Patent Application
20200206594
Medicine balls are widely used to develop and rehabilitate muscle strength and stability. These versatile training apparatuses are manipulated by users in various ways, including lifting, throwing, compressing and catching exercises. As such, medicine balls may be employed to perform a full spectrum of activities, including coordination training, toning and isolation.
The nature of using medicine balls generally involves subjecting such apparatuses to repeated and significant physical impact. Unfortunately, currently available medicine balls lack long-term durability and typically fail to maintain their shape over time.
There is therefore a need for medicine balls that maintain usability in the face of wide-ranging and repeated physical impact. It would be beneficial if such training apparatuses could be designed to resist structural changes that would otherwise result from this type of use.
In accordance with the foregoing objectives and others, durable training apparatuses are disclosed herein. The inventive training apparatuses may include substantially hemispherical top and bottom portions that may be joined together to form a substantially spherical, hollow shell. Each of the top and bottom portions may include a substantially flat, annular peripheral edge on its bottom surface. The peripheral edge of each portion may extend a distance from an outer surface to an inner surface of the respective portion. The annular peripheral edges of the top and bottom portions may also include complementary fastening mechanisms to allow the top portion to be securely joined to the bottom portion. For example, the top and bottom portions may include one or more apertures, which may be adapted to securely hold a dowel within. Accordingly, the fastening mechanism may be adapted to provide further resilience and strength to the training apparatus. Each of the top and bottom portions may also include one or more weighted protrusions on its inner surface, where the weighted protrusions may provide additional structural support and durability to the training apparatus.
In one embodiment, a training apparatus is provided that includes a substantially spherical, hollow shell defining an interior compartment. The shell may include a pair of substantially hemispherical portions, where each portion may each include: a continuous outer surface, a continuous inner surface, an annular peripheral edge extending a distance from the outer surface to (or beyond) the inner surface, and one or more protrusions extending along the inner surface from the annular peripheral edge toward a center of the respective portion. The annular peripheral edges of each portion may further include complementary fastening mechanisms such that the annular peripheral edges of the substantially hemispherical portions may be fastened together to form the substantially spherical shell.
The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims.
Various training apparatuses are disclosed herein that are able to sustain repeated, high-intensity impact while retaining their structure and usability, thus making them desirable for use across a broad range of exercises. The training apparatus may comprise a substantially spherical, hollow shell formed by joining a top hemispherical portion and a bottom hemispherical portion. Each of the top and bottom portions may further include a substantially flat, annular peripheral edge. The annular peripheral edge of each portion may extend from an outer surface to an inner surface thereof. And each annular peripheral edge may include complementary fastening mechanisms adapted to allow the top and bottom portions to be joined together to provide support for the training apparatus. In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism may comprise a plurality of aligned apertures, where each aperture is adapted to receive a dowel therein.
In certain embodiments, each of the top and bottom portions may further include a number of protrusions extending along its inner surface, from about its annular peripheral edge toward a center of the respective portion. The protrusions may vary in length and/or height, and such protrusions may further provide rigidity, structural support and/or long-term durability for the training apparatus.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 120 may each comprise a substantially hemispherical shape, and therefore may be joined together at their respective bottom surfaces to form a training apparatus having a substantially spherical, hollow shell.
Generally, the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 120 may each comprise any material(s) that will allow the shell to withstand repeated and significant impact, while substantially returning to its spherical shape. As such, the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may comprise a material having a tear strength of at least 20 KN/m, and more preferably, at least 25 KN/m.
Tear strength may be measured according to specification ASTM D624 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). Under this specification, a tearing strain (and stress) is applied to a test specimen by means of a tensile testing machine operated without interruption at a constant rate of crosshead traverse until the specimen is completely torn. This test method measures the force per unit thickness required to rupture, initiate, or propagate a tear through a sheet of rubber in the form of one of several test piece geometries. For a “Type A” geometry, a razor-nicked test piece with a crescent shape is used and the force acts in a direction substantially along the major axis (length) and perpendicular to the “nick”, or razor cut. For a “Type B” geometry, a razor-nicked test piece with a crescent shape and with tab ends is used and the force acts in a direction substantially along the major axis (length) and perpendicular to the “nick,” or razor cut. For a “Type C” geometry, an un-nicked test piece with a 90° angle on one side and with tab ends is used and the force acts on the test piece in a direction substantially parallel to the tab ends of the specimen (45° to the 90° center angle) in the direction of grip separation. For a “Type T” geometry, a trouser tear test piece is used and the force is applied in a direction parallel to the length of both legs. And, for a “Type CP” geometry a modified trouser tear test piece with a constrained path for the tear is used and the force is applied parallel to the length of both legs; the constrained path prevents the tear from propagating away from this path, and the thicker legs eliminate the influence of leg extension which may occur with Type T test pieces.
