Multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device with minimal slip

Abstract

A small, lightweight portable multi-directional or omni-directional rolling abdominal exercise device includes an over-molded roller ball having an outer molded layer; a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement; bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet. The over-molded roller ball includes a ball core formed of a first and second hemispherical core member and an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and which is configured to minimize slip, wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising:
 an over-molded roller ball having i) a ball core and ii) an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip;   a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;   bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and   handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the ball core of the over-molded roller ball is formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 2  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 2  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a circumferential channel spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members and which is filled with the material of the over-molded layer providing secure engagement of the outer molded layer to the first and second hemispherical core members. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 4  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of radial and circumferential internal rib elements for support. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 5  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members is formed of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof 
     
     
         7 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 5  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of engagement elements which align and engage with corresponding engagement elements on the other core member to lock the two together. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 7  wherein the engagement elements include loops, hooks, post slots and posts. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 8  wherein loops align with engaging hooks and the post slots align with posts. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 9  further including glue on selected engagement elements. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 5 , wherein the outer molded layer is molded directly to each hemispherical core member. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 11  further including an injection point through the center of each hemispherical core member. 
     
     
         13 . A small, lightweight portable omni-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising:
 an over-molded roller ball having i) a ball core and ii) an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip, and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof;   a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;   bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and   handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.   
     
     
         14 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 13  wherein the ball core of the over-molded roller ball is formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 14  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer. 
     
     
         16 . A small, lightweight portable multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device comprising:
 an over-molded roller ball having a ball core formed of a first hemispherical core member and a second hemispherical core member and an outer molded layer which completely encapsulates the ball core forming the ground engaging surface of the roller ball and configured to minimize slip, wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include at least one of i) longitudinal grooves configured to engage the outer molded layer and ii) a circumferential channel spaced radially inward from the outer surface of the first and second hemispherical core members and which is filled with the material of the over-molded layer providing secure engagement of the outer molded layer to the first and second hemispherical core members;   a housing supporting the roller ball for multi-directional movement;   bearing members within the housing allowing for the rotational mounting of the roller ball; and   handles coupled to the housing allowing for the user to engage the device with at least one of hands, elbows, knees or feet.   
     
     
         17 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 16  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of radial and circumferential internal rib elements for support. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 16  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members is formed of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and wherein the outer molded layer comprises one of TPE, TPR, TPU, Silicone, rubber and mixtures thereof, and wherein the outer molded layer is molded directly to each hemispherical core member, and further including an injection point through the center of each hemispherical core member 
     
     
         19 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 18  wherein each of the first and second hemispherical core members include a series of engagement elements which align and engage with corresponding engagement elements on the other core member to lock the two together. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-directional rolling abdominal exercise device according to  claim 19  wherein the engagement elements include loops, hooks, post slots and posts.