Balance Board Platform

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Balance is essential in everyday life and is especially important for athletes. Using a balance board can improve balancing skills and also aids in building strength and enhancing flexibility. Standing on, and working with a balance board can improve balance, coordination, and motor skills.

Balance boards are often standard shapes such as rectangles, squares, and circles. However, standard shapes may not provide the visual cues and foot placement options for the specific sport for which the user is hoping to develop balance skills. One such sport is cycling, whether that be road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes, fat tire bikes or recreational bikes. To develop and hone balance skills for cycling, a biker must develop balancing skills while in an offset stance—a position in which the user stands with the pedals parallel to the ground with one forward facing foot in front of the body and the other forward facing foot behind the body. To improve cycling balance skills, the balance board must allow for proper physical positioning and visual cues to help translate the skills to a bicycle.

Thus a need exists for a balance board that develops balance skills for cyclists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a balance board platform is provided for developing and practicing balance skills. The balance board platform has a substantially planar top platform surface and a substantially planar bottom platform surface axially spaced from the substantially planar top platform surface. The platform body has two longitudinal arms with lengths approximately equal to or longer than the distance between the right pedal spindle and left pedal spindle of a preselected bicycle geometry. The platform body has a transverse arm with a width approximately equal to or wider than a Q-factor of the preselected bicycle. At least a portion of the transverse arm is disposed at a transverse axis.

According to another aspect of the invention, a platform body has a substantially planar top platform surface and a substantially planar bottom platform surface. The platform body has two longitudinal arms. The longitudinal arms are at least as long as the span between a right or left pedal spindle and a center spindle of a preselected bicycle. The platform body has a transverse arm with a width approximately equal to or wider than a Q-factor of the preselected bicycle. At least a portion of the transverse arm is disposed at a transverse axis.

According to yet a further embodiment of the invention, a platform body with substantially planar top platform and bottom platform surfaces has two longitudinal arms and a transverse arm. The transverse arm is at a right angle between the two longitudinal arms. The transverse arm has a length that is shorter than the longitudinal arms. A balance structure is disposed on the bottom platform surface with at least a portion of the balance structure aligned with a transverse axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the invention and their advantages can be discerned in the following detailed description, in which like characters denote like parts and in which:

FIG. 1A is top view of a pedaling mechanism of a bicycle used in describing the invention;

FIG. 1B is a detail view of a crank arm and pedal spindle of FIG. 1A used in describing the invention;

FIG. 2A is a top isometric view of a balance board platform according to the invention;

FIG. 2B is a bottom isometric view of a balance board platform according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is top isometric view of the balance board platform of FIG. 2A and 2B with foot placement markings;

FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a balance board platform (See FIG. 2A) used to develop balancing skills for bicycle users or cyclists. For reference purposes it is important to understand the parts and geometry relating to the pedal positioning on and geometry of a bicycle as illustrated in FIG. 1A. A center spindle 102 goes through a bottom bracket 104 of the bicycle frame (not shown). One end of a right crank arm 106 and one end of a left crank arm 108 are attached to the center spindle 102. The right and left crank arms 106, 108 have identical lengths and rotate around the center spindle 102. The span between the outside portion of each crank arm 106,108 is called a Q factor 110. One pedal spindle 112, 116 is attached to the opposing end of each of the respective crank arms 106, 108. One pedal 114, 118 spins around each of the pedal spindles 112, 116.

There are two main types of bicycle pedals--standard flat platform pedals and clipless pedals (a rider clips into clipless pedals, but they are called clipless because they secure the rider's foot to the pedal without toe clips). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, representative platform pedals 114, 118 are shown in a dashed line. FIG. 1B illustrates a detail view of a platform pedal 118 attached to a pedal spindle 112 and crank arm 106. In most bicycle configurations a pedal 118 is not directly adjacent to the crank arm 106. Rather there is a portion of the pedal spindle 112 in between the crank arm 106 and the respective pedal 118 marked as 130 in the drawing. For the majority of bicycles, the pedal spindles 112, 116 will extend through one half to two thirds of the bicycle pedals 114, 118. Accordingly, the distance between the outer end points of the pedal spindles 112, 116 approximately corresponds to the stance width 120 of the rider.

