AU763402B2

AU763402B2 - Isometric exercise ball

Info

Publication number: AU763402B2
Application number: AU71021/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Swezey; Robert L. Swezey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-02
Filing date: 1998-04-02
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-02
Also published as: KR20010034733A; EP1066088A4; DE69829003T2; DE69829003D1; EP1066088B1; ATE288780T1; HK1034685A1; CN1182895C; CN1291110A; CA2326876C; AU7102198A; KR100512914B1; EP1066088A1; CA2326876A1

Abstract

A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball, about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles, secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball in a tension mode. The ball is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball.

Description

WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 ISOMETRIC EXERCISE BALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices and more particularly a ball-shaped exercise device for performing site-specific isometric exercises directed to overall body strengthening and protection against the effects of osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The need for exercise has been increasingly recognized. In addition to the benefits of better overall health and fitness, the strengthening of muscles and bones reduce the risk of fractures of the spine and hips as a major consequence of osteoporosis. Strong muscles stimulate the formation of stronger bones, provide the muscle control that helps to keep one's balance and prevent falls, help maintain an upright posture and prevent the "dowager's hump" of osteoporosis, and provide shock-absorbing fracture protection to the skeleton when an unavoidable fall occurs.

The present invention addresses isometric exercise, wherein, with little or no movement, one set of muscles is tensed for a period of seconds in opposition to another set of muscles or to an immovable object. Such isometric exercises are thus distinguished from isokinetic exercises wherein a muscle force is applied to a constant velocity of motion, as for example in pulling the handles of a rowing machine, or isotonic exercise when a constant weight is lifted through a range of motion.

Many isometric exercises require or are enhanced by the use of an exercise device providing force(s) that counterbalance the muscular. force(s) applied by the exercising person. Amongst a recommended set of isometric exercises, some will require muscles to contract concentrically under uniform fiber tension, while others will require excentric muscular expansion. Accordingly, in the field addressed by present invention, the exercise device must be bidirectional, as WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 distinguished from unidirectional devices, e.g. those utilizing stretch cords or bands, or long thin coil springs that can operate only in tension and cannot operate in compression.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED KNOWN ART Examples of unidirectional isometric exercise devices are found in U.S. patents 4,023,808 to Hebert for a RESILIENT FORCE RESISTOR TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,852,874 to Sleichtser III et al for a PORTABLE ISOKINETIC EXERCISING DEVICE: these io utilize elastic stretch band loops as resistance elements.

Examples of bidirectional isometric exercise devices are found in U.S. patents 4,376,533 to Kolbel for a PUSH AND PULL TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE and 4,406,453 to Herzfeld for a PORTABLE EXERCISER: these utilize metal springs as resistance elements.

is U.S. patent 2,115,926 by Hatton for HANDLE FOR INFLATED BALLS AND THE LIKE is of interest in showing an inflated ball with a pair of solid hand grips recessed at diametrically opposite locations of the ball; however the ball is for athletic game purposes only and is not intended or suitable for 2o use as an isometric exercise device as addressed by the present invention.

In the above mentioned examples of known art exercise devices, the handles provided are intended for two-handed operation only, and do not accommodate feet or legs, furthermore they fail to provide a soft accommodating surface that can be applied against various body surfaces.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device that can be utilized in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for exercising muscles in both opposite directions, i.e. not restricted to isotonic exercises.

It is a further object to provide an exercise device directed to overall body and paraspinal strengthening particularly for persons prone to or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis.

It is a further object that the exercise device permit 3 soft accommodation to various body surfaces for a broad array of isometric exercises.

It is a further object to realise an exercise device meeting the foregoing objects in a very simple structure that does not require metal springs, stretch cords or the like, or mechanisms such as lever arms.

It is a further object to realise an inflatable exercise device that can be deflated for easy carrying and convenient storage.

Summary of the Invention The present invention preferably provides an isometric exercise ball for isometric exercises.

