Patent Publication Number: US-9833659-B1

Title: Omnidirectional exercise platform and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Non-Provisional Patent Application is: 
     A. a Divisional Patent Application claiming the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/954,906, filed on Nov. 30, 2015 (Scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,545,539 on Jan. 17, 2017), which is a Divisional Patent Application claiming the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/475,525, filed on Sep. 9, 2014 (Now U.S. Pat. No. 9,199,117, issued on Nov. 30, 2015), which is a Continuation-In-Part claiming the benefit of: U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/186,127, filed on Jul. 19, 2011 (Now U.S. Pat. No. 8,827,879, issued on Sep. 9, 2014),
 
B. a Divisional Patent Application claiming the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/954,906, filed on Nov. 30, 2015 (Scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,545,539 on Jan. 17, 2017), which is a Divisional Patent Application claiming the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/475,525, filed on Sep. 9, 2014 (Now U.S. Pat. No. 9,199,117, issued on Nov. 30, 2015), which is a Continuation-In-Part claiming the benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/494,559, filed on Jun. 22, 2014 (Now U.S. Design Pat. D749,178, issued on Feb. 9, 2016),
 
C. wherein each of the above identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an exercise platform that provides for omnidirectional movement of the platform while performing various exercises. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years physical exercise has grown in popularity to improve the health and physical appearance of a person and also to reduce stress. There are a many forms of physical exercise that may be employed by a person such as: strength training, aerobics, calisthenics, and plyometrics to name a few. A common strength training exercise is the traditional push-up. In performing a push-up, a user assumes a prone position, and lifts the body using the arms. Through this exercise, the weight of the body serves as the main source of resistance to the muscles, particularly the pectoralis muscles, which are used in performing the push-up. However, greater muscle training efficiency may be obtained by activating additional muscle groups while performing the push-up. This is accomplished by modifying the standard up-down motion of the push-up to include various secondary movements such as: leg raises, one-armed push-ups, various hand positions, hip raises and the like. By using such modifications, the user activates various secondary muscle groups, which in turn significantly increase the effectiveness of the physical exercise. 
     Additionally, exercise efficiency can be further enhanced by random activation of these secondary muscle groups, which induces muscle confusion. It is known that performing the same exercise over and over cause the human body to adapt to these exercise motions and thereby causing a diminishing return by performing the same exercise repeatedly. Consequently, by employing muscle confusion that randomly activates various secondary muscle groups during a particular exercise, the human body is less likely to adapt to the exercise motions and thus receives greater benefit from the exercise. 
     There are several known devices in the prior art that seek to enhance the overall effectiveness of performing various exercises and in particular the traditional push-up. These devices commonly seek to facilitate one or more secondary motions, which in turn activate additional muscle groups during the core exercise. One known solution provides a platform having base member and a handle member that rotate with respect to each other along a vertical axis. The base member has a non-slip surface that engages a floor surface and prevents the device sliding along the floor. While this known solution is somewhat useful, it presents substantial drawbacks. Firstly, this device only permits the handle member to rotate which in turn allows the arms of a user to twist during the push-up. Although this does engage some secondary muscle groups, this rotation of the hand position generally focuses on the smaller muscles of the forearm and upper arm. Secondly, this device does not permit lateral motion of the device along the floor surface and thereby fails to activate many secondary muscle groups in the shoulders, chest, and back of a person during the exercise motion. 
     Another known solution provides an exercising device that includes a platform and a number of peripherally spaced caster wheels underneath the platform, for supporting a limb of a user on or against a supporting surface while permitting movement of the limb in any direction along the supporting surface. The platform has a lower body part that carries the caster wheels, and a removable upper part, which can be removed or inverted to change the configuration of the upper surface of the platform. Straps are provided to secure the device to the limb of a user. While this known solution is somewhat useful, it presents substantial drawbacks. To begin, the device uses a plurality of caster wheels that must be pushed or pulled to orientate each caster in the same direction. Then when a directional change is desired, the user must apply additional force to get the plurality of casters change direction and align in the new direction. This additional force requirement induces an inconsistency in the exercise motion. Further, this device does not facilitate a smooth uniform exercise motion because the multiple casters must realign prior to changing direction. Next, this device employs casters having a wheel/ball member that is supported by thru axle coupled to the frame of the caster. This configuration is likely to have increased axle friction under load and thus does not facilitate free motion. 
     Various exercise devices are known that employ a plurality of ball and cup-type members coupled to a bottom surface of the device and while somewhat useful these known solutions present substantial drawbacks. In these known solutions, there is generally provided a plurality of ball members that are rotationally coupled into a hemispherical cup formed within a housing member. The ball members are free to rotate in any direction with respect to the hemispherical cup. These known solutions, while providing some benefit, have a substantial drawback of increased friction between the ball member and hemispherical cup under load conditions. This type of ball motion assembly has a substantial portion of the ball member surface area in sliding contact with the surface area of the hemispherical cup and thereby restricts the free motion of the ball with respect to the cup under load. Moreover, in these known solutions, as a user increases the load on the device the induced additional friction between the ball and cup prevent the fluid multi-directional movement of the exercise device. 
