Exercise device

The exercise device addresses the lack of devices that allow smooth board movement by integrating rotation, movement, and tilt mechanisms with elastic forces, enabling users to improve balance through dynamic board interactions.

JP2025121421APending Publication Date: 2025-08-20DREAM FACTORY INC
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024016736
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-07
Publication Date
2025-08-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing exercise devices do not allow users to freely and smoothly move a board, similar to the movements experienced in sports like snowboarding or surfing, which are effective for improving balance ability.

Method used

The exercise device incorporates a board with a movable mechanism that includes a rotation mechanism, a movement mechanism, and a tilt mechanism, along with elastic portions to apply forces that maintain the board's position, allowing users to rotate, move, and tilt the board smoothly.

Benefits of technology

Enables users to exercise while freely moving the board, enhancing balance and providing a fun and effective workout experience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025121421000001_ABST
    Figure 2025121421000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an exercise device that allows a user himself / herself to freely and smoothly move a board on which the user rides.SOLUTION: An exercise device according to the present invention comprises: a board; a base unit for supporting the board; a movable mechanism for moving the board; and an elastic unit for applying an elastic force to the board. The movable mechanism includes at least one of a rotation mechanism for rotating the board from a reference position, a movement mechanism for moving the board from the reference position along one direction, and a tilting mechanism for tilting the board from the reference position. The elastic unit includes at least one of a rotation elastic unit for applying an elastic force toward the reference position to the rotated board, a movement elastic unit for applying an elastic force toward the reference position to the moved board, and a tilting elastic unit for applying an elastic force toward the reference position to the tilted board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise device on which a user rides a board to perform exercise. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, people have been exercising more at gyms and at home due to the need to address lack of exercise and growing health consciousness. In addition, in recent years, attention has been focused on equipment and devices that allow people to easily exercise at home, and various types of exercise equipment and devices are now on the market.

[0003] Balance training, which cultivates a sense of balance, is known as one type of exercise that can be done at home. Balance training is expected to improve balance ability and prevent falls. Furthermore, depending on the method of balance training, it can strengthen the muscles of the trunk and lower limbs, which can improve posture and increase the ability to maintain posture. As a result, it is said to have the effect of reducing shoulder stiffness and lower back pain and improving athletic performance.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-128923 (Patent Document 1) describes a balance board used for balance training. The balance board described in Patent Document 1 has a plate-shaped body support portion on which the user (trainee) stands, a curved portion that bulges downward from the body support portion, and a base that supports the body support portion and the curved portion.

[0005] The body support portion has a support surface (upper surface) that can come into contact with both feet of the user. The curved portion is formed integrally with the body support portion on the side opposite the support surface of the body support portion. The outer circumferential surface of the curved portion is formed by a curved surface that expands in a spherical shape.

[0006] The base has an upper surface (regulating surface) that regulates the tilt of the body support unit placed on the base, and an attachment surface that is located lower than the upper surface. The attachment surface of the base is provided with a plurality of spherical support units (balls) and a plurality of holders that rotatably hold each support unit. For example, in an embodiment of Patent Document 1, six sets of support units and holders are installed at regular intervals on the base, and the six support units come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the curved unit, thereby supporting the body support unit and curved unit so that they can swing relative to the base.

[0007] The balance board described in Patent Document 1 allows a user to perform balance training by standing with both feet on a body support section that is swingably supported on a base and maintaining their balance while standing on the body support section. Patent Document 1 explains that the balance board makes it easy to maintain the position of the trainee's center of gravity during balance training, allowing the trainee to continue standing in a natural posture, thereby suppressing unnecessary strain and enabling balance training. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-128923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] As described above, the balance board of Patent Document 1 allows a user to perform balance training by standing continuously on the balance board without significantly shifting the position of the center of gravity.

[0010] On the other hand, in sports such as snowboarding and surfing, you stand on a long, thin board (snowboard or surfboard) and enjoy driving the board across the snow or waves while skillfully controlling your body to maintain overall balance in response to the board's large and various movements, which also helps improve your balance ability.

[0011] It is thought that exercise devices can also improve balance ability by allowing the user to balance while smoothly and widely moving the board, similar to the movement of a board when snowboarding or surfing, but such exercise devices are not commercially available.

[0012] The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide an exercise device that allows the user to freely and smoothly move the board they are riding on by themselves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the exercise device provided by the present invention comprises a board for a user to ride on, a base portion supporting the board, a movable mechanism for moving the board relative to the base portion, and an elastic portion for applying an elastic force to the board to hold the board in a reference position, wherein the movable mechanism comprises at least one of a rotation mechanism for rotating the board from the reference position around a rotation axis portion, a movement mechanism formed separately from the rotation mechanism for moving the board in one direction from the reference position, and a tilt mechanism formed separately from the rotation mechanism and the movement mechanism for tilting the board from the reference position, and the elastic portion comprises at least one of a rotation elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the board rotated by the rotation mechanism toward the reference position, a movement elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the board moved by the movement mechanism toward the reference position, and a tilt elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the board tilted by the tilt mechanism toward the reference position, in correspondence with the movable mechanism.

[0014] In the exercise device of the present invention, it is preferable that the movable mechanism includes at least two of the rotation mechanism, the movement mechanism, and the tilt mechanism, and that the elastic portion includes at least two of the rotation elastic portion, the movement elastic portion, and the tilt elastic portion, corresponding to the movable mechanism. It is further preferable that the movable mechanism includes the rotation mechanism, the movement mechanism, and the tilt mechanism, and that the elastic portion includes the rotation elastic portion, the movement elastic portion, and the tilt elastic portion.

