Abstract:
Board devices, apparatus, systems and methods for practicing exercises such as yoga and stand up paddling with an elongated planar type board having two half sections joined by a flush mounted hinge, with plural convex curved rocker members mounted underneath the board. A pair of the curved rocker members can abut each other under the hinge to lock the board in an extended position.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to yoga, in particular to board devices, apparatus, systems and methods for practicing exercises such as yoga and stand up paddling with an elongated planar type board, having two half sections joined by a flush mounted hinge, with plural convex curved rockers underneath the board where a pair of rockers abut each other under the hinge to lock the board in an extended position. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Balancing oneself on a pivotable indoor balance board has increased in popularity in recent years. These boards have generally relied on the use of a generally oval shaped board with an underside supported by either an inflatable cushion or a roller type pin. The inventor of the subject invention originally invented the original board in 1975 as a way of practicing surfing on land without having to go in the ocean. In 2004 the inventor introduced an inflatable circular shaped air cushion to be used under the balance board deck as a safety feature as well as an enhanced exercise aspect. 
     Over the years the popularity of these balancing boards have been used in various classes such as school physical education classes, gym classes, and group exercise programs, as a way of integrating core fitness and balance challenges. Staying on top of the board during unilateral and multilateral movements can increase the heart rate while simultaneously improving balance, upper and lower body joint and muscle strength and a sense of self in space (proprioception), which is important for injury prevention and rehab work. These novel balancing boards can be used to simulate stand up paddling and as a tool for practicing yoga exercises in a limited application. 
     The introduction of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) as a sport beginning in about 1998 has spawned a new form of exercises and yoga related exercises by using the SUP boards as an unstable platform to perform these exercise while on the surface of any applicable body of water. This in turn created a dry land solution by utilizing SUP boards supported by large balance cushions to simulate the instability of the SUP boards on the waters surface. This new exercise phenomenon is known as SUP yoga and SUP fitness. 
     There are numerous problems with these existing boards. For example, an SUP board is both difficult to carry and transport from location to location. In addition, these elongated boards take up a considerable amount of storage space that many users do not have. In addition these SUP boards can, as a general rule, only be found in close proximity to a suitable body of water. And are not readily available in large metropolitan areas i.e. New York City, Chicago, Denver, Dallas in relation to the number of practitioners of yoga which leaves a large market segment unable to undertake the new exercise trend. 
     Additionally, the current types of indoor balance boards have limited movement and versatility in relation to SUP yoga exercises. For example, the existing balance boards are limited in length and do not match the space an adult human requires to properly perform yoga. In addition, the roller pin used underneath the board can result in the board slipping off and easily separating from the roller pin. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide board devices, apparatus, systems and methods for practicing exercises such as yoga with an elongated planar type board having half sections joined by a flush mounted hinge, with plural convex curved rockers underneath the board, with a pair of rocker abut each other under the hinge to lock the board in an extended position. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide foldable board devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using the boards for standup paddling and as a training tool for yoga. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide foldable board devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using the boards to allow users to stand on the boards during training and exercises when the boards are in extended position, and the boards to be easily transported and stored when folded. 
     A versatile exercise board according to the invention can include an elongated board with an upper flat surface and a lower flat surface, the board having two sides which are each longer than each of a first end and a second end of the board, and a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of convex curved rocker members spaced apart and parallel from each other mounted to the lower flat surface of the board, the convex curved rocker members each having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end of the board, wherein users can practice exercises while standing on the upper flat surface of the board. 
     The elongated board can be a single solid board. 
     The elongated board can be a folding board, that can include a flush mounted hinge on the upper flat surface that is approximately midway between the first end and the second end of the board, for allowing half sections of the elongated board to fold with each other. The board can include a pair of convex rocker members mounted to the lower flat surface of the board underneath the flush mounted hinge, each one of the pair being mounted to a half section of the elongated board. A knob can attach each of the pair of convex rocker members together to lock the half sections of the elongated board in an extended position. 
     A plurality of air cushions can be located underneath the board to adjust rocking motion of the board. 
     Non-skid strips can attached to the upper surface of the elongated board for enhancing traction. A yoga mat can be draped on the elongated board. 
     A method of performing exercises in a standup position on an indoor board, can include the steps of providing an elongated board with an upper flat surface and a lower flat surface, the board having two sides which are each longer than each of a first end and a second end of the board, and a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, mounting a plurality of convex curved rocker members in a spaced apart and parallel from each other to the lower flat surface of the board, the convex curved rocker members each having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end of the hoard, and practicing standup exercises on the upper flat surface of the elongated board. 
     The method can include the step of folding half sections of the elongated board to one another with a flush mounted hinge. The method can include the step of mounting a pair of convex rocker members to the lower flat surface of the board underneath the flush mounted hinge, with each one of the pair being mounted to each of the half sections of the elongated board. The method can include the step of locking the pair of convex rocker members together to maintain the elongated board in an extended position. 
     The step of practicing exercises can include the step of practicing yoga on the elongated board. 
     The step of practicing exercises can include the step of practicing stand up paddling on the elongated board. 
     The step of practicing exercises can include the steps of rocking the board end to end, and/or rocking the board side to side. 
     The elongated board can include single solid elongated board. 
     The method can include positioning a plurality of air cushions underneath the single solid elongated board or under the foldable board. 
     Adjustability of the cushions can include being able slide the air cushions back and forth to adjust the rocking motion of the board. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the novel folding indoor board in an extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view a solid indoor board. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the folding indoor board of  FIG. 1  with air cushions. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the solid indoor board of  FIG. 2  with air cushions. 
