WO2008016202A1

WO2008016202A1 - A health air board

Info

Publication number: WO2008016202A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chan Mo Jung
Original assignee: Chan Mo Jung
Priority date: 2006-08-04
Filing date: 2006-11-03
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: KR100638520B1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a health air board for exercising. The health air board includes a shock absorbing plate attached to the upper surface of a board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit attached to each corner of the lower surface of the board frame. The air shock absorbing unit has a main body defining an air chamber. A plurality of anti-slip protrusions is formed on the lower surface of a bottom tube, and a plurality of air circulation holes is formed in the upper surface of a frame supporting part to allow the interior and exterior of the main body to communicate with each other. Further, inner and outer circulation holes are formed in the inner and outer portions of an air circulation chamber to communicate with each other, and a control means is provided in either of the inner or outer circulation hole to control the flow of air.

Description

Description A HEALTH AIR BOARD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates generally to a health air board for exercising, for repeatedly executing jumping and landing, and which absorbs shocks generated during exercise, using air pressure, thus mitigating the shocks.

[2] More particularly, the present invention relates to a health air board, which is constructed so that a shock absorbing plate is integrally attached to the upper surface of a tetragonal board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit is attached to each corner of the lower surface of the board frame. The air shock absorbing unit has a main body defining therein an air chamber which is open at the top. A plurality of anti-slip protrusions is formed on the lower surface of a bottom tube of the main body with regular intervals therebetween, and a plurality of air circulation chambers is formed in the upper surface of a frame supporting part of the main body with regular intervals therebetween to allow the interior and exterior of the main body to communicate with each other. Further, an inner circulation hole and an outer circulation hole are formed in the inner portion and the outer portion of each air circulation chamber to communicate with each other, and a control piece is provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole to control the flow of air into and out of the air chamber when exercise, such as jumping and landing, is conducted.

Background Art

[3] Equipment allowing a person to exercise by repeatedly jumping and landing, like the health air board for exercising according to the present invention, has already been developed. Representative examples of such equipment are disclosed in Korean U.M. (Utility Model) Registration No. 20-298847, U.M. Registration No. 20-379046, U.M. Registration No. 20-385431, U.M. Registration No. 20-421118, and Patent No. 10-446588.

[4] Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-298847 discloses "air footboard for exercising."

The air footboard according to the cited document includes a base plate. A shock absorbing support unit is provided on each corner of the bottom of the base plate, thus absorbing shocks applied to the air footboard. The shock absorbing support unit includes a main body which is open at the top thereof and has air circulation holes in the upper surface thereof at regular intervals. An air control member having flanges at regular intervals is fitted into the upper portion of the main body. A disc-shaped cover is attached to the air control member.

[5] When a person exercises and applies shocks to the air footboard (jump and landing), outside air is drawn into or discharged from the main body through the air circulation holes bored through the upper end of the main body, and thus the main body is expanded and contracted, thereby absorbing shocks. However, since the flanges of the air control member are present in the air circulation holes, the circulation of the air is not smooth. When the air is not circulated smoothly, that is, when an insufficient quantity of air is discharged from the air footboard, the shock absorbing support unit is not completely compressed, and thus it may shake or be deformed. When the shock absorbing support unit shakes or is deformed, a person may be injured (may sprain his or her ankles) while exercising.

[6] Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-379046 discloses "memory-foam shock absorbing footboard for exercising." The footboard includes a tetragonal base plate. A shock absorbing support unit is attached to each corner of the bottom of the base plate. The shock absorbing support unit includes a main body (housing) which is open at the bottom thereof. A coil spring is embedded in the wall of the main body. A groove and an air circulation hole are formed in the outer circumference of the main body and on the lower end thereof, respectively. A sponge is disposed in the main body. When the main body is compressed by shocks, the coil spring and the sponge are compressed together, thus absorbing shocks.

[7] However, if the supporting ability of the coil spring embedded in the wall of the main body is weak, the main body may be broken by repeated and continuous shocks, and thus the coil spring may be exposed to the outside. The coil spring and the sponge are compressed, thus enabling sufficient mitigation of the shocks. However, when the elastic force of the coil spring and the sponge is excessively large, the coil spring and the sponge cannot efficiently absorb the shocks. Further, after the footboard has been used for a lengthy period of time, the elastic force of the coil spring and the sponge is decreased, so that the coil spring and the sponge cannot efficiently absorb the shocks, and thus do not perform their function. Since the footboard has a complicated structure, it is not easy to manufacture the footboard, and the manufacturing cost of the footboard is high.

[8] Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-385431 discloses "air footboard for exercising."

According to the cited document, the footboard includes a tetragonal base plate. A shock absorbing support unit is mounted (attached) to each corner of the bottom of the base plate. The shock absorbing support unit may comprise an integrated main body in which a coil spring is embedded. Alternatively, the shock absorbing support unit may include a fixed body and a movable body, which are separately manufactured and assembled with each other, with a coil spring provided in the fixed body and the movable body. When a person starts to exercise, the coil spring is compressed and contracted along with the main body, or the movable body is detachably inserted into the fixed body, so that the coil spring is compressed and contracted. In this way, shocks are absorbed.