The present writing preferably provides an exercise ball comprising a hollow inflatable main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, the ball portion being partially inflated to within a range from about two thirds to three quarters of the volume capacity, a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, the handles being dimensioned to allow a human foot to pass through each looped handle, an inflatable bladder portion, first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions constructed and arranged to each have a corresponding one of the looped handles attached integrally thereto at a peripheral region thereof by an attachment strap, the first and second fabric covers being mutually attached around the peripheral region, fully enclosing the bladder portion, each of the cover portions each being S"constructed and arranged to have pass-through slot means defined in a peripheral region •opposite the location of the attachment strap, for utilizing an attachment strap passing through the slot means in order to assist in holding the cover portions together, and the first and second fabric cover portions being constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion and to be mutually attached around peripheral regions thereof so as to form a spherical entity, such that the looped handles are caused to become effectively attached via the respective straps to diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, disposed at substantially equal distances outwardly from the main ball portion.

The present writing also preferably provides a method of providing isometric exercise directed to various body regions comprising the steps of providing a partiallyinflated elastic ball of flexible material fitted with a pair of diametrically-opposed handles forming arched loops each large enough to insert a human foot therethrough and [R:\LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh 3a applying muscular force from a user's body to the ball in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction in a manner to cause the ball to exert a force that counterbalances the applied muscular force.

The present writing also preferably provides an exercise ball comprising a hollow main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, each of the looped handles having ends separately attached to different portions of the main ball portion; and an inflatable bladder portion contained within the hollow main ball portion.

The present writing also preferably provides an exercise ball comprising a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from a flexible material shaped to form a sphere ooooo of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions, the first and second bladder portions constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion and to be mutually attracted so as to form a spherical entity, a first attachment strap attached at a first attachment point at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto, a second attachment strap attached at a second attachment point at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover, the second attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto, a first strap holder located near the first attachment point on a S 20 peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap, a second strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap, and a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third portion of the second attachment strap, wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap holder to assist in holding the cover portions together.

The present writing also preferably provides an exercise ball comprising a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, a fabric cover constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion so as to form a spherical entity, at least two [R:\LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh 3b attachment straps, each attachment strap having a first end attached at a region of the fabric cover, one or more strap holders, each strap holder configured to receive and hold a portion of an attachment strap, and a pair of looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the bladder portion, each looped handle of the pair of looped handles Sbeing attached to an attachment strap.

The present invention therefore, at least in a preferred embodiment, provides an inflatable isometric exercise ball, about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of strap-like handles, that can also serve as stirrups, located at diametrically opposite regions of surface of the main ball portion. The ball is less than fully inflated so as to interface comfortably with various regions of the body. In a recommended sequence of isometric exercises directed to particular different body regions, some of the exercises Sutilise the ball in a tension mode with the user's arms or legs inserted through the handles, while other exercises utilise the ball in compression mode, squeezed between body parts or between a body part and a wall or floor.

A recommended sequence of exercises may be depicted by graphic illustrations printed directly on the surface of the exercise ball.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other further objects, features and advantages of at least a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.

S"FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention.

[RA\LILL] 13863.doc:kch WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball embodiment of FIG.

3 in an assembled condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10A, in a first embodiment of the present invention equipped with a pair of diametrically-opposed strap-like handles 12A attached to the main portion of ball 10A by a sonic weld 14 at each end of each handle 12A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise ball 10B, in a second embodiment of the present invention wherein each of the diametrically opposed pair of handles 12B consists of a hand grip 16 made from flexible tubing surrounding a flat loop of cord 18 extending as an eye at each end where the cord is threaded through a grommet 20 set in a tab 22. Each of the four tabs 22 is attached to the main portion of ball 10B by a sonic weld 14. The hand grips 16 may be round or oval in cross section.

In either embodiment the handle is made long enough that it forms an arched loop that can be placed over the foot and onto the leg of the person exercising.

The main ball portion 10A/B and the handles 12A/B are of flexible material, and may enclose a bladder portion; in a deluxe version of either embodiment, the outer surface of the main ball portion 10A/B may be covered with a fabric such as nylon or lycra.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercise ball 10C of the present invention illustrating a pre-assembled condition. The main bladder portion 24, preferably made from vinyl, may be fitted with a pressure sensor 26, which may include a pressure indicator such as a digital readout or analog display.

