US20130296147A1

US20130296147A1 - Sk8fit - The Safe Indoor Board - Interactive Gaming System

Info

Publication number: US20130296147A1
Application number: US13/464,947
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick Cruz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-04
Filing date: 2012-05-04
Publication date: 2013-11-07

Abstract

A balance board comprising of a top side and lower side (1) to support a user, a centralized detachable hemisphere like balance ball (7) with rounded surface that is affixed to the lower side of the balance board (1) and sits on top side of stationary base (8). When downward pressure is applied to the center balance ball (7) via balance board (4), the stationary base absorbs tension thus allowing a spring like jumping motion needed for skilled tricks. Additionally placed to the right and left of the center balance ball you will see two omnidirectional orbital pivots that allow 360 rotations and assist with board rotation. A spring like body within orbital pivot will assist mimic pressure needed for jumping/balance tricks (Ollie). When board in is fixed position, it maximized full balance and gravity. Gravitational placement is based on foot positioning.

Description

RELATED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS


Application
Number	Filing Date	Pat. No.	Issue Date

11/493,243	Jul. 26, 2006	7,357,768 B2	Apr. 15, 2008
12/304,713	Jul. 15, 2007	8,062,199	Nov. 22, 2011
11/373,231	Mar. 10, 2006	7,488,177	Feb. 10, 2009
10/622,267	Jul. 17, 2003	7,247,026	Jul. 24, 2007
09/175,922	Oct. 20, 1998	6,413,197	Jul. 2, 2002
20070027010	Jul. 26, 2006		Feb. 1, 2007

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which has not been filed previously

