COMPACT BALANCE BOARDS AND SYSTEM USING SAME
20180193693 ยท 2018-07-12
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01P13/00
PHYSICS
A63B2071/0638
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2220/833
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2225/50
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B22/18
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B69/0093
HUMAN NECESSITIES
G01L5/00
PHYSICS
A63B24/0006
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B22/16
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B71/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2024/0096
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0421
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2071/0677
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A63B22/16
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B23/02
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A compact balance board including a first board having a plate shape, a second board spaced a predetermined distance from and parallel to the first board, a shaft coupled to a bottom portion of the first board, a pivot support connecting the shaft and the second board so as to allow three-dimensional pivotal motions in which the first board or the second board is shaken and rotated, at least one elastic member positioned between the first board and the second board so as to provide elasticity for keeping the first board and the second board in parallel to each other, and a sliding member installed on one end portion or both end portions of the elastic member so as to allow the elastic member to be slidingly rotated when the first board or the second board is rotated.
Claims
1. Compact balance boards comprising: a first board having a plate shape; a second board spaced a predetermined distance from a lower portion of the first board and parallel to the first board; a shaft coupled to a bottom portion of the first board or extending in one piece from the bottom portion of the first board; a pivot support connecting the shaft and the second board so as to allow three-dimensional pivotal motions in which the first board or the second board is shaken and rotated; at least one elastic member positioned between the first board and the second board in contact with the first board and the second board so as to provide elasticity for keeping the first board and the second board in parallel to each other; and a sliding member installed on one end portion or both end portions of the elastic member so as to allow the elastic member to be slidingly rotated when the first board or the second board is rotated, wherein the pivot support comprises: an inner ring coupled to the shaft and having a spherical outer surface; and an outer ring having an inner surface spherically in contact with and slidable on the outer surface of the inner ring, the outer ring being provided to an upper portion of the second board.
2.-4. (canceled)
5. Compact balance boards comprising: a first board having a plate shape; a second board spaced a predetermined distance from a lower portion of the first board and parallel to the first board; a shaft coupled to a bottom portion of the first board or extending in one piece from the bottom portion of the first board; a pivot support connecting the shaft and the second board so as to allow three-dimensional pivotal motions in which the first board or the second board is shaken and rotated; at least one elastic member positioned between the first board and the second board in contact with the first board and the second board so as to provide elasticity for keeping the first board and the second board in parallel to each other; and a sliding member installed on one end portion or both end portions of the elastic member so as to allow the elastic member to be slidingly rotated when the first board or the second board is rotated, wherein the pivot support comprises: an inner ring having an inner surface contacting an outer surface of the shaft and being coupled to the shaft; and an outer ring having an inner surface spherically in contact with an outer surface of an insertion solid part for being rubbed thereon, the insertion solid part being included on an outer surface of the inner ring, the outer ring being provided to an upper portion of the second board.
6. (canceled)
7. The compact balance boards of any one of claim 1 or 5, further comprising a board coupling part to attach an additional board including a snowboard or a skateboard to the first or the second board.
8. The compact balance boards of any one of claim 1 or 5, further comprising any one selected from: a first sensor part configured to sense a movement of the first board or the shaft; a second sensor part configured to sense a load applied to the first board; and a third sensor part attached to an end of the shaft or a position facing the end of the shaft so as to sense a positional variation of the shaft.
9. A balance board system comprising: the compact balance boards of claim 8; a central processing unit configured to receive a signal from at least one of the first to third sensor parts and process information; and a display unit configured to display information received from the central processing unit.
10. The balance board system of claim 9, further comprising an external input device to input information to the central processing unit.