When a bicycle is being pedaled, maintaining balance is relatively easy. When a bicycle and/or the pedals are stationary, or moving slowly, balance is more difficult to maintain. Specifically, balance can be difficult to maintain when the rider is stopped, riding slowly, or in a starting gate. Additionally, balance is difficult to maintain at times when the bicycle is moving over obstacles, performing technical maneuvering, or when the pedals are stationary. The majority of time that a bicycle is stopped, riding slowly, or using advanced technical biking skills, the rider has his/her feet and pedals in an offset stance. The offset stance is when both pedals are level and substantially parallel to the ground with one forward-facing foot placed on a pedal 118 forward of the center spindle and the other forward-facing foot placed on a pedal 114 behind the center spindle 102.

A balance board platform 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2A. A rider can use the balance board platform 200 to develop desired balance skills because the balance board platform 200 provides visual cues for the specific foot placement necessary to achieve and maintain an offset stance. The balance board platform 200 allows the rider to physically mimic the foot positioning on the pedals when in an offset stance and helps the rider develop muscle memory and strength necessary for balancing. Mastering balance while in the offset stance and building muscle memory increases cyclist skill and cyclist performance.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the balance board platform 200 has a platform body 210 with a substantially planar top platform surface 214 and a substantially planar bottom platform surface 216 axially spaced from and opposed to the top platform surface 214. At least one sidewall 212 joins the top and bottom platform surfaces 214, 216. In the illustrated embodiment there are twelve sidewalls 212. Alternate embodiments may have a different number of sidewalls 212. In the illustrated embodiment the sidewalls 212 have a height of approximately 0.75 inch. In alternate embodiments the sidewalls 212 may have a different height that produces acceptable results. The sidewall 212 height may be dependent on the material used for the platform body 210. In the illustrated embodiment 0.75 inch thick plywood is used to make the platform body 210. Alternate embodiments may have platform bodies 210 made of wood, plastic, metal or any other material that produces acceptable results. Platform bodies 210 may be thermoformed or injection molded. If the platform body 210 is thermoformed, preferably it would be thermoformed with ABS.

The platform body 210 has a shape that generally conforms to and encompasses the bicycle geometry (as shown in FIG. 1A) necessary to maintain an offset stance. In the illustrated embodiment the platform body 210 has an “H” shape with two longitudinal arms 218, 220 substantially perpendicular to or at right angles with a transverse arm 226. The first and second longitudinal arms 218, 220 are approximately 5.25 inches wide and approximately 25.5 inches long. The lengths of both the first and second longitudinal arms 218, 220 generally are at least as long as twice the crank length desired or the longitudinal span between the pedal spindles of the preferred or preselected bicycle geometry. On bicycles, the left and right cranks are typically each between 160 mm and 180 mm with the most common crank size being 175 mm. Less common crank lengths are between 177.5 mm (or greater) and 175 mm and 135 mm to 160 mm. Each longitudinal arm 218, 220 is long enough to allow the user to assume an offset position with either the right or left foot in either a forward or rearward position. Accordingly, the longitudinal span of the longitudinal arms 218, 220 may accommodate bicycle geometries with longitudinal spans of between approximately 270 mm to 360 mm.

The measurements of platform body 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 substantially correspond to a bicycle with a crank size of at least 175 mm. In the illustrated embodiment each of the longitudinal arms 218, 220 is longer than the distance between the pedal spindles of the selected bicycle geometry with each longitudinal arm 218, 220 having additional length to accommodate a pedal footprint and/or to allow for stable foot placement. Standard flat pedal footprints vary with lengths ranging from approximately 92 mm to 114 mm. For clipless pedals, the user's position relative to the pedal spindles varies depending on the cleats used and the cleats' position on the user's cycling shoes. In addition, it is preferable, but not strictly necessary, for the longitudinal arms 218, 220 to be long enough to accommodate enough of the user's toes and/or feet such that a stable standing platform is maintained. Any size of longitudinal arm 218, 220 that accommodates the user's toes and/or feet being in an offset position and corresponds to the preferred bicycle geometry will produce acceptable results.

To best provide the opportunity to maintain an offset stance with either the right or left foot forward, a first longitudinal arm leading edge 230 and a second longitudinal arm leading edge 232 are in substantial alignment. As illustrated, a first longitudinal arm trailing edge 234 and a second longitudinal arm trailing edge 236 are also in substantial alignment. Alternate embodiments may be strictly focused on a right foot forward offset stance or left foot forward offset stance and may have first and second longitudinal arm leading edges 230, 232 and first and second longitudinal arm trailing edges 234, 236 that are not in substantial alignment.

The width of the longitudinal arms 218, 220 accommodates the user's feet with or without shoes. Standard flat pedal footprint widths range from approximately 92 mm to 120 mm which are well within the illustrated width of 5.25 inches. Alternate embodiments may have longitudinal arms 218, 220 of different widths.

