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Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exerciseMotorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070254789, Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001]This application claims priority of my Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/795,516 filed Apr. 28, 2006. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002]The field of this invention is exercise apparatus and methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]In recent years many different types of apparatus and machines have been devised for exercising the human body. One kind of exercise that has not received much attention is dynamic balance. In addition to walking and performing various other tasks and exercises, a person who wants to remain healthy will also need to be able to reliably maintain his or her balance, dynamically as well as statically. The present invention deals with dynamic balance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]The present invention provides a novel method for an individual person to achieve dynamic balance exercise. This is done by using an elongated balance board resting upon a motorized drive mechanism that provides a fulcrum supporting it for dynamic movements in three different planes. A person normally stands on the board facing in a direction generally perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The board can tilt or pitch in a longitudinal direction. When the person moves or tilts his or her body in either a left or a right direction, that causes the board to tilt longitudinally in the same direction. The motorized drive assembly associated with the board then causes the board to oppose that tilting action, and thus initiates a kind of oscillating or reciprocating movement in which the person will achieve dynamic balance exercise. [0005]Thus, the invention provides an apparatus that automatically responds to a longitudinal tilting action or pitch of the elongated board by tending to drive the board in an oppositely oriented tilting movement. Furthermore, the motorized drive mechanism is also able to twist sidewise or yaw in a horizontal plane, and to lean or roll left or right relative to the longitudinal axis of the board (which would normally be the fore-and-aft plane for a person using the apparatus). This then can provide a three-dimensional movement for the person using the board. [0006]More specifically, according to the principal feature of the invention the method of achieving dynamic balance exercise is carried out as follows. An elongated generally flat balance board is selected having a foot-supporting area on its upper surface at each of its ends. A wheel assembly is placed at about the longitudinal center of and at least partially underneath the balance board to provide a fulcrum for supporting the balance board in a longitudinally tiltable position above the ground. The person then places his or her feet on respective foot-supporting areas of the upper surface of the board so that he or she then faces in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. Starting from a horizontal or balanced position of the board, the person then moves his or her center of gravity in a lateral direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the balance board to produce a tilting action of the board about the wheel assembly. In response to that tilting action of the board, a motorized drive mechanism drivingly rotates the wheel assembly so as to shift the wheel assembly and fulcrum location along the ground in generally the same direction that the person's center of gravity had been moved, thus opposing that tilting action. [0007]The apparatus of the present invention also provides an opportunity for the user to control movement of the board in a fore and aft direction; that is, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board. This fore and aft movement can be simply a sidewise twisting movement in the horizontal plane of the board, or a left or right leaning movement, or both. Those capabilities are provided by unique drive controls for the wheel assembly in the motorized drive apparatus. [0008]Further in accordance with the invention the longitudinal tilting of the board on the platform, and its sidewise twisting movement, can be done concurrently. This not only adds to the dynamics of the exercise experience by the person but also improves the stability in the fore-and-aft plane. DRAWING SUMMARY [0009]The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0010]FIG. 1A, is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing subject at rest with embodiment positioned in its stop mode. Subject's body position is vertical and perpendicular to the ground represented by centerline (10); [0011]FIG. 1B, is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment showing the subject pressing down with right foot (13) causing the embodiment to travel in the direction (11), to the subject's right. Subject's body position continues to stay perpendicular to the ground represented by centerline (10); [0012]FIG. 1C, is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment showing the subject standing in a neutral position vertical (10), and lateral plane (15) intersecting at (62); [0013]FIG. 1D, is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment showing the subject pressing down with left foot (14) causing the embodiment to travel in the direction (12), to the subject's left. Subject's body position continues to stay perpendicular to the ground; [0014]FIG. 1E, is a side view of a preferred embodiment showing the subject standing erect in the fore-aft plane. The subject can also pivot the embodiment using their lower body muscles on its fore-aft plane This applies braking to the back wheel and acceleration to the front wheel FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, moving the embodiment in a directional arc from center to back, along the ground surface. This directional travel helps the subject correct them self back to a vertical stance in the fore-aft plane (16). It can also be said that if the subject is falling forward, similar forward braking occurs. The motorized drive system is important to this feature. It is necessary for locomotion of embodiment in either a right or left direction to occur, before braking can occur in the fore-aft control feature; [0015]FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing the platform with its right and left ends (22, 23). Also shown are the batteries (26, 27), and electric hub motor (28); [0016]FIG. 3, is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2. with platform removed to show the frame, and its spring centering assemblies (24, 25), that pivot in a fore-aft plane. Also shown is the end supports (26, 27). Differential sprocket (31), and braking tabs (29, 30), are also illustrated; [0017]FIG. 4A, is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment in a neutral position. Right end (32), is level with its opposing end (33). Input arm with single axis wheel (35), connects to the input device of the switching control unit (36); [0018]FIG. 4B, is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing members of the switching control unit in a stopped position. Right end (32), of platform is pressed down to the ground (34). Input control arm (35), is connected by linkage to input device (36). Item (37) shows the reference mark on input device for comparison; [0019]FIG. 4C, is a frontal view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention positioned to travel in the right direction. Item (32) shows the right end of the platform no longer touching the ground. Reference mark (37) has changed position on the input device (36); Continue reading about Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise... Full patent description for Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Motorized apparatus and method for dynamic balancing exercise 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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