US20250312647A1

US20250312647A1 - Balance board

Info

Publication number: US20250312647A1
Application number: US18/628,849
Authority: US
Inventors: Duc Viet Le; Tuong Le Dao; Tuan Dac Anh Nguyen; Truong Nhat Dang
Original assignee: Yes4all Ip Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Yes4all Ip Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2023-03-01
Filing date: 2024-04-08
Publication date: 2025-10-09

Abstract

A balance board (100) having a first balance side (110) and a second balance side (210) to support the user. A plurality of convex rockers (160 and 260) is unreleasably attached to the balance board surface to provide rocking during exercise. The one-foot balance board has two left (130, 230) and right (132, 232) indicators on the same platform, which can use for both right and left feet respectively. The rocker direction can be changed from horizontal to vertical by turning the rocker balance board upside down.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/487,617, filed Mar. 1, 2023.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to individual exercise devices and physical therapy devices, and in particular related to a balance board for relieving ankle and toe pain and strengthening the foot and ankle muscle, tendon, and ligament.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Balance boards have been used for centuries in various cultures and for different purposes, such as by surfers to improve their balance on a surfboard and by traditional cultures for balance and stability training.
Modern balance boards have been developed and popularized primarily for use in sports training, physical therapy, and fitness. One of the first modern balance boards was developed by World War II pilot Stanley Washburn Jr and became popular afterwards.
Since then, many other types of balance boards have been developed, such as the wobble board, rocker board, and balance pods, each with their own unique designs and features.
Balance boards can help improve balance, stability, core and leg strength. They can also be used to help rehabilitate injuries, such as ankle sprains, and to improve sports performance.
In general, two-foot balance boards tend to be more popular than one-foot balance boards, because they are considered less challenging and are better suited for beginners or people with mobility or balance issues. They are often used in physical therapy, rehabilitation centres and fitness centres.
One-foot balance boards, on the other hand, are more advanced training tools and considered more challenging, therefore less popular in the general population. They are often used by athletes, dancers, gymnasts, and others who are looking to improve their balance and stability more quickly and want to push their limits.
Traditional one-foot balance boards suffer from several weaknesses. These types of balance boards typically consist of just a flat board on top of a ball or dome, with no pivoting mechanism. This lack of movement can limit the range of motion of the exercises and reduces the complexity of the workout.
Additionally, one-foot balance boards with two convex rockers releasably affixed on only one surface lack the ability to change the direction easily. The user must disassemble the device to change the direction of the training, thus limiting the direction of the ankle training. This can also be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially during a workout session. Consequently, it limits the flexibility of the exercises and may not provide a well-rounded workout.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The brief summary is aimed to illustrate a multi-dimensional view of the invention in an elemental configuration which is in addition exposed in the detailed description. The objective of this summary is to make a concise abstract of the invention in the terms of its structures, functions and advantages, and irrelevant to making points or scope of the claimed subject matter or anything concerning the rights inferred in the invention.
In a preferred embodiment, a balance board consists of two balance sides, each has a surface to put the user's foot on it. Each balance side comprises a pair of convex rockers and a pair of indicators for right and left feet.
Each convex rocker is unreleasably affixed to the balance side surface. The convex rocker is shaped to enable the instability for the user's movement and comprises the convex surface made of anti-slip feet materials.
The indicators are positioned to correspond to the first and second axes which are generally perpendicular to each other. The first and second sides of each balance board are substantially planar surfaces for easily changing the user's training direction by turning upside down during use. Additionally, each indicator consists of a cutout which is positioned through the rocker board for the user's toes (except for the big toe) as well as the big toe laying on the balance board surface as the primary force for exercise activity.
Generally, the disclosed invention enables the user to exercise performance with only one balance board used for both right and left feet without efforts of assembling. On the other hand, the invention also supports the user to exercise in a variable direction of balancing, from front to back or from left to right, depending on the side surface of the balance board surface in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a left perspective view of the present invention when the first balance side of the present invention is facing up, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the first balance side of the present invention, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the second balance side of the present invention, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the present invention when the first side of the present invention is facing up, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the present invention when the second side of the present invention is facing up, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the second side of the present invention, according to some embodiments;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the structure of various embodiments of the invention, as well as functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating certain embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that some details have not been described specifically in order to not unnecessarily obscure the focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.