     In another known exercise device that provides a hemispherical support frame and a single rigid support ball mounted to the support frame with a plurality of smaller low-friction ball bearings disposed in between the support ball and the support frame such that the support ball is freely rotatable in any direction. While this known solution is somewhat useful, it presents substantial drawbacks. Most significantly, this device only provides a single support ball, which causes the hemispherical support frame to be unstable during use. As discussed above, having and exercise device that permits a user to activate secondary muscle groups is advantageous. However, the exercise device must provide a stable platform by which the exercise can be safely performed and which reduces the possibility of injuring the user. Although this known exercise device provides a platform that facilitates fluid multi-directional movement during use, this device inherently presents an increased risk of potential injury to the user. The device has a high center of rotation between the support ball and hemispherical support frame. During use, this high center of rotation is likely to cause an undesired change in direction, due to the instability of the device, which may injure the hand, wrist, foot, or ankle of a user. For example, during a push-up it is beneficial to have the freedom of motion to laterally translate the hand position of the user (i.e., left/right/fore/aft) with respect to the starting position of the hands. It is also beneficial to have the freedom of rotational movement with respect to a vertical axis normal to a supporting floor surface. However, this known device permits a freedom of rotational movement with respect to a horizontal axis parallel to the supporting floor surface. This horizontal freedom of movement causes a twisting/torquing of the wrist joint of the user, which in turn is likely to result in a significant and painful injury to the user. In another example, this known device may be used for hamstring raises where the user places their feet on the hemispherical support frame to exercise their hips, hamstrings and core. As discussed above, this known solution presents a similar risk of injury to the ankle of the user, due to the horizontal freedom of movement, which can induce an undesired twisting/torquing of the ankle joint. 
     Additionally, the number of rolling support elements, (i.e. wheels) and the shape of the platform can impact the stability of the device. Three points always define a plane. Platform style exercise devices having a single roller provide no level stability and require that the exercising individual exert excess effort to maintain a stable orientation of the device. Without the extra effort, the device can change the orientation of the limb contacting the device in an undesirable manner. Platforms comprising two wheels introduce a very limited stability along an axis between the two wheels, but remain unstable about a rotational axis defined by the two wheels. Platforms comprising four or more wheels can include one or more wheels that are not coplanar. Therefore, the platform can rock about an axis defined by the two lowest wheels. Regarding the shape of the device, the area defined as a stability region, or a region that is within a boundary defined by contact points of three or more rolling elements ensures that the platform will not flip, and will thus remain in a desire orientation (generally horizontal) during use. 
     Efforts to provide an omnidirectional exercise platform that overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art have not met with significant success to date. As a result, there is a need in the art for an exercise platform that provides smooth, fluid omnidirectional movement of the platform and concurrently provides a stable platform that reduces the risk of injuring the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The basic inventive concept provides an omnidirectional exercise platform that permits free multi-directional translation of the platform with respect to a support surface, and further permits rotational movement with respect to a vertical axis normal to the support. 
     From an apparatus aspect, the invention comprises an omnidirectional exercise platform for facilitating a physical training exercise. The platform includes a base member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between. A plurality of apertures is formed into the bottom surface of the base member and extending towards the top surface of the base member. A pad member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between is coupled to the top surface of the base member. Each individual ball transfer unit is coupled within one of the plurality of apertures formed into the bottom surface of the base member, such that the plurality of ball transfer units substantially reduces rolling resistance when the omnidirectional exercise platform is loaded over a support surface during the physical training exercise. 
     From a system aspect, an omnidirectional exercise system is disclosed comprising a pair of omnidirectional exercise platforms for facilitating a physical training exercise. Each platform includes a base member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between. A plurality of apertures is formed into the bottom surface of the base member and extending towards the top surface of the base member. A pad member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between is coupled to the top surface of the base member. Each individual ball transfer unit is coupled within one of the plurality of apertures formed into the bottom surface of the base member, such that the plurality of ball transfer units substantially reduces rolling resistance when the omnidirectional exercise platform is loaded over a support surface during the physical training exercise. 
     From a method aspect, a method of fabricating an omnidirectional exercise platform for facilitating a physical training exercise, comprising the steps of: providing a base member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between; forming a plurality of apertures into the bottom surface of the base member and extending towards the top surface of the base member; coupling a pad member to the top surface of the base member, the pad member having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface and at least one sidewall disposed there between; and coupling each individual ball transfer unit of a plurality of ball transfer units within one of the plurality of apertures formed into the bottom surface of the base member, wherein the plurality of ball transfer units substantially reduces rolling resistance when the omnidirectional exercise platform is loaded over a support surface during the physical training exercise. 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric bottom view of a first exemplary embodiment of an omnidirectional exercise platform in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents an isometric exploded assembly view of the exemplary embodiment originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents a bottom assembly view of the exemplary embodiment originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  presents a sectioned elevation view of the omnidirectional exercise platform originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the section is taken along section line A--A of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  presents an isometric view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of an omnidirectional exercise platform, wherein the alternative embodiment further includes a detachable handle; 
         FIG. 6  presents an isometric exploded assembly view of the exemplary alternate embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment originally introduced in  FIG. 1  introducing omnidirectional motion lines; 
         FIG. 8  presents a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the omnidirectional exercise platform is shown in use during a push-up exercise; 
         FIG. 9  presents a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , wherein the omnidirectional exercise platform is shown in use during a hamstring raise exercise; 
         FIG. 10  presents an isometric top view of an exemplary embodiment of a triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform; 
         FIG. 11  presents an isometric bottom view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  presents an isometric top exploded assembly view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  presents an isometric bottom exploded assembly view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  presents a sectioned elevation view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 , the section taken along section line  13 -- 13  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  presents a top plan view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 , introducing geometric distinctions over platforms of other shapes; and 
         FIG. 16  presents a side elevation view of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform introduced in  FIG. 10 , introducing differences in physics compared to platforms of other shapes. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding elements throughout the different views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. In other implementations, well-known features and methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments that may be disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of an omnidirectional exercise platform  100  is described in various illustrations presented in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The omnidirectional exercise platform  100  includes a base member  110 , a pad or contacting member  120  and a plurality of ball transfer units  130 . In this exemplary embodiment, features of the base member  110  are referenced by a bottom surface  114 , a top surface  112  located on a side opposite of the bottom surface  114 , and at least one sidewall  116  extending circumferentially there between. The base member  110  can be fabricated from any suitable rigid material such as plastic, wood, metal, and the like or combinations thereof. The base member  110  can be fabricated using any suitable manufacturing process, such as casting, injection molding, machining, stamping, carving, vacuum forming, and the like. It is noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate these various manufacturing processes, which are not described in detail herein so as not to obscure the invention. The base member  110  is shown having a generally circular shape; however, it is understood that the base member  110  can be shaped having any other suitable geometric profile configuration such as oval, triangular (such as a triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  described below), multi-sided polygons, and the like. A plurality of ball transfer unit receiving apertures  140  are formed into the bottom surface  112  of the base member  110 . Each ball transfer unit receiving aperture  140  is configured to accept a portion of a ball transfer unit housing  131  of a respective ball transfer unit  130  therein. In the exemplary embodiment, the ball transfer units  130  are secured to base member  110  using one or more mechanical fasteners  150 , such as a screw and an associated nut  152 . Each mechanical fastener  150  is preferably inserted through an attachment aperture (not identified) of a mounting feature  136  of the respective ball transfer unit  130  and a corresponding fastener receiving aperture (not identified) passing through the base member  110 . Alternatively, the ball transfer units  130  can be assembled to the base member  110  by any other suitable mechanical configurations including as a press fit assembly design, a snap-ring, an adhesive bonding process, and the like or any suitable combinations thereof. Features of the pad member  120  are referenced by a bottom surface  124 , a top surface  122  located on a side opposite of the bottom surface  124 , and at least one sidewall  126  extending circumferentially there between. The pad member  120  can be fabricated from a pliant or semi-rigid plastic or polymer material to provide a cushioned support or engage surface to enhance user comfort and grip during use. In one embodiment, the pad member  120  is fabricated from a neoprene rubber. The bottom surface  124  of pad member  120  is assembled to the top surface  112  of base member  110  by any of a variety of known mechanical assembly interfaces, including: adhesive, snaps, buttons, clips, clasps, press fit, dense hook and loop tape, and the like. 
