120results about "Balance beams" patented technology

A method and apparatus for achieving dynamic balance exercise by using an elongated board that is tiltable in a longitudinal direction and energized by a set of motor-driven wheels which are connected to oppose the tilting action. A front to back (pitching) and side to side twisting (yawing) of the board is accomplished concurrently with the longitudinal tilting (rolling) movement to balance the exercise experience and improve the subjects fore-and-aft balance.

A rehabilitation system that combines robotics and interactive gaming to facilitate performance of task-specific, repetitive exercise to enable individuals undergoing rehabilitation to improve the performance of coordinated movements of the ankle, and to practice balance activities, is disclosed. More specifically, the rehabilitation system includes at least one two degree-of-freedom robotic, haptic interface for a mammalian foot and interactive gaming hardware that is coupled to a controller, to provide a virtual reality-like environment.

A balance trainer has a board with a notional nose and tail, a rolling fulcrum for the board to perch on, and at least one hold-down link extending between one end anchored to ground and another end secured to the notional tail of the board. The board as perched on the rolling fulcrum would—in the absence constraint—afford free tipping tilt along at least one axis. However, the hold-down link supplies constraint such that free leash is given to the to the notional tail of the board so long as the hold-down link is slack. But when the nose of the board dives furthest against the hold-down link, the board either deadens in a fixed pitch angle against the tautened hold-down link, or else can be swung laterally a bit, in sort of a monkey-swing fashion in inverse, giving a training experience like riding on a long surf board.

An exercise apparatus including a base, a platform, and a resilient member located between and attached to both the base and the platform. The resilient member can rotate, twist, and tilt in every angle while also providing a resistance force to all degrees of movement. The platform may be modified by the addition of an elastomeric material over its surface to provide additional traction or padding. The platform may also have notches placed around its perimeter, through which resistance tubing or rope may be placed such that upper body resistance motion may be integrated into the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, support members may be disposed under both the platform and base for additional support and rigidity. The resilient member may have a flange, which in conjunction with an adjustment mechanism, may affect the amount of resiliency of the resilient member. The adjustment mechanism may have a handle, a gear and ratchet assembly, and a plurality of locking mechanisms. The adjustment mechanism may be simple and easy to use in that a single movement of the adjustment mechanism will simultaneously adjust the plurality of locking mechanisms and ultimately adjust the overall resiliency of the resilient member.

A board for balance training has an upper footstep surface, lower bearing surface and a progressive series of concentric, cylindrical sub-frames depending from the lower surface which enclose progressively smaller framed-in areas of the bearing surface within progressively smaller framed-in crown-cavities defined by each. This progressive series ranges extremes of a major in size to minor, with none, one or more intermediates. All at least but the major sub-frame are selectively removable from the board for clearing way for progressively larger framed-in crown-cavities. Any of the sub-frames permit a training ball to roll freely sandwiched between the board and ground unless stopped against any portion of that sub-frame. Selectively utilizing a minor sub-frame over, conversely, exclusion thereof in favor of any of the progressively larger sub-frames, progressively changes the level of difficulty for trainees standing on the upper footstep surface.

A balance board for exercising, sports training, recreation and the like, uses a board member that rides along a roller along either the central longitudinal axis of the board member or along the central vertical axis of the board member. Stop members are removably attached to the board member for limiting the range or ride of the board member with respect to the roller on either axis and to further selectively vary the distance of travel of the board member when it is traveling on its longitudinal axis.

A self-venting microwaveable pouch, a food product, and a method of preparing a food product utilizing a rupturable or vent seal that is formed in the pouch and along an aperture formed by the pouch. Multiple pouch products can be stored or displayed by placing hanger or hook through apertures defined by the pouch panels, such as apertures in the top sections of the panels. A vent seal is formed along the aperture. Flexible insets extend between bottom sections of the panels. The insets and bottoms of the panels and outwardly extendable to form a base to support the pouch in an upright position. In use, when a food item is heated in a microwave oven, the rupturable seal is reliably broken before other pouch seals. As a result, the pouch can be conveniently shipped and displayed, and the food item can be properly cooked and maintained within the container.

An exercise device for conditioning and rehabilitation of the nerves, muscles, bones, and joints of the body by facilitating or limiting range of motion and biomechanical forces around the horizontal and vertical axes. The device includes a fulcrum connected to a first side of a base. The fulcrum extends outward from the base and provides a point about which the device pivots. Fulcrum includes a recess having a removable attachment. When the attachment is connected, the fulcrum has a rounded shape. A user positioned on the base can pivot about the fulcrum in substantially 360° of motion to fully work their body. When the attachment is removed, rails forming the recess limit the range of motion to a user to between substantially a first orientation and a second orientation. The range of motion with the attachment removed being less than the range of motion with the connected attachment.

A rehabilitation and exercise device for facilitating and limiting motion and biomechanical forces along the horizontal and vertical axes in the saggital, frontal, and transverse planes of the human anatomy. The device consists of an elongated, substantially flat platform with somewhat rounded corners (24). The platform is made of a rigid material to prevent fracturing and bending and is further supported on the bottom surface by central support spines (30) and peripheral support spines (16). The platform provides a decreased slip top surface (10) by utilizing a recessed grid (20). The bottom surface of the platform (12) is configured with a larger diameter central platform attachment extension (28) and smaller diameter peripheral platform attachment extensions (32) which have internal recesses (14) configured at a predetermined set of points to accommodate rigid, somewhat rounded pegs (18) of varying shape and diameter. The peg attachments are secured to the bottom surface of the platform with a peg attachment insert screw (34) which rotates into a heilcoil (26) located in the internal recess. The platform allows specific facilitation or limitation of motion and biomechanical forces along the horizontal and vertical axes depending on the placement of human anatomy on the top surface (10) and peg size and placement on the bottom surface (12) of the platform.

An activity board assembly (1) including; a board (2) having an upper surface (3) for supporting a user (46), a base portion (4) and a resilient support member (5) having an upper and a lower distal end, said upper end being connected to an underside of the board and the lower distal end being connected to the base portion (4), characterised in that the board (2) is rotatable with respect to the base portion (4) about; a first axis in a plane substantially orthogonal with the upper surface (3) of the board and / or the base portion (4); a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis and substantially parallel to the upper surface (3) of the board and / or the base portion (4); a third axis orthogonal to both the first and second axis; the connection between the resilient support member (5) and the base portion (4) being configured to prevent linear movement with respect to each other.

A method and apparatus for achieving dynamic balance exercise by using an elongated board that is tiltable in a longitudinal direction and energized by a set of motor-driven wheels which are connected to oppose the tilting action. A front to back (pitching) and side to side twisting (yawing) of the board is accomplished concurrently with the longitudinal tilting (rolling) movement to balance the exercise experience and improve the subjects fore-and-aft balance.

To stimulate and engage children, especially older children, playground equipment is disclosed which provides a suitable challenge, by consisting of three columns which are arranged in a triangular cross-sectional form which tapers inwardly. The columns are assembled with connection tubes at the top and possibly also further down to provide a stable and very strong construction which supports various accessories elements such as ropes, climbing walls, cross-beams, etc. A spherical assembly bracket with through holes is mounted on a column and used in the assembly and suspension of the accessory elements.

A proactive machine is used for assessing and improving a user's proprioception. The machine has a tilting platform upon which the user stands, a non-rotating tilting means connected to the platform for tilting the platform along a first axis and along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a control means for controlling the tilting means.

An exercise device comprising a base and a platform rotatably tiltably connected to the base, wherein the invention includes a first continuous passive motion embodiment and a second continuous active motion embodiment. The continuous passive motion exercise device (e.g. non-motorized) may utilize the nested engagement of a concave surface located in the base and a convex surface extending from the platform to provide a rotatable tiltable connection therebetween. The device may also utilize at least one roller bearing located within the base to assist in permitting the rotatable tiltable motion of the platform relative to the base. The continuous active motion exercise device (e.g. motorized) utilizes a motor housed within the base to drive the rotatably tiltably connected platform.

Abstract of Disclosure An exercise apparatus including a base, a platform, and a resilient member located between and attached to both the base and the platform. The resilient member can rotate, twist, and tilt in every angle while also providing a resistance force to all degrees of movement. The platform may be modified by the addition of an elastomeric material over its surface to provide additional traction or padding. The platform may also have notches placed around its perimeter, through which resistance tubing or rope may be placed such that upper body resistance motion may be integrated into the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, support members may be disposed under both the platform and base for additional support and rigidity. The resilient member may have a flange, which in conjunction with an adjustment mechanism, may affect the amount of resiliency of the resilient member. The adjustment mechanism may have a handle, a gear and ratchet assembly, and a plurality of locking mechanisms. The adjustment mechanism may be simple and easy to use in that a single movement of the adjustment mechanism will simultaneously adjust the plurality of locking mechanisms and ultimately adjust the overall resiliency of the resilient member.

