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Balance platform method and apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Support For Entire Body Of User (e.g., Bench, Slant Board, Etc.), Swivelled Foot PlatformBalance platform method and apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211553, Balance platform method and apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This nonprovisional U.S. patent application claims priority of U.S. Ser. No. 60/662,564, filed Mar. 16, 2005, entitled "Balance Platform Method and Apparatus". The entire disclosure of this patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to a balancing device, as well as a method of use for amusement, recreation and/or exercise. The particular invention relates to the balancing device itself, which enables a wide variety of manipulations and feats to be performed, in a free style manner, by a user while standing, sitting or otherwise positioned upon it and maintaining ones balance. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Balancing platforms may be utilized for recreational purposes; teaching people balancing, proper edging and banking techniques; and/or body weight equilibrium techniques relating to many sports activities. Many competitive athletes, particularly surfers, snowboarders and skateboarders, utilize balancing platforms to improve their balancing, edging, banking and/or steering anticipation skills. These board sports require that participants dedicate many hours of practice to improve the athlete's balancing skills. Therefore, balancing platforms are in public demand because they allow a person to improve balance, are enjoyable to use and may be sufficiently small for home use and accessibility. [0006] Balancing platform devices of various types and kinds have been known in the art. Typically, such devices include a roller serving as a fulcrum, and a foot engageable balance board resting on top of the roller. However, substantially all such prior known roller board devices, typically employed for amusement and/or exercise, are limited in their use and movement. They are primarily used for rolling or balancing, and their movement is limited to sideways rolling of the board relative to the roller, and/or a teeter-totter rocking motion. Therefore, these devices are somewhat limited in their use by virtue of their design. It would be highly desirable to have a balancing device which would allow much more freedom of movement, and thereby provide greater amusement and/or exercise and/or training value. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a balancing platform that is enjoyable to utilize. [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing platform that is inexpensive to manufacturer. [0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing platform that can be utilized indoors or outdoors. [0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing platform that can assist in improving a person's balancing, turning, banking, edging and other athletic skills. [0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing platform that is useful to perform a wide variety of movement and manipulations so as to achieve many different free-style feats for amusement, recreation, training and/or exercise. [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a balancing platform that freely allows, without any readjustment or manipulation, rocking, rolling and rotating movements, including 360 degree rotations. [0013] Briefly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a balance platform apparatus, including, a balance platform having upper and lower surfaces, and a freely rotatable ball member. The lower surface of the balance platform includes a rim member which projects in a generally perpendicular direction away from the platform and which encircles an area of the lower surface of the platform, which rim member tends to confine movement of the ball member to within the area encircled by the rim member during a balancing activity by a user positioned upon the balance platform. [0014] Another embodiment of a balance platform apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises, a balance platform having upper and lower surfaces, a rotatable ball member, and a cradle member positioned on a support surface. The cradle member supports the ball member at a fixed location thereon. The cradle member including means for supporting the ball member thereon so as to allow the ball member to rotate with respect to the cradle member during a balancing activity by a user positioned upon the balance platform while the balance platform is position upon the ball member. [0015] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a balancing platform which is enjoyable to utilize. [0016] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a balancing platform which is inexpensive to manufacturer. [0017] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a balancing platform which can be utilized indoors or outdoors. [0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a balancing platform which can assist an athlete in improving the athlete's balancing, turning, banking, edging and other athletic skills. [0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are illustrated in the various drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and details of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. Continue reading about Balance platform method and apparatus... Full patent description for Balance platform method and apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Balance platform method and apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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