PROPRIOCEPTION TRAINING AND EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20110111935A1
• Filed: 11/09/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iStep Global, LLC
• Original Assignee: iStep Global, LLC
• Inventors: Le, Tien, Pratson, David C., Mnich, Axel, Mnich, Irene Elisa, Harlan, Jeff, Cole, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,161 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a substantially flat, rigid platform for supporting a user during exercise. An inflatable tubular support having an upper portion with a first radial outside diameter, and a lower portion with a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter, is coupled to the platform by a fastener. The tubular support defines a central opening that communicates between the platform and a support surface. The platform includes a venting structure for releasing air from the central opening during use. The inflatable support includes an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the tubular support, the intermediate portion including a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for use on a support surface comprising:

a rigid platform configured to support a user during physical exercise; and

an inflatable support defining a central opening that communicates between the platform and the support surface, the inflatable support including;

an upper portion engaging the platform;

a lower portion for engaging the support surface; and

an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion includes a support feature to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal to the integral inflatable support.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable support is integrally formed from one continuous elastomeric polymer structure.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper portion has a first radial outside diameter, the lower portion has a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion is a narrowed intermediate portion having a radial outside diameter that is less than a radial outside diameter of the upper portion or a radial outside diameter of the lower portion.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper portion has a first radial outside diameter, the lower portion has a second radial outside diameter that is less than or equal to the first radial outside diameter.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable support includes a wall that encloses an internal air chamber, the wall having an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner wall portion, the inner wall portion separates the central opening from the internal air chamber.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the inflatable support includes an affixing member that extends radially inwardly from the inner wall and into the central opening and further comprising a fastener that couples the affixing member to the platform.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable support includes an integral affixing member extending therefrom and further comprising a fastener that couples the affixing member to the platform.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a vent configured to release air from the central opening.

10. An exercise apparatus for use on a support surface comprising:

a platform configured to support a user during physical exercise, the platform including a venting structure; and

an inflatable support defining a central opening that communicates between the platform and the support surface, the inflatable support including;

an upper portion engaging the platform;

a lower portion for engaging a support surface; and

an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion;

the venting structure configured to release air from the central opening.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the inflatable support is integrally formed from one continuous elastomeric polymer structure.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the upper portion has a first radial outside diameter, the lower portion has a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the inflatable support includes a wall that encloses an internal air chamber, the wall includes an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner wall portion, the inner wall portion separates the central opening from the internal air chamber.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the platform is an assembly of an upper platform portion and a lower platform portion that cooperate to define the venting structure therebetween.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein the venting structure is configured to allow air to pass vertically upwardly through the lower platform portion, then laterally across the lower platform portion, and then out through a vent formed in an outer peripheral edge of the platform.

16. An exercise apparatus for use on a support surface comprising:

a platform configured to support a user during physical exercise; and

an inflatable support having a wall surrounding an internal air chamber, the wall including an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner wall portion, the inner wall portion dividing the internal air chamber from a central opening that communicates between the platform and the support surface, the inflatable support including;

an upper portion engaging the platform;

a lower portion for engaging a support surface; and

an intermediate portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion including connecting wall portions connecting the outer peripheral wall portion with the inner wall portion to restrain the intermediate portion from radial expansion induced by an air pressure internal within the internal air chamber.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the inflatable support is integrally formed from one continuous elastomeric polymer structure.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the upper portion has a first radial outside diameter, the lower portion has a second radial outside diameter that is greater than the first radial outside diameter.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the intermediate portion is a narrowed intermediate portion having a radial outside diameter that is less than a radial outside diameter of the upper portion or a radial outside diameter of the lower portion.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein each connecting wall portion defines a cavity formed in the outer peripheral wall portion of the wall.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 20 wherein the intermediate portion includes an alternating arrangement of cavities and portions of the internal chamber.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein each connecting wall portion extends substantially in a radial direction from the outer peripheral wall portion to the inner wall portion.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the inflatable support includes a affixing member extending into the opening from the inner wall portion and further comprising a fastener coupling the affixing member to the platform.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the platform includes a vent to release air from the opening.