[0015] In the exercise device of the present invention, it is preferable that the movable mechanism has, as the rotation mechanism, a bearing portion that rotatably holds the rotation shaft portion of the board and a support plate portion that supports the bearing portion, and the rotation elastic portion has a first rotation elastic member provided between one end of the board in the first direction and a part of the movable mechanism or the base portion, and a second rotation elastic member provided between the other end of the board in the first direction and a part of the movable mechanism or the base portion.

[0016] In this case, it is further preferable that the movable mechanism has, as the rotation mechanism, a rotating plate portion fixed to the board and arranged opposite the support plate portion, and a plurality of free ball bearings fixed to the support plate portion and supporting the rotating plate portion by bringing balls into contact with the rotating plate portion.

[0017] Furthermore, in the exercise device of the present invention, it is preferable that the movable mechanism has, as the movement mechanism, a guide rail portion integrally formed with the base portion and a cart portion that supports the board and is movable along the guide rail portion, and that the movement elastic portion has a first movement elastic member provided between one end of the cart portion in the movement direction and the base portion, and a second movement elastic member provided between the other end of the cart portion in the movement direction and the base portion. In this case, it is more preferable that the guide rail portion has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0018] Furthermore, in the exercise device of the present invention, the movable mechanism has, as the inclination mechanism, a first support plate portion that supports the board, a second support plate portion that is arranged at a distance below the first support plate portion, and a plurality of inclination elastic members that are arranged between the first support plate portion and the second support plate portion, and it is preferable that the inclination elastic portion is formed by a plurality of the inclination elastic members, and that at least two of the inclination elastic members are arranged in point-symmetric positions with respect to a center line of the board that is parallel to the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the exercise device of the present invention, the user can freely and smoothly move the board on which he or she is riding, allowing the user to exercise while having fun. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a base portion of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an enlarged view of the main parts of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1, showing a rotating shaft, a bearing that rotatably holds the rotating shaft, and a first support plate that supports the bearing. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for schematically explaining a rotation operation in which the board rotates from a reference position. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a movement operation in which the board moves in the front-to-rear direction from a reference position. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a tilting operation in which the board tilts left and right from a reference position. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a tilting operation in which the board tilts in the front-rear direction from the reference position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an exercise device according to the present embodiment, and Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are a plan view, a bottom view, and a side view, respectively, of the exercise device shown in Fig. 1.

[0022] In the exercise device 1 of this embodiment, the up-down direction refers to the direction along the vertical when the exercise device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface and an exercise is performed, for example, the up-down direction in the drawing of Figure 4 (when the numbers are viewed straight ahead). In this case, the direction in which gravity acts is considered to be downward, and the opposite direction is considered to be upward.

[0023] The forward / backward direction refers to the direction along the longitudinal direction of the board 10 in the reference position, or the direction along the movement direction when the board 10 is moved back and forth in one direction, for example, the left-right direction in the drawing of Figure 4 above. The left-right direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and is, for example, the up-down direction in the drawing of FIG. 2 (when the numbers are viewed straight ahead).

[0024] The exercise device 1 of this embodiment is placed on a flat surface, and the user steps onto one of the boards 10 (described later) with both feet on it, and then, while standing on the board 10, the user moves the board 10 freely, controlling their body and maintaining balance to exercise.

[0025] The exercise device 1 of this embodiment comprises a board 10 on which the user stands with both feet, a base portion 20 serving as a foundation, a carriage portion 30 placed on the base portion 20 and movable relative to the base portion 20, a rotating portion 50 fixed to the board 10 and rotatably supported by the carriage portion 30, a pair of front and rear rotating spring members 60 arranged between the board 10 and the carriage portion 30, and a pair of front and rear moving spring members 70 arranged between the carriage portion 30 and the base portion 20.

[0026] The board 10 is formed from a thin, sturdy plate-like member and has a long, narrow shape similar to that of a snowboard. The board 10 has an upper surface on which the user stands and a lower surface located on the opposite side of the upper surface. The board 10 of this embodiment has a front end 11 and a rear end 12 located at one end and the other end in the front-to-rear direction, respectively, and a center section 13 located in the center in the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] Board-side spring attachment parts 14 for attaching one end of the front and rear rotation spring members 60 are provided on the undersides of the front end part 11 and rear end part 12 of the board so as to protrude downward. The board-side spring attachment parts 14 are disposed in the center of the board 10 in the left-right direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, board 10 has a slightly upwardly protruding center portion 13 in a side view from the left and right (see FIG. 4), and a gently curved shape with front end 11 and rear end 12 that are slightly warped upward toward their tips. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, for example, the top surface of center portion 13 of board 10 faces vertically upward and is arranged parallel to the horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction), and front end 11 and rear end 12 are arranged in the center of the left and right direction of exercise device 1. Furthermore, the position or posture in which board 10 is held so that the center of rotation of board 10 overlaps with the center of base portion 20 in a plan view of exercise device 1 (FIG. 2) is defined as the reference position or posture of board 10.

[0029] In the present invention, the shape, size, material, etc. of the board 10 are not particularly limited. However, it is preferable that the board 10 be formed in a thin, elongated plate-like shape in the front-to-back direction, as in this embodiment, so that the user can, for example, stand on the board with both feet and the user can easily rotate, move forward and backward, tilt, and perform combinations of these movements on the board 10.

[0030] 1 to 5, the base portion 20 serving as the foundation has a pair of left and right vertical frame portions 21 formed long in the front-to-rear direction, a pair of front and rear horizontal frame portions 22 connecting the left and right vertical frame portions 21, a center frame portion 23 connecting the front and rear horizontal frame portions 22, a pair of left and right guide rail portions 24 connected to the front and rear horizontal frame portions 22 and on which the carriage portion 30 is placed, and a connecting frame portion 25 connecting the left and right guide rail portions 24 at their center in the front-to-rear direction. Each of these vertical frame portions 21, horizontal frame portions 22, center frame portion 23, guide rail portions 24, and connecting frame portion 25 is formed from a cylindrical pipe. The base portion 20 also has four suspension portions 26 provided at the tip portions of the left and right vertical frame portions 21, and left and right anti-slip portions 27 provided at the center portion in the front-to-rear direction of each of the left and right vertical frame portions 21.

