This application is a further developmentof German utility model No. 29907509 filed on Apr. 28, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a balance training apparatus having a curved lower surface and an upper support surface upon which a user stands in a balanced state.

Balance apparatus are used for various therapeutic and athletic applications. In particular, the interactions involved in the balancing process between various sense organs and sensory inputs as well as motoric and psychological as well asneurological interdependencies enjoy a special position in the training of coordination, balancing, and reflexes. A conventional apparatus as e.g. disclosed in brochure "The Wobbler" published by Wagus GmbH, Rheinstetten, Germany, in 1992 discloses abalancing apparatus having a structured partially polygonal lower surface. The apparatus supports a user standing thereon. The standing surface for the user is displaced in a backward position relative to a forward portion of the apparatus in which aball is accommodated for spiraled movement. The user attempts to position the ball through the spiraling structure from an outside position to an inside position or vice versa while balancing on the apparatus. The lower support surface for theapparatus is structured to aid the user in his balancing procedure in a directional sense so that certain directions of motion are supported to a greater or a lesser degree than others. The apparatus has a plate for an auxiliary exercise which can beplaced over the spiraling portion of the apparatus. The plate has 3 recesses within which a ball can be captured during balancing.

The brochure "Therapiekreisel" published by Motio GmbH, Karlsruhe, September 1996 discloses a balancing apparatus having a substantially planar upper surface and a curved lower surface. The user stands on the planar upper surface, preferentiallywith one foot, and attempts to maintain balance during use.

The above mentioned balancing apparatus share the common disadvantage of being either too simple or too difficult for various users. An apparatus suitable for use by children is often inadequate to train an athletic individual. Conversely,apparatus which are appropriate for balancing activities of healthy, athletic individuals are much too difficult for elderly people or for children to use.

It is therefore the underlying purpose of the present invention to develop a balancing apparatus which is appropriate for use by a wide variety of people and for a wide variety of differing applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is accomplished with a balance training apparatus comprising a housing having a smoothly curved, convex lower surface and a substantially flat upper surface, the substantially flat upper surface having first and asecond support surfaces radially displaced outward from said curved symmetric lower surface. The upper surface defines a central recess disposed between the first and the second support surfaces directly above the lower surface. An insert seats in anexchangeable fashion, without the use of tools, in the recess defined in the housing, the insert comprising raised and lower structures defining obstructions and paths. A moving member, such as a ball, seats within the insert for motion and is disposedfor travel through the paths. A window seats on the upper surface of the housing and rests on the raised portions of the insert to capture the moving member within the insert surface. Latching means are provided, cooperating with the window and thehousing, to permit removal of the window, without the use of tools, for exchange of the insert, wherein the raised structures of the insert are disposed to support vertical loads throughout the entire surface of the window.

The smooth, curved convex lower surface of the balance training apparatus in accordance with the invention results in substantially symmetric balancing demands in all directions. The two upper support surfaces are adapted to allow the feet ofthe user to be placed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the central insert. The latching means cooperates with the window in the housing to allow easy removal and exchange of the insert, wherein differing inserts can be used for differingapplications. The structures, raised and lowered in certain portions of the insert, are disposed to challenge balancing during movement and navigation of the moving member according to the application dictated by the respective insert, whilenevertheless providing sufficient support for the window to also allow the user to stand on any portion of the window without causing damage to the insert, the housing, or the window. In this fashion, the entire surface of the balancing trainingapparatus in accordance with the invention is available for use by the user, either standing on one foot or two feet, at various locations throughout the upper surface of the apparatus. Inserts which are inappropriate for one user can be easilyexchanged for inserts which are desirable for use by another user so that the apparatus can be tailored to the individual needs of the user.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the raised and lowered structures of the insert define a path having a figure 8 shape. This embodiment has the advantage that the figure 8 is a particularly useful training tool for initialadjustment of balance in the forward, backward, and sideward directions without providing excessive difficulty to the user. The recess and/or, the window and/or the figure 8 structure can have latching means defining certain angular positions of thefigure 8 relative to the housing. For example, the elongated axis of the 8 can be parallel or perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through feet of the user. In this manner, different balancing directions and skills can be exercised in dependenceon the orientation of the figure 8 relative to the user's feet.

In an additional preferred embodiment of the invention, the raised and lowered structures of the insert define a path having a labyrinth shape. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a balancing test for the user in which both radial aswell as azimuthal balancing skills are required. The labyrinth structure dictates a path through which a ball or other moving object must travel while the user maintains his balance on the apparatus. In this fashion, a high degree of motoric andcoordination skills are exercised in a plurality of balancing directions.