Shown above and below bladder 24, a fabric cover is made in two hemispheric portions 28A and 28B. The upper cover portion 28A is fitted with a handle 30A at the end of a long WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 strap 30B. The lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a handle at the end of a short strap 30D. The main lower cover portion 28B is fitted with a pair of similar handle passthrough slots, slot 30E located at the beginning of strap and slot 30F located at the edge of lower cover portion 28B diagonally opposite slot 30E. Handle 30A of the upper cover portion 28A is shown having been inserted through slot 30E as the first step in assembly. In subsequent assembly, handle will be moved around cover portion 28B as indicated by arrow 32, passed through slot 30F as indicated by arrow 34, passed through a similar slot in upper cover portion 28A (not visible in this view) and directed outwardly, pulling the two cover portions 28A and 28B toward each other and securing them in place, fitting snugly over bladder 24. Additional fastening means, such as Velcro fastenings, may be used to fasten the cover portions 28A and 28B to the bladder 24 so as to effectively join them together around their peripheral region.

An opening 38 may be provided in the upper cover portion 28A at the location of pressure sensor 26 for visibility of a pressure indicator, when such is provided at that location.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise ball 10C of FIG. 3 in an assembled condition. Strap 30B, seen laying against the surface of the lower cover portion 28B, is dimensioned in length to space handles 30A and 30C equal distances outwardly from the spherical main body of ball 10C thus simulating a pair of identical handles attached at diametrically opposite points in a like manner. This enables the ball 10C to act as a tension device for isometric exercise involving pulling outwardly on handles 30A and 30C in the same manner as described previously in connection with FIGs. 1 and 2. An opening 40 is shown for access to a bladder inflation valve; alternatively this could be located at any other location, as could sensor 26 and opening 38.

In the case where sensor 26 drives a separate pressure indicator, possible alternative locations for the indicator are shown in FIG. 3 at location 36 on the top side of strap and in FIG. 4 at location 39 on the bottom side of strap The pressure indicator can be of known art such a mechanical gauge or an electronic digital or analog indicator implemented WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 as and LED or LCD display panel.

Force applied to the exercise ball in either in tension via the handles, tending to distort the ball shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4, or in compression by squeezing the ball, increases the air pressure within the ball, thus the air pressure as sensed and indicated is generally proportional to the applied force.

As a further refinement, either as an addition to a pressure gauge or as an alternative thereto, the pressure o0 sensor may be made to produce a visible or audible indication upon reaching a predetermined pressure level; the predetermined pressure level may be made variable with provision for adjustment by the individual using the ball, so that different muscular forces may be specified for various exercises and monitored accordingly. As a further alternative, a keypad may be provided separately or built in, for the purpose of enabling a user to enter muscular force and/or other data.

As optional variations to the structure shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, portions 28A and 28B could be made identical, at least with regard to the straps and handles: if both portions were made in the form of portion 28B, then each handle, being on a short strap 30D, would thread through the pass-through slot 30F of the opposite portion; there would be no need for the pass through slot 30E in the handle 30D; or if both portions were made in the form of portion 28A with a long strap 30B on each handle and provided with a passthrough slot 30F at the opposite edge, then the straps would each pass through a slot 30E, make a half turn around opposite sides of the ball and then pass through slots 30F, extending therefrom to the respective handles.

For exercise use, the main ball portion 10A/B/C is inflated, via the valve in the manner of beach balls or basketballs, only to a somewhat underinflated condition about two-thirds to three-quarters of its fully distended capacity, so as to allow it to provide a firm accommodating even resistance to body regions of the person exercising.

There are two basic modes of using the ball for exercise: WO 99/51309 PCT/US98/06714 utilizing the ball as a tensile load by pulling apart on the handles, e.g. with hands or legs, so to effectively stretch the ball, and utilizing the ball as a compressive load by squeezing it between user body regions or between a user body region and an immovable object such as a floor, bed or wall.

