Balancing device and method

• US 7,666,126 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2008
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas F. Rempe
• Original Assignee: Douglas F. Rempe
• Inventors: Rempe, Douglas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/140,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20090312165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 482143-146, 482/34, 482/69, 482/77, 482/79, 482121-130, 482/23, 482/33, 482/51, 482/78, 482/142
• US Class Current: 482/143
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0214 Kneeling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/00 Freely-suspended gymnastic apparatus

Abstract

A balancing device to assist a patient in exercising and rehabilitating balance. The balancing device includes a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports, and a suspended platform hanging from the overhead support by first and second suspending members. The platform is stabilized by at least two elastic supports having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports. The patients standing on the platform can practice balancing and adjustments in a pivoting motion, and/or in ether a longitudinal and/or lateral direction.

Claims

1. A balancing device including:

a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports;

a suspended platform having a periphery and a bisecting pivot line, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line;

a first and second suspending members, each having a first and second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and

at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second suspending members are non-extensive flexible members.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second suspending members are chains.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second suspending members are cables.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the suspended platform is a substantially rectangular and substantially planar platform.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the suspended platform is rectangular and planar.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two elastic supports extend from the platform at an angle δ

from horizontal, wherein the δ

angle is between about −

10° and

about +30°

from horizontal when the platform is unloaded or at rest.

2. A balancing device including:

a stationary support structure including an rectangular overhead support frame having four corners, and a plurality of upright support beams supporting the support frame at each of the four corners;

a suspended rectangular platform having four corners and a periphery, and a bisecting pivot line dividing the rectangular platform into two rectangular portions, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line;

a first and second suspending cables, each having a first end and a second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and

at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second suspending cables are non-extensive flexible members.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two elastic supports extend from the platform at an angle δ

from horizontal, wherein the δ

angle is between about −

10° and

about +30°

from horizontal when the platform is unloaded or at rest.

11. A balancing device consisting of:

a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports;

a suspended platform having a periphery and a bisecting pivot line, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line;

a first and second non-extensive suspending members, each having a first and second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and

at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports.