Apparatus for exercise and balance training
The present application is directed to a balance board upon which a user may exercise, conduct balance training and do tricks. The balance board comprises a body member with at least two separate balancing surfaces extending from the lower surface with a discontinuity between each separate balancing surface. A first balancing surface is provided by a hub member and a second balancing surface is provided by one or more nub members. These balancing surfaces facilitate the capability of a variety of new balance and strengthening exercises.
1. An apparatus for a user to balance upon on a contacting surface, comprising:
a body member bound by an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumscribing edge surface;
a hub member fastened and extending from said lower surface, said hub member having an outer hub surface with a hub apex;
at least one nub member fastened and extending from said lower surface, said at least one nub member having an outer nub surface, said at least one nub member located between said hub member and said circumscribing edge surface, each nub member spaced apart from said hub member; and
wherein said outer nub surface is raised relative to the contacting surface when said body member is balanced on said hub apex, wherein said body member is fixed to move with said outer hub surface, wherein said body member has a first vertical plane of symmetry, wherein said body member has a second vertical plane of symmetry, wherein said hub member has a continuously curving hub radius of curvature in said first and second vertical planes of symmetry.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said body member has an elongated direction defining two opposing ends and two opposing lateral edges.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 , where said two opposing ends are up turned away from the contacting surface.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said body member has a first body radius of curvature, wherein said first body radius of curvature curves away from said hub member.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein said body member has an elongated direction; wherein said first body radius of curvature is along said elongated direction.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein said body member has a second body radius of curvature that curves away from said hub member, said second body radius of curvature perpendicular to said first body radius of curvature.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 , further comprising a deck member stacked upon said upper surface with a deck gap there between.
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein said deck member is flat.
9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said upper surface has a complimentary shape to said lower surface.
10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member is centrally located to said body member.
11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member is offset from the center of said body member.
12. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member is removably fastened to said body member.
13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member has a location that is movably adjustable along said lower surface.
14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one nub member is removably fastened to said body member.
15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one nub member has a location that is movably adjustable along said lower surface.
16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said outer hub surface has a hub radius of curvature, wherein said outer nub surface has a nub radius of curvature, wherein said hub radius of curvature is different in magnitude than said nub radius of curvature.
17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , including two or more nub members.
18. An apparatus for a user to balance upon on a contacting surface, comprising:
a body member bound by an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumscribing edge surface, said body member having a first vertical plane of symmetry, said lower surface defining a first lower surface radius of curvature within said first vertical plane of symmetry, said first lower surface radius of curvature curves towards said upper surface, said body member having a second vertical plane of symmetry, said lower surface defines a second lower radius of curvature within said second vertical plane of symmetry, said second lower surface radius of curvature curves towards said upper surface;
a hub member extending from said lower surface; and
at least one nub member extending from said lower surface, each said nub member located between said hub member and said circumscribing edge surface.
19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 , wherein said body member has an elongated direction defining two opposing ends and two opposing lateral edges.
20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein said first vertical plane of symmetry bisects said body member between said two opposing lateral edges.
21. An apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein said second vertical plane of symmetry bisects said body member between said two opposing ends.
22. An apparatus for a user to balance upon on a contacting surface, comprising:
a body member bound by an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumscribing edge surface, said body member having a hub apex, said lower surface defining a first lower contact radius of curvature in a first vertical plane, said first lower contact radius of curvature curves towards said upper surface;
a first discontinuity in said first lower contact radius of curvature, wherein said lower surface is depressed towards said upper surface between said apex and said circumscribing edge surface; and
wherein said lower surface further comprises a second lower contact radius of curvature perpendicular to said first contact radius of curvature, wherein said second lower contact radius of curvature curves towards said upper surface.
23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22 , wherein said upper surface defines a first upper radius of curvature in said first vertical plane, said first upper radius of curvature curves away opposite from said lower surface.
24. An apparatus as recited in claim 23 , wherein said upper surface further comprises a second upper radius of curvature perpendicular to said first upper radius of curvature, wherein said second upper radius of curvature curves away opposite from said lower surface.
25. An apparatus as recited in claim 22 , wherein said lower surface is depressed towards said upper surface between said hub apex and said circumscribing edge surface at two or more locations.
26. An apparatus as recited in claim 22 , wherein said body member has an elongated direction that defines two opposing ends and two opposing lateral edges.
27. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said body member is fixed to move with said outer hub member in all directions.
28. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member has a single point of contact when contacting the contacting surface.
29. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said hub member is rigid.
30. An apparatus for a user to balance upon on a contacting surface, comprising:
a body member bound by an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumscribing edge surface, said body member having a first vertical plane of symmetry, said lower surface defining a first lower surface radius of curvature within said first vertical plane of symmetry, said first lower surface radius of curvature concave curves towards said upper surface, further comprising a second vertical plane of symmetry, wherein said lower surface defines a second lower surface radius of curvature within said second vertical plane of symmetry, said second lower surface radius of curvature curves towards said upper surface, and a hub member extending from said lower surface.
31. An apparatus for a user to balance upon on a contacting surface, comprising:
a body member bound by an upper surface, a lower surface and a circumscribing edge surface;
a hub member fastened and extending from said lower surface, said hub member having an outer hub surface with a hub apex;
at least one nub member fastened and extending from said lower surface, said at least one nub member having an outer nub surface, said at least one nub member located between said hub member and said circumscribing edge surface, each nub member spaced apart from said hub member; and
wherein said outer nub surface is raised relative to the contacting surface when said body member is balanced on said hub apex, wherein said body member is fixed to move with said outer hub surface, wherein said outer hub surface is a continuously curving nonsymmetrical balance surface.