Inflatable device and method for using the device
DCFirst Claim
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1. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
- a support platform having a first side and a second side, the second side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
an inflatable, flexible member affixed to and extending upwards over the first side of the platform, said flexible member being substantially hemispherical when affixed to the platform and inflated; and
a clamp clamping the flexible member in between the clamp and support platform to affix the flexible member to the platform such that the flexible member extends upwards over the first side.
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Abstract
An inflatable device can be used for physical therapy, conditioning or training. The device has a support platform and a flexible member. The flexible member is affixed to, and has a bowl-shaped distention projecting from, one side of the platform. This flexible member is inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person. The device is inflated before placing at least some of the weight of a person on the device. When the person wishes to later change the characteristics of the device, the pressure in the inflatable device can be changed to change its stability.
144 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having a first side and a second side, the second side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
an inflatable, flexible member affixed to and extending upwards over the first side of the platform, said flexible member being substantially hemispherical when affixed to the platform and inflated; and
a clamp clamping the flexible member in between the clamp and support platform to affix the flexible member to the platform such that the flexible member extends upwards over the first side. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 16)
valve means adapted to communicate a source of pressure for changing pressure within said flexible member, in order to adjust said device and change its support stability.
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7. A device according to claim 5 wherein said valve means is located on said platform.
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8. A device according to claim 5 wherein said valve means is centrally located on said platforms.
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11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a sheet-like member.
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16. A device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises:
a plurality of domes attached to one side of said platform.
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4. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having a border; and
a flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from one side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and the border of said platform being rolled in a direction away from the flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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6. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having two sides, one side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
a flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from the other side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and being substantially hemispherical before bearing a load; and
valve means adapted to communicate a source of pressure for changing pressure within said flexible member, in order to adjust said device and change its support stability and wherein said valve means is located on said flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having two sides, one side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
a flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from the other side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and being substantially hemispherical before bearing a load; and
valve means adapted to communicate a source of pressure for changing pressure within said flexible member, in order to adjust said device and change its support stability;
wherein said platform has an outer support surface adapted for standing upon and said flexible member has an outside surface adapted for standing upon.
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12. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having two sides, one side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
a flexible member comprising a sheet-like member being affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from the other side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and being substantially hemispherical before bearing a load; and
affixing means for affixing said sheet-like member to said platform.
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13. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform having two sides, one side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
a flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from the other side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and being substantially hemispherical before bearing a load; and
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform.
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14. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising.
a support platform; -
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform;
a flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from one side of, said platform, said flexible member being sandwiched between said bead and said platform and being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person. - View Dependent Claims (15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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17. A method for physical therapy, conditioning or training, employing an inflatable device having a flexible member distending from a platform, the method comprising the steps of:
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inflating said inflatable device to form a domed surface adjacent a relatively flat surface;
supporting at least some of the weight of a person by compressing said inflatable device at or adjacent to the center of [on] said inflatable device;
removing the weight of the person;
changing the pressure in said inflatable device to change its stability; and
replacing at least some of the weight of a person on said inflatable device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 25)
laying said inflatable device down with the flexible member up before placing at least some of the weight of a person on said inflatable device.
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19. A method according to claim 17 comprising the step of:
laying said inflatable device down with the platform up before placing at least some of the weight of a person on said inflatable device.
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20. A method according to claim 17 wherein the step of changing the pressure is performed in a manner to change stability of said inflatable device.
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25. The device of claim 17 wherein the border of said platform is rolled away from the flexible member.
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39. A method of using a device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, the device comprising:
- a support platform having a first side and a second side, the second side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
an inflatable, flexible member affixed to and extending upwards over the first side of the platform, said flexible member being substantially hemispherical when affixed to the platform and inflated; and
a clamp clamping the flexible member in between the clamp and support platform to affix the flexible member to the platform such that the flexible member extends upwards over the first side;
said method comprising;inflating the flexible member, placing the support platform on the ground such that the platform is at rest and the flexible member projects away from the support platform and the ground, and placing at least some of the weight of a person on the flexible member. - View Dependent Claims (40, 42)
- a support platform having a first side and a second side, the second side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
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41. A method of using a device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising a support platform and flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from one side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and substantially hemispherical before bearing a load, said method comprising:
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inflating the flexible member, placing the support platform on the ground such that the platform is at rest and the flexible member projects away from the support platform and the ground, and placing at least some of the weight of a person on the flexible member, wherein the border of the platform is rolled in a direction away from the flexible member.
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43. A method of using a device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising a support platform and flexible member affixed to, and having a bowl-shaped distention projecting from one side of, said platform, said flexible member being inflatable to a pressure for supporting a person and substantially hemispherical before bearing a load, said method comprising:
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inflating the flexible member, placing the support platform on the ground such that the platform is at rest and the flexible member projects away from the support platform and the ground, and placing at least some of the weight of a person on the flexible member, wherein the device further includes an annular bead peripherally secured to the platform such that the flexible member is sandwiched between said bead and said platform.
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Specification