Abstract:
A balance and exercise apparatus comprising a base member supported on an underlying stratum, pivoting member positioned on a base member, and a body support member positioned on top of the pivot member, the body support member secured to the base member by a combination of a plurality of resilient tension cords and non-resilient cinch strap thus allowing the user to either stand, lie or sit on the body support member and cause the body support member to selectively tilt from a horizontal plane about 360 degrees of orientation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to exercise and rehabilitation equipment, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a balance board which can be utilized for exercise, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and strengthening of the leg, foot, ankle, knee, hip, and abdominal muscles and their associated joints. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Balance boards have been used and disclosed in the prior art for both exercise and amusement. The elements of a balance board comprise a rigid platform and a rounded base upon which the rigid platform is mounted, the person utilizing the balance board manipulates the board by use of his legs and by the shifting of his weight in order to tilt and balance the rigid platform about the rounded base, maintaining balance and not contacting the underlying stratum. 
     When the rounded base is cylindrical in cross section, the user is limited in balancing in a vertical plane with the rigid platform being tiltable at opposing ends thereof in 180 degree relationship. When the rounded base is hemi-spherical in cross section, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,712, the user is able to tilt the rigid platform in a horizontal plane of 360 degrees. 
     Applicant has developed a balance board which is tiltable in a plane of 360 degrees, but which provides variable dynamic resistance about the 360 degrees and which requires the user to utilize the muscles of the lower torso and legs to maintain the balance, thus exercising and strengthening the muscles and joints, as well as providing rehabilitation therapy where required. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which provides the user with 360 degrees of horizontal tilt. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel balance and exercise board which applies variable dynamic resistance to the board about its 360 degrees of tilt. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can simulate the sport of surfing. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can simulate the sport of snow boarding. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can be used for erect balance and exercise. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can be utilized for supine exercises. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can be utilized for prone exercises. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can be utilized for sitting exercises. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel balance and exercise board which can provide for variable resistance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A balance and exercise apparatus comprising a base member supported on an underlying stratum, pivoting member positioned on a base member, and a body support member positioned on top of the pivot member, the body support member secured to the base member by a combination of a plurality of resilient tension cords and non-resilient cinch straps thus allowing the user to either stand, lie or sit on the body support member and cause the body support member to selectively tilt from a horizontal plane about 360 degrees of orientation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the balance and exercise apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up view of one embodiment of the tensioning and securing means; 
         FIG. 4  is a close up view of a second embodiment of the tensioning and securing means; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the balance and exercise apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of  FIG. 5  being utilized by a user in an erect orientation; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of  FIG. 5  being utilized by a user in a supine orientation; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of  FIG. 5  being utilized by a user in a prone orientation; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of  FIG. 5  being utilized by a user in a sitting position; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the balance and exercise apparatus of the present invention utilizing a down sized pivot point and resilient tension cords only; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the balance and exercise apparatus of the present invention illustrating a second embodiment of the base member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The balance and exercise apparatus of the present invention  10 , in its essential form as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises a planar base member  12  having an upper surface  14  and a lower surface  16 , the base member  12  designed to be positioned on a supporting stratum  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the base member  12  has an arcuate periphery  20 , but could be formed in alternative geometric shapes. Base member  12  could be formed of wood or from a suitable thermoplastic. 
     Secured to base member  12  are a plurality of extension arms  22  which are in the same plane as base member  12 , extension arms  22  being in approximate 90 degree relationship with each other and in communication with the substratum upon which base member  12  rests. Positioned on the upper surface  14  of base member  12  is a pivot member  24  which in the preferred embodiment is a sphere or ball  26 . Positioned on top of sphere or ball  26  is the user support platform  28 . User support platform  28  is planar, having an upper surface  30  and a lower surface  32 . User support platform  28  is preferably formed with an arcuate periphery  34  to avoid sharp edges or corners. As such, the user support platform  28  may be circular, oblong, ovate, or boogey board shaped. 
     User support platform  28  sits atop sphere or ball  26  such that the sphere or ball  26  is centrally disposed under the user support platform  28 . The user support platform  28  further still is of such a size to allow an individual to stand on it or to lie in a prone or supine position or sit on the upper surface  30  of user support platform  28 . 
     Secured to user support platform  28  and positioned in 90 degree relationship about the arcuate periphery  34  are resilient tension cords  36 . Resilient tension cords  36  are formed into loops  37  by having their first end  38  and second end  40  secured to the user support platform  28  by any suitable means. The resilient tension cords  36  are secured to the user support platform about the arcuate periphery  34  or to the upper or lower surface  30  and  12  so as to be in alignment with the extension arms  22  extending outwardly from base member  12 . 
     Secured distal proximate the ends of the extension arms  22 , are non-resilient cinch straps  42 . Non-resilient cinch straps  42  are secured to the distal ends of the extension arms  22  and are formed into a loop  44 , each cinch strap having a friction cinch buckle  46  allowing the user to set the size of the loop  44  formed by each cinch strap  42  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the loops  37  formed by each of the resilient tension cords  36  is secured within the loop  44  formed by the cinch straps  42 , and the cinch straps are tightened so as to firmly secure the user support platform  28  atop the sphere or ball  26 . Tightening in this configuration, the resilient tension cords  36  assume a V-shape. Sphere or ball  26  is preferably gaseously inflated but could also be liquid filled or gel filled as long as it assumes a spherical shape and is somewhat compressed by the user support platform  28  and the weight thereon. For purposes of examination and clarity we will hereafter refer to sphere or ball  26  as inflatable. 