         FIG. 5  is a top planar view of the folding indoor board of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom planar view of the folding board of  FIG. 3  with air cushions. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of folding portion of the indoor board of  FIG. 6  along arrows  7 Y. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the folding indoor board of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the folding indoor board of  FIGS. 3 and 6  with air cushions. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the folding board of  FIGS. 3 and 6  showing adjustability of air cushions. 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of the indoor boards of the preceding figures. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the folding indoor board of  FIGS. 1 and 5  showing the board in a partially folded position. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the folding indoor board of  FIG. 12  showing the board completely folded. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the folded indoor board of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a folded end view of the folded indoor board of  FIGS. 13-14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the folded indoor board of  FIGS. 13-15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the folded indoor board of  FIGS. 13-16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective exploded view of the foldable indoor board components of the preceding figures. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a Yoga practitioner using the folded indoor board with air cushions. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the Yoga practitioner using the indoor board without the air cushions. 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of the indoor board of the preceding figures with a yoga mat draped on top. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A list of components will now be described.
       10 . Folding Indo Board.     20 . Solid Indo Board.     30 . Rocker for side to side rocker motion.     40 . Optional air cushion increases boards instability.     50 . Butler hinge.     60 . Folding deck section.     70 . Threaded knob.     80 . Pressed in nut.     90 . Yoga poser.     100 . Side to side rocking motion.     110 . End to end rocking motion.     120 . Wood screw.     130 . Solid deck section.     140 . Yoga mat.     150 . Slide cushions to adjust stability.     160 . Optional non-skid strips.
 
Folding Indoor Board Embodiment
   

       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the novel folding indoor board  10  in an extended position.  FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the folding indoor board  10  of  FIG. 1  with air cushions  40 .  FIG. 5  is a top planar view of the folding indoor board  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a bottom planar view of the folding board  10  of  FIG. 3  with air cushions  40 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of folding portion of the indoor board  40  of  FIG. 6  along arrows  7 Y.  FIG. 8  is a side view of the folding indoor board  40  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a side view of the folding indoor board  10  of  FIGS. 3 and 6  with air cushions  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 - 9 , the indoor elongated board can have a general shape of configuration of a surfboard with curved ends and generally long straight sides and have a substantially flat upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface. A plurality of spaced apart parallel convex curved rocker members  30  can be mounted to the lower surface. The rocker members  30  can be mounted in a perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal axis of the elongated board. The rocker members  30  can allow for the elongated board to having a side to side rocking motion. 
     A flush mounted hinge(s)  50  can be mounted on the upper flat surface that is approximately midway between the first end and the second end of the elongated board  10 , for allowing deck half sections  60  of the elongated board to fold with each other. The hinge(s)  50  can be spaced apart butler hinges. Alternatively, the hinge  50  can be a single piano type hinge. When the board  10  is in an extended position a pair of convex rocker members  30  can be mounted to the lower flat surface of the board  10  underneath the flush mounted hinge  50 , so that each one of the pair  30  is mounted to a half section  60  of the elongated board. In the extended position the pair of convex rocker members  30  under the hinge  50  abut one another. A screwable type knob  70  can attaches the pair of convex rocker members  30  under the hinge  50  together to lock the half sections  60  of the elongated board  10  in the extended position. The knob  70  can pass through one of the pair of convex rocker members  30  to other side and be threadably attached to a nut type member  80 . 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the folding board  10  of  FIGS. 3 and 6  showing adjustability of air cushions  40 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  10 , air cushions  50  can be placed underneath the elongated board  10  and generally positioned along outer portions of the half sections  60  adjacent to outer rocker members  30 . Sliding the air cushions  40  toward and away from the ends of the board  40  along arrows  160  can adjust the boards  10  stability when a practitioner is in a standup position on the elongated board. 
       FIG. 11  is an end view of the indoor boards  10  of the preceding figures.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the folding indoor board  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 5  showing the board  10  in a partially folded position.  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the folding indoor board  10  of  FIG. 12  showing the board completely folded.  FIG. 14  is a side view of the folded indoor board  10  of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 15  is a folded end view of the folded indoor board  10  of  FIGS. 13-14 .  FIG. 16  is a top view of the folded indoor board  10  of  FIGS. 13-15 .  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the folded indoor board  10  of  FIGS. 13-16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective exploded view of the foldable indoor board  10  components of the preceding figures. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 18 , the upper surface of the board can include a plurality of non-skid strips  160  adhered thereon which allows for greater foot traction for the practitioner standing on the elongated board  10 . The rocker members  30  can be mounted underneath the board  10  by fasteners  120  such as screws, and the like. The elongated board  10  can be formed from material such as but not limited to wood, plastic and fiberglass. The convex rocker members  30  can also be molded into the board  20  or half board sections  60  of the foldable board. 
     Solid Indoor Board Embodiment 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view a solid indoor board  20  with solid deck section  130 .  FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the solid indoor board  20  of  FIG. 2  with air cushions  40 . The indoor board can be used with only the convex curved rocker members mounted underneath the board, and without the folding mechanism of the preceding embodiment. 
     Standup Exercises 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a Yoga practitioner  90  using the folded indoor board  10  with air cushions  40 . Motion indicators  110 ,  120  show full range of board movement, which can include but is not limited to end to end rocking and side to side rocking. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the Yoga practitioner  90  using the indoor board  10  without the air cushions  40 . Motion indicators  100  show limited range of movement, which can include side to side only movement. 
       FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of the indoor board  10 / 20  of the preceding figures with a yoga mat  140  draped on top. 
     While the exercises reference Yoga, the user can do other types of standup exercises on the board, such as but not limited to standup paddling exercises, which can replicate standup paddling on water, but done indoors under dry conditions. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.