As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second”, “left” and “right” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.
The preferred embodiment herein relates to a balance board to strengthen and rehabilitate muscle groups associated with the proper balance and gait of a human user. FIG. 1 illustrates a left perspective view of the present invention when the first balance side of the present invention is facing up, according to some embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 1 , the first balance side surface (120) of a balance board can be shown in figuration of a circular shape or other embodiments, characterized in which it comprises the first side's convex rockers (160) positioned on the same planar surface of the first side, longitudinally opposite to each other. The first side's convex rockers (160) can be fixed in a truncated prolate spheroid shape, functioning as a supporting portion of the balance board in order to assist the user's movement at a variable angular orientation for exercises. In a preferred embodiment, the first side's convex rockers (160) are configured to traverse along the first balance side surface (120) in such a distance wherein it enables a central portion of the first balance side surface (120) comprising the left indicator (130) and the right indicator (132) in a cross position with an angle of 90°. In a preferred embodiment, the first side's convex rockers (160) consist of the convex surfaces (200) covered by anti-slip feet materials. The convex surface (200) on the first side's convex rockers (160) defines the rate of change of the angle of deflection of the balance board, the balance board may be deflected as much as perpendicular, i.e., 45°, to the ground, but for most embodiments, the maximum angle of deflection of the board is between 10° and 35°. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum angle of deflection is between 12° and 16°.
As can also be seen from FIG. 4 , the second balance side surface (220) is affixed with the second side's convex rocker (260) in the form of a truncated prolate spheroid shape, located in a perpendicular orientation to the first side's convex rocker (160).
FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the first balance side (110). The first balance side surface (120) is characterized in each dimension to support either the right or left feet according to the user's need. In some embodiments of the present invention, all the components of the first balance side (110) may be configured symmetrically about the central axis (144). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a left indicator (130) and right indicator (132) are located in the central portion of the first balance side surface (120), which is restricted by the first side's convex rockers (160). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left indicator (130) and the right indicator (132) extend along a first axis (140) and a second axis (142) respectively, wherein these axes are perpendicular to each other to identify proper foot placement and are symmetrical to each other about the central axis (144). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first side's convex rockers (160) are configured to be perpendicular to the central axis (144). Geometrically, the first side's convex rockers (160) are fixedly distributed on the upper and lower portion of the first balance side surface (120) in relation to the left (130) and right foot indicators (132), wherein the first side's convex rockers (160) are distanced to enable the central portion of the first balance side surface (120) comprising the left (130) and right foot indicators (132). In some embodiments, the angle (150) between the central axis (144) and the first axis (140) of the left foot indicator (130) or the second axis (142) of the right foot indicator (132) can be 45°, however, it may vary in other embodiments.
The first side's convex rockers (160) may be configured as a truncated prolate spheroid shape, comprising the convex surface (200) as shown in (FIG. 1 ) in a shape of curvation equivalent to the convex rockers, which is in contact with the ground covered with emery cloth or any anti-slip feet materials. Besides, the first cutout (310) and the second cutout (320) are provided through the entire thickness of the balance board (100) as shown in (FIG. 1 ), wherein both cutouts are configured to create an empty space for the user's toes (except for the big toe) to have a firm hold on the cutout's rear during exercises, while the big toe is put on the first side's balance surface (120). The cutouts (310, 320) are functioned to provide a balancing force for the user.
Now referring to FIG. 3 showing a top plan view of the second balance side (210), configured similarly to the said first balance side (110) as shown in FIG. 2 . However, the second balance side surface (220) differs from the first balance side surface (120) as shown in FIG. 2 in the position of the second side's convex rockers (260). Instead of being positioned in a direction perpendicular with the central axis (144) as shown in FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment, the second side's convex rockers (260) are configured to be in parallel with and equidistant from the central axis (144) and traverse along the second balance side surface (220) in such a distance wherein it enables a central portion of the second balance side surface (220) comprising the left indicator (230) and the right indicator (232) in a cross position preferably with an angle of 90°, however, it may vary in some embodiments. It means geometrically, the second side's convex rockers (260) are fixedly distributed on the left and right portion of the second balance side surface (220) in relation to the left and right foot indicators (230 and 232). In some embodiments, the angle (150) between the central axis (144) and the second axis (142) of the left foot indicator (230) or the first axis (140) of the right foot indicator (232) can be 45°, however, it may vary in other embodiments.
