Abstract:
A platform comprising a planar member having a top face and a bottom face and at least one pivoting member approximately in the center of said top face or bottom face, such that when a pivoting member is placed on a surface a distance depending on the shape of the pivoting member is created between the planar member and the surface and the platform is unstable. Thus the unstable platform encourages a user to expend energy, and is quickly height adjustable by choosing which pivoting member is placed on the surface.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of the U.S. provisional application No. 61/525,872 filed on Aug. 22, 2011 and the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an unstable platform that requires energy input from a user to either rock the platform or to keep the platform parallel to a surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Unstable platforms such as wobble boards and rocker boards are well known in the art. They generally consist of a platform with a pivoting mechanism underneath. A user is expected to stand on the platform and attempt to keep his or her balance. The pivoting mechanisms generally consist of either a hemispherical protrusion, in the case of a wobble board, or a cylindrical roller in the case of a rocker board. 
         [0004]    Lu disclosed a representative wobble board in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,580 B2. A representative rocker board is disclosed by Wischusen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,990. 
         [0005]    Previous advances centered on making the pivoting mechanism adjustable by using replacement mechanisms to increase or decrease the level of the motion, for example by attaching parts with varying convexity on the rocking or wobbling protrusions. Usually the attachment methods of these replacement parts are complicated and the user would need tools for adjusting the pivoting mechanism. 
         [0006]    A disadvantage of the wobble boards and rocker boards is their fairly large size. Moreover these devices require a user to stand up. 
         [0007]    Unstable platforms can also be used during rehabilitation to increase proprioception. A user sits with one or both feet on the platform, and the unstable nature of the platform helps to stretch and improve the degree of flexure of the ankle. Such a platform is disclosed by Smith IV in U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,932. 
         [0008]    Proprioception boards tend to be fairly small; however they only activate small muscles around the ankle and calf. They also generally only move forwards and backwards, and not side to side. 
         [0009]    A third class of unstable platforms is rocking footrests, such as the Fellowes Compact Foot Rocker. These are generally small enough to fit under a desk and rock in order to increase blood flow to the lower body while seated. As with proprioception boards, current rocking footrest designs only move forward and back, and not side to side. These rocking footrests activate the same muscles as the proprioception boards, namely, the small muscles around the ankle and calf. 
         [0010]    The concept of Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), as described by J. A. Levine (Levine, J. A.    2004 .  Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT): Environment and Biology. Am J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 286: E675-E685) shows significant health advantages to users that can burn calories throughout the day. As many people spend a significant amount of time sitting at a desk, the ability to burn calories at a desk is appealing. One such method is to use a rolling footrest such as WEBBLE™ by BriteObjects. However, the rolling motion may require significant space under a desk to be effective, and may distract the user from his/her work. 
         [0011]    A rocking footrest with increased freedom of motion could also be useful in schools. Some students have limited abilities to concentrate, and it is believed that a moving footrest can be an outlet for excess energy. Desks with moving footrests, such as the AlphaBetter™ Desk by Satco, are known in the art. However they would require schools to replace currently installed capital (desks) at relatively high costs. A rocking footrest with increased freedom of motion that is independent of and fits underneath the currently installed desk overcomes this disadvantage. 
         [0012]    Most wobble boards and rocker boards are not sized to fit under a desk. In addition, since the user is likely sitting rather than standing, the force applied to the platform would not be perpendicular to the floor, and is likely to cause the board to move with respect to the user. In addition, if the edges of the board contact the floor, the resulting noise would be unsuitable for the environment in which the desk is found, such as a school or workplace. Also, current methods to adjust the pivot mechanisms are time consuming and/or require the storage of multiple accessories. The present invention overcomes all of these disadvantages while also improving the freedom of motion as compared to current rocking footrests and proprioception boards. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, there is a need for a device that overcomes the disadvantages of the existing technology. The footrest comprised of an unstable platform as disclosed herein overcomes the deficiencies of known art. A rocking footrest of this invention is capable of rocking side to side in addition to forward and backward. The increased freedom of motion also burns more calories because it activates larger muscles of the thigh rather than the smaller muscles used by proprioception boards. Therefore, the current invention represents a significant improvement over prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is an object of this invention to provide an unstable platform suitable to be used as a rocking footrest, an exercise devise, rehabilitation device or a moving footrest. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a platform suitable of size to fit and be used under a desk. 
         [0016]    Another object of this invention is to provide a platform that enables exercise of muscles, including larger thigh muscles while seated. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a platform having improved freedom of motion. 
         [0018]    A further object of this invention is to provide a platform that allows the user to choose between at least two different movement ranges without a need for any accessories or tools. 
         [0019]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a quietly operating platform. 
