Patent Publication Number: US-2023141513-A1

Title: Balance Station

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
     This application is a formal non-provisional utility application claiming priority to provisional application No. 63/277,604, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to elder care. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for safe performance of balance promoting exercises. 
     Falls are the leading cause of injury and death to the elderly. The two major approaches to fall prevention for seniors are (1) strength exercise and (2) balance training. Strength exercises for fall prevention are freely available for seniors online and through various organizations. In contrast, there is limited at home balance training available for seniors because of the risk of falling and incurring an injury. Balance training has historically been limited to physical therapy office using apparatus such as parallel bars. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a balance station comprising a platform with raised handle bars on three sides. A sign is attached to the handle bars with instructions for various balance training exercise. A timer is also attached to the handle bars, which allows the user to time his or her exercise. Footprint outlines are included on the platform suggest the foot position the user should use while using the balance station. 
     Balance training is typically based on the time a person can hold a specific position. By using the foot prints and the timer, a user can measure his or her ability to maintain the specific positions. 
     The handlebars help prevent the user from falling, and/or helps mitigate possible injury caused by falling, if the user loses balance while using the balance station. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view showing the framework for a preferred implementation of the balance station of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is front elevational view of the balance station; 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view thereof; and 
         FIG.  5    are perspective views thereof; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims which may be drawn hereto. 
     Referring now to the figures, and to  FIG.  1    in particular, the preferred implementation of a framework for the balance station  10  for safe performance of balance promoting exercises is shown to generally comprise a pair of side rails  14  and a front rail  16  supported atop a plurality of legs  18  projecting upwardly from a sturdy base platform  11 . As shown in the figures, each leg  18  is securely attached to the top face  12  of the base platform  11  with, for example, anchors  19  fitted one each to the legs  18 . The side rails  14 , front rail  16  and legs  18 , and any fittings therebetween, each comprise a strong material such as, for example, steel or the like. In this manner, the side rails  14  and front rail  16  provide a user of the balance station  10  with a pair of side handlebars  15  and a pair of front handlebar  17 . 
     In one embodiment, the side handlebars  15  and front handlebar  17  are thirty-two inches above the base platform  11 , which was calculated as providing sufficient fall prevention for the user. This height is further designed so that the handlebars  15  and  17  are similar in height to parallel bars found in physical therapy facilities. 
     The base platform  11  is flat and level with the ground. In one embodiment, the base platform  11  is raised four inches above the ground, forty inches in length, and thirty-two inches in width. 
     The base platform  11  comprises a removable balance training face  40 . In one embodiment, the removable balance training face  40  is twenty inches in length and thirty-two inches in width. The removable balance training face  40  comprises indica of position  13 . In one embodiment, the indica of position  13  are footprint outlines which provide a demonstrative guide to the user for placing his or her feet during balance training exercises. 
     The removeable balance training face  40  can be removed and replaced with other removable base faces  30 ,  35 ,  37 . The removable faces  30 ,  35 ,  37 ,  40  are slid onto the base platform  11  via an opening  31  on the right side of the base platform  11 . The removable base face  30 ,  35 ,  37 ,  40  is secured to the base platform via locks  32 . 
     A placard support  20 , which may preferably comprise a lightweight frame  23 , constructed for example of PVC or the like, dependently supports a placard  21  which as will be understood is used to provide a user easily viewed instructions for use of the balance station  10 . In one embodiment, the placard  21  is angled forty-five degrees away from the user. 
     The placard  21  provides instructions for exercise that directly correlate with the appropriate base  30 ,  35 ,  37 ,  40  being used. For example, if the user is using the numbered footprint base, the placard instructs the user where to place feet and hands according to the appropriate exercise, then it instructs the user to press the button and hover hands over the handlebars while attempting balancing exercise for the allotted time. There is a different sign with instructions for each different base insert to allow the user to practice a wide range of balance exercises. 
     Additionally, and as particularly in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , a control support  24  is also provided and like the placard support  20  is also preferably constructed of PVC or a like lightweight material, and which in the preferred embodiment is provided as a pair of upwardly projecting arms  25 . 
     The control support  24  dependently supports a control panel  26 , on which is mounted a start button  27  and, most preferably, a “dead man&#39;s” type safety switch  29 , which is in communication with an alarming device. In the event of a fall by a user in use of the balance station  10 , the safety switch  29  is operable through tug on a connected lanyard  29  and wrist band, waist band, or the like to sound an appropriate alarm for summoning help. A timer  28 , activated by the start button  27 , ensures that the user performs each exercise for an appropriately long, but not excessive time period in order to obtain optimal benefit. 
     In one embodiment, the balance station  10  has a first timer button  32  and a second timer button  33 . The first timer button  32  is preset to start the timer  28  for a thirty-second interval, ending with a loud beep. The second timer button  33  is preset to start the timer  28  for a sixty-second interval, ending with a loud beep. In one embodiment, the timer  28  counts up in one second intervals starting at zero. 
     As also shown in the figures, indicia of position  13  are provided on the top face  12  of the base platform  11 , to indicated to the user where to place his or her feet during each exercise. Indicia of identification  22 , corresponding to the indicia of position  13  provided on and in connection with the top face  12  of the base platform  11 , are provided as part of the instructions presented on the placard  21 . 
     In use, the user steps onto the base platform  11 , using the side handlebars  15  and front handlebar  17  as necessary to maintain stability while stepping onto the balance station  10 . The user views the indica of identification  22  provided on the placard  21 . The indica of identification  22  include, but is not limited to, suggested foot positions for different balance training exercises. The user places his or her feet on the indica of position  13  that correspond to the indica of identification  22  selected by the user. The indica of identification  13  include, but is not limited to, outlines of foot positions, activates the countdown timer  28  and holds the exercise until the timer reaches zero. 
     The balance station  10  can be combined with several attachments  34  that can be used for specific exercises related to balancing. The following paragraphs attachments  34  that can be combined with the balance station  10 . 
     The basic base  35  comprises six oval shapes  36  that are numbered with ovals numbered one being the foot placement for a shoulder width stance by the user while balancing. Ovals numbered two are between the ovals numbered one and signify foot placement for exercise two with the feet being placed together while balancing. Ovals numbered three are placed above and below the ovals numbered two. Ovals numbered three represent the users foot placement while performing exercise three. This design for foot placement is directly derived from widely accepted physical therapy practice. The first exercise is a wide stance, the second a narrow stance, the third with dominant forward then non-dominant foot forward and for exercise four, standing on oval numbered two and lifting one foot off the ground while balancing. 
     The pad base insert  37  provides a balance pad used in physical therapy and performance training that provides an intentionally unstable surface for the user. The pad is imbedded into the base insert. In one embodiment, the pad is fifteen inches wide, twelve and a half inches in length and two and a half inches thick and protrudes from the surface of the base ⅛th of an inch. 
     The exercises instructed for pad  37  use are more difficult than the original base due to the unstable surface. The first exercise for the pad is standing with feet together. The second exercise is to lift each foot alternately. The Third is lifting each leg alternately out laterally. 
     Base hoops  38  are part of the pad  37  balancer and provide four hoops outside each corner of the pad. These are for connecting resistance bands to the base of the device for more advance exercises with the use of additional accessories. 
     The squat bar  39  is a lightweight and padded aluminum bar with resistance bands attached at both ends. The resistance bands each have a connector such as a carabiner for securing the squat bar to the base. On the pad base instructions, the user is to place the bar across the top of their shoulder blades, hold on to the front handlebar and squat down while feet are in a wide stance. Different resistance bands for more or less resistance will be available for order. 
     Dumbbell Bands—These are 2 resistance bands with handles at one end and a carabiner at the other. The bands are secured to the base and used as dumbbells would be used for exercises like curls and shoulder press. Different resistance weight bands will be available for order 
     Ring Toss—This attachment is 2 separate 4 inch poles that attach to the handlebars and a rubber ring that fits loosely around a pole. The poles are attached on opposite sides of the balancer. The objective is to transfer the ring from one pole to the other while only using 1 arm. This allows the user to practice balancing while turning their torso from one side to the other. This exercise is to be done with both upper extremities for balance and coordination 
     Step Ladder—This attachment is a small ladder that attaches to the 2 vertical front bars via 4 clamps. It is 18 inches in height and 28 inches wide. The user attempts to raise 1 foot at a time to each level of the ladder while maintaining balance with the other foot. The ladder rungs are at 4 inches, 8 inches and 12 inches high 
     Vision Sticks—These are 2 adjustable thick wires that have clamps at one end and large colored circles at the other end. They are 32 inches in length and are used during balance exercises when the user looks to the left and right while balancing. They are placed on both side rails and can be adjusted according to the neck mobility of the user. This allows the user to focus on a single point for more successful balancing. This is an advance balancing exercises widely used and accepted by physical therapy practice. 
     A Hand Sanitizer Holder—Is a cupholder attached to a clamp for placement on the Balancer for infection control implementation. A bottle of hand sanitizer can be placed in the cup. Hand Sanitizer is not provided by Senior Start 
     While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description and the accompanying drawings. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that may be drawn hereto.