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to proprioception, enhancement devices, and more particularly to balance training. This invention also has the ability to house interactive sensors for interactive gaming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sk8Fit was created to assist in the promotion of health awareness thru safety constraints for the skating industry providing a safe and structured gateway to the sport of Skateboarding that parents will love. Provides a realistic feel to allow all users regardless of skill-set and age to have fun through product use. The device conditions muscles throughout the whole body thus assisting with proprioception. It promotes balance and satisfaction coordination. It is a primary building block in the human's ability to learn, repeat, and become comfortable with so many movements throughout life. Sk8Fit leverages the “Newton's Theory” of Universal Gravitation and places counter restrictions thus allowing a more controlled learning and safer environment Skateboarding injuries occur most often in the first week of participating in the sport due to lack of balance, confidence and incorrect technique. This product is the true “safe board” parents can feel comfortable in purchasing to pre-train and learn the necessary skill sets to excel in the sport. Physical Therapy and use of the Sk8Fit as Gym Equipment-Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Keeping engaged and exercising may stimulate the growth of nerve/muscles which help with the overall recovery process. Sk8Fit engages its user ensuring a good cardiovascular workout which helps tone and strengthens muscle. The challenge of balance encourages muscular stabilization by improving core strength which is proprioception. A child's development for motor skills and balancing skills typically begin horn 16-18 months. Good balancing skills arc critical for many sporting movements for later use. It is the foundation from which your child will build many movement patterns upon.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Sk8Fit is a training device and interactive gaming system that enables a person to practice, learn, and master various movements and tricks. This device is 100% stationary and allows controlled learning in the safest environment possible while remaining in a safe controlled atmosphere. There have been other devices that made attempts to simulate and recreate the feel of riding a skateboard and mimic its tricks but have been very unsuccessful. These devices have proven effective in one facet but none of these devices have allowed for some of the most basic moves to be simulated and recreated in a generally stationary practice location. The Sk8fit does.
The balance board on U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,767 has a fulcrum that slides on a affixed rail unlike the referenced balance board that has the center balance ball with compression capabilities. Furthermore FIG. 4 Reference #12 are only end stops that are non-functional orbits that are omnidirectional in which this new innovation encompasses.
The balance board on U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,199 has similar characteristics and functionality to U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,767. It does not hold any similar traits nor claims aside from being referenced as a balance board.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,177 resembles a balance board more suitable for ski and surf training. Referenced as FIG. 6 #22 and #30 shows the functionality of the board pivoting side to side ONLY unlike the said invention that has the ability to pivot side to side, front to back using omnidirectional pivots, and ability to jump using compression like spring capabilities to assist with real like jumping movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,026 uses a similar top side board that the user stands on. It lacks the important parts which assist in proving the realistic feel of maneuvering on a normal skateboard. The uniqueness of the center orbital, omnidirectional pivots and base to assist with the skateboard experience for training and perfecting.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,026 uses similar teetering dynamics of having the center member axis (16) balance the torsion boards both front and rear lips off the ground. This although does not allow for board rotation nor tricks that requires jumping in which this new innovation does.
Similar to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,357,767 and 8,062,199, US Application No. 20070027010 has a fulcrum that slides on a affixed rail.
Again, Sk8Fit is designed to provide a user with the ability to practice skate-like techniques and train those particular muscle groups safely that will he utilized and implemented in the actions of riding a skateboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination of balance training board and interactive gaming device. Sk8Fit is an innovative product that helps promote user balance and coordination while having fun through the experience. It is intended to serve as a base platform and gateway to learning the necessary skill sets to the sport of Skateboarding. Sk8Fit is compact with a modern sleek customizable look that can be used as a living room, bedroom and/or dorm decorative piece that is cool yet functional. The Sk8Fit can also been enhanced for interactive gaming with its strategic placed sensors and compression plates. The Sk8fi's device is made up of (1) Sk8Fit universal pre-drilled customizable deck, (2) Sk8Fit customizable trucks with compression spring and orbital pivot (ball joint) w/optional sensor for interactive gaming, (1) Sk8Fit customizable balance ball (orbital) with compression spring and internal bearings w/optional sensor for interactive gaming, (1) Sk8fit customizable base which includes two large trucks with attached balance plate (where balance hall Is housed). See description drawings. Sk8Fit has a top side, underside, and base. The underside is arranged where the detachable orbital center balance ball rests on the Sk8fit's customizable base. To the right and kit of the center orbital hall lies Sk8Fit's customizable truck with orbital pivot housing, ball and compression spring. The center ball separates the two trucks making two individual equilibrium positional points. One side is stable, while the other is unstable offering a teetering yet safe experience. When the two trucks containing the small pivotal balls are not touching the ground and you are solely balancing on the center orbital bail which lies on the base, you are folly balancing. By applying pressure on one side of Sk8fit's deck engaging Sk8fits customizable truck with pivot; compression spring coils and uncoils thus giving a jump like “Ollie” motion. This jump like motion with practice will build self-confidence, balance, strength, and muscle memory to graduate to more complex tricks such as a kick flip. By balancing on the center ball and making the Sk8Fit board sum 180 degrees or more under their feet, user can gain confidence in executing Shove-It tricks. There are many variations of the Shove-it but they all follow the same principle: The user lead foot stays in one spot, and their hack foot docs the shove. By applying pressure on the pivot ball and adding the “shove-it” principal, users will learn the pop-shove it. These movements when practiced become the essential movements for the sport of skateboarding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the orbital pivot housing (1) which holds the internal compression like spring. (2) Identifies the predrilled holes on the top side of the pivot housing that affixes to the bottom side of the balance board deck (4). (3) Identifies the orbital pivot ball that assist with the omnidirectional movement when in the orbital pivot housing (1)

FIG. 2 is a right side view of one of the orbital pivot housings (1). The orbital pivot ball (3) fits directly into the orbital pivot housing (1)

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the orbital pivot housing (1). The broken line signifies bow two housing parts (1) connect and how the orbital pivot bail (3) is inserted for placement.

FIG. 4 is the top view of the orbital pivot housing (1). (2) Identifies the predrilled holes used to affix the orbital pivot housing to the bottom side of the balance board deck (4)

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the balance board deck (4) which consist of a raised end nose (5) and tail (6). (3) Identifies the orbital pivot ball affixed to the deck (4). (7) Identifies the center balance ball with internal compression springs (7 a)

FIG. 6 is a side view of the balance board (4) with affixed orbital pivot housing (1), orbital pivot ball (3), center balance ball (7), and compression spring within housing (7 a)

FIG. 7 is the top view of the balance board (4). It calls out the nose (5) and tail (6) of the said balance board deck (4). (2) Signifies the predrilled holes

FIG. 8 is the rear view of the balance board deck (4) affixed to the orbital pivot ball (3) with said housing (1). The center balance ball (7) is also affixed to the deck (4) via compression spring housing (7 a)