[0031] The left and right vertical frame portions 21 are supported by suspension portions 26 and anti-slip portions 27 so as to be spaced slightly above the flat installation surface on which the exercise apparatus 1 is placed. Each of the left and right vertical frame portions 21 has a frame straight portion 21a arranged in the front-to-rear center along the front-to-rear direction, and front and rear frame leg portions 21b extending in the front-to-rear direction from the frame straight portion 21a (see FIG. 5). The frame leg portions 21b of the left and right vertical frame portions 21 are arranged at an angle outward in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the front-to-rear direction so that the distance between the left and right vertical frame portions 21 gradually increases outward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] The front and rear horizontal frame portions 22 are connected to the left and right vertical frame portions 21 (particularly, the frame legs 21b of the vertical frame portions 21) and are arranged along the left-right direction. Similar to the vertical frame portions 21, the horizontal frame portions 22 are arranged slightly above the installation surface of the exercise apparatus 1.

[0033] The center frame portion 23 is connected to the front and rear lateral frame portions 22 and is arranged straight in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the center frame portion 23 is arranged in a position offset to one side in the left-right direction from the center position in the left-right direction of the exercise apparatus 1. The center frame portion 23 is provided with insertion holes for inserting connecting members (e.g., bolts) to which one end (lower end) of the front and rear moving spring members 70 is connected. In this embodiment, the center frame portion 23 has multiple insertion holes spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction so that the elastic force of the moving spring members 70 can be adjusted.

[0034] The left and right guide rail sections 24 are disposed on the left and right sides of the center frame section 23 at a distance from the center frame section 23 and are connected to the front and rear lateral frame sections 22. The left and right guide rail sections 24 are disposed parallel to each other along the front-to-rear direction in a plan view (FIG. 3) of the exercise apparatus 1 seen from below. Each of the left and right guide rail sections 24 has front and rear connecting sections that connect to the lateral frame sections 22, front and rear rail inclined sections 24a that slope upward at a certain angle (inclination angle) from the connecting section toward the inside in the front-to-rear direction, and rail bent sections 24b that bend to connect the front and rear rail inclined sections 24a.

[0035] Rail inclined portion 24a is arranged to form an inclination angle of 5° to 45°, preferably 10° to 30°, with respect to the horizontal direction (front-to-back direction). Rail bent portion 24b is arranged at the center of guide rail portion 24 in the front-to-back direction, at the topmost position of guide rail portion 24 above the installation surface of exercise apparatus 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, guide rail section 24 has front and rear rail inclined sections 24a and rail bent sections 24b, and is formed to have a mountain-like shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 4) of exercise apparatus 1. However, in the present invention, guide rail section 24 may be formed in an overall curved shape, for example, to have an arc-like or approximately arc-like shape when viewed from the side of exercise apparatus 1. The connecting frame portion 25 is disposed along the left-right direction so as to connect the rail bending portions 24b of the left and right guide rail portions 24.

[0037] The suspension parts 26 are installed on the frame leg parts 21b of the left and right vertical frame parts 21. Each suspension part 26 has a fixed end part 26a fixed to the tip part (front end part or rear end part) of the vertical frame part 21, a movable end part 26b arranged slidably along the vertical frame part 21 at a position away from the fixed end part 26a of the vertical frame part 21, a metallic elastic deformation part 26c arranged between the fixed end part 26a and the movable end part 26b, and an anti-slip sheet 26g attached to the underside of the elastic deformation part 26c.

[0038] The fixed end 26a and the moving end 26b of the suspension unit 26 are made of synthetic resin. The fixed end 26a and the moving end 26b are fixed to one end and the other end of the elastically deforming unit 26c in the longitudinal direction, respectively, and are attached to the vertical frame unit 21 at a position above the installation surface of the exercise apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the fixed end 26a and the moving end 26b are each fixed to the elastically deforming unit 26c with a fixing pin 28. Note that in the present invention, the method and means for fixing the fixed end 26a and the moving end 26b to the elastically deforming unit 26c are not particularly limited.

[0039] In this embodiment, the fixed end 26a is fixed to the tip of the vertical frame portion 21 by wrapping around the tip edge of the vertical frame portion 21 to prevent it from moving relative to the vertical frame portion 21. The moving end 26b is provided with a linear insertion hole through which the vertical frame portion 21 is inserted, and the moving end 26b passes. The vertical frame portion 21 is inserted into the insertion hole of the moving end 26b, and the moving end 26b is fixed to the elastic deformation portion 26c at a position away from the installation surface of the exercise apparatus 1. As a result, the moving end 26b is held slidable along the vertical frame portion 21 relative to the vertical frame portion 21 in a direction toward or away from the fixed end 26a.

[0040] The elastically deforming portion 26c of the suspension portion 26 is made of an elastic metal such as stainless steel. For example, the elastically deforming portion 26c in this embodiment is formed by press-forming a thin metal plate member. Note that in the present invention, the method and means for producing the elastically deforming portion 26c are not particularly limited.

[0041] The elastic deformation portion 26c has a flat central body portion 26d disposed in the center in the longitudinal direction of the elastic deformation portion 26c, front and rear deformation inclined portions 26e that slope obliquely upward from the central body portion 26d via curved portions, and extension portions 26f that extend from the deformation inclined portions 26e via the curved portions. The portion of the elastic deformation portion 26c that includes the central body portion 26d and the front and rear deformation inclined portions 26e is formed in a substantially U-shape when the elastic deformation portion 26c is viewed from the side.