In any event, the tear strength may be calculated according to the following equation:
T
s
=F/d
where:
The top 110 and bottom 120 portions may comprise a material having a tensile strength of at least about 6 MPa, and more preferably at least about 7 MPa. Tensile strength is calculated by dividing the load at break by the original minimum cross-sectional area. Tensile strength may be determined according to standard ASTM D412 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In one embodiment, the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may comprise a material having a minimum elongation of at least about 500% and more preferably at least about 550%. Elongation may be determined according to standard ASTM D1456 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). It will be appreciated that percent elongation is calculated by dividing the elongation at the moment of rupture by the initial gauge length and multiplying by 100.
In one embodiment, the material of the top and/or bottom portions may comprise rubber to promote elasticity and movement. In other embodiments, the material of the top portion and/or the bottom portion may be selected from the group consisting of: nylon, vinyl, leather, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and neoprene.
In certain embodiments, the outer surface 111, 121 of the portions 110, 120 may comprise one or more high-strength rubbers, such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (“EPDM”) and/or butadiene rubber (“BR”). It will be appreciated that the top portion 110 and bottom portion 120 may each comprise the same or substantially similar material(s).
In one embodiment, hollow shell of the training apparatus 100 may comprise a circumference of from about 8 inches to about 44 inches. For example, the shell may comprise a circumference of about 8 inches, about 10 inches, about 15 inches, about 20 inches, about 25 inches, about 30 inches, about 35 inches, about 40 inches or about 44 inches.
The shell of may define an interior compartment adapted to hold a volume of from about 30 cubic inches to around 1800 cubic inches, for example about 33 cubic inches, 322 cubic inches, and about 1768 cubic inches. The volume may also vary based on an elasticity of the material of the shell, a thickness of the shell (discussed in detail below), and/or an amount of weighted material contained within the interior department (also discussed in detail below.)
In certain embodiments, the shell of the training apparatus 100 may comprise a total weight of from about 5 pounds to about 50 pounds. For example, the shell may comprise a total weight of about 5 pounds, about 10 pounds, about 15 pounds, about 20 pounds, about 25 pounds, about 30 pounds, about 35 pounds, about 40 pounds, about 45 pounds, or about 50 pounds.
It will be appreciated that the interior compartment of the training apparatus 100 may be adapted to hold one or more weighted materials within. In one embodiment, the interior compartment of the training apparatus may be empty. In other embodiments, the interior compartment may be filled with a weighted material, such as but not limited to: iron, rubber, gel, sand, salt, rice, water, and/or combinations thereof.
The outer surface 111, 121 of the top and bottom portions 110, 120 may be adapted to allow for ease of cleaning and for avoidance of damage to surfaces on which the training apparatus is used. To that end, the outer surface 111, 121 may be substantially smooth.
In one embodiment, the outer surface 111, 121 of the top and/or bottom portions may comprise an outer treading 113, 123. Such outer treading 113, 123 may be adapted to allow for ease of grip and contact by a user and may thus comprise an uneven surface to increase friction. The outer treading 113, 123 may comprise grooves, protrusions, ridges, bumps, etc. It will be appreciated that the outer surface of the top and bottom portions may include other means to allow for ease of grip by the user, such as one or more handles, grips, apertures, etc.
The outer surface 111, 121 of the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may comprise any number of decorative and/or informative visual elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface 111, 121 includes a decorative band about the outer treading 113, 123. In other embodiments, the outer surface 111, 121 may include one or more colors, lines, shapes, stripes, text, pictorial elements, etc. For example, the outer surface may include text to indicate a brand, a weight, a diameter and/or other relevant information pertaining to the training apparatus.