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that FIGS. 2 and 3 as shown and described can support the exercise of both the user's right or left foot on each surface. Furthermore, the balance board (100) as shown in FIG. 1 can be turned upside down to be readily implemented to change the user's training direction. In detail, in a preferred embodiment, the first balance side surface (120) supports the movement ranging from left-right when it is facing down, while the second balance side surface (220) supports the movement ranging from front-back when it is facing down.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates a variety of convex rockers being secured to the first balance side surface (120) and the second balance side surface (220). First side's convex rockers (160) protrude from the first balance side surface (120) of the balance board (100) as shown in FIG. 1 and the second side's convex rockers (260) protrude from the second balance side surface (220) of the balance board (100). The convex rockers on each surface are placed apart and parallel to each other. The first side's convex rockers (160) are generally placed at a certain angle to the second side's convex rockers (260), preferably at about 90°, however, it may vary in some embodiments. The arrangement of these convex rockers stays permanently and is configured to support the user to perform a plurality of variable directions exercises without disassembling the convex rockers, just simply turn the balance board (100) upside down.
As shown in FIG. 4 , when the first balance side (110) of the balance board (100) faces up, first side's convex rockers (160) engaged to the first balance side surface (120) simultaneously upwardly protrude, whilst the facing down second balance side (210) causes the second side's convex rockers (260) engaged to the second balance side surface (220) simultaneously downwardly protrude, wherein the convex surfaces of the second side's convex rockers (260), in a first direction, contacts a supporting structure where the balance board (100) is positioned. Therefore, a user may stand on the balance board (100) with his foot and big toe meet the first balance side surface (120) and perform balancing exercises on back-and-forth motion of the foot in the first direction oriented by the second side's convex rockers (260). The user can also have additional rocking direction to play with the balance board of the present invention by flipping it up. FIG. 5 demonstrates the balance board (100) after being flipped upside down where the second balance side (210) faces up such that second side's convex rockers (260) simultaneously upwardly protrude, whereas the facing down first balance side (110) causes first side's convex rockers (160) simultaneously downwardly protrude with the convex surfaces of the first side's convex rockers (160) contacts said supporting structure in a second direction, upon which the user may do rocking motions in a second direction which is substantially deviated from first direction. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second direction are 90° deviations.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the second balance side (210) of the present invention. The second side's convex rockers (260) are placed apart and parallel to each other. The balance board (100) has a foot placement that is configured to be used for both right and left foot separately on the same side without using another board or turning the balance board over to exercise the other foot. The foot placement has two cutouts (310, 320) to ensure the user's foot and big toe contact the left indicator (130) and right indicator (132) of the first balance side surface (120) when the first balance side (110) is facing up, or the left indicator (230) and right indicator (232) of the second balance side surface (220) when the second balance side (210) is facing up. The other toes are positioned at a first cutout (310) or second cutout (320) to isolate the other toes from contacting the first balance side surface (120) and the second balance side surface (220). The first cutout (310) and the second cutout (320) are provided through the entire thickness of the balance board (100) from the first balance side surface (120) to the second balance side surface (220) such that the other toes are unable to sufficiently contact a planar surface to provide a balancing force. As shown in FIG. 6 , while the second balance side (210) is facing up for exercise, if the user uses left foot, the user's left foot big toe will reside on the left indicator (230) of the second balance side surface (220) and other toes of his left foot will cling to the edge of the second cutout (320); if the user uses right foot, the user's right foot big toe will reside on the right indicator (232) of the second balance side surface (220) and other toes of his right foot will cling to the edge of the first cutout (310) to provide sufficient force to balance the user atop the second balance side surface (220) during use. The convex surface (200) on the second side's convex rockers (260) defines the rate of change of the angle of deflection of the balance board when the second balance side (210) is facing down. The balance board may be deflected as much as perpendicular, i.e., 45°,to the ground, but for most embodiments, the maximum angle of deflection of the board is between 10° and 35°. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum angle of deflection is between 12°and 16°.

Claims

We claim:

1. A balance board (100), comprising:

a first balance side (110) and a second balance side;

the first balance side (110) comprising a first balance side surface (120);

wherein the first balance side surface (120) having a left indicator (130) and a right indicator (132), at least one convex rocker (160) engaged to the first balance side surface (120);

the second balance side comprising a second balance side surface (220);

wherein the second balance side surface (220) having a left indicator (230) and a right indicator (232), at least one convex rocker (260) engaged to the second balance side surface;

wherein the balance board (100) can be turned upside down from the first balance side (110) to the second balance side (210) to change the motion directions of the foot and ankle based on the change in the directions oriented by the first (160) and second balance sides' convex rockers (260).

2. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left indicator (130) and the right indicator (132) on the first (120) and second balance side surface (220) in a cross position with an angle of 90°.

3. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one convex rocker includes two convex rockers (160 and 260) unreleasably engaged to the first (120) and second balance surface (220).

4. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one convex rocker engaged to the first (120) and second balance side surface (220) is positioned oppositely in parallel.

5. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second balance side surface (220) is affixed with the convex rocker (260) in the form of a truncated prolate spheroid shape, located in a perpendicular orientation to the convex rocker (160) of the first balance side surface (120).

6. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex rockers (160 and 260) consist of the convex surfaces covered by anti-slip feet materials.

7. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more cutouts (310 and 320) are provided through the entire thickness of the balance board (100), the cutouts are configured to create an empty space for the user's toes, except for a big toe to have a firm hold on the rear of the cutouts during exercises, while the big toe is put on the first (120) and second balance side surface (220).

8. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex surface on the convex rockers (160 and 260) defines the rate of change of the angle of deflection of the balance board, the balance board may be deflected as much as perpendicular to the ground between 10° and 35°.

9. The balance board (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fixture is a bolt and screw.

10. A balance board (100), comprising:

a first balance side (110) and a second balance side;

the second balance side comprising a second balance side surface (220);

one (310) or more (320) cutouts through the first (120) and second balance side surface (220); and wherein the balance board (100) can be turned upside down from the first balance side (110) to the second balance side (210) to change the motion directions of the foot and ankle based on the change in the directions oriented by the first (160) and second balance sides' convex rockers (260).

11. The method of performing exercise of the balance board (100) comprising the first (110) and second (210) balance side, each side comprising the first (120) and second (220) balance side surface having the left (130) and right indicator (132) with at least one convex rocker engaged to the side surface and one or more cutouts (310 and 320) through the balance side surface, the method comprising:

standing on the balance board (100) with placing the user's foot on the left (130) or right (132) indicator respectively on the first (110) or second balance (210) side and placing the user's toes except for a big toe through the cutout;

performing balancing exercises on front-back motion of the foot in the first direction oriented by the second balance side's convex rockers (260); and

turning upside down the balance board (100) and performing balancing exercises on left-right motion of the foot in the second direction oriented by the first balance side's convex rockers (160).

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the balance board (100) after being turning upside down, the second balance side (210) faces up such that the second side's convex rockers (260) simultaneously upwardly protrude, the facing down first balance side (110) causes first side's convex rockers (160) simultaneously downwardly protrude with the convex surfaces of the first side's convex rockers (160) contacts the supporting structure in the second direction, the user may do rocking motions in the second direction which is substantially deviated from the first direction.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second direction are 90° deviations.