[0042] Central body portion 26d of elastic deformation portion 26c is arranged parallel to the horizontal direction. Anti-slip sheet 26g is attached to the underside of central body portion 26d. This prevents four suspension portions 26 from slipping on the installation surface, ensuring stability when exercise device 1 is set on the installation surface.

[0043] The deforming inclined portion 26e of the elastically deforming portion 26c is provided with an insertion hole through which the vertical frame portion 21 is inserted. The front and rear extending portions 26f are arranged parallel or approximately parallel to the central main body portion 26d. Each extending portion 26f is fixed to the fixed end portion 26a or the moving end portion 26b by a fixing pin 28 while in contact with the upper surface of the fixed end portion 26a or the moving end portion 26b.

[0044] For example, when a user stands on board 10 of exercise device 1 of this embodiment and performs various movements, shifts their weight, or changes the position of their center of gravity, a load is applied from board 10 to base 20. In this case, because exercise device 1 is provided with suspension units 26 as described above, suspension units 26 receive the load and elastically deform elastically, thereby moving movable end 26b of suspension unit 26 away from fixed end 26a along vertical frame 21. This absorbs the load applied to base 20, preventing suspension units 26 and non-slip units 27 of exercise device 1 from lifting off the installation surface or becoming misaligned, thereby maintaining a stable installation state of exercise device 1.

[0045] The carriage unit 30 of the exercise device 1 supports the board 10 via the rotating unit 50. The carriage unit 30 is placed on the left and right guide rail units 24 of the base unit 20 and is arranged to be movable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail units 24. In the present embodiment, the guide rail units 24 are provided with the front and rear rail inclined units 24a as described above. Therefore, for example, the carriage unit 30 supporting the board 10 at the reference position can be moved forward or backward while being guided by the guide rail units 24, thereby tilting the posture of the carriage unit 30 so that the board 10 tilts downward forward or backward (see FIG. 8 ).

[0046] The bogie section 30 has a bogie main body section 31, four wheels 35 attached to the bogie main body section 31, front and rear car-side spring attachment sections 36 provided at the front and rear ends of the bogie main body section 31, a plurality of tilting coil spring members 41 fixed to the upper surface of the bogie main body section 31, a fixed plate section 42 held on the tilting coil spring members 41, and a bearing section 43 and a plurality of free ball bearings 44 fixed to the fixed plate section 42.

[0047] The bogie main body 31 has a flat upper body plate 32, left and right side plate portions 33 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the upper body plate 32, left and right thin plate portions 34 provided on the underside of the upper body plate 32, and fixing piece portions protruding from the underside of the upper body plate 32 and fixing the front and rear ends of the thin plate portions 34.

[0048] The carbody upper plate 32 and the left and right side plate portions 33 of the bogie main body 31 are integrally formed from metal. The carbody upper plate 32 has a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape when the bogie main body 31 is viewed from above or below, for example. The carbody upper plate 32 has a thickness that ensures appropriate strength, and also fixes and supports the tilting coil spring member 41. To reduce the weight of the bogie main body 31, one opening is provided in the center of the carbody upper plate 32, and multiple triangular openings are provided in the left and right side plate portions 33.

[0049] The left and right narrow plate portions 34 on the back side of the carbody upper plate portion 32 are attached to the front and rear fixing pieces at positions spaced downward from the carbody upper plate portion 32 so as to form an insertion space between the narrow plate portions 34 and the carbody upper plate portion 32 through which the connecting frame portion 25 of the base portion 20 can be inserted. By providing the left and right narrow plate portions 34 in this manner, the bogie portion 30 is movably attached to the base portion 20 and is prevented from falling off the base portion 20.

[0050] The wheels 35 are rotatably attached to the left and right side plate portions 33 of the bogie body portion 31. In the present embodiment, the wheels 35 are attached to four locations on both the left and right sides of the front end portion and the left and right sides of the rear end portion of the bogie body portion 31. Each wheel 35 is provided with an inner flange portion, an outer flange portion, and a tread portion formed in a concave shape between the inner flange portion and the outer flange portion around the entire circumference of each wheel 35.

[0051] Therefore, the guide rail portion 24 of the base portion 20 is inserted between the inner flange portion and the outer flange portion of the wheel 35, thereby attaching the wheel 35 to the guide rail portion 24. Furthermore, by rotating the wheels 35, the carriage portion 30 can move smoothly in the front-to-rear direction relative to the guide rail portion 24. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a wheel derailment prevention portion 35a is attached to each wheel 35 to prevent the carriage portion 30 from derailing from the guide rail portion 24 of the base portion 20. Each wheel derailment prevention portion 35a has a plurality of small roller portions that come into contact with the guide rail portion 24 and a wire portion to which the roller portions are attached.

[0052] The front and rear car-side spring attachment parts 36 are located in the center of the bogie body 31 in the left-right direction (see Figure 3). Each car-side spring attachment part 36 has a fixed plate part that is integrally formed on the underside of the carbody upper plate part 32, and two mounting holes formed in the fixed plate part. The fixed plate parts are installed in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. A rotation spring member 60 is attached to one of the mounting holes provided in the car-side spring attachment part 36, and a movement spring member 70 is attached to the other mounting hole.

[0053] In the bogie section 30 of this embodiment, eight elastically deformable tilting coil spring members 41 are installed between the carbody upper plate section 32 and the fixed plate section 42 of the bogie main body section 31. In this embodiment, each tilting coil spring member 41 is formed of a cylindrical compression coil spring (compression spring). The lower end of each tilting coil spring member 41 is fixed to the carbody upper plate section 32, and the upper end of each tilting coil spring member 41 is fixed to the fixed plate section 42. In this embodiment, the eight tilting coil spring members 41 use the same compression coil springs.

