Exercise ball and similar stationary exercise equipment

Abstract

An exercise ball including: a spherical elastomer ball; and a device one of mounted and integral therewith for one or more of; increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.

1 . An exercise ball comprising:
 a spherical elastomer ball; and   a device one of mounted and integral therewith for one or more of;
 increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device; 
 increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and 
 increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device. 
   
   
   
       2 . A device adapted for mounting on an exercise ball, the device comprising one or more of:
 means for increasing a usefulness of the ball for performing a greater range of exercises than would be possible without the device;   means for increasing a stability of the ball to minimize injuries resulting from use thereof; and   means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball than would be possible without the device.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a usefulness of the ball comprises:
 a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and   a pair of arm rest members secured to the band, each of the pair of arm rest members having a hand grip for being grasped by a user.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each of the pair of armrest members further comprises a height adjustment device for adjusting a height of the handgrip relative to the ball. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a usefulness of the ball comprises:
 a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball; and   one or more pulley devices for performing resistance exercises while using the ball.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more pulley devices are adapted for use with one or more of the arms and legs of the user. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing an easiness of use of the ball comprises one or more handle members secured to the ball and having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball and having one or more securing means for securing the band to the ball wherein the one or more handle members are secured to the band. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for rotatably securing the one or more handles to the ball comprises a shaft running through the ball and rotatably secured to the ball. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises three or more stability projections integrally formed with an outer surface of the ball, each of the three of more stability projections projecting radially out from the outer surface of the ball and having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises:
 a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and   three or more stabilizers secured to the band for stabilizing the ball relative to a surface upon which the ball rests.   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the three of more stabilizers comprise three or more projections projecting radially out from a portion of the band and having a surface adapted to contact the surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises three or more stabilizing feet secured to the band, each of the three of more stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprises an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting an extension length of the stabilizing feet. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more handles secured to the band and having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises two pairs of stabilizing feet secured to the ball, each pair having two individual stabilizing feet, each of the individual stabilizing feet having a surface adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising means for rotatably securing the pairs of stabilizing feet to the ball. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet in the stabilizing pair are angled with respect to each other. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprise a spring mechanism for biasing an outer surface towards the surface upon which the ball rests. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the individual stabilizing feet comprises an extension adjustment mechanism for adjusting a extension length of the stabilizing feet. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the pairs of stabilizing feet includes a handle having at least one hand grip for being grasped by a user. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises:
 a band for attaching circumferentially around the ball; and   a hoop extending at least partially circumferentially extending from the band and adapted to contact a surface upon which the ball rests.   
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for increasing a stability of the ball comprises a ballast adapted to be rotatably secured on an interior of the ball and having an internal volume to sealingly contain one or a liquid, gel or solid. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the ballast is secured to a rotatable shaft rotatably secured through the ball, the ballast extending radially from the shaft. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the shaft is secured through a diameter of the ball. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the shaft includes a conduit in communication with the internal volume of the ballast, the conduit having an inlet on an end of the shaft for filling the one of the liquid, gel or solid into the internal volume. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising one of a handle or body rest secured to the shaft. 
   
   
       30 . An exercise device comprising:
 a base;   a user platform for holding a user of the device, the user platform having one or more handles for being grasped by the user; and   a spring element for connecting the user platform to the base and allowing a restricted range of motion of the user platform relative to the base.   
   
   
       31 . The exercise device of  claim 30 , wherein the spring element comprises a compression spring. 
   
   
       32 . The exercise device of  claim 30 , wherein the user platform is configured as a solid sheet.