A transverse axis X is disposed at the approximate midpoint between the user's front and rear feet when standing in the offset stance on the platform body 210, a location that corresponds to the approximate midpoint between the pedal spindles or the approximate location of the center spindle for the preferred bicycle geometry. At least a portion of a transverse arm 226 is disposed at the transverse axis X and connects the first and second longitudinal arms 218, 220 giving the visual impression of the letter “H.” In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse arm 226 has a width, as measured between inside edges of the first and second longitudinal arms 238, 240 of approximately 6.25 inches. The width of the transverse arm 226 can provide a visual cue of the preferred bicycle geometry to the user. The width of the transverse arm 226 is approximately equal to the distance between the innermost sides of the right and left platform pedals or slightly greater than the Q factor of the preferred bicycle geometry.

Bicycles typically have frame and tire measurements that relate to the discipline in which they are used; therefore, different bicycles may have different Q factor ranges and corresponding stance widths. For example, road bikes typically have Q factors from 145-157 mm while BMX bikes typically have Q factors from 156-177 mm. Fat tire bikes typically have Q factors from 203-233. Accordingly, the width of the transverse arm 226 can be modified to accommodate bicycles of varying disciplines and the corresponding stance width of the user. In alternate embodiments, the transverse arm 226 may have a width other than 6.25 inches corresponding to the width of the center spindle and Q factor for the preferred bicycle geometry.

As illustrated, the transverse arm 226 has a length of approximately 11.25 inches as measured between a front edge of the transverse arm 250 and a trailing edge of the transverse arm 252. FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom platform surface 216 of the platform body 210. While the balance board platform 200 may be used alone, in some applications, the length of the transverse arm 226 allows for a balance structure (i.e. See FIGS. 5-7) to be removably or permanently attached to the bottom platform surface 216. Alternate embodiments may have a transverse arm 226 with a length of other than 11.25 inches to accommodate balance structures (discussed below) of varying sizes. In yet further embodiments, the length of the transverse arm 226 may be longer or shorter than 11.25 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment the front edge of the transverse arm 250 is disposed approximately 5.125 inches from the first and second longitudinal arm leading edges 230, 232. The aft edge of the transverse arm 252 is approximately 9.125 inches from the first and second longitudinal arm trailing edges 234, 236. In alternate embodiments the transverse arm 226 may have a different position relative to the longitudinal arms 218, 220 such that acceptable results are accomplished and at least a portion of the transverse arm 226 is disposed at the transverse axis X.

When using the balance board platform 200, the user stands on the platform body 210 with feet in an offset stance as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 3, balance board platform 300 may have foot placement lines 302, 304, 306 on the longitudinal arms 218, 220 that correspond to one or more pedal spindle locations for one or more preferred bicycle geometries. In the illustrated embodiment, three potential pedal spindle positions are visually marked on the top platform surface 214 with foot placement lines 302, 304, 306. The foot placement lines 302, 304, 306 allow the user to line up his or her feet in a right foot or left foot offset stance. In use, the user would place his or her feet on the foot placement lines such that both of the user's feet are equidistant from the transverse axis x. The foot placement lines 302, 304, 306 may be actual lines or markings, indentations, incorporated into a design or any other acceptable display that provides visual cues to the user. In alternate embodiments the foot placement lines may be added by a user.

FIG. 3 illustrates phantom footprints on the foot placement lines 302 with the user's feet in a left foot forward offset stance. In use the user uses all of the foot placement lines of a given set, i.e. two of the furthest lines from the transverse axis 302 or two of the closest lines to the transverse axis 306 in either a right or left foot forward offset stance.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a balance board platform 400 with a platform body 410 having a substantially planar top platform surface 414 and a substantially planar bottom platform surface 416 axially spaced from and opposed to the top platform surface 414. At least one sidewall 412 joins the top and bottom platform surfaces 414, 416. The platform body is similar to the platform body illustrated in FIG. 2A with a left longitudinal arm 418 adjacent and forward a front edge 450 of a transverse arm 426 and a right longitudinal arm 420 adjacent and behind a trailing edge of the transverse arm 426. Alternate embodiments may have right longitudinal arm 420 adjacent and forward the transverse arm 426 and the left longitudinal arm 418 adjacent and behind the transverse arm 426.

