibiting desirable lightweight properties and well as desirable impact resistance and toughness. Additionally ABS can be easily injection molded.

The first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 may be formed as any size desired depending upon the minimal thickness of the outer molded layer 110 and the final desired size of the roller ball 100. In the illustrated example the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 have a diameter of about 4.8 inches, which together with a minimal depth of 0.1 inches for the outer molded layer 110 yields a roller ball of 5 inches in diameter.

Each of the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 include a series of engagement elements (loops 122, post slots 124, hooks 126 and posts 128) which align and engage with corresponding engagement elements on the other core member 112 or 114 to lock the two together (with adhesive). The loops 122 align with engaging hooks 126 and the post slots 122 align with posts 128. The first hemispherical core members 114 is shown with four post slots 124, four loops 122 and four hooks 126, while the second hemispherical core members 112 is shown with four posts 128, four hooks 126 and four loops 122 in corresponding positions. FIG. 11A-C are sectional views of the over-molded roller ball 100 of FIG. 2, illustrating the locking engagement of the engagement elements (loops 122, post slots 124, hooks 126 and posts 128). Glue on selected engagement elements (not shown) may also be used to hold the first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 together.

The number and arrangement of engagement elements may be altered as desired and it is envisioned that one could design identical core members each with two post slots 124, four loops 122, four hooks 126, and two posts 128, in which the members are rotated 90 or 180 degrees to properly align before connection.

The outer molded layer 110 is molded directly to each hemispherical core member 114 and 112. FIGS. 5A and B are perspective views of the over-molded first hemispherical core member 114 with outer molded layer 110, while FIGS. 8A and B are perspective views of the over-molded second hemispherical core member 112 with outer molded layer 110. An injection point may be through the center of each hemispherical core member 114 and 112 while venting provided on the flat surface adjacent the channel 118. The outer molded layer 110 wraps around each hemispherical core member 114 and 112 and fills the channel 118 and leaves a flat connection surface at the channel for abutting the outer layer 110 of the adjacent member 112 or 114. The channel and grooves 116 locks the outer molded layer 110 to the respective hemispherical core member 114 and 112.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the over-molded layer 110 of the first or second hemispherical core members 112 or 114, with the associated hemispherical core member omitted. FIG. 10B is a sectional view of the over-molded layer 110 of FIG. 10A.

The minimal thickness of the over-molded layer 110 depends upon the final desired dimensions of the roller ball 100, however as noted above a 0.1 inch depth for layer 110 for the 4.8 inch diameter members 112 and 114 yields an effective 5 inch diameter roller ball 100. As shown in the figures the thickness of the layer 110 at the channel 118, or grooves 116 or the injection port will be thicker to accommodate and fill these elements. The final diameter of the roller ball 100 may be any desired size as generally known in the art and discussed in the inventor's prior '808 patent, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The first and second hemispherical core members 114 and 112 are made from material desired to give the necessary strength to the roller ball 100. However over-molded layer 110 is designed to minimize the slippage and improve the tracking of the roller ball on a variety of surfaces (e.g., hardwood, tile, carpet, concrete, etc.). A varieties of rubber or soft plastics are suitable for the layer 110, such as TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof.

TPE refers to thermoplastic elastomers, sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, and are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. Thermoplastics are easy to use in injection molding applications. There are six generic classes of commercial TPEs: Styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s), Thermoplastic olefins (TPE-o), Elastomeric alloys (TPE-v or TPV), Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), Thermoplastic copolyester and Thermoplastic polyamides

TPR specifically refers to thermoplastic rubber (which can sometimes overlap with TPE). TPR compounds are often formulated using Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) or Styrene-Ethylene/Butylene-Styrene (SEBS) block co-polymers. TPR materials have many of the same properties as vulcanized rubbers, but can be molded and extruded using conventional thermoplastic processing equipment

TPU refers to thermoplastic polyurethane and technically, this is a subset of TPE's consisting of linear segmented block copolymers composed of hard and soft segments.

Silicones are polymers that include any inert, synthetic compound made up of repeating units of siloxane, which is a chain of alternating silicon atoms and oxygen atoms. Silicone rubber is an appropriate silicone for the layer 110.

The preferred embodiments described above are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive hereof. It will be obvious that various changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The precise scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising: an over-molded roller ball having i) a ball core and ii) an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip;a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; andhandles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.

2. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the ball core of the over-molded roller ball is formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member.

3. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer.

4. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a circumferential channel spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members and which is filled with the material of the over-molded layer providing secure engagement of the outer molded layer to the first and second hemispherical core members.

5. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 4 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of radial and circumferential internal rib elements for support.

6. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members is formed of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof

7. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of engagement elements which align and engage with corresponding engagement elements on the other core member to lock the two together.

8. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 7 wherein the engagement elements include loops, hooks, post slots and posts.

9. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 8 wherein loops align with engaging hooks and the post slots align with posts.

10. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 9 further including glue on selected engagement elements.

11. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the outer molded layer is molded directly to each hemispherical core member.

12. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 11 further including an injection point through the center of each hemispherical core member.

13. A small, lightweight portable omni-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising: an over-molded roller ball having i) a ball core and ii) an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip, and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof;a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; andhandles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.

14. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 13 wherein the ball core of the over-molded roller ball is formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member.

15. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 14 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer.

16. A small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising: an over-molded roller ball having a ball core formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member and an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip, wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include at least one of i) longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer and ii) a circumferential channel spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members and which is filled with the material of the over-molded layer providing secure engagement of the outer molded layer to the first and second hemispherical core members;a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; andhandles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.

17. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 16 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of radial and circumferential internal rib elements for support.

18. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 16 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members is formed of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof, and wherein the outer molded layer is molded directly to each hemispherical core member, and further including an injection point through the center of each hemispherical core member

19. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 18 wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of engagement elements which align and engage with corresponding engagement elements on the other core member to lock the two together.

20. The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to claim 19 wherein the engagement elements include loops, hooks, post slots and posts.