         [0020]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an unstable platform comprising a substantially planar member having a first face and a second face; a first pivoting member being attached on the first face, said first pivoting member having a first summit point; a second pivoting member being attached on the second face, said second pivoting member having a second summit point; wherein a distance between the first face and the first summit point is different than a distance between the second face and the second summit point, whereby a user can choose a different level of movement of the planar member by setting the first summit point against the surface or setting the second summit point against the surface; and wherein said first and said second faces are sized to accept a user&#39;s feet, hands or other body parts, whereby the platform can be manipulated or rocked in at least one of the directions selected from side to side and forward and backward. 
         [0021]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the user chooses the height of the platform and the level of its movement by setting one of the pivoting members against the surface. The user is then seated with the platform in front of him or her, and the user&#39;s feet are on the upper face of the platform on both sides of the pivoting member that is not against the surface. Other embodiments include the user standing, or having the user&#39;s hands or other parts of the body on the platform. Other embodiments include the user&#39;s feet, hands, or other parts of the body on the upper face of the platform on one side of the pivoting member that is not against the surface. From the seated position, the force that the user supplies to the platform may not be perpendicular to the surface. At least a portion of this force will encourage the platform to move with respect to the surface and the user, rather than just cause a rocking motion. Therefore a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an anti-slip member between a pivoting member and the surface to restrict unwanted translational motion between the pivoting member and the surface. 
         [0022]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the platform according to one preferred embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the platform of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the platform according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of the platform of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the platform of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the platform according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of the platform of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the platform of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the platform according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a platform in accordance with the present invention including bumper and anti-slip members. 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a platform in accordance with the present invention including different bumper and anti-slip members. 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a platform in accordance with the present invention including a different configuration of the anti-slip member. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a platform in accordance with the present invention including a combined bumper and anti-slip member. 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the platform according to another preferred embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13A  is a front view of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the  FIG. 12 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 14A  is a side view of another embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14B  is a front view of the embodiment shown from side in  FIG. 14A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-14  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0043]    Referring now to the drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, a preferred embodiment of the unstable platform  10  comprises a planar member  20  having two long edges  21 , two short edges  22 , a first face  23 , and a second face  24 ; a first pivoting member  30 , a second pivoting member  40 ; and at least two flat distal portions  25 . According to this preferred embodiment the first pivoting member  30  is attached on the first face  23  and has an elongated convex surface with an axis that may be in a curvature, said axis preferably being parallel to the short edges  22  of the planar member  20 . According to this embodiment the elongated convex surface has a smaller convexity at both ends of the axis and highest convexity at a selected point along the axis. According to this preferred embodiment the second pivoting member  40  is attached to the second face  24  and has an elongated convex surface with an axis that may be in any reasonable curvature, said axis preferably being parallel to the short edges  22  of the planar member  20 . The convexity of the second pivoting member  40  is preferably different from the convexity of the first pivoting member  30 . The first pivoting member  30  has a first summit point  35  and the second pivoting member  30  has a second summit point  45 . The first pivoting member  30  may locate at different distance from the short edges  22  of the planar member  20  than the second pivoting member  40 , whereby each of the pivoting members provide a different level of movement when set against the surface  50 . According to this embodiment the flat distal portions  25  are located between the elongated convex pivoting members  30  and  40  and the short edges  21  of the planar member on the first face and on the second face. 
         [0044]    The user can choose the distance between the planar member  20  and the surface  50  and accordingly choose the level of the motion of the planar member  20 , by setting the first pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  or setting the second pivoting member  40  against the surface  50 . According to one preferred embodiment, the summit point of the first pivoting member  35  is 1 to 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm) and the summit point of the second pivoting member  45  is 2 to 8 inches (5.08 to 20.32 cm), whereby the distance between the surface  50  and the planar member  20  created by placing the first pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  is between 1 and 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm), and by placing the second pivoting member  40  against the surface  50  the distance is between 2 and 8 inches (5.08 to 20.32 cm). According to this embodiment the user preferably is in sitting position and sets his/her feet on the both sides of one of the pivoting members  30  or  40  on the distal portions  25  and the unstable platform  10  is able to be manipulated or rocked both side to side and forward and backward. 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  4 B, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention the first pivoting member  30  and/or the second pivoting member  40  has at least a roughly rectangular cross section. According to this embodiment the first and the second pivoting members  30 ,  40  have different cross sections and they have both smaller cross sections than the planar member  20 , thereby leaving at least two flat distal portions  25  between the pivoting members  30  and  40 , and the short edges  22 , and/or the long edges  21 . According to this preferred embodiment the first pivoting member  30  and the second pivoting member  40  have different convexities and/or different cross sections, or the distance between the first summit point  35  and the first face  23  is different than the distance between the second summit point  45  and the second face  24 , thereby allowing the user to select the level of motion of the planar member  10  by choosing which of the two pivoting members ( 30 ,  40 ) is set against the surface  50 . According to this embodiment the user preferably is in sitting position and sets his/her feet on the both sides of one of the pivoting members on the distal portions  25  and the unstable platform  10  is able to be manipulated or rocked both side to side and forward and backward. 