A special sequence of recommended exercises may be illustrated by graphics printed on the ball as indicated in FIGs. 1 and 2. An instruction booklet describing these exercises in detail may be provided in a marketing package with io the exercise ball. Each exercise is directed to different areas of the body and utilizes the ball in an appropriate mode.

Generally in each exercise, a steadily increasing muscular force is applied to the ball over a given time period, typically five seconds, then the force is released steadily over a similar time period.

When provided, the pressure readout, can be utilized in connection with tabulated data providing recommended muscular force in the various exercises according to individual characteristics such as age, weight, etc.

The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. An exercise ball comprising: a hollow inflatable main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated, said ball portion being partially inflated to within a range from about two thirds to three quarters of the volume capacity; a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, the handles being dimensioned to allow a human foot to pass through each looped handle; an inflatable bladder portion; first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions constructed i and arranged to each have a corresponding one of said looped handles attached integrally thereto at a peripheral region thereof by an attachment strap, said first and second fabric covers being mutually attached around the peripheral region, fully enclosing said bladder portion, each of said cover portions each being constructed and arranged to have pass- through slot means defined in a peripheral region opposite the location of the attachment strap, for utilizing an attachment strap passing through the slot means in order to assist in holding said cover portions together; and said first and second fabric cover portions being constructed and arranged to surround said bladder portion and to be mutually attached around peripheral regions thereof so as to form a spherical entity, such that the looped handles are caused to become effectively attached via the respective straps to diametrically opposed regions of the main .*ball portion, disposed at substantially equal distances outwardly from the main ball portion.

2. The exercise ball as defmned in claim 1 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on said handles by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise.

3. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to enable each of said handles to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each handle; and whereby said exercise ball is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on said handles by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise. [R:\LIBLL] 13863.doc:kch 9

4. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between a predetermined user body region and an immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise.

6. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of handles comprises: a hand grip made from a length of flexible tubular material having a central passageway: a pair of tabs, constituting the two opposite ends affixed to said main ball portion, each tab having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet; and a handle cord forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of said hand grip and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip, said handle cord being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets. S 20 7. The exercise ball as defined in claim 6 further comprising a fabric cover enclosing said main ball portion.

8. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on said main ball portion each depicting said exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.

9. The exercise ball as defined in claim 1 further comprising: pressure sensing means constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within said exercise ball; and pressure indicating means, in operational connection with said pressure sensing means, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within said exercise ball as sensed by said pressure sensing means. The exercise ball as defined in claim 9 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of the main ball portion of said exercise ball.

11. The exercise ball as defined in claim 9 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the straps. [R\LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh

12. The exercise ball as defined in claim 9 further comprising user- adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.

13. A method of providing isometric exercise directed to various body regions comprising the steps of: providing a partially-inflated elastic ball of flexible material fitted with a pair of diametrically-opposed handles forming arched loops each large enough to insert a human foot therethrough; l0 applying muscular force from a user's body to the ball in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction in a manner to cause the ball to exert a force i that counterbalances the applied muscular force. S14. The method of providing isometric exercise defined in claim 13 wherein step comprises the sub-steps of: engaging each of the handles with a corresponding body extremity selected from a group including the user's arms and legs; and applying muscular forces from the selected body extremities to the handles in opposing outwardly directions according to a recommended exercise .i instruction, thus causing the ball to act as a tension device that counterbalances the applied muscular forces as an essential part of an isometric exercise. The method of providing isometric exercise defined in claim 13 wherein step comprises the sub-steps of: placing a first region of the ball in contact with a first region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction; placing a second region of the ball, generally diametrically opposite the first region thereof, in contact with a second region of the body selected in accordance with the instruction; and applying muscular forces from the first and second regions of the user's body in opposing inward directions onto the first and second regions of the ball respectively, so as to cause the ball to act as a compression device exerting counter-active forces, the muscular force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise.

