Unstable Platform

Abstract

A platform comprising a planar member having a top face and a bottom face and at least one pivoting member approximately in the center of said top face or bottom face, such that when a pivoting member is placed on a surface a distance depending on the shape of the pivoting member is created between the planar member and the surface and the platform is unstable. Thus the unstable platform encourages a user to expend energy, and is quickly height adjustable by choosing which pivoting member is placed on the surface.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority of the U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 525,872 filed on Aug. 22, 2011 and the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an unstable platform that requires energy input from a user to either rock the platform or to keep the platform parallel to a surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Unstable platforms such as wobble boards and rocker boards are well known in the art. They generally consist of a platform with a pivoting mechanism underneath. A user is expected to stand on the platform and attempt to keep his or her balance. The pivoting mechanisms generally consist of either a hemispherical protrusion, in the case of a wobble board, or a cylindrical roller in the case of a rocker board.[0004]Lu disclosed a representative wobble board in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,580 B2. A representative rocker board is disclosed by Wischusen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,990.[0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is an unstable platform that allows users to choose the level of movement and the distance between the platform and the surface it is placed on. The platform can be rocked in different directions and is designed to be manipulated by the user's feet, hands, or other body parts. The platform has a unique design that allows for flexibility and provides a quiet operating experience. Additionally, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes an anti-slip member to prevent unwanted movements between the platform and the surface.

Problems solved by technology

Usually the attachment methods of these replacement parts are complicated and the user would need tools for adjusting the pivoting mechanism.

A disadvantage of the wobble boards and rocker boards is their fairly large size.

Moreover these devices require a user to stand up.

Proprioception boards tend to be fairly small; however they only activate small muscles around the ankle and calf.

However, the rolling motion may require significant space under a desk to be effective, and may distract the user from his / her work.

However they would require schools to replace currently installed capital (desks) at relatively high costs.

Most wobble boards and rocker boards are not sized to fit under a desk.

In addition, since the user is likely sitting rather than standing, the force applied to the platform would not be perpendicular to the floor, and is likely to cause the board to move with respect to the user.

In addition, if the edges of the board contact the floor, the resulting noise would be unsuitable for the environment in which the desk is found, such as a school or workplace.

Also, current methods to adjust the pivot mechanisms are time consuming and / or require the storage of multiple accessories.

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