         [0046]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A and  6 B, according to one preferred embodiment the unstable platform  10  comprises a planar member  20  having two long edges  21 , two short edges  22 , a first face  23 , and a second face  24 ; a first pivoting member  30 , a second pivoting member  40 ; at least two flat distal portions  25  and a cavity  90 . According to this preferred embodiment the first pivoting member  30  is a hemisphere and it is preferably attached into about center of the first face  23 . The second pivoting member  40  is a hemisphere and preferably attached to about center of the second face  24 . The radius of the hemispherical first pivoting member  30  is different from the radius of the hemispherical second pivoting member  40 . The user can choose the distance between the planar member  20  and the surface  50  and accordingly choose the level of the motion of the planar member  20  by setting the first hemispherical pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  or setting the second hemispherical pivoting member  40  against the surface  50 . According to one preferred embodiment, the radius of the first hemispherical pivoting member  30  is 1 to 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm) and the radius of the second pivoting member  40  is 2 to 8 (5.08 to 20.32 cm)inches, whereby the distance between the surface  50  and the planar member  20  created by placing the first pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  is approximately between 1 and 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm), and by placing the second pivoting member  40  against the surface  50  the distance is between 2 and 8 inches (5.08 to 20.32 cm). According to this embodiment the user preferably is in sitting position and sets his/her feet on the both sides of one of the pivoting members on the distal portions  25  and the unstable platform  10  is able to be manipulated or rocked both side to side and forward and backward. 
         [0047]    Still referring to  FIG. 5  the cavity  90  is shown in this embodiment through the first face  23  and the second face  24 . Cavity  90  is of a size to accept at least one of a user&#39;s fingers or thumbs. Cavity  90  may act as a convenient handle for a user to carry or move unstable platform  10 . In one embodiment, cavity  90  is of a size to accept four fingers of a user&#39;s hand. In one embodiment, cavity  90  passes through the first face  23  or the second face  24 , but not both. In another embodiment, cavity  90  is formed not through either the first or the second face, but rather through another portion of the platform. In another embodiment, cavity  90  is formed by strap with at least one end attached to the platform. According to another embodiment, more than one cavity  90  is provided. 
         [0048]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , according to one preferred embodiment the unstable platform  10  comprises a planar member  20  having two long edges  21 , two short edges  22 , a first face  23 , and a second face  24 ; a first pivoting member  30 , a second pivoting member  40 ; and at least two flat distal portions  25 . According to this preferred embodiment the first pivoting member  30  is an elongated vertical tube with a rounded head  31  and it is preferably attached into about center of the first face  23 . The second pivoting member  40  is an elongated vertical tube with a rounded head  41  and it is preferably attached to about center of the second face  24 . The length of the elongated first pivoting member  30  is different from the length of the elongated second pivoting member  40 . The user can choose the distance between the planar member  20  and the surface  50  and accordingly choose the level of the motion of the planar member  20 , by setting the first elongated pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  or setting the second elongated pivoting member  40  against the surface  50 . According to one preferred embodiment, the length of the first elongated pivoting member  30  is 1 to 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm) and the length of the second pivoting member  40  is 2 to 8 inches, whereby the distance between the surface and the planar member  20  created by placing the first pivoting member  30  against the surface  50  is between 1 and 6 inches (2.54 to 15.24 cm), and by placing the second pivoting member  40  against the surface  50  the distance is between 2 and 8 inches (5.08 to 20.32 cm). According to this embodiment the user preferably is in sitting position and sets his/her feet on the both sides of one of the pivoting members on the distal portions  25  and the unstable platform  10  is able to be manipulated or rocked both side to side and forward and backward. According to further embodiments the distal portions are covered with material that prevents user&#39;s feet from slipping. According to further embodiments the distal portions are covered with anti-slip member  80  having features or construction that prevents slipping. 
         [0049]    Still referring to  FIG. 7 , according to one preferred embodiment the elongated pivoting members  30 ,  40  may be covered by anti-slip members  80  and the distal flat portions  25  may also be covered by bumper members  70 . 
