Safety balance device

• US 7,479,097 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pivit
• Original Assignee: Pivit
• Inventors: Perrier, Carolyn, Rosborough, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/462,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050101441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,048 Days
• Field of Search: 446/396, D21/688, D21/689, 482/68, 482/71, 482/66, 482/147, 482/34, 482/146, 482 79- 80, 280 87041- 2, 434/247, 434/253, 434/365
• US Class Current: 482/146
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/208 On a track which is itself moving during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/186 Roller skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0022 for skating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0066 for wind-surfing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0005 using fibre reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/08 of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/5281 Articles for amusement

Abstract

A balance device includes an elongated board of generally rectangular shape. The board is a molded construction of glass fibers and plastic. An elongated, longitudinally and downwardly extending track molded integrally with the central part of the bottom of the board fits in an annular groove around a roller on which the board is supported to pivot about a horizontal axis. A removable stop on the board permits the device to be adjusted to restrict the relative movement between the board and a roller to facilitate learning how to balance the board on the roller. In an alternate embodiment, the board includes a timing mechanism and display mounted on the board for tracking and displaying the elapsed time the user remains balanced on the board.

Claims

1. A balancing device comprising:

a) an elongated board, the board being made of a molded plastic, and having a top surface and a bottom surface;

b) an elongated, longitudinally and downwardly extending track molded integrally with a central part of the bottom surface of the board; and

c) a roller having an outwardly opening annular groove shaped to receive the track and support the board,

wherein the board, track and groove are molded in one piece.

2. A balancing device according to claim 1 wherein the:

elongated board is made of a molded composition of plastic and glass fibers.

3. A balancing device according to claim 1 which includes first and second permanent blocks molded integrally with the bottom surface of the board, each block being located at a respective end of the track.

4. A balancing device according to claim 3 in which the track includes a pair of laterally spaced rails.

5. A balancing device according to claim 3 in which each permanent block includes downwardly converging transverse surfaces.

6. A balancing device according to claim 3 which includes at least one removable block shaped to fit over a permanent block.

7. A balancing device according to claim 1 in which the board is wider in a central portion than at the ends of the board.

8. A balancing device according to claim 1 which includes longitudinally extending and laterally spaced guide ribs molded integrally with the bottom of the board.

9. A balancing device according to claim 1 in which the roller is a spool of a rigid material, and which is coated with an elastomeric material having a hardness less than that of the spool.

10. A balancing device according to claim 1 in which the track includes longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bores, and at least one stop pin shaped to make a snug fit within a bore to limit the longitudinal movement of the board relative to the roller.

11. A balancing device according to claim 10 which includes a first pin disposed through a first bore in the track, and a second pin disposed in a second bore longitudinally spaced from the first bore.

12. A balancing device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer and display for tracking and displaying elapsed time a user remains balanced on the board.

13. A balancing device comprising:

a) an elongated board, the board having a top and a bottom;

b) an elongated, longitudinally and downwardly extending track secured to a central part of the bottom of the board;

c) a roller, not secured to the track, having an outwardly opening annular groove shaped to receive the track and support the board when the roller is on a supporting surface so the board can pivot on the roller and move longitudinally relative to the roller; and

d) a removable stop secured to the device to limit the longitudinal movement of the board relative to the roller.

14. A balancing device according to claim 13 in which the removable stop is at least one transverse pin fitted in a transverse bore in the track.

15. A balancing device according to claim 13 in which the stop is a pair of pins mounted in longitudinally spaced transverse bores in the track.

16. A balancing device according to claim 13 which includes a pair of longitudinally spaced permanent blocks secured to the bottom of the board, and separate removable blocks each shaped to fit over a respective permanent block.

17. A balancing device according to claim 13, further comprising a timer and display for tracking elapsed time the user remains on the board and displaying the elapsed time.

18. A balancing device according to claim 17, wherein the timer and display are disposed within a recess proximate center of the top of the board.

19. A balancing device comprising:

an elongated board, the board having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a roller adapted to support the board so the board can pivot on the roller and move relative to the roller between a first position and a second position;

a timer and display disposed within a recess on the top surface of the board for measuring elapsed time a user balances on the board, and a display for displaying the elapsed time to the user.

20. A balancing device according to claim 19, wherein the timer includes a sensor for determining when the user is balancing on the board.

21. A balancing device according to claim 19, wherein the display includes illuminating lights.

22. A balancing device according to claim 19, wherein the display includes messages for motivating a user.

23. A balancing device according to claim 19, wherein the display further comprises sound or music.

24. A balancing device comprising:

a) an elongated board, the board being made of a molded plastic, and having a top surface and a bottom surface;

b) an elongated, longitudinally and downwardly extending track molded integrally with a central part of the bottom surface of the board;

c) a roller having an outwardly opening annular groove shaped to receive the track and support the board;

d) first and second permanent blocks molded integrally with the bottom surface of the board, each block being located at a respective end of the track; and

e) at least one removable block shaped to fit over a permanent block.

25. A balancing device according to claim 24 in which the board is wider in a central portion than at the ends of the board.

26. A balancing device according to claim 24 which includes longitudinally extending and laterally spaced guide ribs molded integrally with the bottom of the board.

27. A balancing device according to claim 24 in which the roller is a spool of a rigid material, and which is coated with an elastomeric material having a hardness less than that of the spool.

28. A balancing device according to claim 24 in which the track includes longitudinally spaced and transversely extending bores, and at least one stop pin shaped to make a snug fit within a bore to limit the longitudinal movement of the board relative to the roller.

29. A balancing device according to claim 28 which includes a first pin disposed through a first bore in the track, and a second pin disposed in a second bore longitudinally spaced from the first bore.

30. A balancing device according to claim 24, further comprising a timer and display for tracking and displaying elapsed time a user remains balanced on the board.

31. A balancing device according to claim 30, wherein the timer includes a sensor for determining when the user is balancing on the board.

32. A balancing device according to claim 30, wherein the display includes illuminating lights.

33. A balancing device according to claim 30, wherein the display includes messages for motivating a user.

34. A balancing device according to claim 30, wherein the display further comprises sound or music.