# US 9,433,817 B2 · Exercise apparatus

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- Number: US 9,433,817 B2
- Document ID: US9433817B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/657,515
- Filed: 2015-03-13
- Published: 2015-07-02
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-26
- Assignees: Sproing Fitness LLC
- Applicants: Sproing Fitness LLC
- Inventors: Paul Toback; Steve Lenz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433817B2

## CPC

- A63B 5/16: Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids {(A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence)}
- A63B 6/02: for landing, e.g. for pole vaulting
- A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve}
- A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user}
- A63B 21/045: having torsion {or bending or flexion} element
- A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands}
- A63B 21/153: {wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel}
- A63B 21/4005: {to the shoulder}
- A63B 21/4007: {to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest}
- A63B 21/4009: {to the waist}
- A63B 21/4013: {to the ankle}
- A63B 21/4015: {to the foot}
- A63B 21/4021: {to the wrist}
- A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms}
- A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand}
- A63B 21/4037: {Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises (mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00)}
- A63B 23/0211: {moving torso with immobilized lower limbs}
- A63B 23/047: {Walking and pulling or pushing a load (for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34)}
- A63B 26/00: Exercising apparatus not covered by groups A63B1/00 - A63B25/00
- A63B 69/0028: {for running, jogging or speed-walking (movable endless bands A63B22/02)}
- A63B 69/0035: {on the spot}
- A63B 69/0053: {Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort}
- A63B 22/0285: {Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia}
- A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user}
- A63B 2071/0063: {Shock absorbers}
- A63B 2071/0072: {Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed}
- A63B 2208/0204: Standing on the feet
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B 2220/16: Angular positions
- A63B 2220/17: Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
- A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements
- A63B 2220/30: Speed
- A63B 2220/40: Acceleration
- A63B 2220/51: Force
- A63B 2220/78: Surface covering conditions, e.g. of a road surface
- A63B 2230/06: heartbeat rate only
- A63B 2230/75: calorie expenditure
- Y10S 482/901: having computer circuitry
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

An exercise apparatus including a frame, and a cushion adjacent to the frame having a surface. The exercise apparatus further includes a harness wearable by the user and a resistance member extending between the harness and the frame and where the tension within the resistance member is variable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An exercise apparatus comprising:
a cushion having a surface on which a user may be supported while running, the cushion configured to receive footfalls of the user from a running impact;
a harness wearable by the user;
a frame;
a tensionable resistance member connecting the harness to the frame configured such that the user wearing the harness imposes tension within the tensionable resistance member to maintain the user on the cushion during running on the cushion; and
a rigid structure adjacent the cushion for maintaining the cushion stationary relative to the rigid structure during running on the cushion by the user wearing the harness; wherein the rigid structure comprises a wall of the frame engaging the cushion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the frame defines an opening receiving the cushion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the frame includes a wall defining the opening, the rigid structure comprising the wall.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the rigid structure comprises a wall.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the cushion is readily separable from the rigid structure by the user and replaceable with another cushion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the frame defines an opening receiving the cushion and the cushion is readily separable from the frame by the user and replaceable with another cushion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tension adjuster for varying the tension of the tensionable resistance member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the frame includes a base and an upright extending from the base, the tension adjuster secured to the upright.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The exercise apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tension adjuster is moveable with respect to the upright to vary the tension in the tensionable resistance member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tension adjuster for varying the tension of the tensionable resistance member without adding weight to or removing weight from the exercise apparatus.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additional tensionable resistance member connected to the frame for securing the frame to the user configured such that the user imposes a tension within the additional tensionable resistance member during running on the cushion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cushion comprises a fluid filled bladder.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the surface of the cushion has a variable firmness.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The exercise apparatus of claim 13 wherein the firmness of the surface is varied by adding or removing fluid from the bladder.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more footfall sensors adjacent the running surface to detect when a user's foot impacts the running surface.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein the one or more footfall sensors includes an accelerometer coupled to the running surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the harness is a belt.