Exercise ball

Abstract

An improved exercise ball is defined by a resilient, flexible sidewall having a through opening extending from an interior to an exterior of the sidewall. A loose, solid media such as sand is deposited into the through opening. Thereafter, an air valve is arranged within the through opening and the interior is pressurized to fully inflate the exercise ball. A variety of exercises may thereafter be performed with the improved exercise ball.

Description

[0001]There are no related patent applications.[0002]The present application was not subject to federal research and / or development funding.TECHNICAL FIELD[0003]Generally, the present invention relates to an improved weighted ball that may be held in a single hand and which is useful in performing rehabilitation exercises. The weighted ball may also be utilized in performing strength training exercises in healthy individuals. More specifically, the exercise ball comprises an air impervious bladder that is inflated to an air pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure. The ball includes a weighted material disposed therein prior to inflation of the ball. The ball also has a non-slip exterior for gripping the ball. A variety of exercises may be performed with the ball. The ball preferably includes a removable air valve for adding weighted material and having a diameter of substantially between seven and eight inches.[0004]There are several exercises that can be performed with t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention is an improved exercise ball comprising a polyvinylchloride bladder having a non-slip exterior surface. The ball is inflated to slightly above atmospheric pressure to ensure that the top of the bladder does not sag when placed on a surface such as a desk, chair seat, or floor. A through opening in the bladder allows a predetermined amount of weighted material to be deposited within the exercise ball. Thereafter, a one-way valve is seated in the through opening and the ball is inflated to slightly above atmospheric pressure. By inflating the ball to this pressure, the exercise ball is inflated to an optimal working pressure. The air pressure contained within the exercise ball cannot be much greater than atmospheric pressure to ensure that the exercise ball is pliable and may be easily grasped from above and ensure that the bladder conforms about the fingers of the user.

[0016]It is also an object of this invention to provide an exercise ball that is inexpensive to produce and use.

[0017]It is a further object of this invention to provide an exercise ball that is portable and easily carried by the user.

Problems solved by technology

Medicine balls are not useful in performing single exercises without a partner.

Thus, it cannot perform the same exercises of the present device.

Many of the prior art balls are too big to be grasped from above.

That is, the diameter of the ball is too large to perform exercises that improve the user's hand strength and grip.

Still other devices, such as the Bennet device, are too small to exert an extended moment of inertia for performing the exercises.

Still other devices may be too inflated to be able to grip it from above, fails to conform around the fingers, or includes an exterior surface that is slick and cannot be easily grasped.

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