     A bottom view of the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  is presented in  FIG. 3 . The illustrated view introduces an angular offset θ between two adjacent ball transfer units  130 . In this exemplary embodiment, the base member  110  is configured as a circular structure. To provide a stable platform in use, the ball transfer units  130  are preferably arranged having an angular offset θ that equals about 120 degrees. The angular offset θ was determined by dividing 360 degrees by the quantity of ball transfer units  130  being used; in the exemplary embodiment, three (3) ball transfer units  130  are incorporated into the design to optimize stability on any suitable surface  810  ( FIG. 8 ). Should one of ordinary skill in the art desire to use more ball transfer units  130 , the angular offset θ would be adjusted accordingly (e.g., 4 ball transfer units would have an angular offset θ of 90 degrees). In other alternate embodiments having different geometric configurations, the ball transfer units  130  may be arranged differently. It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the location of each ball transfer unit  130  of the plurality of ball transfer units  130  preferably be determined to enhance and maintain stability of the base member  110  during use. For example, in an alternate embodiment where base member  110  is configured as an oval, there would be 4 ball transfer units  130  employed with one ball transfer unit  130  located along and adjacent to each end of the minor and major axis. In another alternate embodiment where base member  110  is configured as a square there would preferably be a ball transfer unit  130  located adjacent each corner of the square. 
     A cross-sectional view of the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  detailing a method and associated components for assembling two (2) ball transfer units  130  to the base member  110 . The assembly method employs mechanical fasteners  152  (more specifically threaded members such as screws, bolts, studs, and the like) and respective nuts  150 . Each exemplary ball transfer unit  130  generally comprises a housing  131 , a retention member  132 , a primary ball member  133 , a plurality of secondary roller bearing elements  134  and a retention ring  135 . In one exemplary embodiment, each ball transfer unit receiving aperture  140  is sized and configured to accept therein a hemispherical portion of the ball transfer unit housing  131 . The ball transfer unit housing  131  and the primary ball retention member  132  are coupled together to form a cavity for retaining primary and secondary ball members therein. Further, the ball transfer unit housing  131  and the primary ball retention member  132  can be coupled using various manufacturing processes such as crimping, press fit, adhesive bonding, mechanical fasteners and other well known element coupling processes. Captured between the ball transfer unit housing  131  and retention member  132  are a plurality of secondary roller bearing elements  134 , a primary ball member  133  and a retention ring  135 . Secondary roller bearing elements  134  engage a concave inner surface of the ball transfer unit housing  131 . The primary ball member  133  is assembled within the ball transfer unit housing  131  and engages with opposing surfaces of the secondary roller bearing elements  134 . A retention ring  135  is assembled surrounding the primary ball member  133  and entraps and retains a plurality of secondary roller bearing elements  134  within a concave region of the hemispherically shaped ball transfer unit housing  131 . The retention member  132  captures the retention ring  135 , secondary roller bearing elements  134  and primary ball member  133  to complete an operative ball transfer unit  130  assembly. 
     The ball transfer unit  130  configuration disclosed herein permits rapid omnidirectional movement of each primary ball member  133  with significantly reduced friction under high load conditions. The reduced friction and smooth omnidirectional movement provided by each ball transfer unit  130  is enabled by reducing the contact surface area between the primary ball member  130  and the concave inner surface of the ball transfer unit housing  131 . The reduction of this dynamic surface contact area is primarily effectuated by employing a plurality of secondary roller bearing elements  134  between the primary ball member  130  and the concave inner surface of the ball transfer unit housing  131 , which provides both a load path and dynamic moving contact point there between. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the ball transfer unit housing  131  is configured with one or more apertures  138  formed there through. The size and location of apertures  138  may vary depending on the style of ball transfer unit  130  employed. The one or more apertures  138  enables cleaning and maintaining of the ball transfer unit  130 , thereby extending the operational lifespan of the ball transfer unit  130 . In one embodiment, each one or more aperture  138  may be sized such that internal contaminants such as dust, dirt, lint, fibers, fluid and the like can pass through the aperture  138  and away from the ball transfer unit housing  131 . In this embodiment, the aperture  138  can be sized slightly smaller that secondary roller bearing elements  134  but large enough to provide sufficient access to the inner surface of the ball transfer unit housing  131  to thereby facilitate cleaning and lubricating procedures. 