[0054] The tilting coil spring members 41 in this embodiment include a first tilting coil spring member 41a installed at the four corners of the rectangular vehicle body upper plate portion 32, two second tilting coil spring members 41b installed in the center of the vehicle body upper plate portion 32 in the fore-and-aft direction, and two third tilting coil spring members 41c installed in the center of the vehicle body upper plate portion 32 in the left-right direction.

[0055] The two first tilting coil spring members 41a arranged on one side (front side) in the front-rear direction and the two first tilting coil spring members 41a arranged on the other side (rear side) in the front-rear direction are arranged in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other, with respect to the rotation axis of the board 10 (the center line of the board 10 parallel to the vertical direction) when viewed, for example, in a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of the bogie unit 30. The two second tilting coil spring members 41b are arranged on the left and right side edges of the body upper plate unit 32, and are arranged in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other, with respect to the rotation axis of the board 10. The two third tilting coil spring members 41c are each arranged in a position more inward than the first tilting coil spring members 41a in the front-rear direction, and are arranged in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to each other, with respect to the rotation axis of the board 10. Note that in the present invention, the number and positions of the tilting coil spring members 41 are not particularly limited and can be changed.

[0056] The fixed plate 42 is fixed to the eight tilting coil spring members 41 and is disposed parallel to the carbody upper plate 32 of the bogie main body 31. An opening is provided in the center of the fixed plate 42, through which the bearing 43 is inserted. For example, when at least a portion of the fixed plate 42 receives a force from above, the eight tilting coil spring members 41 are expanded and contracted, thereby tilting the fixed plate 42 relative to the carbody upper plate 32. Furthermore, when the force from above is removed, the elastic force of the tilting coil spring members 41 allows the tilted fixed plate 42 to return to its original position parallel to the carbody upper plate 32.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, a bearing 43 for rotatably holding a rotating shaft 52 (described later) of the rotating unit 50 is fixed to a central portion of the fixed plate 42 where an opening is provided. Note that in Fig. 6, the tilting coil spring member 41 is not shown to clearly show the bearing 43. The bearing 43 of this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can rotatably hold the rotating shaft 52 of the rotating unit 50, and for example, a conventionally known ball bearing or the like can be used for the bearing 43.

[0058] In this embodiment, eight free ball bearings 44 are fixed to the fixed plate portion 42. Each free ball bearing 44 has a spherical ball and a ball holder that holds the ball so that it can rotate freely and is fixed to the fixed plate portion 42. For example, in this embodiment, the free ball bearings 44 are provided at four positions adjacent to the center of the fixed plate portion 42 relative to the installation position of the first tilting coil spring member 41a, and at four positions adjacent to the front and rear sides of the installation positions of the two second tilting coil spring members 41b. Note that in the present invention, the number and installation positions of the free ball bearings 44 are not particularly limited and can be changed.

[0059] The rotating unit 50 has a disk-shaped rotating plate 51 and a rotating shaft 52 extending downward from the center of the rotating plate 51. The rotating plate 51 of the rotating unit 50 is fixed to the underside of the board 10 using a plurality of bolts and nuts. Note that in the present invention, the method and means for fixing the rotating plate 51 to the board 10 are not particularly limited.

[0060] The rotating plate 51 is supported by a plurality of free ball bearings 44 installed on the carriage 30. The rotating shaft 52 of the rotating unit 50 is rotatably supported by the bearing 43 of the carriage 30. Because the rotating plate 51 and the rotating shaft 52 of the rotating unit 50 are supported by the free ball bearings 44 and the bearing 43 of the carriage 30, respectively, the rotating unit 50 and the board 10 fixed to the rotating unit 50 can rotate around the rotating shaft 52 relative to the carriage 30. In addition, frictional resistance generated between the carriage 30 and the rotating unit 50 when the rotating unit 50 and the board 10 rotate can be reduced.

[0061] A pair of front and rear rotation spring members 60 connect the board 10 and the carriage unit 30, and are installed as later-described elastic rotation members of the exercise device 1. In this embodiment, the front and rear rotation spring members 60 are identical to each other. To explain the rotation spring members 60 in more detail, each of the front and rear rotation spring members 60 has an elastically deformable spring main body 61, a ring-shaped first connecting portion extending from one end of the spring main body 61, and a ring-shaped second connecting portion extending from the other end of the spring main body 61.

[0062] The spring body 61 of the rotation spring member 60 is formed of a cylindrical tension coil spring (tension spring). A first connecting portion arranged at one end (upper end) of the rotation spring member 60 is connected to the board-side spring attachment portion 14 of the board 10. A second connecting portion arranged at the other end (lower end) of the rotation spring member 60 is connected to the car-side spring attachment portion 36 of the bogie section 30.

[0063] A pair of front and rear moving spring members 70 connect the base unit 20 and the carriage unit 30, and are installed as later-described elastic moving members of the exercise apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the front and rear moving spring members 70 are identical to each other. To explain the moving spring members 70 in more detail, each of the front and rear moving spring members 70, like the rotation spring member 60, has an elastically deformable spring main body 71, a ring-shaped first connecting portion extending from one end of the spring main body 71, and a ring-shaped second connecting portion extending from the other end of the spring main body 71.

[0064] The spring body 71 of the moving spring member 70 is formed of a cylindrical tension coil spring (tension spring). A first connecting portion arranged at one end (upper end) of the moving spring member 70 is connected to the car-side spring attachment portion 36 of the bogie section 30. A second connecting portion arranged at the other end (lower end) of the moving spring member 70 is connected to the center frame section 23 of the base section 20 by a connecting member such as a bolt.