16. The method of providing isometric exercise defined in claim 13 wherein step comprises the sub-steps of: [R:\LIBLL]13863.doc:kch 11 placing a first region of the ball in contact with a region of the user's body selected in accordance with a recommended exercise instruction; placing a second region of the ball, generally diametrically opposite the first region, in contact with an immovable object selected from a group including a floor, bed or wall in accordance with the instruction; and applying muscular force urging the selected body regions of the body toward the immovable object and thus cause the ball to exert a counter-active compressive force, the force being applied to a degree and for a time period recommended by the instruction, so as to thus perform the recommended isometric exercise.

17. An exercise ball comprising: a hollow main ball portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; a pair of like flexible looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the main ball portion, each of the looped handles having ends separately attached to °different portions of the main ball portion; an inflatable bladder portion contained within the hollow main ball portion. S: 18. The exercise ball as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said pair of handles comprises: a strap-like length of material attached to the main ball portion by a sonic weld at i each end of each handle.

19. The exercise ball as defined in claim 17 wherein each of said pair of handles comprises: a hand grip made from a length of resilient tubular material having a central passageway; a pair of tabs affixed to the main ball portion, each tab having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet; a handle cord forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of the hand grip and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip, the handle cord being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, or 19 further comprising a fabric cover enclosing said main ball portion. [R:'LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh 12

21. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, or 20 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on the main ball portion, each illustration depicting the exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.

22. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 further comprising: pressure sensing means constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within the exercise ball; and pressure indicating means, in operational connection with the pressure sensing means, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within the exercise ball as sensed by the pressure sensing means.

23. The exercise ball as defined in claim 22 wherein the pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of the main ball portion of the exercise ball. 000*i

24. The exercise ball as defined in claim 22 wherein the pressure indicating S. means is located in an exposed region of one of the handles.

25. The exercise ball as defined in claims 22, 23, or 24 further comprising user-adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication "whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.

26. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or o• 25 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when 000• 0 020 the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on the handles by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise.

27. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to enable each of said handles to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each looped handle; whereby said exercise ball is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on said handles by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise.

28. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise.

29. The exercise ball as defined in claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between a predetermined user body region and an [R:\LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh 13 immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise. An exercise ball comprising: a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from a flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions, the first and second bladder portions constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion and to be mutually attracted so as to form a spherical entity; a first attachment strap attached at a first attachment point at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto; i a second attachment strap attached at a second attachment point at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover, the second attachment strap having a looped handle attached thereto; 15 a first strap holder located near the first attachment point on a peripheral region 0 °"of the first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap; a second strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap; and 9:06 a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third portion of the second attachment strap, wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap holder to assist in holding the cover portions together.

31. The exercise ball as defined in claim 30 wherein the first strap holder comprises a pass-through slot sized to receive the second attachment strap located within the first attachment strap, and the second strap holder and the third strap holder also comprise pass-through slots sized to receive the second attachment strap.

32. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30 or 31 wherein said attachment straps are sized so that the looped handles are disposed at substantially equal distances outwardly from the bladder portion after the second attachment strap is received and held by the strap holders. [R:\LIBLL] 13863.do:kch 14

33. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, or 32 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a tension device when the user manually exerts opposing outwardly-directed forces on the handles by applying opposing muscular forces thereupon in performance of an isometric exercise.

34. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, or 32 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to enable each of said handles to engage a corresponding one of the user's legs, the user having inserted a corresponding foot through each looped handle; whereby said exercise ball is caused to act as a tension device by the user exerting opposing outwardly-directed muscular forces on said handles by urging the legs apart in performance of an isometric exercise. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, or 32 wherein said exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between two predetermined user body regions in performance of an isometric exercise.

36. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, or 32 wherein said S" exercise ball is constructed and arranged to act as a compression device when a user squeezes said ball between a predetermined user body region and an immovable surface selected from a group including a floor surface, a bed surface and a wall surface, in performance of an isometric exercise. 20 37. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 *oooo wherein each of said handles comprises: a hand grip made from a length of flexible tubular material having a central passageway: a pair of tabs, constituting the two opposite ends affixed to said attachment straps, each tab having an extending tab portion fitted with a grommet; and a handle cord forming a flattened loop with a double central region traversing the central passageway of said hand grip and forming a protruding eye portion at each end of the hand grip, said handle cord being threaded at each eye portion through a corresponding one of the grommets.

38. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 37 further comprising a plurality of graphic illustrations printed on said fabric cover portions each depicting said exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise. [R\LLL] 13863.doc:kch

39. The exercise ball as defined in claims 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, or 38 further comprising: pressure sensing means constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within said exercise ball; and pressure indicating means, in operational connection with said pressure sensing means, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within said exercise ball as sensed by said pressure sensing means. The exercise ball as defined in claim 39 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of the inflatable bladder portion of said lo exercise ball.

41. The exercise ball as defined in claim 39 wherein said pressure 0 •0 indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the straps. 4-00 0

42. The exercise ball as defined in claims 39, 40, or 41 further comprising user-adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication i15 whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable i by a user.

43. An exercise ball comprising: a hollow inflatable bladder portion made from flexible material shaped to form a sphere of predetermined volume capacity when fully inflated; a fabric cover constructed and arranged to surround the bladder portion so as to form a spherical entity; at least two attachment straps, each attachment strap having a first end attached at a region of the fabric cover; one or more strap holders, each strap holder configured to receive and hold a portion of an attachment strap; and a pair of looped handles disposed at diametrically opposed regions of the bladder portion, each looped handle of said pair of looped handles being attached to an attachment strap.

44. The exercise ball of claim 43, wherein said fabric cover comprises first and second complementary hemispheric fabric cover portions having peripheral regions, said hemispheric fabric cover portions being mutually attached around said peripheral regions. The exercise ball of claim 44, wherein said at least two attachment straps comprise: [R:\LIBLL] 13863.doc:keh 16 a first attachment strap, the first end of said first attachment strap being attached at a first attachment point at the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion; and a second attachment strap, the first end of said second attachment strap being attached at a second attachment point at the peripheral region of the second fabric cover.

46. The exercise ball of claim 45, wherein said one or more strap holders comprise: a first strap holder located near the first attachment point on the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion, the first strap holder configured to receive and hold a first portion of the second attachment strap; a second strap holder attached at the peripheral region of the first fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the first attachment point, the second strap holder configured to receive and hold a second portion of the second attachment strap; and oego, a third strap holder attached at a peripheral region of the second fabric cover portion diametrically opposite the second attachment point, the third strap holder configured to receive and hold a third portion of the second attachment strap, o•••o S"wherein the second attachment strap is held by the first strap holder, the second strap holder, and the third strap holder to assist in holding the fabric cover portions together.

47. The exercise ball of claim 46, wherein said strap holders comprise pass- through slot means.

48. The exercise ball as defined in claim 43 further comprising a plurality of Sgraphic illustrations printed on said fabric cover, each graphic illustration depicting said exercise ball being utilized in a different recommended isometric exercise.

49. The exercise ball as defined in claim 43 further comprising: :pressure sensing means constructed and arranged to sense air pressure within said exercise ball; and pressure indicating means, in operational connection with said pressure sensing means, constructed and arranged to visibly display an indication of air pressure within said exercise ball as sensed by said pressure sensing means. The exercise ball as defined in claim 49 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in a surface region of said bladder portion.

51. The exercise ball as defined in claim 49 wherein said pressure indicating means is located in an exposed region of one of the attachment straps.

52. The exercise ball as defined in claim 49, further comprising user- adjustable pressure-indicating means for providing a distinctive warning indication [R:\LIBLL]13863.doc:keh 17 whenever air pressure in the ball rises to a predetermined pressure level that is selectable by a user.

53. An exercise ball substantially as shown and described in the attached specification and drawings.

54. A method of providing isometric exercise substantially as shown and described in the attached specification and drawings. Dated 21 November, 2002 Robert L. Swezey Richard Swezey 1o Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBLL]13863.doc:keh