US20030060332A1

US20030060332A1 - Physical exercise balancer

Info

Publication number: US20030060332A1
Application number: US09/962,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Chien Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-26
Publication date: 2003-03-27
Also published as: DE20116701U1

Abstract

A physical exercise balancer has a main post including a telescopic hollow upper beam and lower beam, and a pivotally collected. A handle is removably attached to the top of the upper beam and the lower beam is provided with a number of equally spaced openings so as to permit a pivotal stepping board to be adjustably mounted to the lower beam whereby the balancer can be easily collapsed for storage and carriage and adjusted to meet different purpose in operation. A number of various resilient bases are selectively mounted to the bottom of the lower beam so as to permit the exercise balancer to bounce up and down for fun.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a physical exercise balancer which has a main post including a telescopic hollow upper beam and lower beam, and a pivotally collected. A handle is removably attached to the top of the upper beam and the lower beam is provided with a number of equally spaced openings so as to permit a pivotal stepping board to be adjustably mounted to the lower beam whereby the balancer can be easily collapsed for storage and carriage and adjusted to meet different purpose in operation. A number of various resilient bases are selectively mounted to the bottom of the lower beam so as to permit the exercise balancer to bounce up and down for fun.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional

physical exercise balancer

10 is made up of a vertical post 11 and a horizontal stepping post 12 supported in place by a reinforcement beam 13 that are connected to one another by screws. There are a number of disadvantages associated with such a structure given as below.

1. The

horizontal stepping post

12 is not adjustable with respect to said vertical post 11 according to a user's height.

2. The connection of the posts is effected by screws, resulting in easy damage of its structure in operation and the

stepping post

12 is not safely secured in place to support a user's weight.

3. The

horizontal stepping post

12 is not pivoted in abutment against the vertical post 11 for storage, taking up too much space for storage and difficult for carriage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a physical exercise balancer which can be adjustable of its stepping board vertically to meet different personal needs, making the balancer to be operated in various manners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a physical exercise balancer which has a supporting block adjustably attached to the lower beam in a firm manner so as to retain a horizontally extended stepping board firmly in position and the pivotal stepping board structure is collapsible for storage and carriage with ease.

One further object of the present invention is to provide a physical exercise balancer which is equipped with a plurality of supporting mounts of various design so as to make the balancer suit different personal requirements in operation in one aspect and also make the use and operation of the same interesting in another aspect.

One still further object of the present invention is to provide a physical exercise balancer which has a stepping board provided with a plurality of protruding spots for massage of the foot placed thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a prior art structure; [0010]
FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing the exploded components of the present invention; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram showing the assembly of the present invention; [0012]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the stepping board thereof extended in operation; [0013]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the stepping board thereof collected for storage; [0014]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the exploded components of a second embodiment of the stepping board thereof; [0015]
FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing the assembly of the second embodiment of the stepping board thereof; [0016]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the collection status of the stepping board of the second embodiment; [0017]
FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram showing the universal joint base of a main post of the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 10 is a sectional diagram showing the engagement of the main post with the universal joint base; [0019]
FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram showing the main post equipped with a bent spring plate; [0020]
FIG. 12 is a sectional diagram showing the main post engaged with the spring plate; [0021]
FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram showing the main post equipped with a spring mount; [0022]
FIG. 14 is a sectional diagram showing the assembly of the main post with the spring mount; [0023]
FIG. 15 is a perspective diagram showing the exploded components of the main post engaged with a spring reinforced spring plate; [0024]
FIG. 16 is a sectional diagram showing the operation of the spring reinforced spring plate; [0025]
FIG. 17 is a perspective diagram showing the main post equipped with a balance leg; [0026]
FIG. 18 is a sectional diagram showing the engagement of the main post with the balance leg; [0027]
FIG. 19 is a perspective diagram showing the exploded components of main post engaged with a resilient balancing leg; [0028]
FIG. 20 is a side view of the assembly of the main post with a resilient balancing leg. [0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, the physical exercise balancer comprises a [0030] main post 20 made up of a hollow lower beam 21 and upper beam 22, a plurality of stuffing sleeves 23, a handle 30, a pair of screws 31, a supporting mount 40, a stepping board 41, a pivot shaft 42, a leg base 50.
The hollow [0031] lower beam 21 and the upper beam 22 that can be made in a rectangular or circular section are telescopically associated with each other for adjustment. The lower beam 21 is provided with a number of equally spaced openings 211 on one inner wall of the lower portion thereof. On the outer surface of the lower beam 21 are disposed a plurality of equally spaced retaining holes with a screw hole disposed at the bottom end thereof. The upper beam 22 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced through holes 221 and 222 on both the opposite sides thereof with a proper distance defined between the through holes 221 and 222. There are a plurality of locking sleeves 23 having a threaded central through hole and. On the inner wall of the lower beam 21 are disposed a plurality of protrusion spots (not marked) with which the locking sleeves 23 can be selectively engaged for telescopic adjustment of the upper beam 21 according to a height of a user. The handle 30 having an axial through hole 301 for attachment to the top end of the upper beam 22 are provided with a lateral through hole 302 and 303 at the top and bottom end thereof for securing the handle 30 to the top end of the upper beam 22 by way of screws 31. The supporting mount 40 has a central hole 401 slightly larger than the outer dimension of the lower beam 21 and two pivot lugs 402 disposed at the front thereof and having a pivot hole thereon respectively. On the top surface of each pivot lug 402 is defined a retaining groove 404. Between the pivot lugs 402 is defined a dodge cavity 403 in communication with the interior of the supporting mount 40. The stepping board 41 has a plurality massage protrusion spots 411 on the top surface and a pivot joint 412 as well as a rectangular supporting block 413 which can engage with the lower edge of the opening 211 for supporting purpose. On the external face of each side of the pivot joint 412 is disposed a retaining projector 414. The stepping board 41 is pivotally mounted to the supporting mount 40 as a whole by way of the pivot shaft 42 which is led through the pivot lugs 402 of the supporting mount 40 and the pivot joint 412 and retained in place at the rear end thereof so as to permit the supporting mount 40 and the stepping board 41 pivotally joined together to be selectively engaged with one of the openings 211 of the lower beam 21. The leg base 50 having a slipper proof pad 51 is secured to the bottom of the lower beam 21 in assembly.
Referring to FIG. 4, note, in operation the supporting mount [0032] 4 is mounted to the lower beam 21 and in selective engagement with one of the openings 211 and the stepping board 41 is forced to pivot about the pivot shaft into a perpendicular position with respect to the lower beam 21. In the pivot operation, the supporting block 413 is first located at a distance of the lower edge of the opening 211 so that the stepping board 41 can be pivoted downwardly for use. Afterwards, the supporting mount 40 is forced to move down along the lower beam 21, making the supporting block 413 in abutment against the lower edge of the opening 211 for use, as shown in FIG. 5. To collect the pivoted stepping board 41, the supporting mount 40 is lifted up in a reverse manner on the lower beam 21 so as to permit the stepping board 41 to be pivoted into a vertical position with the retaining projectors 414 in retaining engagement with the retaining grooves 404 of the supporting mount 40 to hold the stepping board 41 in place for storage.
Referring to FIG. 6, the second embodiment is illustrated. Basically speaking, the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, only the [0033] stepping board 41′ is placed on the side of the main post 20, i.e., a user is standing on the stepping board 41′ with the main post 20 located on his or her right hand side instead of the front side as shown in the first embodiment.
The difference in the first embodiment and the second embodiment lies in the supporting [0034] mounts 40 and 40′. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the supporting mount 40′ has a limiting block 413′ on the pivot joint 412′. On the pivot lugs 402′ are disposed countersunk holes 404′ for passage of the pivot shaft 42′. On the front face of the supporting mount 40′ are disposed a retaining hole 405′ and a positioning bore 406′. The retaining hole 405′ is designed for engagement with the limiting block 413′ of the supporting mount 40′ and the positioning bore 406′ is used for holding a V-shaped resilient retaining piece 43′ having an engagement head 431′ at the front thereof On the inner surface of the pivot lugs 402′ are disposed a retaining cavity 407′ respectively for holding the ends of the V-shaped resilient retaining piece 43′. The elements identical to those disclosed in the first embodiment are not repeatedly described and they are marked with the same numerals plus a prime mark.
As shown in FIG. 7, the stepping [0035] board 41′ is pivotally engaged with the supporting mount 40′ by way of the pivot shaft 42′. The limiting block 413′ passing through the retaining hole 405′ is engaged with one of the opening 211 of the lower beam 21. The V-shaped resilient retaining piece 43′ is also engaged with the supporting mount 40′ with the retaining head 431′ registered with the positioning bore 406′ and further with one of the through hole 213 of the lower beam 21 and the ends of the retaining piece 43′ engaged with the retaining cavities 407′ respectively.
In practical operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the stepping [0036] board 41′ is pivoted into and retained at a normal position with respect to the lower beam 21 in the manner as described above. Then the stepping board 41′ can be easily pivoted into a vertical position, in abutment with the lower beam 21 for storage by first lifting up the supporting mount 40′ to free the limiting block 413′ of the opening 211 of the lower beam and pushing the stepping board upwardly. At the same time, the retaining head 431′ of the V-shaped resilient retaining piece 43′ are separated from the through hole 213 of the lower beam 21 to permit the stepping board to be collected in a vertical position.
Referring to FIG. 9, a universal [0037] joint unit 60 is secured to the bottom of the lower beam 21. It is made up of a universal joint 61 and a joint base 62. The universal joint 61 of a stepwise structure with a ball 611 disposed at the bottom thereof On one side of the universal joint 61 is disposed a screw hole for locking the universal joint 61 to the lower beam 21, as shown in FIG. 10. The joint base 62 has a ball-shaped cavity 621 with which the ball 611 of the joint 61 can be engaged in assembly. The underside of the joint base 62 has a slipproof sticker 622. The joint ball 611 engaged with the cavity 621 of the base permits the lower beam 21 to be oriented in a universal manner.
Referring to FIG. 11, a [0038] spring support 70 is secured to the bottom of the lower beam 21 of the main post 20. The spring support 70 is made up of a C-shaped spring plate 71 of high elasticity and a slipproof sticker 72 disposed at the underside of the projected end thereof and is fixed to the bottom of the lower beam 21 by a screw, as shown in FIG. 12. Thus, the main post 20 can be resiliently supported by the spring support 70 when a user bounce up and down at any angles.
Referring further to FIG. 13, the [0039] lower beam 21 of the main post 20 can be engaged with another spring table 70 a made of a closed resilient plate 72 a having a stepwise connector 71 a secured to the central summit of the spring table 70 a by a spring, as shown in FIG. 14. A slipproof sticker 721 a is secured to the underside of the spring table 70 a. The spring table 70 a is fixed to the lower beam 21 by a screw engaged with the stepwise connector 71 a thereof. Thereby the same resilient effect can be obtained as in the previous embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 15, the [0040] lower beam 21 can be engaged with a c-shaped spring board 70 b made of a stepwise connector 71 b having a screw hole 711 b at the underside thereof and a bent plate 72 b with a compression spring 721 b disposed between the upper and lower plate sections of the bent plate 72 b. On the upper plate section are disposed a plurality of pairs of locking holes 722 b. A slipproof sticker 723 b is attached to the underside of the lower plate section of the bent plate 72 b. In assembly, the upper plate section of the bent plate 72 b is secured to the stepwise connector 71 b by screws selectively registering with a pair of the locking holes 722 b, depending on the weight of a user. The connector 71 b is fixed near to the bending of the bent plate 72 b when a user is heavy and away from the bending as the user is light in weight.
Referring to FIG. 17, the [0041] lower beam 21 of the main post 20 can be engaged with an inverted Z-shaped support leg 80 having a connector 81 at the top end and an slipproof sticker 82 at the bottom end thereof. The support leg 80 is secured to the bottom of the lower beam by a screw, as shown in FIG. 18.
Referring to FIG. 19, the [0042] lower beam 21 can be alternatively engaged with a resilient supporting assembly 90 including a connector block 91 having a pair of threaded locking holes 912, a pair of symmetric upper and lower L-shaped units 92, 93 that are pivotally connected together by way of a pivot shaft with a rod mounted spiral spring 96 obliquely located therebetween, as shown in FIG. 20. The connector block 91 has a ditch 911 and two threaded locking holes 912. The upper unit 92 has a dodge opening 923 extending to the right end and an axial slot 921 disposed at the front end and a pivot connector 922 at the bottom end of the vertical extension thereof At the right end of the upper unit 92 is disposed a countersunk hole 924 extending from one end to the other end through the dodge opening 923. The spiral spring 96 has a flat connection end 961 disposed at the end of the dodge opening 923 so as to permit a bolt led through the countersunk hole 924 for pivotal retaining of the spiral spring 96. A ball ended balance rod 94 is disposed at the front end of the dodge opening lower unit 93. The other end 961 of the spiral spring 96 is pivotally locked to the other end of the dodge opening 933 of the lower unit 93. A slipproof sticker 95 is disposed at the underside of the lower unit 93. A countersunk hole 934 is disposed at the end of the dodge opening 933. The vertical section of the lower beam 93 is terminated with a pivot lugs 931 each having a countersunk hole 932 for passage of a bolt leading through the countersunk hole 932 of the lower unit 93 and the pivot connector 922 of the upper unit 92. The connector block 91 directly engaged with the lower beam 21 is secured to the upper unit 92 by way of two bolts leading through the slot 921. The position of the spiral spring 96 can be adjusted according to a user's weight.
There are a number of advantages associated with the present invention and given as below. [0043]
1. The supporting [0044] mount 40 and the stepping board 41, 41′ can be adjusted on the lower beam 21 of the main post 20 by selective engagement with an opening 211 on the lower beam 21.
2. The supporting [0045] block 413 or 413′ permits the stepping board 41 or 41′ to be supported in a more secure and stable manner as a result of the tip and bottom thereof engaged with the edge and wall of the opening 211 of the lower beam 21 in operation.
3. The [0046] lower beam 21 of the main post 20 can be engaged with various supporting means 50 (or 60, 70, 70 a, 70 b, 80 and 90) according to the requirement of a user. 4. The protrusion spots 411, 411′ on the stepping board 41, 41′ offer a massage effect to users.
5. The [0047] upper beam 22 can be pushed downwardly and the stepping board 41, 41′ is pivotally vertically for storage purpose.

Claims

I claim:

1. A physical exercise balancer comprising:

a main post including an upper beam and a lower beam;

said upper beam and said lower beam being telescopically adjusted with each other;

said lower beam having a plurality of retaining means;

a handle removably attached to a top end of said upper beam:

a supporting mount adjustably mounted onto said lower beam by engaging with said retaining means of said lower beam;

a stepping board in pivotal engagement with said supporting mount as a whole, being retractably put in a vertical or horizontal position with respect to said supporting mount for storage or in operation;

said stepping board having an engagement means in engagement with said retaining means of said lower beam for firmly supporting said stepping board in position a base having a slipproof pad being secured to a bottom end of said lower beam;

whereby said supporting mount as well as said stepping board is adjustably retained in position by said retaining means of said lower beam according to a user's height.

2. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said

3. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base attached to the bottom of said lower beam is a universal joint having a ball shaped universal joint and a base having a ball shaped cavity for receiving said ball shaped universal joint and a slipproof sticker.

4. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base attached to the bottom of said lower beam is a C-shaped spring plate having a short upper section and a long lower section with a slipproof sticker attached to an underside of one end of said long lower section.

5. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is an oval shaped spring table made of a closed resilient plate having a slipproof sticker secured to an underside of said spring table.

6. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base attached to the bottom of said lower beam is a C-shaped spring plate having an upper section and a lower section connected to each other at a bending and a compression spring is fixed between said upper section and said lower section, on said upper section are disposed a plurality of locking holes so as to enable said spring plate to be engaged with a stepwise connector, permitting said C-shaped spring plate to be selectively secured to the bottom of said lower beam at various positions according to a user's weight; a slipproof sticker is attached to an underside of said lower section at the end thereof.

7. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is an inverted Z-shaped leg which is equipped with a stepwise connector at one end engaged with the bottom of said lower beam and a slipproof sticker at an underside of an opposite end.

8. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stepping board is provided with a plurality of massage protrusion spots thereon.

9. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is equipped with a pair of L-shaped units, an upper unit and a lower unit, that are pivotally connected to each other at one end with a post mounted spiral spring obliquely located between said upper unit and said lower unit; at one end near a pivot joint of said upper unit is disposed a slot for variably locating locking bolts at different positions used to secure said joint upper unit and said lower unit to a connector and further to the bottom of said lower beam; each end of said post mounted spiral spring is selectively engaged with an axially defined dodge opening on said upper and lower units according to a users weight.

10. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said supporting mount integrally engaged with said stepping board is adjustably engaged with said lower beam with a side thereof pivotally engaged with said supporting mount; a V-shaped resilient wire disposed between said supporting mount and said stepping board is removably fixed to said supporting mount.

11. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stepping board is engaged with said supporting mount in a pivotal manner at a front end thereof with an extended supporting block disposed at said front end of said supporting board.

12. The physical exercise balancer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retaining means of said lower beam are a plurality of openings with one of which said supporting block disposed at the front end or a side of said stepping board is selectively engaged for adjustment in a firm and stable manner; on said upper beam are disposed a plurality of through holes with which corresponding locking sleeves are engaged so as to permit said upper beam to be telescopically adjusted by said locking sleeves selectively engaged with a plurality of protrusion spots defined on an inner wall of said lower beam.