[0065] The exercise device 1 of this embodiment as described above is provided with a moving mechanism that moves the board 10 relative to the base unit 20. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism is provided with three separate mechanisms that move the board 10 in different ways: a rotation mechanism, a movement mechanism, and a tilt mechanism.

[0066] The rotation mechanism of the exercise device 1 is configured so that, for example, when viewed from above, the board 10 can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise from a reference position around the rotation axis 52 of the rotating part 50 relative to the base part 20 (see Figure 7).

[0067] Specifically, the rotation mechanism of this embodiment has a rotating section 50 (rotating plate section 51 and rotating shaft section 52) fixed to the board 10, a bearing section 43 provided on the cart section 30 and supporting the rotating shaft section 52, a fixed plate section 42 which serves as a support plate section supporting the bearing section 43, and eight free ball bearings 44 fixed to the fixed plate section 42 and supporting the rotating plate section 51.

[0068] With this rotation mechanism, the board 10 fixed to the rotating plate 51 can rotate relative to the base 20 that supports the carriage 30 as shown in Fig. 7 by rotating the rotating shaft 52 relative to the bearing 43 of the carriage 30. Furthermore, because the rotating plate 51 is supported by a plurality of free ball bearings 44, the board 10 can rotate while remaining parallel to the fixed plate 42 of the carriage 30, for example, without tilting.

[0069] Furthermore, since the rotating shaft portion 52 and rotating plate portion 51 of the rotating portion 50 are supported by the bearing portion 43 and multiple free ball bearings 44 of the carriage portion 30, respectively, the frictional resistance generated between the rotating portion 50 and the carriage portion 30 when the board 10 rotates can be reduced, and as a result, the board 10 can be rotated smoothly and lightly.

[0070] The movement mechanism of the exercise device 1 is configured to be able to move the board 10 forward and backward from a reference position along the left and right guide rails 24 relative to the base 20. Specifically, the movement mechanism of this embodiment has the left and right guide rails 24 provided on the base 20, and a cart 30 that is placed on the guide rails 24 and is movable along the guide rails 24.

[0071] By providing such a movement mechanism, the board 10, which is supported on the carriage unit 30 via the rotating unit 50, can move forward and backward relative to the base unit 20 as the carriage unit 30 moves along the left and right guide rail units 24. In this case, the board 10 can move in the front-to-rear direction within a range from a position where the wheels 35 of the carriage unit 30 contact the front side horizontal frame unit 22 of the base unit 20 to a position where the wheels 35 of the carriage unit 30 contact the rear side horizontal frame unit 22 of the base unit 20.

[0072] In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the entire board 10 can be moved forward and backward, so that the board 10 can be moved stably forward and backward, even if the board 10 remains rotated by the rotation mechanism or if the board 10 remains tilted by the tilt mechanism. Furthermore, the carriage unit 30 moves on the left and right guide rail units 24 while rotating the four wheels 35, so that the board 10 supported by the carriage unit 30 can be moved smoothly and lightly in the forward and backward directions.

[0073] Furthermore, in the movement mechanism of this embodiment, rail inclined portions 24a are provided on the left and right guide rail portions 24. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , when moving the board 10 forward from the reference position, for example, the board 10 can be gradually inclined from a horizontal position so that the front end 11 of the board is lower than the rear end 12 of the board. Also, when moving the board 10 backward from the reference position, the board can be gradually inclined so that the rear end 12 of the board is lower than the front end 11 of the board. As a result, by repeatedly moving the board 10 back and forth in the forward and backward directions using the movement mechanism of the exercise device 1 while the user is standing on the board 10 with both feet, the board 10 can be moved in a manner similar to the movement of a snowboard going over bumps in a mogul snowboarding competition, for example.

[0074] The tilt mechanism of exercise device 1 is configured to be able to tilt board 10 so that the top surface of the board is tilted from a reference position relative to base 20. Specifically, the tilt mechanism of this embodiment has fixed plate 42 (first support plate) of cart 30, upper body plate 32 (second support plate) disposed below and spaced apart from fixed plate 42, and eight tilting coil spring members 41 (tilting elastic members) disposed between fixed plate 42 and upper body plate 32.

[0075] By providing such a tilting mechanism, when a force is applied to the board 10 supported by the fixed plate portion 42 in an unbalanced direction due to a weight shift or a change in the center of gravity of the user riding on the board 10, or when a force that causes imbalance in the front-to-back and / or left-to-right directions is applied, the board 10 can expand and contract each of the eight tilting coil spring members 41 separately in accordance with the magnitude of the force applied to each portion. This allows the board 10 to be tilted at an appropriate angle relative to the base portion 20, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, for example.

[0076] In particular, the tilt mechanism of this embodiment allows the tilt direction of the board 10 tilted by the tilt mechanism to be oriented in any direction within 360°. In other words, by using the tilt mechanism of this embodiment, the board 10 can be tilted so that the downward tilt direction of the upper surface of the center portion 13 can be oriented in any direction within 360°. Note that the downward tilt direction of the upper surface of the center portion 13 of the board 10 is the same direction as the direction in which a small ball rolls when placed at a position on the upper surface of the board 10 corresponding to the rotation shaft portion 52.

[0077] The exercise device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the rotation mechanism, movement mechanism, and tilt mechanism described above, so that the user can stand on the board 10 with both feet and move the board 10 while maintaining balance, thereby performing at least one of the following actions: a rotation action to rotate the board 10, a movement action to move the board 10 in the forward / backward direction, and a tilt action to tilt the board 10, and preferably a combination of two or more of these actions.

[0078] Furthermore, the exercise device 1 of this embodiment is provided with an elastic section that applies an elastic force to the board 10. In this embodiment, three elastic sections are provided separately: a rotation elastic section, a movement elastic section, and an inclination elastic section, so as to correspond to the rotation mechanism, movement mechanism, and inclination mechanism, respectively.

