Balance trainer

Details Balance trainer Balance trainer

2000-07-19

2002-10-08

Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3764)

Exercise devices

Support for entire body of user

Swivelled foot platform

C273S110000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06461285

ABSTRACT:

This application is a further development of German utility model No. 29907509 filed on Apr. 28, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a balance training apparatus having a curved lower surface and an upper support surface upon which a user stands in a balanced state.
Balance apparatus are used for various therapeutic and athletic applications. In particular, the interactions involved in the balancing process between various sense organs and sensory inputs as well as motoric and psychological as well as neurological interdependencies enjoy a special position in the training of coordination, balancing, and reflexes. A conventional apparatus as e.g. disclosed in brochure “The Wobbler” published by Wagus GmbH, Rheinstetten, Germany, in 1992 discloses a balancing apparatus having a structured partially polygonal lower surface. The apparatus supports a user standing thereon. The standing surface for the user is displaced in a backward position relative to a forward portion of the apparatus in which a ball is accommodated for spiraled movement. The user attempts to position the ball through the spiraling structure from an outside position to an inside position or vice versa while balancing on the apparatus. The lower support surface for the apparatus is structured to aid the user in his balancing procedure in a directional sense so that certain directions of motion are supported to a greater or a lesser degree than others. The apparatus has a plate for an auxiliary exercise which can be placed over the spiraling portion of the apparatus. The plate has 3 recesses within which a ball can be captured during balancing.
The brochure “Therapiekreisel” published by Motio GmbH, Karlsruhe, September 1996 discloses a balancing apparatus having a substantially planar upper surface and a curved lower surface. The user stands on the planar upper surface, preferentially with one foot, and attempts to maintain balance during use.
The above mentioned balancing apparatus share the common disadvantage of being either too simple or too difficult for various users. An apparatus suitable for use by children is often inadequate to train an athletic individual. Conversely, apparatus which are appropriate for balancing activities of healthy, athletic individuals are much too difficult for elderly people or for children to use.
It is therefore the underlying purpose of the present invention to develop a balancing apparatus which is appropriate for use by a wide variety of people and for a wide variety of differing applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is accomplished with a balance training apparatus comprising a housing having a smoothly curved, convex lower surface and a substantially flat upper surface, the substantially flat upper surface having first and a second support surfaces radially displaced outward from said curved symmetric lower surface. The upper surface defines a central recess disposed between the first and the second support surfaces directly above the lower surface. An insert seats in an exchangeable fashion, without the use of tools, in the recess defined in the housing, the insert comprising raised and lower structures defining obstructions and paths. A moving member, such as a ball, seats within the insert for motion and is disposed for travel through the paths. A window seats on the upper surface of the housing and rests on the raised portions of the insert to capture the moving member within the insert surface. Latching means are provided, cooperating with the window and the housing, to permit removal of the window, without the use of tools, for exchange of the insert, wherein the raised structures of the insert are disposed to support vertical loads throughout the entire surface of the window.
The smooth, curved convex lower surface of the balance training apparatus in accordance with the invention results in substantially symmetric balancing demands in all directions. The two upper support surfaces are adapted to allow the feet of the user to be placed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the central insert. The latching means cooperates with the window in the housing to allow easy removal and exchange of the insert, wherein differing inserts can be used for differing applications. The structures, raised and lowered in certain portions of the insert, are disposed to challenge balancing during movement and navigation of the moving member according to the application dictated by the respective insert, while nevertheless providing sufficient support for the window to also allow the user to stand on any portion of the window without causing damage to the insert, the housing, or the window. In this fashion, the entire surface of the balancing training apparatus in accordance with the invention is available for use by the user, either standing on one foot or two feet, at various locations throughout the upper surface of the apparatus. Inserts which are inappropriate for one user can be easily exchanged for inserts which are desirable for use by another user so that the apparatus can be tailored to the individual needs of the user.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the raised and lowered structures of the insert define a path having a figure 8 shape. This embodiment has the advantage that the figure 8 is a particularly useful training tool for initial adjustment of balance in the forward, backward, and sideward directions without providing excessive difficulty to the user. The recess and/or, the window and/or the figure 8 structure can have latching means defining certain angular positions of the figure 8 relative to the housing. For example, the elongated axis of the 8 can be parallel or perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through feet of the user. In this manner, different balancing directions and skills can be exercised in dependence on the orientation of the figure 8 relative to the user's feet.
In an additional preferred embodiment of the invention, the raised and lowered structures of the insert define a path having a labyrinth shape. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a balancing test for the user in which both radial as well as azimuthal balancing skills are required. The labyrinth structure dictates a path through which a ball or other moving object must travel while the user maintains his balance on the apparatus. In this fashion, a high degree of motoric and coordination skills are exercised in a plurality of balancing directions.
In a further improved embodiment of the invention, the raised and lower structures of the insert define a plurality of obstacles and at least one receptacle. This embodiment has the advantage of challenging the user to direct the moving object through the plurality of obstacles to seat in a receptacle. Since the path of approach of the moving object to the receptacle can assume a wide variety of angular directions, balancing skills are challenged in a dynamic fashion in dependence in the instantaneous direction of approach of the ball towards the receptacle.
In an improvement of this embodiment, the raised and lowered structures define 3 obstacles and the receptacle has a shape matched to capture the moving member when said moving member travels towards said receptacle along certain paths. This improvement has the advantage of providing a game-like task to the user which is particularly appropriate for children. The user attempts to direct the moving member towards the receptacle to capture the moving member in the receptacle while avoiding the obstacles. The game-like effect of the balancing process increases enjoyment of the user during training.
In a further improvement of this embodiment, the moving member has a mouse-like appearance. This embodiment has the advantage of providing game-like training, particularly appropriate for children. In this application, the receptacle serves a function of a mouse-trap for the game-like balancing exercise in which the mouse becomes captured. T

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