[9] However, when the coil spring is embedded in the main body, and the strength of the material of the main body and the coil spring embedded in the main body is high, the shock absorbing ability becomes poor, so that the coil spring embedded in the main body cannot efficiently perform the function of the shock absorbing support unit, and the shocks may affect the ankles and knees of an exercising person. Meanwhile, in the case where the coil spring is provided in the fixed body and movable body, which are coupled together, the supporting ability of the movable body is weak. Thus, when shocks are applied to the footboard, the movable body is deformed and shakes. Thereby, the exercising person's ankles and knees may be injured (sprained).

[10] Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-421118 discloses "shock absorbing unit for air footboards." The shock absorbing unit is mounted to the bottom of an air footboard, and serves to absorb shocks applied to the air footboard and support a load applied to the air footboard. In this case, the shock absorbing unit includes a main body which is open at the top thereof and has an air discharge hole in a center on the bottom of the main body. A cushioning member is integrally coupled to the lower portion of the main body. A vertical path is bored in the center of the cushioning member to communicate with the air discharge hole. A plurality of horizontal paths is formed in the lower surface of the cushioning member, and communicates with the vertical path. When shocks are applied to the footboard, the main body is compressed, and thus the air in the main body is discharged through the air discharge hole, the vertical path, and the horizontal paths, to the outside. In this way, the shocks are mitigated.

[11] However, the shock absorbing unit is problematic in that the main body and the cushioning member of the shock absorbing unit are separately formed, and thereafter are coupled into a single structure, thus inconveniencing a manufacturer. Further, after the shock absorbing unit has been used for a lengthy period of time, the cushioning member attached to the lower portion of the main body may become separated (removed) from the main body. When the cushioning member is removed, the air discharge hole of the main body contacts the floor and is thus closed. Thus, even when shocks are applied to the shock absorbing unit, air is not discharged from the main body to the outside, and thus the cushioning (shock absorbing) function is lost. Further, when the cushioning (shock absorbing) function is lost, the shocks affect an exercising person's ankles and knees, so that the exercising person may be injured.

[12] Korean Patent No. 10-446588 discloses "air footboard for exercising and shock absorbing unit for air footboard." According to the cited document, a bolt part is formed on each corner of the bottom of the air footboard, and a nut hole is formed in the upper surface of the shock absorbing unit, so that the bolt part is fastened into the nut hole. The shock absorbing unit includes a main body which is open at the bottom. Shock absorbing means having an opening part and a closing part are provided in the main body in multiple layers. A plurality of air discharge holes is bored in the closing part. When shocks are applied to the shock absorbing unit, the main body is compressed, so that air is discharged from the main body through the air discharge holes of the closing part to the outside.

[13] However, it is difficult to form the shock absorbing means in the main body constituting the shock absorbing unit. Since the air in the main body is simply discharged through the air discharge holes, the air is too rapidly discharged. Such a construction deteriorates the shock absorbing ability (function). Further, when the air is rapidly discharged from the main body, the supporting ability of the main body is rapidly reduced, so that the main body may shake or be deformed. When the main body is deformed or shakes, the ankles and knees may be injured (sprained). Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a health air board for exercising, which is constructed so that a shock absorbing plate is integrally attached to the upper surface of a tetragonal board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit is attached to each corner of the lower surface of the board frame. The air shock absorbing unit has a main body defining therein an air chamber which is open at the top. A plurality of anti-slip protrusions is formed on the lower surface of a bottom tube of the main body with regular intervals therebetween, and a plurality of air circulation chambers is formed in the upper surface of a frame supporting part of the main body with regular intervals therebetween to allow the interior and exterior of the main body to communicate with each other. Further, an inner circulation hole and an outer circulation hole are formed in the inner portion and the outer portion of each air circulation chamber to communicate with each other, and a control piece is provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole to control the flow of air into and out of the air chamber when exercise, such as jumping and landing, is conducted.

[15] Another object of the present invention is to provide a health air board, which controls the circulation of air (the flow of air into and out of an air chamber) using a control piece provided on either an inner circulation hole or an outer circulation hole when exercise, including jumping and landing, is conducted, thus preventing air from being discharged or drawn in too rapidly, therefore preventing an air shock absorbing unit from malfunctioning, preventing the air shock absorbing unit from shaking or being deformed, and preventing an exercising person s ankles or knees from being twisted, thereby allowing the exercising person to safely enjoy exercise.

[16] A further object of the present invention is to provide a health air board, which allows an air shock absorbing unit to be formed without an additional manufacturing step, thus affording ease of manufacture without incurring additional cost. Technical Solution

[17] In order to accomplish the objects, the present invention provides a health air board, having a tetragonal board frame (2), a shock absorbing plate (3) integrally attached to an upper surface of the board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit (10) attached to each corner of a lower surface of the board frame, the air shock absorbing unit having a main body (11) defining therein an air chamber (16) which is open at a top, with a plurality of anti-slip protrusions (15) formed on a lower surface of the main body at regular intervals and a plurality of air circulation holes formed in an upper surface of the main body at regular intervals to allow an interior and an exterior of the main body to communicate with each other.

