Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
  • A63B22/20—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
  • A63B23/03525—Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B23/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body
  • A63B23/035—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
  • A63B23/03516—For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
  • A63B23/03533—With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
  • A63B23/03541—Moving independently from each other
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
  • A63B2208/0214—Kneeling
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
  • A63B2208/0242—Lying down
  • A63B2208/0266—Lying down on the side
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/02—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
  • A63B2208/0295—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture on hands and feet

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices to exercise ' and strengthen the musculature of the body, mobilise the joints and train ' the nervous system for better balance and proprioception.
• the exercise or stability ball is perhaps the most common device used in this capacity and many devices exist where- a planer- surface rolls bi-directionally in a planer motion within track; the pilates reformer, the SRF Board and the Total Gym and Gravity System are common examples.
• the limitation of an exercise ball is that while it rolls in any direction on a planer surface,- it does so in an axial motion meaning that as the user reaches the end of range of a movement r they lose contact with the device.
• the limitation of devices running in tracks is that they are limited to two directions and one plane of motion and also limited to the length of the track or base. Some devices are known which allow for limited multidirectional movement over a supporting surface, but typically these are supported on four rolling elements such as castors. This configuration has a high propensity for a device so constructed to tip or flip in certain applications, especially when a supported limb of a user approaches the outer edge of the platform of the device. Other limiting features of these designs include;
• Support offered by the handles or padding generally directs the user towards short lever body weight exercises supporting the elbows and knees but less optimally the hand/s or foot/feet.
• an exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device consisting of a unitary platform 0 and at least five omnidirectional rolling elements attached at an underside of said unitary platform; said at least five rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface.
• each tipping 5 axis of said device is no longer than 0.6D, where D is the maximum dimension which can be measured between opposing edges of said single platform.
• each said tipping axis is defined as a line joining points of contact between adjoining ones of said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements and a supporting surface.
• said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements form an equi-spaced array.
• each of said omnidirectional rolling elements is located proximate a periphery of said platform.
• an overhang area of said periphery beyond a said tipping axis is such that, in normal use, a force applied by a body weight of a user at said periphery, is unlikely to urge said device into a tilting motion about said tipping axis.
• said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements comprise between six and eight omnidirectional rolling elements.
• said platform is a circular platform; said platform having a substantially planar surface.
• said platform is a circular platform; said platform having a concave central portion.
• said circular platform is provided with a rim at the periphery of said platform; said rim assisting to urge a user' s contact with said platform inboard of said rim.
• said concave central portion is provided with a pattern of raised annular ridges; said annular ridges providing grip for greater retention of contact between said platform and a said body portion of a user.
• said concave central portion is covered by a replaceable mat of resilient material; said resilient material including thermoplastic rubber or expanded EVA/PVS (closed cell) foam.
• said omnidirectional rolling elements are swivelling castors .
• said swivelling castors are low offset and low profile castors; swivel axes of said castors mounted adjacent said periphery.
• said rim provides a covering for pintle bolts securing said castors to said platform.
• wheels of said castors are of a non marking resilient material.
• an exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device including a platform and an equi-spaced array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements supporting said platform; said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface, characterized in that no angle, subtended at the centre of said array by a line between swivelling centres of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements, is greater than 72 degrees.
• a line joining points of contact of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements defines a tipping axis of said device; the length of a said tipping axis being no greater than 0.6D, where D is the maximum dimension which can be measured between opposing edges of said platform.
• a method of preventing tipping of an exercise device for exercising the human body comprising a circular platform mounted on an array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements; said method including the steps of:
• lines between points of contact of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements are not greater in length than 0.6D, where D is the diameter of said circular platform.
• an exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device including a platform and an equi-spaced array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements supporting said platform; said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface, characterized in that said platform is polygonal in shape; sides of said polygon equalling said at least five rolling elements and wherein each of said rolling elements is located proximate a corner of said platform; each tipping axis of said device being substantially equal in length to a said side of said polygon.
• said polygon is an octagon and wherein said at least five rolling elements comprise eight rolling elements.
• an exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device including a platform and an equi-spaced array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements supporting said platform; said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface, characterized in that each of said rolling elements is mounted to an outrigger element extending from a periphery of said platform; the arrangement being such that each tipping axis of said device lies beyond said periphery.
• said platform is circular.
• said platform is octagonal; one outrigger elements extending from each corner of said octagon.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the exercise device according to the invention.
