Balance Training and Exercise Device and Method
A novel balance exercise apparatus and method of training is disclosed which includes a spanning system which spans between two positions in space and supports a suspended system which is suspended between the two positions in space. A user trains their balance skills and exercises by positioning all or part of their body on the suspended system and then moves their body to maintain their balance while remaining in place or doing exercises. The suspended system creates a dynamic balance environment where the suspended system may move such as swing, bend, rotate, or twist, all controlled by the balance and movement of the user. The suspended system may consist of rigid and/or flexible devices that are supported by the spanning system above the ground. In addition, the spanning system and the suspended system may include devices to vary the nature and difficulty of the dynamic balance environment. The dynamic balance environment may range from stiff to very soft and incorporate variable spring and bounce properties. The dynamic nature of the balance environment makes this system a very effective and challenging balance training system.
The present invention is related to balance training and exercise.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSNot applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable
SEQUENCE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBalance training exercise equipment has become popular and is used by a multitude of people for many different purposes. Some of these purposes include development of improved balance for sports, rehabilitation to regain loss of balance from sickness or injury, and general exercise.
There exists a large collection of equipment for balance training and balance exercises. The present invention relates to whole body balance and balance exercise.
Hakon lie of Oslo Norway in U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,743 dated Apr. 9, 1985 discloses a solid plate you stand on supported by a plurality of springs under it. The springs circle the underside of the plate so it can tilt in all directions. A drive motor is also included to cause the plate to tilt irregularly around the center post.
Robert Watson of Kansas City, Kans. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,630 dated Nov. 29, 1988 discloses a solid platform to stand on similar to Hakon Lie's platform but Watson's platform also rotates. Watson also discloses the use of ropes, springs, and elastic cords for arm exercises while standing, sitting, kneeling, or laying on the solid platform for balance and upper body exercise.
Jeremy T. Butler of Paradise Utah in U.S. Pat. No. D507,3115 dated Jul. 12, 2005 discloses an inflated device which is an elongated half a ball, as well as many other inflated balance balls designs, where the user positions their body on the inflated domed surface of the ball.
Jerry M. McShane of Deer Park Tex. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,690 dated Mar. 25, 1997 discloses the combination of solid balance board with springs and ball. In addition he discloses linking the system to a personal computer to monitor and provide angular feedback.
David Homyonfer of Holon Israel in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,651 dated May 26, 1998 discloses a solid platform which is a plate with a pivot, like a see-saw with an energy-absorbing element at both ends.
Anthony B. Carey of San Diego, Calif. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,817B1 dated Jan. 23, 2001 discloses a dish-shaped rotary solid platform where the resistance to motion can be adjusted and there is a handrail for support.
Alexander Nestoiter of Los Angeles Calif. discloses a rubber three-sided balance beam which sits on the floor and has concave sides. The three corners each have a curved top to walk on, with different radii.
Josef Theunissen of Kerpen, Denmark in U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,285 dated Oct. 8, 2002 discloses a balance training device which has a clear solid platform on top of a half dome, inside the dome is a maze with a ball in it. You tilt the dome with your body to move the ball through the maze.
Louis Stack of Cagary, Calif. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,583 B1 dated September 2003 disclosed an elongated solid platform in the shape of a skateboard where there are rubber support like springs at either end.
William Lin of Taichung, Taiwan in U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,175 B2 Dated Mar. 29, 2005 discloses a solid platform connected to an inflated ball where part of the ball passes through the platform.
Reginald A. Johnson of Meridian, MS in U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,589 B2 dated Aug. 16, 2005 discloses a balance and gait training board which fits inside existing parallel bar systems with flip tip hurdles and interval markings and a beam that can be put on the floor between the parallel bars.
Michael Kemery of Portland, Oreg. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,920 dated Sep. 20, 2005 discloses a solid balancing platform with a slide apart pivoting dome so that it can pivot in the center on one point or two points if the dome is slid apart.
Hiroyuki Hojo of Hikone, Japan in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,415 B2 dated Jul. 4, 2006 discloses a horse-riding like seated device which is motorized and moves to cause the user to reposition their center of gravity.
R. Joel Loane of Park City Utah in U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,621 B2 dated Aug. 15, 2006 discloses a training device with two rails that a solid carriage rolls on. The rails are curved upwards in the center such that some one standing on the solid platform exercises by making the carriage roll over the hump from one side to the other.
William T. Dalebout of Lohan Utah in U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,168 B2 dated Sep. 26, 2006 discloses a tilting solid platform where the resistance to tilting can be changed. There is a flexible center pivot between the platform and base which has a selectable amount of blockage to movement.