Each of the longitudinal arms 418, 420 has a length that accommodates the distance between the center spindle and the pedal spindle (i.e. crank length) for the preferred bicycle geometry at a minimum. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the longitudinal arms 418, 420 may have additional length to accommodate enough of the user's toes and/or feet such that a stable standing platform is maintained. In the illustrated embodiment the first longitudinal arm 418 is approximately 5.25 inches wide and approximately 16.375 inches long. In the illustrated embodiment the second longitudinal arm 420 is approximately 5.25 inches wide and approximately 20.375 inches long. This accommodates left and right cranks which, as outlined above, are typically each between 160 mm and 180 mm with the most common crank size being 175 mm. Alternate embodiments may have longitudinal arms with varying lengths to accommodate different bicycle geometries.

Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a transverse axis X is disposed at the approximate midpoint between the user's front and rear feet when standing in the offset stance on the platform body 410, a location that corresponds to the approximate midpoint between the relative location of the pedal spindles or the approximate location of the center spindle for the preferred bicycle geometry. At least a portion of the transverse arm 426 is disposed at the transverse axis X. As illustrated, the transverse arm 426 is approximately 11.25 long and 6.25 inches wide. Alternate measurements may be used as long as acceptable results are achieved.

The platform bodies 210, 410 may be used to develop balancing skills when placed on a flat surface such as the level ground or an inclined surface. Additionally, balance structures may be placed on the lower platform surfaces 216, 416 of the platform bodies 210, 410 to form balance boards. A balance structure is any structure or attachment disposed on the lower platform surface 216, 416 that allows vertical movement around at least the transverse axis X. For example, a balance structure would allow the leading edges 230, 232 and trailing edges 234, 236 of the platform body 210 to move up and down relative to the ground. Balancing around the transverse axis X provides motion that is essential to developing balance skills on a bicycle. Balance structures may also allow for vertical movement around more axes than just the transverse axis X; some balance structures may allow for movement in 360 degrees. Balance structures may be removably or permanently attached to the lower platform surface 216, 416. In some embodiments balance structures may be glued, screwed, riveted, or attached in any other way that provides acceptable results.

The balance structures as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are examples and are not limiting. In use any balance structure that produces acceptable results may be attached to the lower surface of the platform body 216, 416 to create a balance board such that the user balances around at least the transverse axis X.

FIG. 5 illustrates a balance board 500 (shown with the lower side facing up). A balance structure 502 is disposed on the bottom platform surface 216. The balance structure 502 is sized to be attached to the transverse arm 226 and/or longitudinal arms 218, 220 allowing for vertical movement around at least the transverse axis X. Additionally, the balance structure 502 illustrated in FIG. 5 allows for vertical movement in 360 degrees. Balancing around the transverse axis X provides the front to back motion that is essential to developing balance skill for the offset stance. Balancing in additional axes provide additional balance skills for advanced maneuvering.

The balance structure 502 is removably or permanently attached to the bottom platform surface 216 in a location in which movement around at least the transverse axis X is achieved. The balance structure 502 may be riveted, glued, nailed, screwed, bolted or attached in any way that provides acceptable results. The balance structure 502 has two main parts. The first is an attachment collar 504 and the second is a convex balance dome 506 that vertically extends approximately 3 inches from the bottom platform surface 216. In the illustrated embodiment the balance dome 506 is rubber and may be of varying stiffnesses; preferably hard enough to not substantially deform under the user's weight. In alternate embodiments the balance dome 506 may be formed of hard plastic or wood or any other material that produces acceptable results. In yet further embodiments the balance dome 506 may be any convex structure that produces acceptable results including a convex structure with multiple flat sides. In alternate embodiments the attachment collar 504 and the convex balance dome 506 may not have circular perimeters.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a balance structure 602 is disposed on the bottom platform surface 216 to create a balance board 600 (shown with the lower side facing up). In this embodiment the balance structure consists of a first set 604, second set 606 and third set of placement holes (not shown), four bumpers or stops 610 and a roller 612. Each set of placement holes (including the third set underneath the four bumpers 610) 604, 606 consist of four pairs of placement holes with two pairs per set disposed on each longitudinal arm 218, 220. All four pairs of placement holes in a set 604, 606 are disposed equidistant from the transverse axis x or approximate location of the center spindle for the preferred bicycle geometry. Alternate embodiments may have sets of placement holes that have more than two holes per location.

In the illustrated embodiment the sets of placement holes 604, 606 begin approximately 3.125 inches from the transverse axis and each set of placement holes 604, 606 (including the third set underneath the four bumpers 610) is spaced 0.75 inches from the adjacent set of placement holes 604, 606. In alternate embodiments there may be more or fewer sets of placement holes 604, 606 and the placement holes may be in alternate locations that allow for vertical movement around the transverse axis X.