In a further improved embodiment of the invention, the raised and lower structures of the insert define a plurality of obstacles and at least one receptacle. This embodiment has the advantage of challenging the user to direct the moving objectthrough the plurality of obstacles to seat in a receptacle. Since the path of approach of the moving object to the receptacle can assume a wide variety of angular directions, balancing skills are challenged in a dynamic fashion in dependence in theinstantaneous direction of approach of the ball towards the receptacle.

In an improvement of this embodiment, the raised and lowered structures define 3 obstacles and the receptacle has a shape matched to capture the moving member when said moving member travels towards said receptacle along certain paths. Thisimprovement has the advantage of providing a game-like task to the user which is particularly appropriate for children. The user attempts to direct the moving member towards the receptacle to capture the moving member in the receptacle while avoidingthe obstacles. The game-like effect of the balancing process increases enjoyment of the user during training.

In a further improvement of this embodiment, the moving member has a mouse-like appearance. This embodiment has the advantage of providing game-like training, particularly appropriate for children. In this application, the receptacle serves afunction of a mouse-trap for the game-like balancing exercise in which the mouse becomes captured. The user, preferentially a child, therefore undergoes a training experience which is playful in nature.

In a further development of this embodiment, the three obstacles comprise a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, and a circular shape. This improvement has the advantage that the different surfaces upon which the moving member engages thevarious shaped obstacles have various reflection effects on the subsequent direction of the moving member such that deflected orientation of the moving member changes in dependence on which of the three obstacles are encountered.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the raised and lowered structures define a plurality of receptacles. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a plurality of receptacles in various locations along the insert to thereby vary thepath of approach of the moving object and the associated balancing training procedure in dependence on the target receptacle.

In an improvement of this embodiment, the plurality of receptacles have pockets of differing shapes and depths for capture of the moving member. This embodiment has the advantage of comprising different degrees of difficulty for the variousreceptacles. In a game-like application of this embodiment, differing numbers of points can be assigned to successful capture of a moving member in the various pockets to thereby increase the challenge and pleasure of the training experience.

In an improvement of this particular embodiment, a plurality of moving members is provided which is equal to the plurality of receptacles. This particular embodiment has the advantage of providing a highly challenging game-like balancingexperience to the user by requiring the user to simultaneously capture a plurality of moving members in corresponding receptacles.

In a further development of this embodiment, the raised and lowered structures also define obstacles. This embodiment has the advantage of increasing the challenging balancing experience of the user by preventing capture of the moving objects inthe receptacles from arbitrary incident angles.

In an improvement of this embodiment, the obstacles are disposed radially inward from the plurality of receptacles. This embodiment has the advantage of preventing direct diametrical access of the moving objects across the center of the insertby requiring the user to thread the moving body through the obstacle or by causing the user to circumvent the obstacle by changing the direction of travel of the moving object.

In a preferred embodiment of this particular application, there are three moving members and three receptacles. This embodiment has the advantage of providing for three different levels of difficulty during the course of the balancing experiencethrough the requirement of the simultaneous capture of one, two and three moving objects. In a preferred improvement of this particular embodiment, one of the three receptacles is U-shaped, one is Y-shaped, one is V-shaped. This embodiment has theadvantage of changing the degree of difficulty with which the moving object is captured in the corresponding receptacle, since the shape of the receptacle in both the receiving portion as well as opposite to the receiving portion has different deflectionaction on the approaching moving object. For example a Y-shaped receptacle will deflect a moving object approaching from the back of the Y to a larger degree then a V-shaped receptacle. A U-shaped receptacle can be fashioned to provide a minimum amountof deflection to the moving object when the receptacle is approached from the rear. The receptacles can also have differing opening sizes and depths.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, strap means are provided mounted to the housing to provide balance support for the user. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a reduced skill level for the user to aid an inexperienced useror user of limited athletic or motoric capability to exercise with the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

In an improvement of this embodiment, the strap means comprise a bracket for latching connection to said housing, a belt attached to said bracket, a buckle mechanism for adjusting the length of the said belt and a handle attached to said belt forgrasping by the user. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a support for users of various sizes which is adjustable to the user height. The latching connection of a bracket to the housing allows the strap means to be attached to the housingand detached therefrom without the use of tools. The handles facilitate use of the strap means. Two strap means are normally provided for use by the user in the right and left hands thereof.