Marc S. Gotlieb of Raleigh N.C. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,938 B2 discloses a solid platform with a spherical bottom where the height of the sphere can be adjusted, to change the difficulty of balancing on the platform.
There are many devices for balance training and exercise like those described above. All these devices have the user stand on a solid or inflated platform. Both feet can be used to stand on a platform to help to stabilize the user. They all require that the user use their upper body to balance with their legs and feet acting together to balance or move the platform.
What is missing is a device which requires complete control of the body and the separate movement of right and left arms and legs to maintain balance and to exercise. Such a device would require more skill. What is needed is a device that does not provide a stable solid or inflated platform to place the body on, a device and exercise system that would require complete concentration and control of every part of the body independent of the other parts so that the whole body is engaged to balance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is to provide an alternative and more difficult balance training and exercise device which does not use a solid or inflated platform. The disclosed invention is not based on balancing on a half sphere or a tilting solid plane and is more difficult and requires more skill. As a result, the present invention is a more effective balance training tool and a more effective exercise tool for the whole body. The present invention is based on the most difficult balancing activity: tight rope walking and slack line walking. Tight ropes and slack lines are connected at either end to solid objects connected to or planted into the ground. Normally ropes or chains are used and are connected to a building or poles cemented into the ground, such that they are fixed, not adjustable, not portable, and often too dangerous to be used by most people for balance training and exercise.
The present invention relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to balance training and exercise equipment that provide an unstable environment for the user to balance on and where the amount of instability can be changed to meet the training and exercise needs of the user.
The present invention provides a balance environment suspended between two locations or points in space. The two or more points or locations in space are created by a spanning system. The created points in space hold the suspension environment above the ground.
The user places part or all of their body on the suspension device of the environment which provides an unstable environment for the user. The user then trains or exercises by trying to maintain their position on the suspension device. Alternatively the user trains or exercises by trying to move their position relative to the suspension device. For example the user trys to stand, walk or do exercise on the suspended environment.
The unstable environment of the present invention causes the user to move or tighten the muscles on different parts of the body to maintain balance and remain their position on the suspension device during static or dynamic training and/or exercise.
The unstable environment may be adjusted or modified to correspond to the balancing ability of the user. For example in one embodiment the flexibility and movement of the unstable environment may be reduced or increased.
The unstable environment design may also be modified. For example, the width of the suspension device that the user has to maintain balance upon may be increased or decreased to correspond to the training exercise desired and or ability of the user.
The suspension device may be a rope, strap, or band or a flexible, semi-solid, or solid member supported in whole or in part by a flexible connection such as a rope, strap, band, hook, or pivot.
The spanning device of the spanning system may also be of an adjustable design such that the suspension points themselves are dynamic and their movement can be changed or modified.
The spanning device of the spanning system may fold or come apart for easy transportation. The spanning device may be a rigid or semi-rigid structure, or adjust between flexible and rigid.
The present invention may include an adjuster which can change the tension of the suspension device such that it flexes more or less under the user's load. The unstable environment has been designed to be within a safe distance from the floor and less than one step in height, but heights below 1 inch to above 36 inches may be used. Different environments with different types and amounts of instability may be connected to the spanning system and may be used alone or connected together to provide different training experiences such as tight rope, stack line, swings, barrel rolls, or suspended beams may be used alone or in combination.
In addition, additional devices may be connected to or used by the user while on the unstable, environment to assist in balance, training, and or exercise.
Also more than one unstable environment may be used at the same time by one user. The additional unstable environment may have the same or different characteristics.
The present invention provides a portable balance device which does not need to be connected to the ground.
Additional details, features, and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be made obvious from the description and the use of the present invention. Advantages and features of the invention may be obtained and realized by parts and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the present invention as set forth herein.
In addition a method for using the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows. The advantages and features of the method may be realized through the description and appended claims and may also be obtained by the practice of the method for the present invention as set forth herein.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages, method, and features of the present invention can be obtained a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which:
The present invention extends to exercise and more particularly to exercise and balance training equipment that provides an environment which forces the user to work to maintain balance.
The following description of the present invention utilizes a series of diagrams that illustrate the structure of a number of exemplary embodiments for implementing the present invention. Using the diagrams in this manner to present the invention is for illustration purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings wherein, like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout several views.
The suspended system 14 design and rigidity will also affect the movement of the spanning system 12. The more the suspended system 14 is moved, stretched or bent by the weight, position, and movement of the user 11 the greater the bending force will be on the spanning system 12.
The balance training system 10 as illustrated in
The beam 80 may be many widths preferably between 1 and 6 inches more preferably between 2 and 4 inches.
