Balancing and locomotion board

• US 5,730,690 A
• Filed: 09/25/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Don D. Guidry
• Original Assignee: Don D. Guidry
• Inventors: Guidry, Don D.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US08/718,767
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 482/34, 482/146, 482/147, 482/135, 482/79, 482/80, D21/191, D21/195, 280/87.042, 280/87.041
• US Class Current: 482/146
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• 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 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

Abstract

A balancing apparatus emulating the acrobatics associated with skate boards etc. having a elongated platform, one or more hemispherical, pivotal fulcrums, rotational with respect to a elongated platform, and a foot plate, attached to the fulcrum member. A single fulcrum may be used in conjunction with a truncated, conical, stationary member for encouraging parallel orientation of the platform. A detachable, restricting ring is also provided for reducing the angulation of the platform with the supporting surface during use. The user stands on one foot plate and attempts to maintain balance on the fulcrum member while manipulating the platform with the other foot, at the opposite end of the apparatus, which may also contain a fulcrum member or a stationary truncated, conical member.

Claims

1. A balancing apparatus comprising:

a) an, elongated rigid platform, having a first and second end, said platform further having diametrical openings at said first and second ends;

b) a pair of hemispherical pivoting means having cylindrical shank portions, extending through said diametrical openings said shank portion having a free end passing from a bottom side of said platform to a top side of said platform, said cylindrical shank being rotatable relative to said platform, for allowing said platform to pivot on a support surface; and

c) a disk, adapted to support at least one foot of a user thereon being perpendicularly attached to each of said cylinder shank portions of said hemispherical pivoting means at said free end.

2. A balancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hemispherical pivot means further comprises a bearing means, for holding said hemispherical pivoting means in a spaced apart, rotational relationship with said, elongated rigid platform.

3. A balancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical shank portions extend above said elongated, rigid platform in a manner whereby said disk is held spacedly apart from said elongated, rigid platform.

4. A balancing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said elongated, rigid platform has at least one elongated slot for use as a handle.

5. A balancing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said hemispherical pivoting means further comprises a demountable limiting means, attached thereto, for restricting pivotal orientation of said elongated rigid platform relative said supporting surface.

6. A method of acrobatic balancing comprising the steps of:

a) Providing a balancing apparatus comprising;

i) an, elongated rigid platform, having a first and second ends, said platform further having diametrical openings at said first and second ends;

ii) a pair of hemispherical pivoting means having cylindrical shank portions, extending through said diametrical openings said shank portion having a free end passing from a bottom side of said platform to a top side of said platform, said cylindrical shank being rotatable relative to said platform, for allowing said platform to pivot on a support surface; and

iii) a disk, adapted to support at least one foot of a user thereon being perpendicularly attached to each of said cylinder shank portions of said hemispherical pivoting means at said free end;

b) placing at least one foot on at least one of said disk; and

c) manipulating said elongated platform with one foot while maintaining balance on said hemispherical pivot means.

7. A method of acrobatic balancing according to claim 6 wherein a limiting means is provided for limiting pivotal orientation of said elongated rigid platform relative said supporting surface.