Abstract
Systems and methods for performing balancing exercises are disclosed herein. An in-folding section unfolds from a stationary section for the system to be in use mode. A user may enter the system through the in-folding section to access the stationary section, where balancing exercises are performed. Adjustable railings, capable of raising and lowering, are in the stationary section, as is a seat, both to be used for balancing exercises. An anti-tipping mechanism keeps the system stable in use mode, and wheels make the system mobile in storage mode, i.e. when the in-folding section folds into the stationary section.
Claims
1. A system for balance training comprising: a stationary section comprising: i) at least one training railing; ii) a training platform connected to at least one training railing; and iii) an anti-tipping mechanism connected to the training platform; a seat in contact with the training platform; an in-folding section comprising: i) at least one in-folding railing; ii) an in-folding platform connected to at least one in-folding railing; and iii) a latching railing attached to at least one in-folding railing; at least one wheel connected to a base of at least one of the in-folding platform and the training platform; and a drawbridge mechanism.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one training railing is adjustable in height.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein an edge of the stationary section connects to an edge of the in-folding platform at a junction.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one locking clamp unlocks to move the at least one training railing.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one training railing has at least one hole that may accommodate a locking pin.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the anti-tipping mechanism comprises at least one leg.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-folding section may fold into the stationary section.
8. The system of claim of claim 1, wherein the latching railing latches onto the at least one in-folding railing.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the anti-tipping mechanism is collapsible.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the anti-tipping mechanism is at least one of flush against a floor and non-flush to the floor.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-folding platform may slope toward the training platform.
12. The system of claim 6, wherein the anti-tipping mechanism extends outward from the training platform in use mode and returns inward in storage mode.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat has a collapsible back rest connected to the seat and a handle connected to the back rest.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the drawbridge mechanism uses at least one motorized pulley wheel to transition the system from storage mode to use mode, with the at least one motorized pulley wheel connected to at least one of the at least one training railing, the at least one in-folding railing, and the latching railing.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein a detachable platform attaches to at least one of the at least one training railing, the at least one in-folding railing, and the latching railing.
16. A method for training balance comprising: i) providing a system for balance training, the system comprising: a stationary section comprising: i) at least one training railing; ii) a training platform connected to at least one training railing; and iii) an anti-tipping mechanism connected to the training platform; a seat in contact with the training platform; an in-folding section comprising: i) at least one in-folding railing; ii) an in-folding platform connected to at least one in-folding railing; and iii) a latching railing attached to at least one in-folding railing; at least one wheel connected to a base of at least one of the in-folding platform and the training platform; and a drawbridge mechanism connected to the in-folding railing; ii) deploying the drawbridge mechanism; iii) deploying the anti-tipping mechanism; iv) opening the latching railing for a user to enter; v) closing the latching railing; vi) walking through the in-folding section to enter the stationary section; vii) adjusting the at least one training railing to a height; and viii) performing exercises in the stationary section, optionally using the seat;
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one training railing is adjustable in height.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the in-folding section may fold into the stationary section.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the anti-tipping mechanism is collapsible.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein a back rest connected to the seat is collapsible.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein a handle connected to the back rest is used for transportation.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one wheel is deployed when in storage mode.
Description
DRAWINGS
[0028] Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.
[0029] FIG. 1. Perspective view of the system without the anti-tipping mechanism deployed.
[0030] FIG. 2. Top view of the system in use mode with the anti-tipping mechanism deployed.
[0031] FIG. 3. Perspective view of the system in use mode with the anti-tipping mechanism deployed.
[0032] FIG. 4. Perspective view of the system in use mode with a user in the stationary section.
[0033] FIG. 5. Back view of the system, showing the seat and back rest.
[0034] FIG. 6. Side view of the seat and the process for collapsing the back rest.
[0035] FIG. 7. Side view of a wheel in use mode.
[0036] FIG. 8. Side view of a wheel in storage mode.
[0037] FIG. 9. Side view of a training railing adjustable in height.