• FIG 2 is a perspective of an alternative upper structure arrangement of the exercise device of Figure 1
• Figure 3 is an illustration of the geometric principles underlying the stability of the device of Figure 1 when provided with a minimum of five omnidirectional rolling elements
• Figure 4 is a further illustration of the geometric principles when the device is provided with eight omnidirectional rolling elements
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6 is view from below of the exercise device of Figure 5
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention showing a circular unitary platform
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention showing a polygonal unitary platform
• Figure 10 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 8.
• Figure 11 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 9
• Figure 12 is a view from below of the embodiment of Figures 9 and 11,
• Figure 13 is a view from below of the embodiment of Figures 8 and 10,
• Figures 14 to 17 are views of a single device according to the invention in one example of use in which both feet are placed on the platform
• Figures 18 and 19 are views of the device in use in which a single foot is placed on the platform
• Figure 20 is a view of the device in use in which the hands are placed on the platform
• Figure 21 is a view of the invention in use in which two devices are used simultaneously.
• the exercise device 10 of the present invention in a first preferred form, comprises a unitary platform 12 (that is, one single platform) at an underside of which are attached at least five omnidirectional rolling elements 14.
• platform 12 is circular as shown in Figure 1 and may have a generally planar upper surface 22.
• the device 10 is provided with eight omnidirectional rolling elements 14 in the form of castors 16.
• Platform 12 may be fabricated from any suitable material such as for example, injection moulded polymer, laminated plywood or solid timber, and die-cast metal alloy.
• Omnidirectional rolling elements 14 are mounted as close as possible to the periphery 18 of platform 12, and form an equi-spaced array.
• a feature of the exercise device of the invention is that its inherent stability is defined by the relationship of each of the tipping axes 20 of the device to the maximum dimension which may be measured between opposing edges of the platform.
• a tipping axis 20 is defined as the line joining the points of contact 24 with a supporting surface, of adjoining rolling elements.
• the angle supported by a tipping axis at the centre of the array is 72 degrees.
• a limiting feature of the present invention includes that the angle subtended by a tipping axis of the device at the centre of the array of equally spaced rolling elements cannot be greater than 72 degrees.
• An object of the invention is to limit the propensity for tipping of the device to the point, where in normal use, the weight of a user' s body, or portion thereof, placed anywhere on the device, is unlikely to cause tilting or tipping of the device.
• the at least five omnidirectional rolling elements 14 of the device 10 are mounted as close to the periphery 26 of platform 12 as mechanical constraints permit.
• the rolling elements 14 are swivelling castors 16, the pintles 28 of which are located closely proximate the periphery 26 of platform 12.
• castors 16 are low offset castors, that is the distance between the vertical pintle (or swivelling) axis 30 of the castor and its horizontal wheel axis 32 is a minimum required for the castor to swivel according to the direction of motion applied to the vertical pintle axis. This ensures that the circle of rotation of the castor about its swivel axis 30 is kept to a minimum. This in turn maintains the footprint defined by the points of contact 24 of the castor wheels 34 with the supporting surface closely coextensive with the platform of the device, as can be seen in Figure 3.
• Figure 3 shows the relevant geometric relationship between the castor wheel point of contact footprints 110, the maximum length of a tipping axis 120 for a circular platform, and the minimum five rolling elements of the device 100. It can be shown that for practical purposes the ratio of the tipping axis 120 to the maximum dimension of the platform 112, in this case the diameter D, is approximately 0.6D. It is a further limiting feature of the present invention that the length of any tipping axis is not greater than 0.6D.
• Figure 4 shows the equivalent geometry for the preferred array of eight omnidirectional rolling elements which clearly indicates that any number of rolling elements greater than five will have a tipping axis length shorter than 0.6D. It will also be understood from a comparison of Figures 3 and 4 that the commensurate overhang area 122 (and hence the propensity for tipping) decreases with the increasing number of rolling elements.
• the castors 16 are low profile castors to keep the upper surface as low as possible.
• Castors 16 also preferably incorporate relatively wide profile wheels 34, the outer rim of which at least is of a resilient non-marking material, such as polyurethane of 50 ShoreA hardness for example.
• the castor chassis may be of pressed metal, stainless steel or aluminium, or be a metal casting, or even of injection moulded plastic.
• Figure 2 shows a further preferred upper surface in which the central portion is concave and provided with a number of raised annular rings or ridges 35 to provide a better grip for the limb or portion of a user's body resting on the device.
• the raised rings may be integral with the surface of the concave central portion 36, or is preferably formed as a concave mat of resilient material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) of 30 to 60ShoreA hardness, expanded EVA/PVC (closed cell) foam. It could also be formed of a self adhesive layer of high friction of coefficient material such as the "sandpaper" surface used in skateboards.
• the mat covering the central portion 36 is a replaceable item and may be provided in a number of selectable material and patterns.