An adjustable stretching device 6 includes a stretching surface 20 that is raised off of the floor on which the user stands, flexes, and stretches the calf and lowers the leg muscles. The stretching surface 20 can be angled along a primary longitudinal angle 26 to produce a more intense stretch. Specifically, the stretching surface 20 can be angled up to 90 degrees. Additionally, the user can put a leg up on the center pad 50 and stretch the hamstring muscles. The adjustable stretching device 6 also includes a padded framework that allows a user to put a leg up on any of the bars at different heights and further stretch the leg muscles. The padding also provides protection for the bar. The stretching surface 20 of the adjustable stretching device 6 is preferably a dual stretching surface 20 that is angled either away from or towards the longitudinal centerline of the dual stretching surface 20 along the primary longitudinal angle 26. This angle can range between 0 and 45 degrees. The angle or wedge can be either integral to the platform or removable and clipped into place at different angles or slowly molded into desired angles. The adjustable stretching device 6 has a handrail assembly 40, which is foldable in nature for storage. The handrail assembly 40 also provides leverage for a more intense stretch. The adjustable stretching device 6 also includes magnets to provide better circulation for the feet or another desired area.

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.

A rehabilitation system that combines robotics and interactive gaming to facilitate performance of task-specific, repetitive exercise to enable individuals undergoing rehabilitation to improve the performance of coordinated movements of the ankle, and to practice balance activities, is disclosed. More specifically, the rehabilitation system includes at least one two degree-of-freedom robotic, haptic interface for a mammalian foot and interactive gaming hardware that is coupled to a controller, to provide a virtual reality-like environment.

An exercise device having a first base member with foot disks mounted thereon for rotating a person's lower body and a second base member including handles to be grasped by a person for rotating a person's upper body. The first and second base members are mounted so as to be capable of rotating about the same vertical axis. The first and second base members may be mechanically interconnected so as to be forced to rotate together but in opposite directions. Alternatively, the first and second base members may be disconnect from each other so that they can rotate independently. Either may also be fixed so as not to rotate. Similarly, the foot disks may rotate on the first base member independently of the first base member or can be fixed thereto so as to remain stationary in relation to the first base member. The second base member may be mounted overhead with the handles extending downwardly or it may be mounted adjacent the first base member and concentric therewith with the handles extending upwardly. In either embodiment, a variable resistance system can be incorporated to vary the difficulty of exercise.

The agility device is an article of manufacture comprising a base, a stabilized inflatable support disposed on the base, and a top platform positioned on the stabilized inflatable support. The device also has optional handles and expandable base supports for added stability. The device is primarily for use as an exercise device, but also has value as an agility training tool to help users improve their balance and agility, and to improve their reflexes. It is useful for exercise, physical therapy, and for entertainment.

A physical training and rehabilitation system includes a rope having first and second sides that hang downwardly from a bar, beam or other support, the rope terminating in first and second ends. A locking mechanism having first and second sections receives the first and second rope sides, respectively. Each section of the mechanism is independently adjustable between an unlocked position, wherein the rope side associated with that section can slide through the locking mechanism, and a locked position, wherein the rope side associated with that section is prevented from sliding. A connector disposed at the first end of the rope forms a loop for connection to an attachment or accessory related to a desired activity. The attachments or accessories may include a loop, a sling, a rigid bar, a spring, a support belt, or a handle. The system may be provided in kit form. Methods of assembly and use are also disclosed.

Device and method for occupying a human subject with physical and mental activities. Includes (a) human mountable and movable object (12) having total volume in a range of between about 0.5 and 5 cubic meters and being sufficiently strong to bear weight of a human subject (5) when mounted thereupon; (b) object motion control assembly (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) operatively connected to object (12), for controlling motion of object (12) when human subject (5) is mounted upon object (12); and (c) base assembly (30, 32) operatively connected to the object motion control assembly, for anchoring the object motion control assembly when human subject (5) is mounted upon object (5) and moving upon object (12) within a field of space determined by characteristics, configuration, and dimensions, of object (12), the object motion control assembly, base assembly (30), and behavior of human subject (5).

A handle toss training apparatus can be utilized to aid in improving a person's balance, coordination, and skills respective to a maneuver commonly referred to as a handle pass. The handle toss training apparatus includes a balancing board with a base. The base provides a rotational, a rolling, and a pitch motion for the balancing board. A handle is fastened to a wall via a cable. Tension for the handle is created by the specific material used for fabrication of the cable or by a variable weight system.