In a preferred improvement, the housing comprises plastic molded walls. This embodiment has the advantage of providing a low weight, low cost and strong structure for the housing.

In a further improvement of the invention, the housing walls define grasping recesses disposed below each of said first and second support surfaces. This embodiment has the advantage of facilitating easy carrying and transport of one or of aplurality of balance training apparatus.

Further advantages and features of the invention can be extracted from the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are intended to have exemplary character only and are by no means an exhaustive enumeration of allinventive configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a user and the balance training apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a figure 8 insert for use of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a section through the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a section through the insert of the apparatus in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a labyrinth insert in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through the insert of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another mouse-game insert in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a section through the insert in accordance with FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another insert involving a plurality of basket-like capturing receptacles and a plurality of balls;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section through the insert in accordance with FIG. 9;

FIG. 11a is a first view of a bracket for attaching a user support strap means to the housing in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11b is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 11a;

FIG. 11c is a bottom view of the bracket in accordance with FIGS. 11a and 11b; and

FIG. 11d is a top view of the bracket in accordance with FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the balance training apparatus 1 in accordance with the invention. The balance training apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 having support surfaces 3, 4 adapted for accepting the feet of the user 13. A curved lower surface 6 ofthe housing 2 is placed upon a underlying surface 5. The underlying surface 5 can be elastically resilient (e.g. a foam pad). The smooth curved surface 6 therefore provides a small contact surface between the underlying surface 5 and the housing 2 tothereby require the user to exercise balancing skills. Straps 7 can be attached to the housing to aid the user in balancing activities, the straps 7 comprising belt members 8 attached to the housing via brackets 10 at sides proximate the seatingsurfaces 3, 4. A buckle 11 can be provided for adjusting the length of the belt 8. Handles 9 aid the user 13 in grasping the straps 7. The brackets 10 can be structured for latched attachment to the housing 2 without the use of tools. In the eventthat the housing 2 is made from an extruded and/or molded hollow structure, a stopper 12 can be provided to prevent air from escaping out of the housing.

Although the user 13 is shown in a standing position in FIG. 1, the apparatus in accordance with the invention can also be used by users 13 kneeling on the apparatus or even holding the apparatus in their hands. With this latter possibility, thestrap means can be placed appropriately around the neck of the user 13 in order to provide additional support for the balance training apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the balance training apparatus 1 having a figure 8 insert 16. The support surfaces 4 are configured with a structured area 15 comprising e.g. raised nubs or other roughened structures. The structures 15 prevent orcurtail slippage of the user from the support surfaces 4. The figure 8 insert defines tracks 17 within which a ball 18 travels. In the orientation shown, the axis of the figure 8 passes through a transverse axis of the user 13. Other embodiments arepossible in which the figure 8 insert 16 is rotated with respect to the illustration of FIG. 2, through e.g. 90.degree., and means can be provided for fixing the orientation of the figure 8 relative to the housing 2. A transparent window 19 is providedfor capturing the figure 8 insert 16 and to prevent the ball 18 from leaving the insert 16 structure. The window 19 is generally constructed from a clear plastic material to enable the user 13 to view the insert 16 and movement of the ball 18 duringuse. Latching means 20 are provided for mounting the window 19 to the housing 2. The latching means 20 can pass through appropriate holes fashioned in the window 19 and in the housing 2, as will be described in greater detail with reference to thefollowing figures.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section III--III through FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the balance training apparatus 1 comprises a housing which defines a hollow structure. The curved lower surface 6 of the housing 2 defines a cavity 26 as appropriatelyfashion by molding to render the structure lightweight and strong. The latching means 20 can be fashioned as pins passing through appropriate holes 29 and 28 in the window 19 as well as in the housing 2. The latching means 20 can be configured with alatching foot 30 and the holes in the housing 28 and in the window 29 can be slotted in such a fashion that the latching member 20 only passes through the holes in a certain angular orientation. In this fashion, the latch 20 can be rotated to lock thewindow 19 with respect to the housing 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the brackets 10 clip, in a U-shaped fashion, onto the outer portions of the housing 2 proximate the upper support surfaces 3, 4.

The insert 16 defines tracks 17 and has upper surfaces 32 which support window 19. In this fashion, the user 13 can stand or kneel on any portion of the window 19 without compromising the structure of the apparatus.