Referring to
As shown, each substantially hemispherical portion 110, 120 may include substantially continuous inner 140, 150 and outer surfaces 111, 121 and an annular peripheral edge 115, 125 extending therebetween. The annular peripheral edge 115, 125 may extend a distance that is equal to, or slightly more than, the thickness of the portion 110, 120 (i.e., the distance between the inner surface 122 and outer surface 121).
In certain embodiments, the thickness of the top 110 and/or bottom 120 portion may be from about 0.25 inches to about 1.5 inches. For example, the thickness of each portion 110, 120 may be about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, or about 1.5 inches. It will be appreciated that the thickness of the top portion 110 will typically be the same as the thickness of the bottom portion 120 such that the shell of the training apparatus 100 comprises a substantially continuous structure when the portions are joined.
In certain embodiments, the annular peripheral edge 115, 125 of each portion 110, 120 may be substantially flat and may extend a distance equal to from about 100% to about 300% of the thickness of the respective portion (e.g., about 100%, about 150%, about 200%, about 250%, or about 300%). Accordingly, the peripheral edge 115, 125 may extend a distance of from about 0.25 inches to about 1.5 inches (e.g., about 0.25 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, or about 1.5 inches). In one particular embodiment, the annular peripheral edge 115, 125 of each portion 110, 120 may extend a distance of about 1 inch. It will be appreciated that the annular peripheral edge of each portion may be substantially similar in size and shape such that the top and bottom portions may be securely joined together along their respective edges.
The annular peripheral edge 115, 125 of each portion 110, 120 may include a complementary fastening mechanism adapted to allow such edges to be joined together and to provide structural support and durability. In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism may comprise a plurality of apertures 116, 126, each having a substantially similar size/shape and each adapted to securely receive a dowel 130 therewithin. To that end, each of the plurality of apertures 116, 126 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape, with a closed bottom surface and an open top surface. The apertures may each comprise a radius of from about 4 inches to about 10 inches (e.g., about 4 inches, about 5 inches, about 6 inches, about 7 inches, about 8 inches, about 9 inches, or about 10 inches) and a height (i.e., depth) of from about 12 inches to about 17 inches (e.g., about 12 inches, about 13 inches, about 14 inches, about 15 inches, about 16 inches or about 17 inches). The plurality of apertures located on each portion may comprise from about 4 apertures to about 20 apertures (e.g., about 4 apertures, about 6 apertures, about 8 apertures, about 10 apertures, about 12 apertures, about 14 apertures, about 16 apertures, about 18 apertures or about 20 apertures). In one embodiment, the plurality of apertures 116, 126 may be evenly spaced, with from about 1 inch to about 3 inches between each aperture (e.g., about 1 inch, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches or about 3 inches).
It will be appreciated that the dowels 130 may be inserted into, and securely retained by, the apertures 116, 126. Accordingly, each of the dowels 130 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape, with a radius that is about equal to that of the apertures 116, 126 and a height that is about equal to one half the height/depth of the apertures. Each of the dowels 130 may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: wood, metal, plastic, etc. In one embodiment, an adhesive, such as glue, rubber adhesive, etc., may be applied to a dowel when it is inserted into an aperture to ensure that it is retained within the aperture. Such adhesive (or a different adhesive) may additionally or alternatively be applied to one or both annular peripheral edges 115, 125 when they are joined together.
Generally, the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may be joined together by means of the fastening mechanism. In one embodiment, the portions may be joined by inserting dowels 130 into the apertures of a first portion (e.g., apertures 126 of the bottom portion 120), aligning the apertures of a second portion (e.g., apertures 116 of the top portion 110) with those of the first portion, and pressing the two portions together such that each of the dowels 130 is seated within a pair of aligned apertures.
