(19)

(11)

EP 1 229 971 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/33 (21) Application number: 00955656.4 (22) Date of filing: 18.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A63B 69/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0022/614 (87) International publication number: WO 0114/022 (01.03.2001 Gazette 2001/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 20.08.1999 US 150059 P (71) Applicant: VI-Able, LLC South Meriden, CT 06451 (US)	(72) Inventors: VITELLO, John, J. Cheschire, CT 06410 (US) VITELLO, Paul, J. Wallingford, CT 06492 (US) (74) Representative: Klunker . Schmitt-Nilson . Hirsch  Winzererstrasse 106 80797 München 80797 München (DE)