     Both the ball transfer unit housing  131  and the retention member  132  may be fabricated from various structural materials capable of providing adequate performance for a given load range. In one exemplary embodiment, the ball transfer unit housing  131  and the retention member  132  are fabricated from stainless steel. Alternatively, the ball transfer unit housing  131  and the retention member  132  can be fabricated from a zinc plated sheet of formed metal. It is understood that primary ball members  133  and the secondary roller bearing elements  134  can be precision ground and heat-treated such that surface imperfections and friction between the primary ball members  133  and the secondary roller bearing elements  134  are minimized. In one exemplary embodiment, the retention ring  135  can be fabricated from a polymer having high lubricity characteristics such as Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal and polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. As with many other synthetic polymers, it is produced by different chemical firms with slightly different formulas and sold under trade names such as DELRIN, CELCON, RAMTAL, DURACON AND HOSTAFORM, which are well-known materials used in component manufacturing. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand the various material substitutions, including any of many other suitable materials that may be employed. 
     In one exemplary embodiment the primary ball member  133  and/or secondary roller bearing elements  134  can be fabricated from any suitable material such as stainless steel, metal alloys, Teflon, nylon, polymers, composites, ceramics, and the like, or any combination thereof. It is understood that that primary ball member  133  can be selected from a material that prevents adversely marking, scuffing or scratching a floor support surface such as hardwood or tile. 
     An alternative embodiment of the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  is identified as an omnidirectional exercise platform  200 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The omnidirectional exercise platform  100  and the omnidirectional exercise platform  200  comprises a number of like elements, wherein like features are numbered the same except preceded by the numeral ‘2’. 
     The omnidirectional exercise platform  200  introduces a T-shaped handle  260  having three short vertical columns or bollards  262 ,  264 ,  266  that extend downward from a generally horizontal element of the handle  260 . In the exemplary embodiment, the handle  260  is configured for releasable coupling with omnidirectional exercise platform  200 . A distal end  272 ,  274 ,  276  of each bollard  262 ,  264 ,  266  passes through a respective bollard passage aperture  282 ,  284 ,  286  formed through the pad member  220 . Each distal end  272 ,  274 ,  276  of each bollard  262 ,  264 ,  266 , respectively, is press fit into a respective cavity  292 ,  294 ,  296  formed into the top surface  212  of the base member  210 . In this embodiment, the handle  260  provides a user  400  ( FIG. 8 ), of the omnidirectional exercise platform  200 , with the added feature of being able to employ a closed fist grip while performing a desired exercise. The handle  260  can be fabricated using any of a variety of known manufacturing processes, including: injection molding, casting, machining, metal forming and joining, and the like; and any suitable material, including: metal alloys, plastics, resins, and the like that one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate. In another variation, each distal end  272 ,  274 ,  276  of each bollard  262 ,  264 ,  266  can be releasably coupled to the base member  210  by being inserted within a respective cavity  292 ,  294 ,  296  and retained therein by any one of a variety of known mechanical coupling elements such as: snap fit, threaded fasteners, quick connect fasteners, retention screws/pins (not show), magnets, and the like. It is understood that the handle  260  can be configured in any other suitable geometric shape such as: an I-shape, an L-shape, a semi-circular shape, and the like. Each of the designs would be suitable for releasably coupling the handle  260  with the omnidirectional exercise platform  200 . The bollards  262 ,  264 ,  266  provide a dimensional offset or vertical gap between a lower surface of the handle  260  and the top surface  222  of the pad member  220 . For example, an I-shaped handle may be employed by reducing the number of bollards to two and providing respective apertures and cavities for mating with omnidirectional exercise platform  200 . The handle  260  can be enhanced to improve a user&#39;s grip and comfort, by configuring the handle  260  with a textured surface, incorporating a pliant gripping surface, such as a neoprene coating, a silicone coating, a rubber coating, and the like 
     In use, the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  provides a user  400  with a device that substantially enhances and activates additional muscle groups during a push-up type of exercise, such as those illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The top view of omnidirectional exercise platform  100 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , clearly indicates various omnidirectional motion lines in accordance with the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 7  illustrates two types of omnidirectional motion lines. The first omnidirectional motion lines are co-planar lines  300  that show exemplary translative motion paths that omnidirectional exercise platform  100  may freely move along during use. The co-planar lines  300  are generally co-planar with a support surface  410  (see  FIG. 8 ), whereby the support surface  410  is preferably a generally horizontally oriented surface that supports the omnidirectional exercise platform  100 ,  200  during use. The second type of omnidirectional motion lines are rotational lines  310  and illustrate the ability of omnidirectional exercise platform  100 ,  200  to rotate or twist about a vertically oriented rotational axis  320  that is normal (i.e., perpendicular) to the support surface  410  and passes through the rotational center of omnidirectional exercise platform  100 ,  200 . 
     During the execution of a physical exercise such as a push-up, illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the hands of a user  400  are placed on the pad member top surface  122  of omnidirectional exercise platform  100  while the user  400  is in a prone position (not shown). As the user  400  begins the push-up exercise, the user  400  contracts various primary muscle groups to raise the body of the user  400  away from the support surface  410  and from a prone position into an end position as shown in  FIG. 8 . While the user  400  is performing the push-up, each omnidirectional exercise platform  100  of the pair of omnidirectional exercise platforms  100  is free to translate along the support surface  410  and also rotate about the vertically oriented rotational axis  320 . In response to the translation/rotation of omnidirectional exercise platform  100 , the user  400  must activate various secondary muscle groups to maintain the initial position of omnidirectional exercise platform  100 . Alternatively, the user  400  may intentionally desire a translation/rotation movement of omnidirectional exercise platform  100  to enhance the push-up exercise and thereby engage additional primary and secondary muscle groups to effectuate such movement. 
     Another exemplary physical exercise that can be performed using the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . This exercise is commonly referred to as a hamstring raise. Generally, a hamstring raise is accomplished by activating primary muscle groups of the legs and back by raising a body of user  400  from an initial position resting upon the support surface  410  to a raised position above the support surface  410 . During a hamstring raise, feet of a user  400  are placed onto pad member top surfaces  122  of the omnidirectional exercise platforms  100 . Similar to the push-up, described above, the user  400  contracts various primary muscle groups to raise the body of the user  400  away from a support surface  410  and from the initial position (not shown) into a raised position elevated above the support surface  410 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . While the user  400  is performing the hamstring raise, each omnidirectional exercise platform  100  of the pair of omnidirectional exercise platforms  100  is free to translate along support surface  410  and also rotate about the vertically oriented rotational axis  320  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). In response to the translation/rotation of each omnidirectional exercise platform  100  of the pair of omnidirectional exercise platforms  100 , the user  400  must activate various secondary muscle groups to maintain the initial position of omnidirectional exercise platforms  100 . Alternatively, user  400  may intentionally desire a translation/rotation movement of one or both omnidirectional exercise platforms  100  of the pair of omnidirectional exercise platforms  100  to enhance the hamstring raise exercise and thereby engage additional primary and secondary muscle groups. 
     An exemplary triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  is introduced and detailed in  FIGS. 10 through 14 , with the characteristic benefits being detailed in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  includes three ball transfer unit  530  equally spaced (radially and angular) about a center of a triangular shaped base  510 ,  560 . The triangular shaped base  510 ,  560  can be assembled having one or multiple components. In the exemplary embodiment, the triangular shaped base is a two piece assembly, including an upper body member  510  and a lower body member  560 . An orientation of the upper body member  510  is referenced by an upper body member top surface  512  and an upper body member underside  514 . Similarly, an orientation of the lower body member  560  is referenced by a lower body member topside surface  562  and a lower body member bottom surface  564 . The upper body member  510  is assembled by joining the upper body member underside  514  and the lower body member bottom surface  564  with one another. 
     The upper body member  510  and lower body member  560  can be assembled to one another using any suitable assembled techniques, including mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, threaded fasteners, quick lock or twist lock fasteners, dense hook and loop tape, and the like; bonding agents, such as adhesive, epoxy, and the like; welding, such as ultrasonic welding, spot welding, and the like; any combination thereof, or any other suitable assembly technique. An alignment feature can be included in the upper body member  510  and/or lower body member  560  to align and preferably seal the upper body member  510  and lower body member  560  with one another. In the exemplary embodiment, a lower body member receiving rabbet  515  is formed about an interior edge of the upper body member sidewall  516 . Matingly, a lower body assembly ridge  565  is formed about a peripheral edge of the lower body member  560 . When assembled, the lower body assembly ridge  565  is inserted into the lower body member receiving rabbet  515 . The lower body member receiving rabbet  515  and lower body assembly ridge  565  can be design having a simple sliding interface, a snap interface, or any other suitable interface/coupling design. A pad member  520  can be removably assembled to an upper region of the upper body member  510 . In the exemplary embodiment, the upper body member  510  is assembled to the lower body member  560  using a plurality of spatially arranged assembly snap hooks  550  and respective hook latch apertures  552 . Each assembly snap hook  550  includes a hook formed at a distal end of a cantilevered tab. Each hook latch aperture  552  is sized enabling the hook end of the assembly snap hook  550  to pass therethrough. The hook latch aperture  552  is offset, where the hook engages with a lip formed along one edge of thereof and is retained in position by a natural spring force created by the geometry of the latching hook and lip assembly and the selected material used to manufacture the upper body member  510 . The lower body member receiving rabbet  515  and lower body assembly ridge  565  can be symmetric enabling any of three orientations or the lower body member receiving rabbet  515  and lower body assembly ridge  565  can be keyed, limiting the assembly to a single orientation. 
     The upper surface of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  is designed to be gripped by the user, similar to the manners presented in the various applications previously described in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The upper surface can include various features for aiding the user in properly and adequately gripping the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . The upper surface can additionally include features or components to enhance user comfort during use. The upper surface can include features to aid the user in properly locating their appendage to optimize use of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . 
     A pad member  520  is integrated into the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  in the exemplary embodiment to provide user guidance, support, and comfort. The pad member  520  can be manufactured of a pliant material, such as foam, silicone, pliant plastic, rubber, and the like. The pad member  520  can be considered a wear item and is therefore, preferably removably assembled to the upper body member  510 . The pad member  520  is preferably formed as a circular disc having a pad member top surface  522 , as pad member bottom surface  524 , and a pad member sidewall  526  defining and circumscribing a peripheral edge extending between the pad member top surface  522  and the pad member bottom surface  524 . The pad member  520  can include a plurality of pad member retention features  528 , each pad member retention feature  528  being located along a circumferential portion of the pad member sidewall  526  proximate the pad member bottom surface  524 . The pad member  520  can include two (2), three (3) or more pad member retention features  528 . The pad member retention feature  528  can be equally sized and spaced enabling assembly of the pad member  520  to the upper body member  510  in any of multiple orientations. Alternatively, the pad member retention features  528  can be unequally spaced, having varied thicknesses, have varied lengths, or include any other unique feature to key the orientation when assembling the pad member  520  to the upper body member  510 . A stabilizing feature, such as a pad member central registration protrusion  529 , can be included in the pad member bottom surface  524 , wherein the pad member central registration protrusion  529  ( FIG. 13 ) provides increased stability to the pad member  520 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the pad member  520  is inserted into an upper base member pad receiving cavity  590  formed extending inward into the upper body member  510  from an upper body member top surface  512 . The upper base member pad receiving cavity  590  includes a pad receiving cavity sidewall  594  extending downward from the upper body member top surface  512  defining a peripheral edge of the upper base member pad receiving cavity  590  and a pad receiving cavity base  592  defining a bottom surface of the upper base member pad receiving cavity  590 . The pad receiving cavity base  592  can be convex (as shown), planar, or concave. The pad receiving cavity base  592  would preferably be shaped to mimic and mate with the shape of the pad member bottom surface  524 . A plurality of pad member retention rabbets  598  is formed within the upper base member pad receiving cavity  590  of the upper body member  510 , wherein each pad member retention rabbet  598  is sized and shaped for receiving and retaining a respective pad member retention feature  528 . The pad member retention rabbet  598  can be designed as a slot undercutting into the interior of the upper body member  510  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The pliancy of the material of the pad member  520  enables the user to compress the pad member  520 , enabling each pad member retention feature  528  to pass into the upper base member pad receiving cavity  590 , slide down the pad receiving cavity sidewall  594  and seat into the pad member retention rabbet  598 . Each pad member retention rabbet  598  can include an access feature, enabling a user to insert their finger through the access feature and ensure the pad member retention feature  528  is properly seated into the pad member retention rabbet  598 . A pad member central registration receptacle  599  can be formed through the upper body member top surface  512  and into features within an interior of the upper body member  510  for receiving and retaining the pad member central registration protrusion  529  in position. The retention of the pad member central registration protrusion  529  accommodates for any stretch or other motion of the material of the pad member  520 , effectively reducing a stretch dimension by half (or more if multiple pad member central registration protrusions  529  are designed into the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 ). 
     Three ball transfer unit receiving sockets  540  are formed extending inward from a lower body member bottom surface  564  of the lower body member  560 . Each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540  is located proximate one of the three corners of the triangular shaped base  510 ,  560 . Each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540  is formed extending inward from the lower body member bottom surface  564 . The lower body member  560  can include one or more assembly features for securing a ball transfer unit  530  within the ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . It is understood that the assembly features can be of any suitable form factor known by those skilled in the art. The exemplary embodiment employs a series of ball transfer unit assembly receiving tabs  546  and an associated ball transfer unit assembly receiving slot  547 , wherein the ball transfer unit assembly receiving tab  546  retains a mounting feature (such as the mounting feature  136  ( FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 )) of the ball transfer unit  530  within the ball transfer unit assembly receiving slot  547 . A primary ball member (similar to the primary ball member  133 ) would extend downward below the lower body member bottom surface  564 . A portion of the primary ball member would be recessed within the ball transfer unit receiving socket  540  to lower a center of gravity of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . The exemplary embodiment includes three ball transfer unit assembly receiving tabs  546  and associated ball transfer unit assembly receiving slots  547  for each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . Although the exemplary embodiment utilizes a receiving tab  546  and an associated receiving slot  547 , it is understood that the ball transfer unit  530  can be assembled to the lower body member  560  using any suitable assembly configuration, including other mechanical fasteners, threaded fasteners, quick connect or quick twist fasteners, and the like. It is preferred that the assembly configuration enables removal and reassembly of the ball transfer unit  530  to the lower body member  560 . The removal and reassembly of the ball transfer unit  530  to the lower body member  560  enables servicing, repairs, maintenance, etc. of the ball transfer unit  530  and the ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . 
     The upper body member  510  includes a domed upper body member top surface  512  and an upper body member sidewall  516  extending downward from a peripheral edge of the upper body member top surface  512 . The upper body member top surface  512  has a triangular shape comprising three slightly outwardly arched sides and rounded corners. The upper body member sidewall  516  can be angled, tapering outward from top to bottom (as shown) or substantially vertical. More specifically, the triangular shaped base member sidewall  516  is formed having triangular frustum shape, wherein a bottom edge  517  of the triangular shaped base member sidewall  516  is longer than an upper edge  518  of the triangular shaped base member sidewall. A sidewall handgrip  570  can optionally be integrated into each of the sidewall portions of the upper body member sidewall  516 . Each sidewall handgrip  570  would be a recess, sized for insertion of a user&#39;s fingers. Each of the upper body member top surface  512  and upper body member sidewall  516  are preferably fabricated of a panel of plastic or similar material, wherein the panel is of a thickness that provides adequate support. Additional structural rigidity can be provided by introducing an internal support structure. The internal support structure can be provided in any suitable configuration based upon design selection and structural engineering. The exemplary embodiment includes components presented in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , with the interactions best shown in the section drawing presented in  FIG. 14 . Centrally, a series of upper base member radial assembly support ribs  580  extend radially outward from the pad member central registration receptacle  599  to a distal end proximate a peripheral edge of the upper base member pad receiving cavity  590  (defined by the pad receiving cavity sidewall  594 ). The inner edge of one or more upper base member radial assembly support rib  580  can be included to aid in forming at least a portion of the pad member central registration receptacle  599 . 
     A similar structure of one or more supporting elements can be included in the design of the lower body member  560 . In the exemplary embodiment, the lower base member assembly support ridge  584  is provided as a vertical wall having a circular shape, extending upward from an interior surface of the lower body member  560 . Each upper base member radial assembly support rib  580  would be designed to extend from an inner surface of the upper body member top surface  512  to an inner opposite facing surface of the lower body member  560 . At least a portion of the series of upper base member radial assembly support ribs  580  is designed to interlock with the lower base member assembly support ridge  584 . The interlocking design increases the structural integrity of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . The interlocking design can be provided by forming an upper base member radial assembly support slot  582  into one or more of the upper base member radial assembly support ribs  580  and a lower base member assembly support ridge slot  586  formed within a lower base member assembly support ridge  584  of the lower body member  560 . The upper base member radial assembly support slot  582  and the lower base member assembly support ridge slot  586  would be located, sized, and shaped to mate with one another when the upper body member  510  and the lower body member  560  are assembled to one another. The interlocking design ensures that the upper base member radial assembly support ribs  580  remain upright and avoid failure by restricting a bottom edge of the upper base member radial assembly support rib  580  from sliding sideways. 
     Similar infrastructure is included to provide adequate support to each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . A transverse socket supporting rib  542  extends downward from the interior surface of the upper body member top surface  512  proximate each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . A transverse socket supporting surface  543  is formed in each transverse socket supporting rib  542 , wherein the transverse socket supporting surface  543  is shaped, sized, and located to contact an interior surface of the ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . Each transverse socket supporting rib  542  is oriented perpendicular to a radial line from a center of the upper body member  510 . Similarly, a radial socket supporting rib  544  extends downward from the interior surface of the upper body member top surface  512  proximate each ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 , but along the radial line. A radial socket supporting surface  545  is formed in each radial socket supporting rib  544 , wherein the radial socket supporting surface  545  is shaped, sized, and located to contact the interior surface of the ball transfer unit receiving socket  540 . 
     The supporting ribs can additionally include one or more handgrip supporting ribs  572  for supporting the sidewall handgrip  570 . It is understood that the supporting infrastructure can be designed in any suitable configuration to adequately support an individual while they are exercising using the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 , while minimizing an overall weight of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . 
     A concave bottom surface  574  can be formed extending from the lower body member bottom surface  564  of the lower body member  560 . The concave bottom surface  574  provides several functions. The concave bottom surface  574  provides an additional rigidity to the lower body member  560 . The concave bottom surface  574  provides an additional height clearance from the lower body member bottom surface  564  in a region between each of the three ball transfer units  530 . The height clearance accommodates uneven surfaces. 
     The triangular shape of the omnidirectional exercise platform  500  provides a number of unique benefits. A device with three (3) ball transfer units  530  ensures stability when placed upon a support surface  410 . Three (3) contact points  532  define a plane. The three contact points  532  would provide stability on a planar surface or an uneven surface. A device with less than three (3) ball transfer units  530  would fail to provide adequate planar stability. A device with more than three (3) ball transfer units  530  would introduce a potential of a rocking on a supporting surface  410  that is planar and more so on a supporting surface  410  that is not planar. The triangular shape of the omnidirectional exercise platform  500  locates each of the ball transfer units  530  proximate a corner of the body  510 ,  560 . 
     The triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  includes a series of features to ensure stability during use, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The initial feature is the triangular shape of the body  510 ,  560 . The primary ball member centroid  532  of each of the three (3) ball transfer unit  530  defines a ball member defined stability binding region  630 . Applying physics, if a downward force is applied to the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  within the ball member defined stability binding region  630 , it would be impossible to cause the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  to tilt upward. The triangular shape minimizes a dimension (platform body instability margin  664 ) spanning between the ball member stability binding region tangential edge  631  and the triangular platform distal edge  611 . The platform body instability margin  664  includes the downward sloping edge of the triangular platform peripheral boundary  610 . When this is considered, the actual dimension is less than the platform body instability margin  664 . The next logical outermost point of contact would be the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  of the pad member  520 . The instability region would then be a dimension (platform pad instability margin  662 ) extending between the ball member stability binding region tangential edge  631  and the platform pad member tangential edge  621 . Because this dimension is small, it is unlikely that the entire force applied by the exercising individual would be applied outside of the ball member defined stability binding region  630 . Although any forces applied in this region are outside of the ball member defined stability binding region  630 , the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  would remain stable, as the applied torque is based upon a normal force multiplied by a distance. The distance is extremely short, thus minimizing the rotational torque to pivot the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  from a horizontally supported orientation. The optimal use of the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  would locate the user&#39;s appendage upon the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  and preferably located having at least a portion of the supporting force placed within the interior stability indicator  622 . The interior stability indicator  622  would be identified as a feature within the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620 . It is noted that the pad member  520  includes strategically included features ensuring stability. A first feature is that the diameter of the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  locates a tangential edge of the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  within an interior side of each primary ball member centroid  532 . In other words, the radius of the pad member  520  is less than a radial distance between a center of the body  510 ,  560  and each primary ball member centroid  532 . The platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  can be identified by any suitable feature. One exemplary design for the platform pad member peripheral boundary  620  would be one or more raised rings  624  and/or one or more recessed rings  626 . It is understood that the pad member  520  can include a series of raised rings  624  and/or recessed rings  626  to also provide a gripping area for the user. 
     A second feature is the ball member defined stability binding region  630 , wherein the ball member defined stability binding region  630  is located entirely within the confines of the ball member defined stability binding region  630 . 
     Conversely, an outline of a circular platform  100  is referenced by a circular platform outline  650 . The circular platform outline  650  defines a circular platform tangential edge  651 . A circular platform instability margin  666  is a distance between the ball member stability binding region tangential edge  631  and the circular platform tangential edge  651 . It is noted that the circular platform instability margin  666  is significantly greater than the platform pad instability margin  662 . Since it is assumed that the downward force would be the same force, simply applied in a more distal location, the additional distance increases the generated torque, thus increasing the potential for inducing instability to the omnidirectional exercise platform  100 . A circular platform extension effective dimension  668  provides another reference dimension, wherein the circular platform extension effective dimension  668  is a dimension extending between the platform pad member tangential edge  621  and the circular platform tangential edge  651 . 
     In an alternative vantage point, the platform defined pad frame segment  665  is unlikely to be subjected to a downward force by the user, as the upper body member sidewall  516  is slanted. The omnidirectional exercise platform  100  introduces a circular platform extension actual dimension  667 , or more likely, a circular platform extension effective dimension  668 , which significantly increases the likelihood of flipping the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  compared to the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 . 
     Forces associated with the stability are presented in  FIG. 16 . The optimal downward force (central downward force  602 ) applied by the user would span between the ball member defined stability binding region  630  defined by each primary ball member centroid  532  of each respective ball transfer unit  530 . The downward force is opposed by an upward platform supporting force  604  provided by the support surface  410  through each ball transfer unit  530 . In a worst case on the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500 , the downward force (distal triangular platform downward force  606 ) could be applied at any location across a platform body instability margin  664 . In a worst-case scenario, the distal triangular platform downward force  606  is applied at a distal end of the platform body instability margin  664 , introducing a torque generating dimension defined by a triangular platform maximum instability region  616 . As mentioned above, the angled shape of the upper body member sidewall  516  and the inclusion of the sidewall handgrip  570  actually reduce the triangular platform maximum instability region  616  when the triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform  500  is being used. 
     Conversely, the omnidirectional exercise platform  100  introduces a wider circular platform instability margin  666 . A distal circular platform downward force  608  can be applied at a significantly greater distance (circular platform maximum instability region  618 ) from the primary ball member centroid  532  compared to the distal triangular platform downward force  606 . This significantly increases the likelihood of an instable exercise application. 
     It is understood that the omnidirectional exercise platform  100 ,  500  can enable the user to complete any of a variety of additional exercises. 
     As will be now apparent to those skilled in the art, omnidirectional exercise platform fabricated according to the teachings of the present invention are capable of substantially enhancing one or more physical exercises of a person. Since the present invention provides an omnidirectional exercise platform that permits free multi-directional translation of the platform with respect to a support surface while performing an exercise and correspondingly requires the user to activate secondary muscle groups to prevent undesired movement of the omnidirectional exercise platform. In addition, the invention provides a platform that further permits rotational movement with respect to a vertical axis normal to the support surface. Importantly, the present invention provides a stable platform that reduces the risk of injuring the various joints (e.g., wrists &amp; ankles) of the user. Specifically, with the present invention, it is possible to perform various physical exercises that engage a multitude of secondary muscle groups while simultaneously providing a stable surface that substantially prevents undesired twisting/torquing of delicate joints of the user. Finally, the invention provides a device that may be adapted by a user to employ different handgrip positions during an exercise. 
     Although the above provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications, combinations, alternate constructions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although the invention has been described with reference to coupling the padded member to the base member, alternatively the padded member may be configured for easy removal to facilitate cleaning/replacement. Further, the invention has been described with reference to using individual ball transfer units that are coupled to the base member, these components may be permanently coupled or integrally formed therewith. It is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore the above should not be construed as limiting the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence. 
     ELEMENT DESCRIPTION REFERENCES 
     Ref No. Description 
     
         
           100  omnidirectional exercise platform 
           110  base member 
           112  top surface 
           114  bottom surface 
           116  sidewall 
           120  pad member 
           122  pad member top surface 
           124  pad member bottom surface 
           126  pad member sidewall 
           130  ball transfer unit 
           131  ball transfer unit housing 
           132  primary ball retention member 
           133  primary ball member 
           134  secondary roller bearing element 
           135  retention ring 
           136  mounting feature 
           138  aperture 
           140  ball transfer unit receiving aperture 
           150  mechanical fastener 
           152  nut 
           200  omnidirectional exercise platform 
           210  base member 
           212  top surface 
           214  bottom surface 
           216  sidewall 
           220  pad member 
           222  top surface 
           224  bottom surface 
           226  sidewall 
           230  ball transfer unit 
           231  ball transfer unit housing 
           240  ball transfer unit receiving aperture 
           250  mechanical fastener 
           252  nut 
           260  T-shaped handle 
           262  bollard 
           264  bollard 
           266  bollard 
           272  distal bollard end 
           274  distal bollard end 
           276  distal bollard end 
           282  bollard passage aperture 
           284  bollard passage aperture 
           286  bollard passage aperture 
           292  bollard end receiving cavity 
           294  bollard end receiving cavity 
           296  bollard end receiving cavity 
           300  co-planar lines 
           310  rotational line 
           320  vertically oriented rotational axis 
           400  user 
           410  support surface 
           500  triangular shaped omnidirectional exercise platform 
           510  upper body member 
           512  upper body member top surface 
           514  upper body member underside 
           515  lower body member receiving rabbet 
           516  upper body member sidewall 
           517  upper body member sidewall bottom edge 
           518  upper body member sidewall upper edge 
           520  pad member 
           522  pad member top surface 
           524  pad member bottom surface 
           526  pad member sidewall 
           528  pad member retention feature 
           529  pad member central registration protrusion 
           530  ball transfer unit 
           532  primary ball member centroid 
           540  ball transfer unit receiving socket 
           542  transverse socket supporting rib 
           543  transverse socket supporting surface 
           544  radial socket supporting rib 
           545  radial socket supporting surface 
           546  ball transfer unit assembly receiving tab 
           547  ball transfer unit assembly receiving slot 
           550  assembly snap hook 
           552  hook latch aperture 
           560  lower body member 
           562  lower body member topside 
           564  lower body member bottom surface 
           565  lower body assembly ridge 
           570  sidewall handgrip 
           572  handgrip supporting rib 
           574  concave bottom surface 
           580  upper base member radial assembly support rib 
           582  upper base member radial assembly support slot 
           584  lower base member assembly support ridge 
           586  lower base member assembly support ridge slot 
           590  upper base member pad receiving cavity 
           592  pad receiving cavity base 
           594  pad receiving cavity sidewall 
           598  pad member retention rabbet 
           599  pad member central registration receptacle 
           602  central downward force 
           604  upward platform supporting force 
           606  distal triangular platform downward force 
           608  distal circular platform downward force 
           610  triangular platform peripheral boundary 
           611  triangular platform distal edge 
           616  triangular platform maximum instability region 
           618  circular platform maximum instability region 
           620  platform pad member peripheral boundary 
           621  platform pad member tangential edge 
           622  interior stability indicator 
           624  raised ring 
           626  recessed ring 
           630  ball member defined stability binding region 
           631  ball member stability binding region tangential edge 
           650  circular platform outline 
           651  circular platform tangential edge 
           662  platform pad instability margin 
           664  platform body instability margin 
           665  platform defined pad frame segment 
           666  circular platform instability margin 
           667  circular platform extension actual dimension 
           668  circular platform extension effective dimension