11. The compact balance boards of any one of claim 1 or 5, further comprising an auxiliary elastic member placed between the outer ring and the second board so as to elastically support vertical shaking of the first board or the second board.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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TABLE-US-00001 <Descriptions of reference numerals> 10: first board 10a: bolt 12: first board 12a: clamp 14: first board 14a: bolt 16: first board 16a: bolt 17: additional board 18: additional board 19: additional board 20: shaft 30: pivot support (spherical bearing) 30a: inner ring 30b: outer ring 31: pivot support (outer bearing) 32: pivot support (self-aligning bearing) 32a: inner ring (self-aligning type) 32b: outer ring (self-aligning type) 32c: insertion solid part 40: auxiliary coupling member 50: second board 50a: bolt 50b: additional board 52: second board 54: second board 56: second board 60: elastic member 60a: sliding member 60b: auxiliary elastic member 60c: base plate 70: first sensor part 70a: first sensor part lead-in line 70b: first sensor part terminal 80: second sensor part 80a: second sensor part lead-in line 80b: second sensor part terminal 90: third sensor part 91: third sensor part 90a: third sensor part lead-in line 91a: third sensor part lead-in line 90b: third sensor part terminal 91b: third sensor part terminal 90c: pad 91c: pad 95: external input device 100: compact balance boards (FIGS. 1 and 2) 120, 140, 160: compatible balance boards (FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8) 200: balance boards 300: central processing unit (CPU) 400: display unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The presently disclosed embodiment provides compact balance boards including: a first board having a plate shape; a second board spaced a predetermined distance from a lower portion of the first board and parallel to the first board; a shaft coupled to a bottom portion of the first board or extending in one piece from the bottom portion of the first board; a pivot support connecting the shaft and the second board so as to allow three-dimensional pivotal motions in which the first board or the second board is shaken and rotated; at least one elastic member positioned between the first board and the second board in contact with the first board and the second board so as to provide elasticity for keeping the first board and the second board in parallel to each other; and a sliding member installed on one end portion or both end portions of the elastic member so as to allow the elastic member to be slidingly rotated when the first board or the second board is rotated.
[0040] Hereinafter, preferred aspects of the presently disclosed embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, like reference numerals refer to substantially the same elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations relating to the presently disclosed embodiment will not be presented if it is determined that the descriptions unnecessarily obscure subject matters of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0041] Hereinafter, compact balance boards of the presently disclosed embodiment will be described with reference to
[0042]
[0043] Referring to
[0044] The first board 10 has a plate shape and is placed at an upper side.
[0045] The first board 10 is for a user to ride and is formed of a rigid material to withstand the load of a rider. According to the intended use, the first board 10 may have a shape such as a circular shape, an oval shape elongated in one direction, an elliptical shape, or a tetragonal shape, and when a user rides on the first board 10 and makes a three-dimensional pivotal motion (pivoting) in which the user shakes and rotates his/her body at a predetermined distance from the floor, the first board 10 supports the three-dimensional pivotal motion. For example, the first board 10 may be formed in a shape elongated in one direction like a board such as a snowboard, a skateboard, a surfboard, a wakeboard, or skis so as to sufficiently provide the feeling of riding on such boards, or may be formed in a circular shape for use as an exercising apparatus or for safe use by the elderly and infirm or patients having poor motor ability.
[0046] The second board 50 is installed at a predetermined distance from a bottom portion of the first board 10 in parallel to the first board 10.
[0047] The shaft 20 is coupled to the bottom portion of the first board 10 or extends in one piece from the bottom portion of the first board 10. The bottom portion of the first board 10 may be detachably coupled to the shaft 20 or may be formed in one piece with the shaft 20. In
[0048] The shaft 20 may be detachably coupled to the first board 10 by a method of using bolts. However, it should be understood that the presently disclosed embodiment is not limited to this method. For example, coupling methods using an adhesive, a snap ring, or screws may be used, or a one-piece forming method may be used. It should be understood that these alternative configurations are also included in the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0049] The pivot support 30 connects the shaft 20 and the second board 50 so as to allow a three-dimensional pivotal motion in which the first board 10 placed above the shaft 20 is shaken and rotated.
