Resistance exercise apparatus

Abstract

A resistance exercise apparatus includes a resistance ball rigidly attached to a first end of a rod, a resistance cup retaining the resistance ball to a proximity thereof and allowing the resistance ball to rotate relative to the resistance cup, the resistance cup having a surface profile substantially matching a surface profile of the resistance ball, and an anchor rigidly attached to the resistance cup for keeping the resistance cup substantially stationary during an exercise session.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resistance exercise apparatus comprising:
 a resistance ball rigidly attached to a first end of a rod;   a resistance cup retaining the resistance ball to a proximity thereof and allowing the resistance ball to rotate relative to the resistance cup, the resistance cup having a surface profile substantially matching a surface profile of the resistance ball; and   an anchor rigidly attached to the resistance cup for keeping the resistance cup substantially stationary during an exercise session.   
     
     
         2 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod has two or more separable sections. 
     
     
         3 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is made of wood or metal material. 
     
     
         4 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a hand ball rigidly attached to a second end of the rod opposite to the first end of the rod, the hand ball serving as a handle for a user during an exercise session. 
     
     
         5 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hand ball is made of wood or plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance cup exerts a magnetic force to attract the resistance ball. 
     
     
         7 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic force is generated by a permanent magnet mounted in the resistance cup. 
     
     
         8 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , where the magnetic force is generated by an electromagnet mounted in the resistance cup, the electromagnet having a coil, a ferromagnetic core and a controllable current source. 
     
     
         9 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic force generated by a combination of both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, the electromagnet having a coil, a ferromagnetic core and a controllable electric current source. 
     
     
         10 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the resistance ball is resisted by a friction. 
     
     
         11 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a thin layer sandwiched between the resistance ball and the resistance cup. 
     
     
         12 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thin layer has a first textured surface contacting the resistance ball. 
     
     
         13 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the thin layer has a second textured surface contacting the resistance cup, the second textured surface being rougher than the first textured surface. 
     
     
         14 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thin layer is glued to the resistance cup. 
     
     
         15 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thin layer is secured to the resistance cup by screws. 
     
     
         16 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thin layer is made of a plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a weight. 
     
     
         18 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a pole having a first end rigidly mounted to the resistance cup and a second end rigidly mounted to the weight, the first end being opposite to the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the pole is extendable in length. 
     
     
         20 . The resistance exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is attached to a wall.