Balancing and exercising device

• US 5,897,474 A
• Filed: 02/05/1998
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ron Richard Romero
• Original Assignee: Ron Richard Romero
• Inventors: Romero, Ron Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAMARCA, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/019,276
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 482/146, 482/79, 446/396, 446/325
• US Class Current: 482/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0014 cylinder-like, i.e. rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/04 neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/14 Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003

Abstract

A unique biomechanical balancing and exercising device for rehabilitating body muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints in the ankles, legs, knees, and back in order to strengthen these areas to prevent injury. The balancing and exercising device comprises a rectangular shaped platform with a central opening therethrough to accommodate a semi flexible ball member. The platform utilizes a semi flexible ball member so that the individual has the ability to balance in numerous directions and have the angle of drop much steeper. A pair of ball-shaped rigid members are mounted on the platform and located adjacent to and on opposite sides of the central opening for balancing on and securing the semi flexible ball member therebetween. The platform is placed on top of the semi flexible ball member such that the central opening accommodates a top portion of the semi flexible ball member, and thereby allows the platform to be independently tilted or pivoted front-to-back up to a 25° angle and vice versa and side-to-side approximately up to a 50° angle.

Claims

1. A balancing and exercising device for an individual, comprising:

a. a large semi flexible ball being slightly compressible when under pressure and with a bottom portion which is pivotable in any direction;

b. a generally elongated rectangular shaped rigid platform having a top side, a bottom side, and a central opening therethrough; and

c. a pair of small ball-shaped rigid members mounted on said bottom side of said platform and located adjacent to and on opposite sides of said central opening for securing said semi flexible ball between them, said platform placed on top of said semi flexible ball such that said central opening accommodates a top portion of said semi flexible ball, where said semi flexible ball is below said top side of said platform, and thereby allows the platform to be independently pivoted front-to-back up to a 25°

angle and vice versa and side-to-side up to a 50°

angle, where the diameter of said central opening is smaller than the diameter of said semi flexible ball;

d. whereby when the individual stands on said platform, the individual has the ability to balance in numerous directions, which thereby provides muscle, tendon, and joint stretching movements.

2. The balancing and exercising device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least two opposite hand pads attached to said top side of said platform for accommodating the individual'"'"'s hands or fists or knuckles.

3. The balancing and exercising device in accordance with claim 2 further comprising at least two opposite hand grooves located on said bottom side of said platform for accommodating the individual'"'"'s fingers.

4. The balancing and exercising device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said platform can be balanced on said pair of small ball-shaped rigid members when the large semi flexible ball is removed.

5. The balancing and exercising device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid platform further has rounded corners.

6. A balancing device for an individual, comprising:

a. a balancing means being slightly compressible when under pressure and pivotable in any direction;

b. a rectangular shaped rigid board having a central opening therethrough; and

c. two retaining and rocking members mounted on said board and located adjacent to and on opposite sides of said central opening for securing said balancing means between them, said rigid board placed on top of said balancing means such that said central opening accommodates a portion of said balancing means, where the portion of said balancing means is below a top surface of said rigid board, where said rigid board is pivotable from side-to-side at approximately up to a 50°

angle;

d. whereby when the individual stands on said rigid board, the individual has the ability to balance in numerous directions, which thereby provides muscle, tendon, and joint stretching movements.

7. The balancing device in accordance with claim 6 further comprising at least two opposite hand pads attached to said rigid board for accommodating the individual'"'"'s hands or fists or knuckles.

8. The balancing device in accordance with claim 7 further comprising at least two hand grooves located on opposite side of said at least two opposite hand pads for further accommodating the individual'"'"'s fingers.

9. The balancing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rigid board can be balanced on said two retaining and rocking members when the balancing means is removed.

10. The balancing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rigid board further comprises rounded corners.

11. The balancing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said balancing means includes a large semi flexible ball member.

12. The balancing device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said two retaining and rocking members are two small ball-shaped rigid members.