US20090305853A1

US20090305853A1 - Randomly multidirectional devise and method for using the devise

Info

Publication number: US20090305853A1
Application number: US12/135,188
Authority: US
Inventors: Angela L. Jordan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-08
Filing date: 2008-06-08
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

A randomly multidirectional device can be used for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy. The platform has multiple randomly multidirectional wheels affixed to the bottom. The wheels are capable of supporting any portion of a person's body. An inflatable cushion is attached to the opposite side of the platform. The cushion is capable of supporting a person. A person places a portion of their weight on the device while the user maintains a stable attitude with other portions of their body and moves the device in a lateral direction. The characteristics of the device change with the amount of weight applied, the area of the body supported, and a steering effect created by the multiple randomly multidirectional wheels. The characteristics can be further altered through the simultaneous use of multiple said devices. These characteristics combined with specific movements and patterns comprise the basis for a unique approach for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy, and in particular to resistance devices.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Many devices are know for facilitating or enhancing exercises done for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy. Many of these devices are designed with a specific focus that limits their versatility. Many of the devices that offer a higher-level versatility require significant floor space and financial investment. Many times these devices lack portability. Many of these devices lack the ability to progress to higher degrees of difficulty.
Some exercise devices focus on balance and equilibrium but have limited versatility in facilitating exercises that build muscle throughout the various areas of the body. Other devices focus primarily on resistance and require little agility or balance, limiting the benefits a user can expect. Many of these devices allow the user to master the motions and in some cases “cheat” the exercise, negatively impacting the intended benefits of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device has a main body or platform. The main body or platform is supported on multiple randomly multidirectional wheels. An inflatable cushion covers the entire top surface of the main body or platform.
In use the main body or platform is capable of supporting any portion of the users body. The multiple randomly multidirectional wheels are of a size, design, and placement so as to minimize any tendency of tipping, while creating a steering effect that must be overcome and controlled by the user. The inflatable cushion provides safety, comfort, and a slight destabilizing effect.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided, a method comprising of the steps of placing the wheeled side down and while resting at least a portion of the body on the cushion, controlled lateral movements of the device are employed. These lateral movements can target specific areas of the body and can include but not be limited to simple back and forth movements or circular, rectangular, and figure 8 patterns.
The design of this device utilizes gravity, lateral resistance, and multiple destabilizing features that combine to provide unpredictable random movements that can only be controlled with controlled muscular responses and agility. The random nature of the movements of the device eliminates the possibility of the user learning the device and cheating the intent of the exercise. The device is intended to support only a portion of the body while the user maintains a stable attitude with other portions of their body and moves the device through specific patterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined with attention to the prescribed patterns produces beneficial results relating to strength as well as balance and agility. Numerous exercises can be performed, by varying the position and the expected movement of the device. Advanced users can utilize multiple devices to increase the level of difficulty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device in accordance with the principals of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the device of FIG. 1, showing “B” the cushion that is inflatable and of an elastomeric type material, and “C” a platform that has a substantially circular border, and “D” the multiple randomly multidirectional wheels.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the substantially circular border, although other shapes are contemplated such as a polygon border.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing “D” the multiple randomly multidirectional wheels.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the multiple randomly multidirectional wheels that are affixed to one side in a pattern allowing balanced support of the platform.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show a single device of FIG. 1 being used in a small sampling of exercises. The indicated motions would include horizontal inline moves as well as horizontal patterns such as circles, figure-8s, etc depending on the results expected.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show multiple devices of FIG. 1 being used in a small sampling of advanced exercises. The indicated motions would include horizontal inline moves as well as horizontal patterns such as circles, arcs, rectangles, figure-8s, etc depending on the results expected.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 1, the design of this device utilizes gravity, lateral resistance, and multiple destabilizing features that combine to provide unpredictable random movements that can only be controlled with controlled muscular responses and agility.
As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the device is intended to support only a portion of the body while the user maintains a stable attitude with other portions of their body and moves the device through specific patterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined with attention to the prescribed patterns produces beneficial results relating to strength as well as balance and agility.
As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the device is intended to support only a portion of the body while the user maintains a stable attitude with other portions of their body and moves the device through specific patterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined with attention to the prescribed patterns produces indirect beneficial results relating to core strength in the users body.
Illustrations in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11 represent only a small sampling of the numerous exercises that can be performed, by varying the position and the expected movement of the device.
As illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, advanced users can utilize multiple devices to increase the level of difficulty.
It is understood that, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above statements. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may modified and/or used differently as deemed necessary or convenient, as long as said changes do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A randomly multidirectional device for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy comprising: a supporting platform having multiple randomly multidirectional wheels affixed to one side in a pattern allowing balanced support of the platform and an inflatable cushion attached to the opposite, or top side of the platform.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said platform has a substantially circular or polygon non-directional border.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said cushion is inflatable and of an elastomeric type material.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said multiple randomly multidirectional wheels are affixed to one side in a pattern allowing balanced support of the platform.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said multiple randomly multidirectional wheels are of a nature that they have sufficient size, traction, and design, to create a steering effect that must be overcome and controlled by the user.

6. A method for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy employing a randomly multidirectional device, the method comprising of the steps of placing the wheeled side down and while resting at least a portion of the body on the cushion, controlled lateral movements and/or patterns of the device are employed.

7. A method for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy employing multiple randomly multidirectional devices, the method comprising of the steps of placing the wheeled sides down and while resting at least a portion of the body on the cushions, controlled lateral movements and/or patterns of the devices are employed.