Balance therapy platform

• US 6,652,432 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Smith
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amerson, L.
• Application Number:
  US10/021,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 482/146-147, 482/77, 482/148, 482/34, 280/61, 472/106, 472/103, 472/95
• US Class Current: 482/146
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body A63B22/00 takes precedence; force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00; devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers, or arms in teaching operation of keyboards G09B15/06
• 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

An apparatus for performing exercises to improve balance including an exercise platform on one end of a helical spring supported on a base platform. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of legs extend perpendicularly from the base platform which function as stops to preventing tilt of the exercise platform from exceeding a maximum tilt. The bottom end of each leg is mounted on a plate lying flush on the base platform that can be oriented so that the leg is positioned at a location corresponding to the required maximum tilt. A vertical rod is supported at a location spaced from the exercise plaform selected by the user depending on his exercise. Various devices such as a punching bag of tethered ball is attached to the vertical rod for incorporation into the users exercise regimen.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing any one of a group of exercises to improve balance of a user, said apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

an exercise platform;

a spring having one end mounted in about a center location of said base platform and extending perpendicularly away from said base platform;

said spring having another end opposite said one end and said exercise platform supported on said opposite end in about a cednter location of said exercise platform operably arranged to provide that said exercise platform is parallel to said base platform whereby a user is enabled to place said base platform on a ground surface, mount onto a top surface of said exercise board and perfom any one of said group of exercises a stop means for limiting tilt of said exercise platform to a maximum tilt of said exercise platform relative to said base platform wherein said maximum tilt is continuously selectable and has a value depending on the direction of tilt;

said stop means including a plurality of legs, each said leg being shorter than a distance between said exercise platform and said base platform;

means for securing an end of each said leg to one of;

(i) a surface of said exercise platform facing said base platform and arranged to enable said user to position said leg at any distance between said spring and an edge of said exercise platform;

(ii) a surface of said base platform facing said exercise platform and arranged to enable said user to position said leg at any distance between said spring and an edge of said exercise platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising timing means for timing a repetition period between successive contacts of said exercise platform with said stop means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said timing means comprises:

a clock coupled to a switch;

said switch arranged to close when said exercise board contacts said switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said switch is located on said stop means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises:

means for, mounting at least one leg on an edge of and perpendicular to a surface of said exercise platform facing said base platform and arranged to provide that when said exercise platform is tilted sufficiently toward any one of said at least one leg, said end of said any one leg contacts said base platform thereby restraining said platform from further tilt.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for mounting arranged for engaging said at least one leg at a selectable location on said at least one leg comprises:

said leg having a linear array of apertures along said leg;

a tube selected to telescope onto said leg;

a spring loaded popit arranged to engage any selected aperture of said linear array of apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises said at least one leg mounted on one end perpendicularly on a surface of said exercise platform facing said base platform and arranged to provide that when said exercise platform is tilted sufficiently toward said any one of said at least one leg, another end of said leg contacts said base platform at a location thereby restraining said platform from further tilt.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said stop means is arranged to provide that said location where said leg contacts said base platform is selectable.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising:

at least one plate, one said plate for each one of said at least one leg;

each said at least one plate having a length between one end and another end of said plate;

means for mounting said one end of said any leg perpendicularly onto said one end of said plate respectively;

each one of said at least one plate having an aperture at said another end;

each one of said at least one plate rotatably mounted on a surface of said base platform facing said exercise platform;

said at least one plate rotatably mounted by a pin through said aperture and a pin location in said exercise platform whereby a location of contact of said another end of said any leg with said base platform is selectable by selecting orientation of said plate about said pin location;

said at least one pin location for each plate operably distributed on said base platform to limit maximal tilt of said exercise platform in any direction corresponding to pin location and orientation of each said at least one plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stop means comprises at least one leg mounted on one end perpendicularly at a selected location on said base platform and arranged to provide that said exercise platform tilted sufficiently toward another end of said leg contacts said any one leg at a location thereby restraining said platform from further tilt.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said adjustable stop means is arranged to provide that said location of said contact is selectable whereby a user is enabled to select said maximum tilt.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said adjustable stop means comprises:

at least one plate, one said plate for each one of said at least one leg;

each said at least one plate having a length between one end and another end of said plate;

means for mounting said one end of said any leg perpendicularly onto said one end of said plate respectively;

each one of said at least one plate having an aperture at said another end;

each one of said at least one plate rotatably mounted on a surface of said base platform facing said exercise platform by a pin through said aperture and a pin location in said base platform whereby a location of contact of said another end of said any leg with said exercise board is selectable by selecting orientation of said plate about said pin location providing that maximum tilt is selectable;

said at least one pin location for each plate operably distributed on said base platform to limit maximal tilt of said exercise platform in any direction corresponding to pin location and orientation of each said at least one plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 comprising indicia on said surface of said base platform representing selected maximum tilt in a direction of said respective leg.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for mounting said one end of said any leg perpendicularly onto said one end of said plate comprises:

a stub tube vertically mounted on said plate at said one end;

said stub tube having a size selected to telescope with said any leg providing that the leg can be separated from the apparatus when the user desires.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising:

at least one switch, one switch of said at least one switch positioned in said stub tube, one said switch for one said stub tube, each switch positioned to close when said exercise platform contacts said each switch;

an array of signal lights, one signal light for each switch, connected to light when said exercise board contacts said respective leg.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

a pole;

a pole means adapted for supporting any one device of a group of devices at a location on said pole;

means for mounting one end of said pole on said base platform with said pole extending perpendicularly away from a plane of said base platform providing that a user is enabled to be supported on said exercise platform and include use of said any one device in performing said exercises.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for mounting one end of said pole comprises:

a base mounting tube, having a square cross section, secured parallel to a surface of said base platform;

an elongated member having a cross section dimensioned to permit one end of said elongated member to telescope into said mounting tube;

a tee member comprising one stub tube joined perpendicularly to another stub tube;

said one stub tube telescoping onto said elongated member and said another stub tube telescoping onto said pole, oriented perpendicular to said base platform and said exercise platform, enables a user to position said pole at a selected distance from a center of said exercise platform, hang a selected exercise device on said pole, stand on said exercise platform and perform exercises involving said exercise device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said base platform is square and said mounting tube is secured to said base platform along an edge of said base platform.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one combination clamp and handle arranged to enable a user to detachably secure said clamp to an edge of said exercise platform and grasp said clamp while being supported on said exercise platform and perform exercises.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least two apertures through said exercise platform;

a board having padding on one side and at least two prongs extending from a side of said board opposite said padding and arranged to detachably engage said at least two apertures when said board is laid on a surface of said exercise platform and permit a user to lie on said padding and perform exercises.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one combination clamp and handle arranged to enable a user to detachably secure said at least one clamp to an edge of said exercise platform;

at least two apertures through said exercise platform;

a board having padding on one side and at least two prongs extending from a side of said board opposite said padding, one prong for each aperture, and arranged to detachably engage said at least two apertures when said board is laid on a surface of said exercise platform and permit a user to lie on said padding and perform exercises.

22. An apparatus for performing any one of a group of exercises to improve balance of a user, said apparatus comprising:

a square base platform;

an exercise platform;

a spring having one end mounted in about a center location of said base platform ad extending perpendicularly away from said base platform;

said spring having another end opposite said one end and said exercise platform supported on said opposite end in about a center location of said exercise platform operably arranged to provide that said exercise platform is parallel to said base platform whereby a user is enabled to place said base platform on a ground surface, mount onto a top surface of said exercise board and perform any one of said group of exercises;

at least one leg, each one of said each one leg having a length that is less than a distance between said exercise platform and said base platform;

at least one plate, one said plate for each one of said at least one leg;

each said at least one plate having a length between one end and another end of said plate;

each one of said at least one plate having an aperture at said another end;

each one of said at least one plate rotatably mounted on a surface of said base platform facing said exercise platform by a pin through said aperture and a pin location in said base platform

a stub tube vertically mounted on said plate at said one end;

said stub tube having a size selected to telescope with said any leg providing that the leg can be separated from the apparatus when the user desires whereby a location of contact of said another end of said any leg with said exercise board is selectable by selecting orientation of said plate about said pin location providing that maximum tilt is selectable;

said at least one pin location for each plate operably distributed on said base platform to limit maximal tilt of said exercise platform in any direction corresponding to pin location and orientation of each said at least one plate;

a pole adapted for supporting any one device of a group of devices at a location on said pole;

a base mounting tube, having a square cross section, secured parallel to and along an edge of said base platform;

an elongated member having a cross section dimensioned to permit one end of said elongated member to telescope into said mounting tube;

a tee member comprising one stub tube joined perpendicularly to another stub tube;

said one stub tube telescoping onto said elongated member and said another stub tube telescoping onto said pole, oriented perpendicular to said base platform and said exercise platform,

said pole having a row of apertures along said pole;

a device support slidably positionable along said pole and having a popit for detachably securing said support at a selected aperture on said pole whereby a user is enabled to position said pole at a selected distance from a center of said exercise platform, hang a selected exercise device on said pole, stand on said exercise platform and perform exercises involving said exercise device;

a pair of dumbbells having removable square plates whereby said pair of dumbbells placed on said exercise platform remain positioned on said exercise platform until removed by said user;

at least one combination clamp and handle arranged to enable a user to detachably secure said clamp to an edge of said exercise platform and grasp said clamp while being supported on said exercise platform and perform exercises;

at least two apertures through said exercise platform;

a board having padding on one side and at least two prongs extending from a side of said board opposite said padding and arranged to detachably engage said at least two apertures when said board is laid on a surface of said exercise platform and permit a user to lie on said padding and perform exercises.