FIG. 9 is a top view of the base that holds and assists the assembled invention to balance off of the ground and based on user movements. (8) Signifies the base plate, (9) is the truck that holds the wheel (10). The wheel (10) has ¼ of the wheel removed giving a flat surface to assist with stability

FIG. 10 is a side view of the base. (8) Identifies the base plate m which the center balance ball (7) sits on when in use. (9) Signifies the truck in which holds the wheel (10) in place

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the base hot calls out (8) the base plate, truck (9) which holds the wheel (10) and shock absorber (11) to assist with alleviating too much pressure which also gives some compression

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the base. It identifies the wheel (10) which is affixed to the truck (9) which is also to the base plate (10)

FIG. 13 is the top view of the complete balance board deck (4) with base (8) that shows the wheels (10)

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the balance board (4) sitting on top of the base (8). The raised deck lip can be (5) or (6) for example sake. Noted also is the shock absorber (11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing (1) and pivot orbital bail (3)

FIG. 15 is a side view of the balance board (4) with raised deck lip (5 and 6) sitting on top of the base (8). Noted also is the shock absorber (11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing (1) and pivot orbital ball (3)

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the balance board (4) with raised deck lip (5 and 6) sitting on top of the base (8). Noted also is the shock absorber (11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing (1) and pivot orbital ball (3).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a combination of the Sk8Fit board and optional interactive gaming system. The device allows user to improve their balance, muscular coordination and timing while simulating various maneuvers which are commonly performed in sport of skateboarding. SK8fit simulates the actual movements of a requited to execute flawless tricks with landing proportion when placed upon a board and engaged in the actual skateboarding action.
Sk8Fit has a top side, underside, and base referred to as the deck (1). The underside is arranged where the detachable orbital center balance ball (7) rests on the Sk8fit's customizable base (8). To the right and left of the center orbital ball lies Sk8Fit's customizable track with orbital pivot housing, ball and compression spring (1). The balance ball (7) separates the two orbital pivots and housing (1) making two individual equilibrium positional points. One side is stable, while the other is unstable offering a teetering yet safe experience. When the two trucks (1) containing die small pivotal balls are not touching the ground and you are solely balancing on the center balance ball (7) which lies on the base (8), you are rally balancing. By applying pressure on one side of Sk8fit's deck (4) engaging Sk8fits customizable truck with pivot; compression spring within pivot housing (1) coils and uncoils thus giving a jump like “Ollie” motion. This jump like motion with practice will build self-confidence, balance, strength, and muscle memory to graduate to more complex tricks such as a kick flip. By balancing on the center balance ball (7) and making the Sk8Fit hoard (4) spin 180 degrees or more under their feet, user can gain confidence in executing Shove-It tricks. There are many variations of the Shove-it bet they all follow the same principle: The user lead foot stays in one spot, and their back foot does the shove. By applying pressure on the trucks/ball/and base (8) and adding the “shove-it” principal, users will learn the pop-shove it. These movements when practiced become the essential movements for the sport of skateboarding.
Optional Interactive Gaming Sensors are to be located on orbital pivot housing (1), base (8) and inside the center balance ball (7).

Claims

I claim:

1. A balance board (1) comprising of a top side, lower side, first end and a second end to support a user

2. A balance board as in accordance with claim 1 in which is made up of any hard composite material for durability such as wood or hard plastic

3. A balance board as in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a centralized detachable hemisphere like balance ball (7) with rounded surface that is affixed to the lower side of the balance board (1) and sits on top side of stationary base (8) to maximize mobility

4. A balance board as in accordance with claim 3 allows balance board to rotate

5. A balance board as in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a stationary base (8) that houses balance board via center balance ball

6. When downward pressure is applied to the center balance ball (7) via balance board (4), the stationary base absorbs tension via shock absorber (11) thus allowing a spring like jumping motion needed for skilled tricks

7. A balance board as in accordance with claim 1 further comprising two strategically placed omnidirectional orbital pivots (1) outside of to assist with board rotational speed. A spring like body within orbital pivot will assist mimic pressure needed for jumping/balance tricks (Ollie). When board in is fixed position (FIG. 15), it maximized foil balance and gravity. Gravitational placement Is based on foot positioning

8. A balance board as claimed in claim 1 where interactive sensor for gaming is optional but not required for manual use