Cycling-Geometry Balance Board for Offset-Stance Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balance boards do not effectively provide visual cues and foot placement options specific to cycling, making it difficult for cyclists to develop and hone balance skills necessary for cycling, particularly in an offset stance.

Innovation Solution

A balance board platform designed with a shape that conforms to bicycle geometry, featuring longitudinal and transverse arms, and visual cues such as foot placement lines, to mimic the offset stance of cycling and enhance balance skills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard shapes (rectangles, squares, circles) are used for balance boards, then manufacturing is simple and universal, but they do not provide visual cues and foot placement options specific to cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling-specific foot placement optionsVSAvoidplatform shape complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balance board platform copies the geometry of a bicycle's pedal spindle arrangement, creating longitudinal arms that match the distance between right and left pedal spindles and a transverse arm matching the Q-factor. This allows cyclists to practice offset stance foot placement that directly translates to bicycle riding positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the platform have different functions: the longitudinal arms provide forward and backward foot placement positions corresponding to pedal spindle locations, while the transverse arm provides lateral spacing matching the bicycle's Q-factor. This localized functional differentiation enables cycling-specific balance training.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the platform dimensions are made to match specific bicycle geometry (pedal spindle distance and Q-factor), then cycling balance training effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalance skill transfer to cyclingVSAvoidplatform dimension accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The platform dimensions are defined by specific parameters matching bicycle geometry: longitudinal arm lengths equal to or longer than the distance between pedal spindles, and transverse arm width equal to or wider than the Q-factor. These parameter specifications enable accurate replication of bicycle foot placement geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the transverse arm width is made equal to or wider than the Q-factor, then proper lateral foot placement is achieved, but the platform becomes wider and less portable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper foot placement positioningVSAvoidplatform width

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse arm serves multiple functions: it provides the lateral spacing matching the Q-factor for proper foot placement, acts as a structural connector between longitudinal arms, and defines the transverse axis for balance movements. This multi-functionality justifies the width requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250288864A1Balance Board Platform

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 HAFKE CHRISTOPHER KYLE

AI summary

A balance board platform having a shape that generally conforms to and encompasses the bicycle geometry necessary to maintain an offset stance. The balance board platform builds balance for cyclists while providing visual cues for foot placement. The balance board platform may be used with or without a balance structure.