         [0050]    Now referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , according to one preferred embodiment one or more bumper members  70  are around the distal portions  25  of the planar member  20 , so that if motion of the platform  10  would cause the distal portion  25  to strike the surface  50 , the bumper members  70  will strike the surface  50  instead. The bumper members  70  are formed to cause less noise upon striking surface  50  than would be caused by distal portion  25  striking the surface  50 . The bumper members  70  may also be formed to absorb shock and cause less jarring of the user upon striking surface  50  than would be caused by the distal portion  25  striking surface  50 . Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that suitable materials for the bumper members  70  would include but are not limited to natural rubber, latex free rubber, silicone, EPDM, Viton, foam, and other force absorbing materials. Those knowledgeable in the art will also recognize that suitable bumper members  70  could be formed by force absorbing shapes such as flexible walls or constructions such as springs or shock absorbers. Bumper members  70  may typically be added to the distal portions  25  via adhesives, press fits, mechanical fastening, or other assembly methods. Alternatively, bumper members  70  may be formed integrally with the distal portions  25  such as by insert molding, two-shot molding, selection of flexible geometry such as thin walls, or other formation methods. According to one preferred embodiment the bumper member has a lower durometer than the distal portions. 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , anti-slip members  80  are shown in some embodiments between the first pivoting member  30  or the second pivoting member  40  and the surface  50 . According to one preferred embodiment, the center of gravity of the user is not directly in line with the pivoting members  30 ,  40  and perpendicular to the surface  50 . In use, energy imparted by the user to the unstable platform that is not perpendicular to surface  50  could cause unwanted translation of the unstable platform  10  with respect to the surface  50  and/or the user. For instance, if a user is sitting down with his or her feet on the unstable platform  10 , unwanted translation may move the unstable platform  10  to a position that is uncomfortable or impossible for the user to maintain his or her feet on the unstable platform  10 . Anti-slip members  80  are provided to reduce or eliminate the possibility of unwanted translation. Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that suitable materials for the anti-slip members  80  include but are not limited to natural rubber, latex free rubber, silicone, EPDM, Viton, foam, and other materials or constructions that increase the effective coefficient of friction between the pivoting members  30 ,  40  and the surface  50 . Anti-slip members  80  may typically be added to the pivoting members  30 ,  40  via adhesives, press fits, mechanical fastening, or other assembly methods. Alternatively, anti-slip members  80  may be formed integrally with pivoting members  30 , 40  such as by insert molding, two-shot molding, selection of high friction geometry, or other formation methods.  FIG. 10  shows anti-slip member  80  formed integrally with pivoting member  30  via the design of a texture on pivoting member  30 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  shows a pad member  100  between the unstable platform  10  and the surface  50 . The pad member  100  is capable of acting as at least one of a bumper member and an anti-slip member. According to one preferred embodiment, the pad member  100  is provided as a separate component from the unstable platform  10 , and the pad member  100  can act as both a bumper member and an anti-slip member. Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that suitable materials for the pad member  100  include but are not limited to natural rubber, latex free rubber, silicone, EPDM, Viton, foam, and other materials or constructions with at least one of force absorbing properties and high coefficients of friction. 
         [0053]    Now referring to  FIGS. 12 ,  13 A and  13 B a preferred embodiment is shown where the planar member is rectangular having two long edges  21  and two short edges  22 . The first  30  and the second pivoting members  40  have a half-disk shape. The planar member has an anti-slipping member  80  and a cavity  90 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14A  and B another preferred embodiment is shown where the pivoting member is formed of a tube bent to a half circle. The hollow middle of the half circle forms a cavity  90  that can be used as a handle. 
         [0055]    According to one preferred embodiment, the size of the unstable platform  10  when measured as the length of the long edges  21  and the length of the short edges  22  is approximately 10-24 inches (25.4-60.96 cm) by 2-16 inches (5.08-40.64 cm). Even if the rectangular shape is preferred shape, the shape of the planar member can vary, and may be for example square, rectangular, oval, or round. 
         [0056]    The unstable platform  10  is generally formed of a rigid material such as plastic. Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that suitable materials would include but are not limited to ABS, polypropylene, acrylic, acetyl, and other plastics as well as wood, metal, and other rigid materials. According to one preferred embodiment the platform is made of one piece, whereby the planar member and the pivoting members are for example molded as one piece. 
         [0057]    According to one preferred embodiment, the pivoting members  30 ,  40  cause the platform  10  to be unstable when placed against the surface  50 . A user contacts either the first face  23  or the second face  24 , typically with his or her feet or less typically with hands or other body parts. In this manner, energy can be imparted by the user to the unstable platform  10  to either maintain stability or to manipulate the platform  10  in at least one of the directions selected from side to side and forward and backward. Imparting such energy by the user may have benefits such as increased health or attention. 
         [0058]    Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that several different constructions of pivoting members  30 ,  40  are possible in accordance with the present invention, provided that at least one pivoting member  30 , 40  causes platform  10  to be unstable. According to one embodiment, pivoting members  30 ,  40  cause platform  10  to be unstable by separating the substantially planar member  20  from the surface  50 . 
         [0059]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.