Balance platform method and apparatus

Title: Balance platform method and apparatus

Related Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Support For Entire Body Of User (e.g., Bench, Slant Board, Etc.), Swivelled Foot Platform

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211553, Balance platform method and apparatus.

1. A balance platform apparatus, including: a balance platform having upper and lower surfaces, and a freely rotatable ball member, where 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where said rim member includes means for allowing it to be selectively removable from its attachment to the lower surface of the balance platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the area encircled by said rim member is more than 50% of the lower surface area of the balance platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, where said ball member is formed of a flexible material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, where said ball member comprises two selectively separable ball portions, which when combined form said ball member.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, where said ball member includes a means for adjusting one of the flexibility, density or weight of the ball member.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, where at least one of said ball portions includes a means for adjusting one of the flexibility, density or weight of the ball member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a cradle member for supporting the ball member at a fixed location thereon with respect to a support surface, said cradle member including means for supporting said ball member so as to allow said ball member to rotate with respect to the cradle member during a balancing activity by the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, where said cradle member includes a plurality of ball bearings for engaging the ball member so as to allow the ball member to rotate with respect to the cradle member.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, where said cradle member includes means for adjusting the rotatability of the ball member with respect to the cradle.

11. A balance platform apparatus, including: a balance platform having upper and lower surfaces, a rotatable ball member, and a cradle member positioned on a support surface, said cradle member supporting the ball member at a fixed location thereon, said cradle member including means for supporting said ball member thereon so as to allow said 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.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1, where said cradle member includes a plurality of ball bearings for engaging the ball member so as to allow the ball member to rotate with respect to the cradle member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, where said cradle member includes means for adjusting the rotatability of the ball member with respect to the cradle.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a rim member attached to and encircling a lower surface of the balance platform, which rim member projects in a generally perpendicular direction away from the platform so as to tend to confine movement of the ball member to within the area encircled by the rim member, during the balancing activity by the user.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, where said rim member includes means for allowing it to be selectively removable from its attachment to the lower surface of the balance platform.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, where the area encircled by said rim member is more than 50% of the lower surface area of the balance platform.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, where said ball member is formed of a flexible material.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, where said ball member comprises two selectively separable ball portions, which when combined form said ball member.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, where said ball member includes a means for adjusting one of the flexibility, density or weight of the ball member.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, where at least one of said ball portions includes a means for adjusting one of the flexibility, density or weight of the ball member.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

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