Balance trainer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for balance training of a user, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a smoothly curved, convex lower surface and a substantially flat upper housing surface, said upper housing surface having a first sidewardly disposed support surface and a second sidewardly disposed support surface, said second support surface opposite said first support surface, said first and said second support surfaces radially displaced outward from said curved lower surface, said upper housing surface defining a central recess disposed between said first and said second support surface and directly above said curved lower surface;
an insert, said insert seating for exchange, without the use of tools, in said central recess, said insert comprising raised and lowered structures defining obstructions and paths;
a moving member seating within said insert, said moving member disposed for travel through said insert;
a flat window of constant, uniform thickness, said window disposed within said central recess to seat and rest on said raised structures for capturing said moving member within said insert, said window and said raised structures being disposed and structured to accept a full weight of the user acting on said window during use of the apparatus, said central recess shaped to capture said window against slippage thereof in a horizontal direction and to cause said window to seat coplanar with said upper housing surface to define a smooth, stepless user support surface; and
latching means cooperating with said window and said housing to permit removal, without the use of tools, of said window for access to and exchange of said insert.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A balance training apparatus has replaceable and exchangeable inserts tailored to accommodate various uses and to demand balancing skills of the user in dependence on personal attributes of the user. A moving object is disposed within each of the inserts for directed motion by the balancing user. A window, preferentially made from a clear plastic material, provides for visual observation by the user of the moving object traveling through a respective insert path, such that the user can direct the moving object, preferentially a ball, towards a target or along a path. The window is attached to the house in a manner not requiring the use of tools, such that the user can easily remove the window for direct access to and exchange of the insert. Balancing training can be exercised over a plurality of azimuthal and radial balancing orientation directions in a manner appropriate for use by a wide variety of users including children, elderly people, and athletic individuals through simple exchange of appropriately tailored and structured inserts.
82 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for balance training of a user, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing having a smoothly curved, convex lower surface and a substantially flat upper housing surface, said upper housing surface having a first sidewardly disposed support surface and a second sidewardly disposed support surface, said second support surface opposite said first support surface, said first and said second support surfaces radially displaced outward from said curved lower surface, said upper housing surface defining a central recess disposed between said first and said second support surface and directly above said curved lower surface;
an insert, said insert seating for exchange, without the use of tools, in said central recess, said insert comprising raised and lowered structures defining obstructions and paths;
a moving member seating within said insert, said moving member disposed for travel through said insert;
a flat window of constant, uniform thickness, said window disposed within said central recess to seat and rest on said raised structures for capturing said moving member within said insert, said window and said raised structures being disposed and structured to accept a full weight of the user acting on said window during use of the apparatus, said central recess shaped to capture said window against slippage thereof in a horizontal direction and to cause said window to seat coplanar with said upper housing surface to define a smooth, stepless user support surface; and
latching means cooperating with said window and said housing to permit removal, without the use of tools, of said window for access to and exchange of said insert. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification