Patent Abstract:
A generally rectangular exercise board with curved ends has an upper planer support surface. Beneath the support surface, are two projecting spaced parallel arcuate rockers. Each rocker has a flat portion adjacent to one long edge of the rocker board. The flat sections makes an angle of approximately 45° with the planar surface of the board. A hemispherical projection is formed between the two rockers. A band of rubber is fastened to the board between the rockers which is arranged to accommodate a foot placed between the band of rubber and the bottom surface of the board so the front portion of the foot is elastically biased against the board and exercises can be performed by moving the foot away from the board to induce elastic strain in the band of rubber.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to exercise equipment in general and to rocking exercise boards in particular. 
   Strength and flexibility of the lower body are important to everyone. Strength and flexibility in the feet, ankles, knees, thighs and hips can reduce the possibility of injury or strain from engaging in various sporting activities. On the other hand, to those who have suffered an injury to the lower extremities, a program of exercise which both strengthens and improves joint mobility can be critical in recovering full use of the extremities and in preventing recurrence of ankle, knee and joint strains and injuries. 
   Those involved in sporting activities, for example skiing, biking, roller blading, ice skating, etc., have long known of the benefits of warmup and other stretching exercises to reduce the possibility of injury by imparting greater strength and mobility, particularly with respect to the lower extremities of the body. 
   Tendons, the connective structures of the body, link together the various bones and joints within the body. Muscles provide the motive power for the joints. Muscles can be strengthened by exercise and tendons can be lengthened by repeated stretching. Greater muscular strength allows the body to resist excessive motion between bodily joints. Increased flexibility or tendon length allows a greater range of movement of the joints before damage is sustained by the body. 
   A full range of motion of the joints of the lower extremities is extremely important to mobility which, in turn, has a major impact on the quality of life. For those who have suffered injuries which interfere with mobility there is a very real need to recover the mobility. Such recovery of mobility can often be achieved through exercise which builds joint strength and flexibility. 
   One exercise device which is known for exercising the lower extremities consists of a board supported on two rockers. The exercise is performed by standing on the board while grasping a stationary object and rocking back and forth on the board. Thus, the upper portion of the body is held substantially vertical while the lower portion of the body conforms to the inclined surface produced by the board rocking back and forth. The orientation of the body with respect to the direction of rocking may be varied so the joints of the lower extremities receive a full range of motion. 
   Existing boards with rockers, such as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,164, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, are designed to increase the range of motion of joints. The board shown in my prior patent illustrates a means whereby the maximum extension of the joints may be approached gradually and the joint held in that position of maximum extension for a period of time. However, an exercise board which provides a wider range of exercises is desirable. 
   What is needed is an exercise board which can be used to perform a wider range of exercises. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The exercise board of this invention has an upper planer support surface of roughly rectangular shape where the short sides of the rectangle have been replaced by convex arcs. Opposite the upper planer support surface, are two spaced apart parallel arcuate rockers which are perpendicular to the long sides of the rectangle and extend outwardly of the board. Each rocker has a flat portion adjacent to one long edge of the rocker board. The flat sections make an angle of approximately 45° with the planar surface of the board. Between the two rockers, on the side of the board opposite that on which a person using the board stands, a hemispherical pedestal or projection is formed. A band of rubber is also fastened to the board between the rockers. The band of rubber is arranged to accommodate a foot placed between the band of rubber and the bottom surface of the board so the front portion of the foot is retained between the band of rubber and the board. The band of rubber fastened between the rockers can be used for exercising the tibialis, extensor, peroneus and flexor longus muscles. With the foot positioned so the front portion of the foot is retained by the band of rubber the foot can be rocked to the inside and the outside, the leg can be twisted toward the inside of the step and with the heel of the foot resting on the bottom surface of the board the foot can be rocked back stretching the band of rubber. 
   Handles for picking up or grasping the exercise board are formed by holes which pass through the board adjacent the ends of the board formed by the convex arcs. A rubber strap is passed through one handle hole across both rockers and through the opposite handle hole, and exercises are performed using the strap by placing both feet on the board and, either while seated or standing, moving the arms and upper body against the resistance provided by the strap. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device for improving strength and mobility of the joints of the lower extremities. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a means mounted to the board for exercising the tibialis, extensor, peroneus and flexor longus muscles. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise device which can be used to perform exercises for the correction of posture. 
   Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the exercise board of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the exercise board of  FIG. 1  showing a first exercise. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the exercise board of  FIG. 1  showing a second exercise. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the exercise board of  FIG. 1  showing a third exercise. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the exercise board of  FIG. 1  showing a forth exercise. 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the exercise board of  FIG. 1  showing an exercise involving a rubber strap. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the exercise board of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the exercise board of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the exercise board of FIG.  1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-9  wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, a rocker board  20  is shown in each of the figures. The board  20  is used to perform a wide variety of exercises which are particularly designed to increase the strength and flexibility of the lower body. The board is an improvement on my earlier invention shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,164 which describes various exercises which can be performed using a board having features incorporated in the board  20 . The improved board  20  incorporates a band of rubber  22  or other elastic material which is fastened to a bottom surface  24  between the board rockers  26 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the band of rubber  22  accommodates the front portion  28  of the foot  30  of a person  32  using the exercise board  20 . The band or loop of rubber  22  is shown exploded away in  FIG. 1 , and in plan view in  FIG. 7 , and may be constructed of any elastic material, for example such as the Thera-Band® latex or latex free synthetic elastomer bands produced by the Hygienic Corporation. 
   The band of rubber  22  biases the foot  30  placed within the band  22  into normal flat engagement with the bottom surface  24 . Thus the muscles of the foot and lower leg may be exercised by moving the foot  30  against the elastic resistance provided by the band of rubber  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the foot  30  is rocked backwards so that the front portion  28  of the foot  30  engages and stretches the band of rubber  22 . Thus the elastic resistance of the band of rubber  22  strengthens the tibialis and peroneus muscles. A second exercise, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , involves rotating the foot  30  to the outside which works the tibialis, extensor, and flexor hallicus longus muscles. A similar exercise is illustrated in  FIG. 4  where the foot  30  is rotated to the inside of the step. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an exercise performed by rotating the whole leg  34  against resistance provided by the band of rubber  22 . The foot  30  is slid the under the band  22  and the whole leg is rotated internally. During the foregoing exercises, if the board  20  has a tendency to move it can be held in place by the foot not being exercised  36 . This exercise is designed to correct problems in persons who have excessive “flares” in one or both feet. 
   The upper surface  38  of the board  20  has a general rectangular shape with two long straight parallel sides or edges  40  connected to by two shorter convex arcs  42 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , on which the person  32  who is exercising stands as shown in FIG.  6 . Grip enhancing strips  41  are fixed to the upper surface  38 . Spaced just inside of the convex arcs  42  are convex shaped holes  44  which form hand holds. The holes  44  can also be used to perform a set of exercises by running an elastic band or tube  46  such as the Thera-Band® latex tubing produced by the Hygienic Corporation. The elastic band  46  is threaded through one handhold  44 , across both rockers  26 , and up through the other handhold  44 . The elastic band of  46  is grasped at each end with each hand  48  while standing on the board  20 , or at least putting one foot on the board  20 . The exercise is performed by raising one shoulder as high as possible, followed by lowering that shoulder and raising the opposite shoulder as high as possible as illustrated in FIG.  6 . The exercise illustrated in  FIG. 6  is designed to correct an imbalance of the shoulders. 
   A similar exercise (not illustrated) using the elastic band  46  is performed while sitting on a chair with both feet placed on the upper surface  38  of the board  20 . The person exercising leans forward and grasps the rubber tubing  46 . The exercise is performed in three distinct stages. The first movement is to raise the neck back as far as is comfortable, then the shoulders are pulled back, while still leaning over, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Finally the spine is extended or arched backwards. These exercises are designed to correct three posture conditions simultaneously: a forward head position where the head is not centered over the shoulders, rounded shoulders, and slumped posture. 
   The board  20  has certain similarities to my earlier invention shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,164. Opposite the upper planer support surface  38  are the two spaced apart parallel arcuate rockers  26  which are perpendicular to the long sides  40  of the upper surface  38 , the rockers extend outwardly of the bottom surface  24  of the board  20 . Each rocker has a lower profile  52  as shown in  FIG. 9  for engaging the floor  54 , the lower profiles  52  of the two rockers  26  being substantially the same. The rockers  26  are covered with strips  55  of higher friction material as shown in FIG.  1 . Each of the lower profiles  52  has an arcuate portion  56  which adjoins a straight portion  58 . The arcuate portion  56  extends along more than half the lower profile  52  of the rockers  26 . Each arcuate portion is part of a curved surface which gives the board  20  a rocking motion. The straight portions  58  define an angle of about 45 degrees to the upper surface  38 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , so that when the exercise board is tilted to bring the straight portions  58  of the rocker profiles  52  into engagement with the floor  54 , the upper surface is held in a static position at an angle of about 45 degrees to the floor. The straight portions  58  form part of a planer surface which intersects a plane formed by the upper surface  38  at about 45 degrees. 
   Similar to my earlier invention, a substantially hemispherical projection  60  extends from the lower surface  24  of the board  20 . The hemispherical projection  60  is positioned spaced between the rockers  26  as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Sufficient space is provided between the rockers  26  for placing the foot  30  over the projection to stretch the foot without interference with the first and second rockers. The hemispherical projection  60  is offset laterally so as to be closer to one rocker  26 , and horizontally to be closer to one of the long sides  40  to provide space for the band of rubber  22 . 
   The board  20  can be manufactured by injection molding or rotational molding, but is preferably created as two injection molded pieces, of the material such as high impact polystyrene which are glued together along a parting line  62 . The over-molding may be used to form the hemispherical projection  60  and the grip strips  41  on the upper surface  38  and the grip strips  55  on the rockers  26  of a softer material such as an elastic compound compatible form over-molding with polystyrene. Generally the hemispherical projection  60  may benefit from being formed of a different durometer from the gripping surfaces  41 ,  55 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the band of rubber  22  is held in place by a pair of cold rolled steel cleats  64  which are held by fasteners such as screws  66  into parallel pockets  68  recessed from the lower surface  24  of the board  20 . The screws are received in brass inserts (not shown) which are inserted the lower surface  24  while the molded part is still hot. The edges of the rubber band  22  pass under the cleats, and the cleats  64  fit tightly so that the band of rubber  22  is clamped between the cleats  64  by the portion of the board forming the pockets  68 . 
   In addition to the exercises shown in my earlier patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,164, and those described above, the following additional exercises have been developed for use with the exercise board  20  where the board is positioned with the straight portions  58  of the board rockers  26  flat against the floor  54  so that the upper surface  38  is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the floor  54 . The first exercise is performed with the heels of the feet on the floor and the front portion of the foot extending up the 45 degree slope formed between the board and the floor. The feet are spread slightly apart in the pigeon-toed position. The exercise is performed by squatting as if to sit just enough to feel stretching. The position is then held for 30 to 60 seconds. A second exercise is performed with the heels positioned on the floor and the front portions of the feet extending up the 45 degree angle while the pelvis is leaned to each side for 30 seconds. A third exercise is performed with the outside edge of a single foot placed partly on the floor and partly parallel to the long side  40 . The body is leaned slightly toward the board  20  and the positioned held for 30 seconds to one minute. The fourth exercise is similar to the third exercise only the foot is flexed in the opposite direction. The exercise is performed while straddling the board  20  so the inside of the foot is placed on the edge of the board. A fifth exercise is performed by placing the toes and ball of the foot so that they extend upwardly along the slope surface of the board and stepping over the board with the other foot and bending the knee to obtain maximum stretch. This positioned is held for 30 seconds to one minute. 
   It should be understood that the band of rubber  22  may be a continuous loop which is attached to the underside of the board  20  or may be a strap of material as illustrated in FIG.  1 . The band of rubber may be replaced with any elastic material which tends to bias the foot against the board, thus providing elastic resistance necessary for the various exercises performed using the band of rubber. 
   It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0