Alternatively, the present invention may in addition to folding, separate into smaller sections for transport and storage. All these embodiments are valuable because they do not require fastening a rope or band between to separate solid objects such as buildings or poles, both of which are firmly affixed to the ground. Nothing in the present invention requires that the apparatus be affixed to the ground. All support comes from the present invention itself.
In the preferred embodiment the balance training system 10 consists of a spanning system 12 constructed of materials stiff enough to support the suspended system 14 and a suspended system 14 strong enough to support some or all of the weight of a user 11. Preferably the spanning system 12 is made out of wood, fiberglass, plastic, metal, or other strong material. Preferably there is a bottom tube 30 made out of steel or aluminum tubing, the tubing being between 1 to 6 inches in diameter and has a rectangular, round, or oval cross section. Preferably the spanning system 12 holds the suspended system above the ground and although any height may be possible, preferably the spanning system 12 holds the suspended system 14 at a safe distance from the ground less than 3 feet and preferably between 4 and 12 inches. Preferably the distance above the ground is the same as the rise of a standard stair from one step to the next 5 to 8 inches.
Although the span of the spanning system 12 may be any length preferably the length is long enough to fit two feet on the suspended system 14. Preferably the length is long enough to take one or more steps along the suspended system. Preferably the length is greater than 1 foot but less than 10 feet long, more preferably between 3 to 5 feet in length.
An apparatus for balance training and exercise comprising:
a spanning system which creates support for two or more positions in space and holds the positions apart and a stability system which holds the spanning system and maintains the positions in space above the ground; along with a suspended system that exits between the position in space created by the spanning system such that a user may balance all or part of the user on the suspended system.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system includes a flexible member stretched between the positions in space created by the spanning system.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system includes a device to adjust the tension of the flexible member.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system includes a rigid structure.
An apparatus wherein the spanning system flexes.
An apparatus wherein the spanning system is rigid.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system can swing.
An apparatus for balance training and exercise comprising:
a non-linear spanning system which includes connection points at either end, and holds the connection points above the ground, with a suspended system which extends between two points in space such that a user may balance all or part of their body on the suspended system.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system is held above the ground from less than 1 inch to greater than 36 inches.
An apparatus wherein the height of the suspended system is adjustable.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system is less than 1 inch to greater than 4 inches wide.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system is a woven material.
An apparatus wherein the suspended system can rotate.
An apparatus wherein the spanning system folds and unfolds.
An apparatus wherein the spanning system comes apart.
A method of exercise including placing all or part of the body on a suspended system supported by a spanning system and moving parts of the body to maintain balance and remain on the suspended system.
A method of exercise wherein the spanning system can swing.
A method of exercise wherein the axis of the pivot of the swing goes through the users body.
A method of exercise wherein the user positions part of their body on the ground and the rest on the spanning system.
A method of exercise wherein the user bounces on the spanning system.
Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for balance training and exercise comprising:
- a spanning system which creates two or more support positions in space and holds the positions apart; and
- a stability system which holds the spanning system and maintains the support positions in space above the ground; and
- a suspended system between the positions in space created by the spanning system such that a user may balance all or part of their body on the suspended system.
2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 where the spanning system and the stability system are combined in one structure.
3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the suspended system includes a flexible member stretched between the positions in space created by the spanning system.
4. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the suspended system includes a device to adjust the tension of the flexible member.
5. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the suspended system includes a rigid structure.
6. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the spanning system flexes.
7. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the spanning system is rigid.
8. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the suspended system can swing.
9. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the user stands on the suspended system.
10. An apparatus for balance training and exercise comprising:
- a non-linear spanning system which includes connection points at either ends and holds the connection points above the ground; and
- a suspended system which extends between two points in space such that a user may balance all or part of their body on the suspended system.
11. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the suspended system is held above the ground from less than 1 inch to greater than 36 inches.
12. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the height of the suspended system is adjustable.
13. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the suspended system is less than 1 inch to greater than 4 inches wide.
14. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the suspended system is a woven material.
15. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the suspended system can rotate.
16. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the spanning system folds and unfolds.
17. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the spanning system comes apart.
18. An apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the apparatus includes a spanning system that can be positioned for use as a balance beam.
19. A method of exercise including:
- placing all or part of the body on a suspended system supported by a spanning system;
- and moving parts of the body to maintain balance and remain on the suspended system.
20. A method of exercise as described in claim 19 where the user stands on the suspended system.
21. A method of exercise as described in claim 20 wherein the axis of the pivot of the swing goes through the users body.
21. A method of exercise as described in claim 19 wherein the user positions part of their body on the ground and part of their body on the spanning system.
23. A method of exercise as described in claim 19 where the user bounces on the spanning system.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 15, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2008
Inventor: Arnold James Cook (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application Number: 11/763,804
International Classification: A63B 4/00 (20060101);