Inflatable device and method for using the device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
- a support platform;
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;
wherein said platform has a substantially circular border; and
wherein said border of said platform is rolled in a direction away from the flexible member.
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Accused Products
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 attached or 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 in order to support at least some of the weight of a person by compressing the inflatable device at or adjacent to its center. 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.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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;
wherein said platform has a substantially circular border; and
wherein said border of said platform is rolled in a direction away from the flexible member.
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2. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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;
an element secured to said platform, said flexible member being sandwiched between said element and said platform; and
wherein said element has an annular groove, the device comprising a cord positioned between said platform and said flexible member in alignment with said annular groove, so that said cord tends to press said flexible member into said annular groove. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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
wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of domes attached to one side of said platform.
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19. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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;
wherein said platform has a peripheral curled wall arranged to peripherally engage said flexible member;
wherein said flexible member comprises a domed portion and a substantially flat portion encompassing a closed volume; and
wherein said curled wall has a plurality of concave handholds.
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20. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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a support platform;
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;
wherein said platform has a peripheral curled wall arranged to peripherally engage said flexible member;
wherein said flexible member comprises a domed portion and a substantially flat portion encompassing a closed volume; and
wherein said platform tends to bow inwardly but deform into a flat configuration when said flexible member is inflated.
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21. 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;
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; and
wherein said platform has at least one cavity sized to provide a handhold.
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22. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising a support platform having two sides, one side of the platform structured and arranged for stable resting on the ground;
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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;
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform; and
wherein said platform has at least one cavity sized to provide a handhold.
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23. 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;
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; and
wherein said flexible member comprises a substantially hemispherical portion and a substantially flat portion encompassing a closed volume. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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24. 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;
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform; and
wherein said flexible member comprises a substantially hemispherical portion and a substantially flat portion encompassing a closed volume. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training, comprising:
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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; and
wherein said flexible member comprises a bowl-shaped portion and a substantially flat portion encompassing a closed volume. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
wherein said foot has a toe directed radially outward, said annular bead being adapted to engage and hold said toe; and
wherein said annular bead has a C-shaped cross-section with a pair of branches adapted to straddle said platform.
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29. A device for physical therapy, conditioning or training as claimed in claim 27 wherein said flexible member comprises an annular foot peripherally connected to said bowl-shaped portion and said substantially flat portion, said annular bead being attached to said platform to engage and hold said foot;
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wherein said foot has a toe directed radially outward, said annular bead being adapted to engage and hold said toe; and
wherein said annular bead has a J-shaped cross-section attached to said platform and shaped to hook onto said toe of said foot.
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30. 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;
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; and
wherein said platform tends to bow inwardly but deform into a flat configuration when said flexible member is inflated.
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31. 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;
an annular bead peripherally secured to said platform; and
wherein said platform tends to bow inwardly but deform into a flat configuration when said flexible member is inflated.
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Specification