[0038] FIG. 10. Side view of the system in storage mode.
[0039] FIG. 11, Side view of the drawbridge mechanism.
[0040] FIG. 12. Side view of the system showing a detachable platform.
[0041] FIG. 13. Perspective view of an item on the detachable platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Abbreviations and Definitions
[0042] To facilitate understanding of the invention, a number of terms and abbreviations as used herein are defined below as follows:
[0043] Use mode: As used herein, the term “use mode” refers to the in-folding section being unfolded from the stationary section, the anti-tipping mechanism is deployed, and the system's wheels do not touch the floor such that a user may use the stationary section for balancing exercises.
[0044] Storage mode: As used herein, the term “storage mode” refers to the in-folding section folded into the stationary section, the anti-tipping mechanism is collapsed or non-deployed, and the system's wheels touch the floor such that the system may be mobile.
[0045] Systems and Methods for Performing Balancing Exercises
[0046] The present invention is directed to a system 100 for training balance in individuals. FIG. 1 shows the system 100, comprising a stationary section 102 and an in-folding section 112. The stationary section 102 and in-folding section 112, when in use mode, are joined at a junction 134. In this mode, the in-folding section 112 has been folded out from the stationary section 102. In an embodiment, the in-folding section 112, comprising at least one in-folding railing 114, an in-folding platform 116, and a latching railing 118, unfolds from the stationary section 102 via a drawbridge mechanism 124, comprising a drawbridge cable 138 within a training railing 104. In the same embodiment, with the press of a down button 136, the in-folding section 112 unfolds from the stationary section 102. An up button 128 returns the in-folding section 112 into the stationary section 102. In another embodiment, unfolding and folding the in-folding section 112 is manual; a user physically unfolds the in-folding section 112 out from the stationary section 102 and folds the in-folding section 112 into the stationary section 102. The stationary section 102 comprises at least one training railing 104, a training platform 106, and an anti-tipping mechanism (not shown). In the stationary section 102, there is at least one training railing adjustable in height 126, which can be raised and lowered to accommodate a user. The other railings 104 in the stationary section 102 are not adjustable, but a user can hold onto them for performing balancing exercises. There is a seat 110 in the stationary section 102. In an embodiment, the seat 110 is attached to the stationary section 102. In another embodiment, the seat 110 is removable. In an embodiment, the seat may have a back rest 132, with a handle 130 connected to the back rest 132. In another embodiment, there may be no back rest 132 and just the seat 110. A latching railing 118 allows a user to enter the system 100 via the in-folding section 112. Raising the latch 120 allows a user to enter the system 100 and lowering the latch 128 back to its original position closes the system 100. In an embodiment, at least one wheel 122 is connected to the training platform 106 and the in-folding platform 116. In the same embodiment, when the system 100 is in use mode, wheels 122 are oriented so that they do not touch the floor, making the system 100 more stable.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a top view of the system 100 in use mode. The anti-tipping mechanism 108 is visible in this figure. In an embodiment, the junction 134 that connects the in-folding platform 116 and training platform 106 is joined by at least one hinge 200. The hinge 200 allows the in-folding section 112 to be folded into and out of the stationary section 102.
[0048] In an embodiment, the anti-tipping mechanism 108, as seen in FIG. 3, may be represented by at least one leg 302. In this embodiment, legs 302 move 90 degrees when deployed via a spring loaded button 300 that a user pushes to allow the legs 302 to drop and lock into use mode. In another embodiment, legs 302 are manually deployed. In yet another embodiment, the leg 302 is at a non-90 degree angle when in use mode.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a user 400 in the stationary section 102 of the system 100, standing on the training platform 106. The user 400 is holding a railing adjustable in height 126. The seat 110 is optional to use for balancing exercises.
[0050] FIG. 5 depicts the back view of the system 100, showing the back rest 132 of the seat 110, in addition to a training railing 104. The locking pin 500 is for raising and lowering a training railing adjustable in height 126. In an embodiment, a user 400 may sit on the seat 110 while adjusting the locking pins 500. In another embodiment, a user may adjust the locking pins 500 while standing up
[0051] An embodiment of the back rest 132 being collapsible for storage mode is featured in FIG. 6. As depicted by “1”, the back rest 132 is in an incline position. For it to collapse, the back rest 132 is moved to an upright position (as shown in “2”), then slid downward towards the training platform 106 (shown in “3”). In another embodiment, to collapse the back rest 132, the back rest 132 is moved downward so that the back rest 132 is laying on the seat 110. In another embodiment, the back rest 132 does not collapse, but stays in an upright position when in storage mode.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a wheel 122 in use mode. In this mode, the wheel 122 is oriented so that it does not touch the floor. In an embodiment, the wheel 122 is oriented so that is parallel to the floor.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows a wheel 122 in storage mode. The wheel 122 is touching the floor, making the system 100 mobile.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows the locking clamp 900 and holes 902 that a training railing 104 may have for raising and lowering a training railing adjustable in height 126. In an embodiment, a user unlocks the locking clamp 900, removes the locking pin 500, and raises the training railing 104 to the desired height. Once at that height, the user puts the locking pin 500 in the appropriate hole 902 and closes the locking clamp 900, keeping the training railing adjustable in height 126 in place. To lower the training railing adjustable in height 126, the user opens the locking clamp 900, removes the locking pin 500 from the hole 902, and lowers the training railing 104 to the desired height. The user then closes the locking clamp 900 and places the locking pin 500 in the correct hole 902.
[0055] Storage mode of the system 100 is shown in FIG. 10. The in-folding section 112 is folded into the stationary section 102, the anti-tipping mechanism 108 is non-deployed, and wheels 122 are oriented to touch the floor. One may use the handle 130 to move the system 100. Also, now that the system 100 is more compact, it can be stored in compact spaces.
[0056] FIG. 11 is a depiction of the drawbridge mechanism 124. The drawbridge cable 138 is within a training railing 104. At one end of the training railing 104, the drawbridge cable 138 is connected to a motorized pulley wheel 1102. The drawbridge cable 138 extends from the motorized pulley wheel 1102 to a non-motorized pulley wheel 1104 located near the other end of the training railing 104. The drawbridge cable 138 then extends from the non-motorized pulley wheel 1104 to an in-folding railing 114. At the push of a down button 136, the drawbridge cable 138 rotates around the outer surface of the motorized pulley wheel 1102 and non-motorized pulley wheel 1104, pulling on the in-folding railing 114 to take the system from storage mode to use mode.
[0057] FIG. 12 depicts a detachable platform 1202, which may attach to a training railing 104 or a training railing adjustable in height 126. The detachable platform 1202 may also attach to an in-folding railing 114 or a latching railing 118. In FIG. 12, a detachable platform 1202 attaches to a training railing 104 by a tube clamp 1204. In an embodiment, the detachable platform 1202 may attach to a training railing 104 in the stationary section 102. In another embodiment, the detachable platform 1202 may attach to a training railing adjustable in height 126 in the stationary section 102. In yet another embodiment, the detachable platform 1202 may attach to an in-folding railing 114 in the in-folding section 112.
[0058] FIG. 13 shows a user 400 in the stationary section 102 of the system 100, holding a training railing adjustable by height 126. A user 400 may also hold a training railing 104, an in-folding railing 114, or a latching railing 118. In this embodiment, a detachable platform 1202 is attached to an in-folding railing 114. In other embodiments, the detachable platform 1202 may be attached to the latching railing 118, a training railing adjustable by height 126, and a training railing 104. An item 1302 rests on the detachable platform 1202, with the user 400 able to practice exercises by reaching for the item 1302. Reaching for the item 1302 may be a form of a functional balancing exercise, meant for the user 400 to improve reaching from a base of support
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0059] The detailed description set-forth above is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. However, the invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed because these embodiments are intended as illustration of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present inventive discovery. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