The balancing apparatus 1 is preferentially molded plastic, defining plastic walls 25 containing cavity portions 26. The inserts, such as figure 8 insert 16, are also preferentially molded from plastic to define cavities 27 as well as tracks 17. The housing 2 can be molded to define grasping recesses 31 proximate an opposite side of the seating surface 3, 4 to facilitate transport and carrying of the balance training apparatus 1 or a plurality thereof.

A detail of the cross-section through the figure 8 insert 16 of FIGS. 2 and 3 in accordance with cut III--III of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an additional insert in accordance with the invention. A cross-section in accordance with VI--VI through FIG. 5 is given in FIG. 6. The labyrinth insert 35 comprises a structure having raised and lower surfaces todefine tracks 36, separated by walls 38. A ball 18 can be caused, through balancing activity on the part of the user, to travel radially and peripherally from one track region 36 of the labyrinth to another track region 36 thereof. A central receptacle37 can be fashioned out of the central wall for capture of the ball 18 by a successful user.

All embodiments of inserts shown in the figures are appropriate for exchangeable placement within the recess portion of the housing 2, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of an insert in accordance with the invention and figure 8 shows a crosssection through the embodiment of FIG. 7 in accordance with VIII--VIII. The insert embodiment of FIG. 7 illustrates a mouse-game inwhich a mouse-like moving object 44 can be captured within a mouse-trap in the form of a U-shaped receptacle 45. The mouse-trap insert 40 is equipped with 3 obstacle structures 43, 41, 42 raised above a traveling surface 46 for the mouse 44. The usermust attempt to move the mouse 44 along the supporting surface 46 to pass the obstacles 43, 41 and 42 to seat within the mouse-trap 45. The obstacle 43 has a rectangular shape, the obstacle 41 has a triangular shape and the obstacle 42 a round shape. In this manner, interactions between the mouse 44 and the obstacles 41, 42, 43 result in differing deflection directions for subsequent travel of the mouse 44, thereby providing varying challenges with regard to the balancing action of the user.

FIG. 9 shows an additional insert in accordance with the invention for placement within the housing 2 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 shows a cross-section X-X through FIG. 9. In the basket game insert 50 in accordance with FIGS. 9 and10, a plurality of receptacles 51, 52, 53 are defined as raised positions of the insert having a U-shape 51, a Y-shape 53 and a V-shape 52. The receptacles 51, 52 and 53 can be configured with capture recesses of various depths and shapes to challengecapture of balls 18, 55 and 54 on the part of the user. A plurality of obstructions 56 are arranged at the center region of the insert 50. The obstructions 56 can be displaced with respect to each other in such a fashion that one or more of the balls54, 55 and 18 can pass through separations between the obstructions 56. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the obstructions 56 are fashioned as central impediments. Points can be awarded for successful, simultaneous capture of the balls in one, two and/orthree of the receptacles 51, 52, 53 in dependence on the degree of difficulty associated with single and multiple capture thereof.

FIGS. 11a-11d show various views of an embodiment of the bracket 10 in accordance with the invention. In the embodiments of FIGS. 11a-11d, the bracket is configured as U-shaped latching member having a vertical rise passing into a head 60 havinga slotted region 61. The upper portion of the bracket 10 has a width sufficient to accept a strap 8 for use by the user 13, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. The strap 8 can have a width of approximately 5 cm. The bracket 10 has leg-members 62 extendingdownwardly and in a forward direction to capture about the sides of the housing 2 (see FIG. 3). Latching noses 63 can be provided at extremities of the lower portions of the leg-members to engage into corresponding recesses of the housing 2 forattachment of the bracket 10 to the housing 2, without the use of tools.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 balance training apparatus 2 housing 3 support surface 4 support surface 5 underlying surface 6 curved surface 7 straps 8 belt 9 handle 10 bracket 11 buckle 12 stopper 13 user 15 structure 16 figure 8 insert 17 figure8 track 18 ball 19 window 20 latch 25 molded wall 26 cavity 27 recess 28 housing bore 29 hole 30 latch foot 31 grasping recesses 35 labyrinth insert 36 labyrinth track 37 central receptacle 40 mouse insert 41 triangular impediment 42 circular impediment43 rectangular impediment 44 mouse 45 mouse-receptacle 50 basket insert 51 U-receptacle 53 Y- receptacle 52 V-receptacle 56 central impediment 57 travel surface 60 bracket head 61 head slot 62 bracket leg-member 63 bracket latch nose

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