[0079] The rotation elastic portion of the exercise device 1 is formed by a pair of front and rear rotation spring members 60. The front rotation spring member 60 serves as a first rotation elastic member and is installed between the board-side spring attachment portion 14 provided at the front end portion (one end portion in the first direction) of the board 10 and the front end portion of the carriage portion 30. The rear rotation spring member 60 serves as a second rotation elastic member and is installed between the board-side spring attachment portion 14 provided at the rear end portion (the other end portion in the first direction) of the board 10 and the rear end portion of the carriage portion 30. The front and rear rotation spring members 60 may be installed between the front end or rear end portion of the board 10 and a part of the base portion 20.

[0080] By providing such rotational elastic parts (front and rear rotational spring members 60) in the exercise device 1, for example, when no rotational force is applied to the board 10, the position of the board 10 in the rotational direction relative to the base part 20 can be maintained at a reference position (specifically, a position where the center line in the width direction of the board 10 is parallel to the front and rear direction of the exercise device 1).

[0081] Furthermore, for example, when a force is applied to the board 10 to rotate the board 10 around the rotation axis portion 52 of the rotating portion 50, the front and rear rotation spring members 60 are each stretched between the board 10 and the carriage portion 30, and each of the front and rear rotation spring members 60 can generate an elastic force (biasing force) in the direction of returning the board 10 to the reference position.

[0082] For example, a user can easily rotate the board 10 by shifting their weight or changing the position of their center of gravity while standing on the board 10 with both feet, using the rotation mechanism described above. However, if the rotation elastic portion of this embodiment were not provided, when the user wanted to return the rotated board 10 to its reference position, the user would have to rotate the board 10 in the opposite direction while balancing themselves, which could cause problems such as making it difficult to return the board 10 to its reference position or to rotate the board 10 in the opposite direction.

[0083] In contrast, the rotation elastic parts (front and rear rotation spring members 60) of this embodiment are provided in correspondence with the above-described rotation mechanism of exercise device 1, and thus can apply an elastic force (biasing force) to board 10 that has been rotated from the reference position in a direction returning it to the reference position. Therefore, a user riding board 10 can use the elastic force of the rotation elastic parts to rotate board 10 in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation and smoothly return board 10 to the reference position.

[0084] The movement elastic portion of the exercise apparatus 1 is formed by a pair of front and rear movement spring members 70. The front movement spring member 70 serves as a first movement elastic member and is installed between the front end of the carriage unit 30 and the base unit 20. The rear movement spring member 70 serves as a second movement elastic member and is installed between the rear end of the carriage unit 30 and the base unit 20.

[0085] By providing such a moving elastic part (forward and backward moving spring member 70) in the exercise device 1, for example, when no force is applied to the board 10, the position of the board 10 in the forward and backward direction relative to the base part 20 can be maintained at a reference position.

[0086] Furthermore, for example, when a force is applied to the board 10 to move the board 10 forward or backward from the reference position along the guide rail portion 24, at least one of the front and rear movement spring members 70 (first and second movement elastic members) is stretched between the carriage portion 30 and the base portion 20, and the stretched movement spring member 70 can generate an elastic force (biasing force) in the direction of returning the board 10 to the reference position.

[0087] Therefore, since the elastic moving part is provided in correspondence with the above-mentioned movement mechanism of the exercise device 1, when the user moves the board 10 in the front-to-back direction while standing on the board 10 with both feet, the elastic force of the elastic moving part can be used to move the board 10 in the opposite front-to-back direction and to smoothly return the board 10 to the reference position.

[0088] The tilt elastic portion of exercise device 1 is formed by the above-mentioned eight tilt coil spring members 41 (tilt elastic members). By providing this tilt elastic portion to exercise device 1, when board 10 is not subjected to a biased force or a force that causes imbalance in the front-to-back and / or left-to-right directions, board 10 of exercise device 1 placed on a flat installation surface can be held in a reference position where the top surface of board 10 (e.g., the top surface of center portion 13 of board 10) is horizontal.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, when a force is applied to the board 10 and the board 10 is tilted from the reference position by the tilting mechanism, at least one tilting coil spring member 41 can be contracted, and the contracted tilting coil spring member 41 can generate an elastic force (biasing force) in the direction of returning the board 10 to the reference position.

[0090] Therefore, since the tilting elastic part is provided in correspondence with the above-mentioned tilting mechanism of the exercise device 1, when the user stands on the board 10 with both feet and tilts the board 10 in any direction, the user can smoothly tilt the tilted board 10 in a different direction and also return the tilted board 10 to the reference position.

[0091] The exercise device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the above-described rotation elastic portion, movement elastic portion, and tilt elastic portion corresponding to the rotation mechanism, movement mechanism, and tilt mechanism, respectively, so that after a user stands on the board 10 with both feet and moves the board 10 from a reference position, the user can easily move the board 10 continuously and smoothly in different directions and / or in different positions, and can also easily return the board 10 to the reference position. This greatly improves the maneuverability of the board 10 in the exercise device 1.

[0092] As described above, according to the exercise device 1 of this embodiment, the rotation mechanism and the elastic part for rotation, the movement mechanism and the elastic part for movement, and the tilt mechanism and the elastic part for tilt are provided in correspondence with each other, so that the user can stand on the board 10 of the exercise device 1 and move the board 10 freely and smoothly by himself or herself while maintaining balance.

[0093] In particular, the rotation mechanism, movement mechanism, and tilt mechanism of the exercise device 1 of this embodiment allow the user to control the board 10 with various movements that were previously impossible, such as 3D movements similar to those of a snowboard sliding over bumpy snow or a surfboard riding waves. Furthermore, the rotation elastic portion, movement elastic portion, and tilt elastic portion allow the user to smoothly and nimbly perform continuous movements of the board 10. This allows the user riding the board 10 of the exercise device 1 to enjoy exercising in the same way as snowboarding or surfing.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as long as they have substantially the same configuration as that described in the claims of the present invention and produce similar effects.

