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US 7,713,180 B2Granted
Partially stabilized exercise device with valve mechanism
AssigneeIcon IP, Inc.
InventorsKrista Marie Wickens, Jaremy T. Butler, Donald Jack Standing
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims35
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.
1 more element
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.
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.
1 more element
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.
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.
1 more element
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.
2 more elements
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.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.