• the platform 112 is in the form of a polygon, preferably an eight-side regular polygon or octagon.
• the omnidirectional rolling elements 114 are located proximate each corner 119 of the platform 112, as close to each corner 119 as the mechanical constraints of mounting the rolling elements will permit.
• the device 210 again comprises a platform 212 which may be circular (as shown in Figure 7) or polygonal, and which is supported by at least five omnidirectional rolling elements 216.
• the rolling elements 216 are mounted to outrigger elements 217 extending from the periphery of platform 212.
• each outrigger element 217 are equally spaced around the periphery of platform 212.
• an outrigger element is located at each corner of the platform.
• the omnidirectional rolling elements are castors having the same low profile and low offset as those described above.
• the length of each outrigger element 217 is such that each tipping axis 220 (as defined above) lies completely beyond the periphery 242 of platform.
• the exercise device 200 is again comprised of a single piece, unitary construction, platform 210, surmounting at least five, preferably eight, rolling elements 212.
• Platform 210 may be circular as shown in Figure 8 or in the form of a regular polygon as shown in Figure 9.
• platform 210 has a slightly concave upper surface 214, unobstructed by handles, strap attachment points or other projections or indentation.
• 210 is of a size that allows two limbs, for example two hands or two feet of a user as can be seen in Figures 14 to
• the platform 210 preferably is large enough to allow a repositioning of one or both of the limbs supported on it as the device 200 is in rolling motion over a supporting surface.
• the maximum dimension of the platform from a point on the periphery 216 to a diametrically opposite point is not less than 34cm.
• the unitary platform 210 may be formed from various materials and manufactured in various ways. These include wood, for example as moulded plywood, plastic formed through injection moulding or metal formed by pressing or die casting.
• the rolling elements 212 are preferably low-profile castors and are mounted with their swivel or pintel axes 218 as close to the periphery 216 of the platform 210 as mechanical constraints permit.
• a line between the contact points of two adjacent castor wheels 212 with a supporting surface defines a tipping axis 220 of the device 200, and the polygon defined by all the tipping axes 220 forms the "footprint" of the device on the supporting surface.
• the platform 200 is a regular polygon in shape, with the swivel axes 218 of the castors located sufficiently close to the corners 222 of the polygon as shown in Figure 11, at least some of the tipping axes 220 at any one time will be substantially coincident with the periphery 216 of the platform 210 when seen in plan view.
• each of the castors located in close proximity to the corners of the platform, at least one tipping axis lies beyond a side of the platform (when seen in plan view) for at least some of the time when the device is in motion2. This situation can be seen in Figure 12.
• the length of any tipping axis 220 is not less than 0.35D, where D is the maximum length between any first point on the periphery of the platform and a second diametrically opposite point on the periphery.
• a seven rolling element device according to the invention will have a tipping axis of length not less than 0.4D, for a six rolling element device a tipping axis of length not less than 0.45D, and for a five rolling element device, a tipping axis length of not less than 0.53D.
• these minimum lengths of tipping axes provide the maximum stability possible for a platform with castor rolling elements, unless the rolling elements are mounted in the manner shown in Figure 7 and described in the Third Preferred Embodiment above.
• the rolling elements may take the form of ball transfer units 316. Again these units 316 are mounted as close to the periphery 326 as mechanical constraints permit to ensure maximum stability of the platform 312, regardless of the placing of one or both limbs of a user.
• Ball transfer units 316 which comprise of a spherical rolling element 334 supported in a casing which allows the rolling element to rotate in any direction, have a fixed point of contact with a supporting surface relative to the platform.
• the footprint of the device of the invention when fitted with this type of rolling element is constant, as can be seen in Figure 23.
• the footprint defined by the tipping axes 320 of the device in this instance may be only slightly smaller than the platform itself.
• the exercise device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is almost incapable of being tilted about a tipping axis as defined above, by the loads placed on the device by a user.
• the unobstructed upper surface provides the flexibility of supporting a limb or portion of the body in any orientation.
• the preferred use of low offset castors for the omnidirectional rolling elements provide for almost instantaneous response to changes of direction urged by movements of the user.
• the arrangement of the third preferred embodiment completely precludes the tipping of the device about a tipping axis, by any application of body weight to the platform.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Cardiology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-04-21 AU AU2008201757A patent/AU2008201757B1/en not_active Ceased
• 2009
  • 2009-04-21 EP EP09733977A patent/EP2296766A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-04-21 WO PCT/AU2009/000493 patent/WO2009129564A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2009-04-21 CN CN2009801232304A patent/CN102083502A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-11-27 AU AU2009243410A patent/AU2009243410A1/en not_active Abandoned

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