     In this configuration as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9  the user can mount the user support platform  28  in an erect mode, and perform balance exercises for either physical exercise, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the user can also mount the user support platform  28  in either a torso prone or torso supine position by gripping the peripheral edge  34  to further provide balance exercises for either physical therapy, physical exercise or rehabilitation. The user may also sit on the user support platform  28  and exercise as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In either of the balance exercises illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , the inflatable sphere or ball  26  does not rotate significantly, but rather is compressed by the weight of the user on the user support platform  28  and the adjustment of the cinch straps  42  and resilient tension cords  36 . As the user moves about or shifts weight on the user support platform  28 , the inflatable sphere or ball  26  is slightly deformed allowing the user to shift weight in a 360 degree orientation about the user support platform  28 . The simplest analogy to the manner in which the user support platform  28  is allowed to tilt in a 360 degree orientation above the inflated sphere or ball  26  is to imagine the motion mimicking that of a surf board rider. The user can stand on the user support platform  28  with feet apart and shift weight forward and backward and from side to side and the user support platform  28  will react to this weight shift by tilting in the direction of the weight shift with the tilt limited by the corresponding opposing resilient tension cords  36  and cinch straps  42 . 
     While  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9  illustrate the balance and exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention with a single resilient tension cord  36  at each 90 degree point about the periphery of the user support platform  28 , additional resilient tension cords could be positioned at each of the 90 degree coordinates.  FIG. 4  illustrates one possible embodiment of such multiple resilient tension cords  36  wherein two resilient tension cords  36 A and  36 B are secured proximate to the user support platform  28 , each of the resilient tension cords  36 A and  36 B being of different lengths, but still forming a V-shaped loop  37  which could be engaged with the cinch strap  42  and adjusted by means of the cinch buckle  46 . The cinch strap itself would be secured to the extension arm  22  in a suitable manner distal proximate the end of the extension arm  22 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention which does not depart from the structure and function as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , but adds additional features for comfort of the user and for extending the life of the balance and exercise apparatus  10 . In  FIG. 5 , the upper surface  14  of base member  12  would be overlaid with a thin layer of foam or rubber-like material  50 . Similarly, the underside  32  of user support platform  28  would be at least partially overlaid with a similar resilient foam or rubberized layer  52  so as to provide for a cushion surface where contact with the inflatable sphere or ball  26  occurs. This would provide for a better gripping surface with respect to contact with the inflatable sphere or ball  26 , and would eliminate any possibility of an abrading surface which could effect the life span of the inflatable sphere or ball  26 . Finally, the upper surface  30  of user support platform  28  may be overlaid with a similar resilient foam or rubberized material  54  for improving the grip when the user is utilizing the balance and exercise apparatus  10  in an erect position and providing additional comfort when the user is using the balance and exercise apparatus in a prone, supine, or sitting position. The tension cords and cinch straps  36  and  42  are not illustrated in  FIG. 5 , but would be secured in a fashion as previously discussed. 
     In assembly and construction of the balance and exercise apparatus, the size of the base member and the user support platform  12  and  28  will vary depending upon the size of the inflatable sphere or ball  26  utilized. Applicant has constructed and assembled an balance and exercise apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention in which the inflatable sphere or ball  26  was an inflatable exercise ball of approximately 2 feet in diameter. As such, the user support platform  28  was constructed and dimensioned so as to extend outwardly approximately 6 inches beyond the circumference of the inflatable sphere or ball  26 . The base member and extension arms  12  and  22 , were constructed such that when the resilient tension cords  36  and concomitant cinch straps  42  about the periphery of the user support platform  28  were tightened, the resilient tension cords  36  formed an obtuse angle with the lower surface  32  of the user support platform  28  and the cinch straps  42  formed an acute angle with the extension arms  22 . It will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that if a smaller inflatable sphere or ball  26  is utilized in the apparatus as thus described, the concomitant size of the user support platform  28 , base member and extension arms  12  and  22 , would be reduced in order to still achieve the appropriate 360 degree tilt of the user support platform  28  while maintaining the required tension utilizing resilient tension cords  36  and non-resilient cinch straps  42  of smaller size. A sphere or ball  26  size of smaller circumference may result in a user support platform of significantly smaller size adaptable to an area to receive the feet of the user in an erect orientation and the need for cinch straps may be obviated and resilient tension cords may be disposed between the user support platform  28  and extension arms  22  as heretofore described and illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     The preferred embodiments of the balance and exercise assembly of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 10  utilize a base member with a plurality of radially extending arms so as to form a base which extends sufficiently to prevent the balance and exercise apparatus of from tilting or overturning during use. The use of the radially extending arms reduces the weight of the apparatus and lends a degree of portability to the movement of the balance and exercise apparatus. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that if a more permanent type of balance and exercise apparatus of the type disclosed herein were sought to be installed, the base member could be of one piece construction with no radially extending arms, but of a sufficient area to allow the positioning of the tension cords and cinch straps as heretofore described and be of a sufficient area so as to guard against the tilting or tipping of the balance and exercise apparatus when used.  FIG. 11  illustrates the balance and exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention with such a modified base member  60 . 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.