[0095] For example, the exercise device 1 in the above-described embodiment is provided with three separate structures: a structure with a rotation mechanism and a rotation elastic portion, a structure with a movement mechanism and a movement elastic portion, and a structure with a tilt mechanism and a tilt elastic portion. However, the exercise device 1 of the present invention only needs to be provided with at least one of the three structures. It is preferable for the exercise device of the present invention to have at least two of the three structures, and it is even more preferable for it to have three structures, as in the embodiment.

[0096] For example, by providing an exercise device with at least one of a structure with a rotation mechanism and a rotation elastic portion, and a structure with a movement mechanism and a movement elastic portion, it becomes possible to steer the board with complex movements, and by providing an exercise device with a structure with a tilt mechanism and a tilt elastic portion, it is possible to impart softness to the movement of the board.

[0097] In the exercise device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the spring body 61 of the rotation spring member 60 and the spring body 71 of the movement spring member 70 are formed of tension coil springs, as described above. However, in the present invention, the spring bodies of the rotation spring member and the movement spring member may be formed of an elastic member such as a rubber rope that elastically deforms when subjected to a tensile load, rather than a tension coil spring.

[0098] Furthermore, although the tilting coil spring member 41 in the above-described embodiment is formed of a compression coil spring, in the present invention, the tilting coil spring member may be formed of an elastic member that elastically deforms when subjected to a compressive load, such as an air-filled tube or sponge, instead of a compression coil spring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Exercise equipment 10 Boards 11 Front end of board 12 Rear end of board 13 Center Section 14 Board side spring attachment part 20 Base 21 Vertical frame section 21a Frame straight section 21b Frame legs 22 Horizontal frame section 23 Center frame section 24 Guide rail section 24a Rail inclination 24b Rail bend 25 Connecting frame section 26 Suspension section 26a Fixed end 26b Moving end 26c Elastic deformation part 26d Central body part 26e Deformed inclined section 26f extension 26g anti-slip sheet 27 Anti-slip part 28 Fixing pin 30 Bogie section 31 Bogie body 32 Upper body plate 33 Side plate part 34 Thin plate part 35 wheels 35a Wheel derailment prevention part 36 Car side spring attachment part 41 Incline coil spring member 41a First tilting coil spring member 41b Second tilting coil spring member 41c Third tilt coil spring member 42 Fixed plate part 43 Bearing 44 free ball bearing 50 Rotating part 51 Rotating plate 52 Rotating shaft 60 Rotation spring member 61 Spring body 70 Moving spring member 71 Spring body

Claims

1. The device includes a board on which a user sits, a base portion that supports the board, a movable mechanism that moves the board relative to the base portion, and an elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the board to hold the board at a reference position, The movable mechanism includes at least one of a rotation mechanism that rotates the board around a rotation axis from the reference position, a movement mechanism that is formed separately from the rotation mechanism and moves the board along one direction from the reference position, and a tilt mechanism that is formed separately from the rotation mechanism and the movement mechanism and tilts the board from the reference position, The elastic portion includes at least one of a rotation elastic portion that applies an elastic force toward the reference position to the board rotated by the rotation mechanism, a movement elastic portion that applies an elastic force toward the reference position to the board moved by the movement mechanism, and a tilt elastic portion that applies an elastic force toward the reference position to the board tilted by the tilt mechanism, in correspondence with the movable mechanism. An exercise device characterized by:

2. the movable mechanism includes at least two of the rotation mechanism, the movement mechanism, and the tilt mechanism; The elastic portion includes at least two of the rotation elastic portion, the movement elastic portion, and the tilt elastic portion, each of which corresponds to the movable mechanism.

10. The exercise device of claim 1.

3. the movable mechanism includes the rotation mechanism, the movement mechanism, and the tilt mechanism, The elastic portion includes the rotation elastic portion, the movement elastic portion, and the tilt elastic portion.

3. The exercise device of claim 2.

4. the movable mechanism includes, as the rotation mechanism, a bearing portion that rotatably holds a rotation shaft portion of the board, and a support plate portion that supports the bearing portion; The rotation elastic portion includes a first rotation elastic member provided between one end of the board in the first direction and a part of the movable mechanism or the base portion, and a second rotation elastic member provided between the other end of the board in the first direction and a part of the movable mechanism or the base portion.

10. The exercise device of claim 1.

5. The movable mechanism has, as the rotation mechanism, a rotating plate portion fixed to the board and arranged opposite to the support plate portion, and a plurality of free ball bearings fixed to the support plate portion and supporting the rotating plate portion by bringing balls into contact with the rotating plate portion.

5. The exercise device of claim 4.

6. the movable mechanism includes, as the movement mechanism, a guide rail portion integrally provided on the base portion, and a carriage portion that supports the board and is movable along the guide rail portion; The movement elastic portion includes a first movement elastic member provided between one end of the carriage portion in the movement direction and the base portion, and a second movement elastic member provided between the other end of the carriage portion in the movement direction and the base portion.

10. The exercise device of claim 1.

7. The guide rail portion has an inclined portion inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

7. The exercise device of claim 6.

8. The movable mechanism has, as the tilting mechanism, a first support plate portion that supports the board, a second support plate portion that is spaced apart and disposed below the first support plate portion, and a plurality of tilting elastic members that are disposed between the first support plate portion and the second support plate portion, The tilting elastic portion is formed by a plurality of the tilting elastic members, At least two of the inclination elastic members are arranged at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to a center line of the board that is parallel to the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view that is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

10. The exercise device of claim 1.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Balance board

    JP2023128923A