[0050] The pivot support 30 may have various forms according to coupling between the pivot support 30 and the shaft 20.
[0051] A spherical bearing is illustrated in
[0052] An example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring coupled to the shaft 20 and having a spherical outer surface; and an outer ring having an inner surface spherically in contact with and slidable on the outer surface of the inner ring, the outer ring being fixed to an upper portion of the second board 50. In this case, the inner ring 30a is fixedly coupled to the shaft 20, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0053] Another example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring formed in one piece with the shaft and having a spherical outer surface; and an outer ring having an inner surface spherically in contact with and slidable on the outer surface of the inner ring, the outer ring being provided to an upper portion of the second board. In this case, the inner ring 30a is formed in one piece with the shaft 20, that is, the shaft 20 includes the inner ring 30a, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0054] Another example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring 30a coupled to the shaft 20 and having a spherical outer surface; an outer ring 30b having an inner surface spherically in contact with and slidable on the outer surface of the inner ring 30a; and an outer ring fixing part 40 in which the outer ring 30b is fixedly inserted, the outer ring fixing part 40 being fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50. In this case, the inner ring 30a is fixedly coupled to the shaft 20, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the second board 50 by the outer ring fixing part 40 fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0055] The outer ring fixing part 40 is a member for fixing the outer ring 30b of the pivot support 30 to the second board 50, and the outer ring fixing part 40 may be bolted to the second board 50. However, the presently disclosed embodiment is not limited to bolting the outer ring fixing part 40 to the second board 50. For example, coupling methods using an adhesive, a snap ring, or screws may be used, or a one-piece forming method may be used. It should be understood that these alternative configurations are also included in the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment. In addition, the outer ring fixing part 40 may not be used when the outer ring 30b of the pivot support 30 is fixed to the second board 50 by a direct coupling method, and it should be understood that this alternative configuration is also included in the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0056] Another example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring 30a formed in one piece with the shaft 20 and having a spherical outer surface; an outer ring 30b having an inner surface spherically in contact with and slidable on the outer surface of the inner ring 30a; and an outer ring fixing part which the outer ring 30b is inserted into, the outer ring fixing part being fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50. In this case, the inner ring 30a is formed in one piece with the shaft 20, that is, the shaft 20 includes the inner ring 30a, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the second board 50 by the outer ring fixing part 40 fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0057] Another example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring 30a having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of the shaft 20 and being coupled to the shaft 20; and an outer ring 30b having an inner surface spherically in contact with outer surfaces of insertion solid parts 32c for being rubbed thereon, the insertion solid parts 32c being included on the outer surface of the inner ring 30a, the outer ring 30b being provided to the upper portion of the second board 50. In this case, the inner ring 30a is fixedly coupled to the shaft 20, a pivotal motion is possible owing to the insertion solid parts 32c provided on an outer side of the inner ring 30a, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0058] Another example of the pivot support 30 may include: an inner ring 30a having an inner surface contacting an outer surface of the shaft 20 and fixing the shaft 20; an outer ring 30b having an inner surface spherically in contact with outer surfaces of insertion solid parts for being rubbed thereon, the insertion solid parts being included on the outer surface of the inner ring 30a; and an outer ring fixing part in which the outer ring 30b is fixedly inserted, the outer ring fixing part being fixed to the upper portion of the second board. In this case, the inner ring 30a is fixedly coupled to the shaft 20, a pivotal motion is possible owing to the insertion solid parts 32c provided on an outer side of the inner ring 30a, and the outer ring 30b is fixed to the second board 50 by the outer ring fixing part 40 fixed to the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0059] In this case, the pivot support 30 is configured like a self-aligning or self-centering bearing 32 shown in
[0060] The above-described pivot support 30 of the presently disclosed embodiment is not limited to a spherical bearing, an outer ring bearing, or a self-aligning bearing. It should be understood that the pivot support 30 is included in the presently disclosed embodiment as a spherical motion support coupled to the shaft 20 for allowing a three-dimensional pivotal motion including shaking and rotating motions.
[0061] The second board 50 is coupled to the pivot support 30 directly or by the outer ring fixing part 40 and placed on the floor to support a load while maintaining a constant distance from the first board 10 in a shaft section.
[0062] The elastic member 60 is placed between the first board 10 and the second board 50 in contact with the first board 10 and the second board 50 so as to provide elasticity for maintaining the first board 10 in parallel to the second board 50. At least one elastic member 60 is provided.
[0063] An end portion of the elastic member 60 is fixedly inserted into one of the first board 10 and the second board 50, and a sliding member 60a is provided on the other of the first board 10 and the second board 50 adjacent to the other end portion of the elastic member 60 such that the other end portion of the elastic member 60 may be slidingly rotated when the other of the first board 10 and the second board 50 is rotated. The sliding member 60a is provided on one or both end portions of the elastic member so as to be rotated when the first board 10 is rotated.
[0064] According to the presently disclosed embodiment, as shown in
[0065] In this case, a board coupling part 12a is further provided on a lateral side of one of the first board 10 and the second board 50 such that an additional board such as a snowboard or a skate board may be coupled to an upper portion of one of the first board 10 and the second board 50.
[0066] The additional board 17, 18, or 19 refers to conventional boards having particular uses such as a snowboard or a skateboard or other types of boards having other uses.
[0067] The additional board may be coupled using a clamp such as the board coupling part 12a. In the presently disclosed embodiment, it should be understood that the clamp is not limited to the above-described type. For example, coupling members having various shapes and forms that can be used to couple the additional board 17 to one of the first board 10 and the second board 50 from a lateral side may be included in the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0068] In addition, bolt coupling portions 14a or 16a may be provided to attach the additional board 18 or 19 using bolts.
[0069] In addition, according to the presently disclosed embodiment, the first board 10 may be placed at a lower side, and the second board 50 may be placed at an upper side. That is, the positions and functions of the first board 10 and the second board 50 may be switched.
[0070] In this case, that is, when the positions and functions of the first board 10 and the second board 50 are switched, the additional board 17, 18, or 19 such as a snowboard, a skateboard, or flat board may be coupled to the second board 50 according to user's purposes.
[0071] Hereinafter, balance boards will be described according to another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment with reference to
[0072] Referring to
[0073] The first sensor part 70 senses the movement of the first board or the shaft.
[0074] The second sensor part 80 senses a load applied to the first board.
[0075] The third sensor parts 90 and 91 are attached to an end of the shaft or a position facing the end of the shaft so as sense positional variations of the shaft.
[0076] In addition, referring to
[0077] At this time, sensors of the second sensor part 80 may be individually fixed, or the second sensor part 80 may include separate sensors supported by a well-known sensor supporting method. It should be understood that this alternative configuration is also included within the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0078] The sensor parts include the first, second, and third sensor parts 70, 80, 90, and 91, and sensor auxiliary parts wherein the sensor auxiliary parts include a first sensor part lead-in line 70a, a first sensor part terminal 70b, a second sensor part lead-in line 80a, a second sensor part terminal 80b, third sensor part lead-in lines 90a and 91a, third sensor part terminals 90b and 91b, and pads 90c and 91c.
[0079] Here, the sensor auxiliary parts are examples for arranging the sensor parts, and may be arranged in various well-known manners according to the characteristics of the sensor parts. It should be understood that this alternative configuration is also included in the scope of the presently disclosed embodiment.
[0080] The first sensor part 70 may include one selected from an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor to detect motions or gestures such as the position, orientation, rotation, or tilt of a user when the user moves. As illustrated in
[0081] The first sensor part 70 may include a wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth module, or universal serial bus (USB) cable connector for wireless or wired data communication with a central processing unit (CPU) 300.
[0082] As illustrated in
[0083] Like the first sensor part 70, the second sensor part 80 may include a wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth module, or universal serial bus (USB) cable connector for wireless or wired data communication with a central processing unit (CPU) 300.
[0084] As illustrated in
[0085] The basic mechanism of a position detection sensor for a computer mouse may be applied to the positional variation detection function and configuration of the third sensor parts 90 and 91. The position detection sensor applicable to the presently disclosed embodiment may be the same as a contact type computer ball mouse in which a ball configured to rotate on the reflective pads 90c and 91c facing the third sensor parts 90 and 91 is used to detect positional variations, or may be the same as a non-contact type computer optical mouse in which light is emitted to the reflective pads 90c and 91c facing the third sensor parts 90 and 91 to detect positional variations by sensing reflected light.
[0086] Like the first sensor part 70, the third sensor parts 90 and 91 may include a wireless communication unit such as a Bluetooth module, or universal serial bus (USB) cable connector for wireless or wired data communication with the central processing unit (CPU) 300.
[0087]
[0088] Referring to
[0089]
[0090]
[0091]
[0092] Next, a system using balance boards of the presently disclosed embodiment will be described with reference to
[0093] Referring to
[0094] Signals containing information such as motion information, weight information, or position information of a user is transmitted from a first sensor part 70, a second sensor part 80, and third sensor parts 90 and 91 of the balance boards 200 to the CPU 300 by a wireless or wired communication method.
[0095] The external input device 95 includes: a clicking device such as a mouse or a joystick for selecting an item on the display unit 400 and inputting an execution command; and a keyboard for inputting additional information and execution commands.
[0096] As a user moves, the CPU 300 receives signals from devices such as the external input device 95 and at least one of the first, second, and third sensor parts 70, 80, 90, and 91 of the balance boards 200 so as to process data corresponding to the signals. The display unit 400 outputs information received from the CPU 300. Therefore, a user of the balance boards 200 may correct his/her posture on the first board 10 while watching information on the display unit 400, or may perform various programs such as a fitness program, a training program, a health program, a rehabilitation program, a sport simulation, or a game, and even an computer-aided office job.
[0097]
[0098] Referring to
[0099] The auxiliary elastic member 60b may be inserted under the outer ring 30b and may elastically support vertical shaking of the first board 10 or the second board 50 while being firmly supported on an upper portion of the second board 50. In addition, the auxiliary elastic member 60b may be installed on a base plate 60c additionally provided on the upper portion of the second board 50.
[0100] Owing to this, balance exercise may be performed while feeling vertical shaking enabled by the space between the first board 10 and the second board 50 in addition to the above-described three-dimensional pivotal motion including shaking and rotation, and when the compact balance boards 100 are used for a sport simulation or a sport game, an exercising effect more similar to the real effect of board sports may be obtained, and thus users may be more interested in the sport simulation or game.
[0101] Here, as illustrated in
[0102] Along with this, the second sensor part 80 may detect variations in the weight and center of gravity of the balance boards and a rider when the auxiliary elastic member 60b elastically supports and dampens vertical pitching of the first board 10 or the second board 50. Owing to the first sensor part 70 and the second sensor part 80, exercising effects and interesting effects may be further improved, and in addition, a balance disorder such as a tic disorder may be more accurately detected to maximize curing effects.
[0103] As described above, the balance boards and the system using the balance boards of the presently disclosed embodiment make it possible to feel three-dimensional motions and thus are suitable for balance exercises. In addition, the balance boards and the system may be suitably used according to purposes such as fitness, training, healthcare, rehabilitation, sport simulation, games, or computer-aided office jobs.
[0104] In addition, although a user jerks the boards, a shock-absorbing member may reduce a shock, and since the shaft is not inclined up to a certain angle or greater by supporting sloping of the boards, the boards may be stably used.
[0105] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the presently disclosed embodiment should not be limited to the detailed description but should be defined by the claims.