Wobble plate exercise device and toy

• US 4,290,601 A
• Filed: 04/02/1979
• Issued: 09/22/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Mittelstadt
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Mittelstadt
• Inventors: Mittelstadt, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US06/025,890
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 272/1 R, 272/30, 272/33 R, 272/35, 272/50, 272/51, 272/96, 272/97, 272/111, 272/114, 272/120, 272/146, 272/43-46, 273/86 C, 128/24 R, 128/25 R, 128/25 B, 280/205, 280/217, 74/572
• US Class Current: 472/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• 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

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed having a circular wobble plate centrally mounted to a base plate via a spherical bearing. A roller assembly is attached about the center mounting point and radially projects intermediate the wobble plate and base plate to create a raised position of one portion of the wobble plate so that weight displacement atop the wobble plate will cause the wobble plate raised position to angularly rotate relative to the base plate.

Claims

1. An apparatus for imparting rotating and wobble motion to an operator, comprising:

a base member,

a board member disposed above said base member and adapted to support an operator standing thereon,

shaft means interconnecting said members for rotation and wobble motion of said board member relative to said base member about a predetermined axis of rotation,

roller means disposed between and engaging both of said members at a radial position relative to said axis and angularly separating said members,

and supporting means for said roller means,

said supporting means being mounted for rotation about said axis whereby the impartation of downward force on said board member by the foot of an operator standing thereon causes said board member to rotate and wobble relative to said base member about said axis,

further comprising flywheel means attached to said supporting means and rotatable therewith about said axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flywheel means comprises an annular member attached to said supporting means and rotatable therewith about said axis,

said annular member being radially disposed entirely outside the outermost preipheries of said base member and board member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, including means for selectively varying the weight of said annular member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said annular member has hollow portions adapted to receive ballast for increasing the weight of said annular member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said roller means includes a pair of rotatable hemispherical balls,

said balls being freely rotatable relative to each other and to said supporting means,

one of said balls engaging said base member and not engaging said board member,

the other of said balls engaging said board member and not engaging said base member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, including a supporting disc interposed between said board member and said base member,

said supporting disc engaging and supporting said board member in point contact as said board member rotates and wobbles about said axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a first pair of rollers attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member:

a second pair of rollers pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member,

and bushing means connected between said first pair of rollers and said second pair of rollers for dampening the pivotal action therebetween.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, including a supporting disc interposed between said board member and said base member,

said supporting disc engaging and supporting said board member in point contact as said board member rotates and wobbles about said axis.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a first pair of rollers attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member:

a second pair of rollers pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member,

and bushing means connected between said first pair of rollers and said second pair of rollers for dampening the pivotal action therebetween,

including a supporting disc interposed between said board member and said base member,

said supporting disc engaging and supporting said board member in point contact as said board member rotates and wobbles about said axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, including means for selectively varying the weight of said flywheel means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a first roller attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member, and a second roller pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member,

and bushing means connected between said first and second rollers for dampening the pivotal action therebetween.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a first roller attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member, and a second roller pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said roller means includes a first roller attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member, and a second roller attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flywheel means comprises a circular member attached to said supporting means and rotatable therewith about said axis,

said circular member being concentrically mounted about said shaft.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said circular member is radially disposed entirely outside the outermost peripheries of said base member and board member.

16. An apparatus for imparting rotating and wobble motion to an operator, comprising:

a base member,

a board member disposed above said base member and adapted to support an operator standing thereon,

shaft means interconnecting said members for rotation and wobble motion of said board member relative to said base member about a predetermined axis of rotation,

roller means disposed between and engaging both of said members at a radial position relative to said axis and angularly separating said members,

and supporting means for said roller means,

said supporting means being mounted for rotation about said axis whereby the impartation of downward force on said board member by the foot of an operator standing thereon causes said board member to rotate and wobble relative to said base member about said axis,

wherein said roller means includes a first pair of rollers attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member,

a second pair of rollers pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member,

and bushing means connected between said first pair of rollers and said second pair of rollers for dampening the pivotal action therebetween.

17. An apparatus for imparting rotating and wobble motion to an operator, comprising:

a base member,

a board member disposed above said base member and adapted to support an operator standing thereon,

shaft means interconnecting said members for rotation and wobble motion of said board member relative to said base member about a predetermined axis of rotation,

roller means disposed between and engaging both of said members at a radial position relative to said axis and angularly separating said members,

and supporting means for said roller means,

said supporting means being mounted for rotation about said axis whereby the impartation of downward force on said board member by the foot of an operator standing thereon causes said board member to rotate and wobble relative to said base member about said axis, and

including a supporting disc interposed between said board member and said base member,

said supporting disc engaging and supporting said board member in point contact as said board member rotates and wobbles about said axis.

18. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said roller means includes a first pair of rollers attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said base member:

a second pair of rollers pivotally attached to said supporting means and in rotatable contact with said board member,

and bushing means connected between said first pair of rollers and said second pair of rollers for dampening the pivotal action therebetween.