In the illustrated embodiment a bumper 610 has two prongs or pins that nest into the third set of placement holes (not shown). The bumpers 610 are used to limit or expand the range of motion of the roller 612 by having one bumper 610 disposed in a set of placement holes 604, 606, 608. A user can place all bumpers 610 in the holes of one set of placement holes (i.e. use only 604 placement holes) or can choose placement holes of two sets (i.e. 604 on one side and 606 on the other side) thereby increasing the roller's 612 range of motion in one direction. The bumpers 602 may be approximately 4 inches long and 0.5 inches wide and may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or of any other material that produces acceptable results. In alternate embodiments there may be bumpers 610 of different shapes or materials. In yet further embodiments there may be alternate structures that limit or expand the range of motion of the roller 612 or similar object.

The roller 612 travels along a longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal arms 218, 220. In the illustrated embodiment the roller 612 has a diameter of approximately 3 inches. Alternate rollers 612 may have diameters that are more or less than 3 inches and used with bumpers 610 that allow free movement of the roller 612 within a defined range. In addition, alternate embodiments may have rollers of diameters larger or smaller than 3 inches to increase or decrease the degree of difficulty in using the balance board 600.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a third embodiment of a balance structure 702 is disposed on the lower surface of the platform body 216 to create a balance board 700 (shown with the lower side facing up). The balance structure 702 has a substantially rectangular attachment platform 704 that circumnavigates the balance structure 702. The balance structure 702 has a face that is substantially rectangular having a length of approximately 9.75 inches and a width of approximately 8 inches. When viewed in alignment with the transverse axis (See the cross-sectional view in FIG. 8) the balance structure 702 has two raised walls 706. The raised walls 706 transition to a lower structure surface 708 with a substantially flat engagement surface 710 disposed between the two raised walls 706. The engagement surface 710 has a substantially parabolic curve as it travels between the two raised walls 706 with the highest point of the engagement surface 710 (closest point to the bottom platform surface 216) being in approximate alignment with the transverse axis X. In the illustrated embodiment the highest point of the engagement surface 710, is not located at the midpoint between the two raised walls 706 but is slightly offset towards one of the raised walls. In use, balance board 700 should be used with the highest point of the engagement surface 710 closer to the rear foot in the offset stance. The reason for the offset parabolic curve of the engagement surface 710 is to closely mimic the movement of a bicycle around a transverse axis X. Alternate embodiments may have engagement surfaces 710 with a centered parabolic curve.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 taken along the line 8-8. In the illustrated embodiment the lower structure surfaces 708 are approximately 1.5 inches from the bottom platform surface 216. In alternate embodiments the lower structure surfaces 708 may disposed closer to or further away from the bottom platform surface 216. When in use, the engagement surface 710 of the balance board 700 accepts a roller 802, 804. The user balances on the roller 802, 804 while the parabolic shape of the engagement surface 710 prevents the roller 802, 804 from exiting the engagement surface 710 and causing an abrupt repositioning. In addition, the parabolic shape of the engagement surface 710 allows the user to maintain a safe and controlled speed while using the balance board 700.

As illustrated, there are two rollers 802, 804; a roller 802 that is three inches in diameter and a roller 804 that is four inches of diameter 804. FIG. 8 illustrates each roller 802, 804 in three positions along the engagement surface 710. In practice the user stands on the balance board 700 and balances while moving the balance board 700 in relation to the roller 802, 804. The rollers 802, 804 motion over the engagement surface 710 increases the degree of difficulty as compared to stationary balancing. In addition, alternate embodiments may have rollers of diameters larger or smaller than 3 or 4 inches to increase or decrease the degree of difficulty in using the balance board 700.

The engagement surface 710 also accepts a balance object which is sized to conform to the curve of a center zone 712. The balance object may be a ball or a roller or any other object that interacts with the engagement surface 710 to promote balancing. The center zone is an indentation disposed in the center of the engagement surface 710. As illustrated the center zone 712 accepts a balance object with a diameter of approximately three inches. Alternate embodiments may have center zones 712 that accept balance objects with diameters of other than three inches. In practice the user would stand on the balance board 700 and balance while moving the balance board in relation to the balance object. The balance object's motion in the center zone 712 increases the degree of difficulty.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the balance board illustrated in FIG. 7. A control bump 806 is disposed in the engagement surface 710, approximately 0.25 inches from the structure lower surface 708. The control bump 806 is primarily a speed limiter and safety feature, preventing the roller from exiting the engagement surface 710. Alternate embodiments may have more than one control bump 806.

While illustrated embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in the appended drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.