It will be appreciated that additional or alternative fastening mechanisms may be employed to secure the top 110 and bottom 120 portions. In one embodiment, a second fastening mechanism may be employed, such as but not limited to, rubber adhesive applied to the annular peripheral edges 115, 125 of the top 110 and/or bottom 120 portions. In other embodiments, alternative fastening mechanisms may be employed, such as but not limited to: glue, tape, hook & loop fasteners, snaps, other adhesives, etc. In yet other embodiments, the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may be integrally joined together by sonic or ultrasonic welding. And in another embodiment, the fastening mechanism may be located on the outer and/or inner surface of the top 110 and bottom 120 portions.
In one embodiment, the material of the inner surfaces 140, 150 of the top 110 and bottom 120 portions may comprise a high-density natural rubber (“NR”) and/or isoprene rubber (“IR”). It will be appreciated that the inner surfaces of the top and bottom portions may comprise the same or substantially similar material(s).
In an exemplary embodiment, the inner surfaces 140, 150 may include one or more protrusions 141, 151. Generally, such protrusions 141, 151 may be adapted to provide rigidity and additional structural support to the shell of the training apparatus. The protrusions 141, 151 may extend from the annular peripheral edge 115, 125 of each portion 110, 120 towards a center of the respective portion, along the inner surface 140, 150 thereof. Preferably, the protrusions 141, 151 may be integral to the inner surfaces 140, 150 of the portions 110, 120. However, in other embodiments, the protrusions may be attached or adhered to such surfaces.
As shown, the protrusions 141, 151 may vary in length. For example, the plurality of protrusions 141, 151 may comprise any number of central protrusions 141a, 151a, short protrusions 141b, 151b, and/or long protrusions 141c, 151c. The central protrusions 141a, 141b may extend from a first point on or near the annular peripheral edge 115, 125, through the center of the respective portion 110, 120, and to a second point on the opposite side of the annular peripheral edge. Accordingly, the central protrusions 141a, 141b may each extend a length equal to about half the circumference of the shell (e.g., from about 4 inches to around 22 inches).
The short protrusions 141b, 151b and long protrusions 141c, 151c may each extend along the inner surface of each portion, from the annular peripheral edge 115, 125 toward the center of the respective portion 110, 120. The short protrusions 141b, 151b may extend a length equal to from about 1/20 to less than about ⅛ the circumference of the shell (e.g., from about 4 inch to about 6 inches). The long protrusions 141c, 151c may extend a length equal to from about ⅛ to about ¼ the circumference of the shell (e.g., from about 6 inches to about 10 inches).
Each of the protrusions 141, 151 may extend a height from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch. For example, one or more of the protrusions may comprise a height of about 0.1 inches, about 0.2 inches, about 0.3 inches, about 0.4 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.6 inches, about 0.7 inches, about 0.8 inches, about 0.9 inches, or about 1 inch. It will be appreciated that the each of the protrusions may comprise the same height or may comprise different heights. In one embodiment, each of the central protrusions 141a, 151a comprise a first height; each of the short protrusions 141b, 151b comprise a second height; and each of the long protrusions 141c, 151c comprise a third height.
In one embodiment, each portion 110, 120 may comprise from about 1 to about 4 central protrusions 141a, 151a (e.g., about 1, about 2, about 3 or about 4); from about 8 to about 16 short protrusions 141b, 151b (e.g., about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11 or about 12); and/or from about 4 to about 8 long protrusions 141c, 151c (e.g., about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7 or about 8). In one specific embodiment, each portion 110, 120 comprises 2 central protrusions, 12 short protrusions and 6 long protrusions. In other embodiments, there may be fewer or more total protrusions and/or fewer or more of any given type of protrusions.
Generally, the inner surfaces 140, 150 and protrusions 141, 151 may be adapted to increase the mass of the training apparatus and/or to increase the durability/stability of the apparatus. It will be appreciated that the density of the inner surfaces, the size of the protrusions and/or the number of protrusions may be adjusted to provide a desired total mass of the training apparatus.
Various embodiments are described in this specification, with reference to the detailed discussed above, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the drawing(s) being described. Because components of the embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.
The embodiments described and claimed herein and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments. The subject matter of this specification is not to be limited in scope by the specific examples, as these examples are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the embodiments. Any equivalent examples are intended to be within the scope of the specification. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
All references including patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purpose.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/787,526, titled “Training Apparatus,” filed Jan. 2, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62787526 | Jan 2019 | US |