[18] In this case, a plurality of air circulation chambers (17) is formed in an upper surface of the air shock absorbing unit (10) at regular intervals.

[19] An inner circulation hole (17-1) and an outer circulation hole (17-2) are formed in an inner portion and an outer portion of each of the air circulation chambers (17) so as to communicate with each other.

[20] A control means is provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole (17-1) or

(17-2) to control a flow of air.

Advantageous Effects

[21] As described above, the health air board according to the present invention controls the circulation of air (the flow of air into and out of an air chamber) using a control piece provided on either an inner circulation hole or an outer circulation hole when exercise, including jumping and landing, is conducted, thus preventing air from being discharged or drawn in too rapidly, therefore preventing an air shock absorbing unit from malfunctioning, preventing the air shock absorbing unit from shaking or being deformed, and preventing an exercising person's ankles or knees from being twisted, thereby allowing the exercising person to safely enjoy exercise. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a health air board according to the present invention;

[23] FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a sectional view showing an air shock absorbing unit mounted to the lower surface of the health air board according to the present invention; and

[24] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating the operation of important parts of the air shock absorbing unit mounted to the health air board according to the present invention.

[25] * Description of reference characters of important parts *

[26] 1 : health air board 2: board frame

[27] 3: shock absorbing plate 10: air shock absorbing unit

[28] 11 : main body of shock absorbing unit

[29] 12: frame supporting part

[30] 13-1: first air tube 13-2: second air tube

[31] 14: bottom tube 15: anti-slip protrusions

[32] 16: air chamber 17: circulation chamber

[33] 18: control piece

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[34] The present invention will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[35] FIGS. 1 to 5 show the embodiment of a health air board 1 according to the present invention. FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are a perspective view showing the health air board 1 according to the present invention, a perspective view and a sectional view showing an air shock absorbing unit. FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating the operation of important parts of the air shock absorbing unit 10 mounted to the health air board 1 according to the present invention.

[36] The health air board 1 according to the present invention is formed as follows.

[37] A board frame 2 having the shape of a tetragon (rectangle or square) is prepared. A shock absorbing plate 3, which is made of foamed resin or the like, is integrally attached to the upper surface of the board frame 2. The air shock absorbing unit 10 is mounted to each corner of the lower surface of the board frame 2.

[38] The air shock absorbing unit 10 is formed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[39] The air shock absorbing unit includes a main body 11 which is open at the top and closed at the bottom, thus defining an air chamber 16 therein. A frame supporting part 12, a first air tube 13-1, a second air tube 13-2, and a bottom tube 14 are integrally provided in the direction from the upper portion of the main body 11 to the lower portion thereof. The upper surface of the frame supporting part 12 is formed to be flat, thus allowing the freme supporting part to be easily mounted (attached) to the lower surface of the board frame 2. Anti-slip protrusions 15 are provided on the lower surface of the bottom tube 14 at regular intervals, thus preventing the health air board 1 from slipping during exercise.

[40] A plurality of air circulation chambers 17 is formed on the upper surface of the frame supporting part 12 constituting the main body 11 at regular intervals. Each air circulation chamber 17 is formed to be long along the circumference of the main body. An inner circulation hole 17-1 and an outer circulation hole 17-2 are formed in the inner portion and the outer portion of each air circulation chamber 17 so as to communicate with each other, thus circulating air.

[41] A control means is provided in the inner and outer circulation holes 17-1 and 17-2 formed in the inner and outer portions of each air circulation chamber 17, and controls the flow of air. As the control means, a control piece 18 is integrally provided in either the inner or outer circulation holes 17-1 and 17-2. According to this embodiment, the control piece 18 is integrally provided in the inner circulation hole 17-1.

[42] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame supporting part 12 of the air shock absorbing unit 10 is attached to the board frame 2, thus completing the health air board 1.

[43] The use (operation) of the health air board 1 for exercising according to the present invention will be described below.

[44] A user exercises by repeatedly jumping and landing on the health air board 1 according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above.

[45] When the exercising person puts one foot on the shock absorbing plate 3 of the board frame 2 and jumps upwards, shocks are transmitted to the health air board due to the exercising person's weight. Each air shock absorbing unit 10 mounted to the lower surface of the board frame 2 is compressed by the shocks, so that air is discharged to the outside. Thereby, the shocks are mitigated.

[46] When the shocks are applied to the board frame 2 by the jump, the first air tube

13-1 and the second air tube 13-2 of each air shock absorbing unit 10 attached to the board frame 2 are compressed. As the first and second air tubes 13-1 and 13-2 are compressed, air present in the air chamber 16 pushes each control piece 18, and is discharged through each outer circulation hole 17-2 to the outside.

[47] As such, when each air shock absorbing unit 10 is compressed and air is discharged from the air chamber 16 to the outside, each control piece 18 closing the corresponding inner circulation hole 17-1 is opened toward the air circulation chamber 17 by the pressure of the discharged air, as shown in FIG. 4, thus opening the inner circulation hole 17-1. Thus, the air is rapidly discharged from the air chamber 16 to the outside.

[48] Conversely, when the exercising person steps down from the board frame 2 and lands on the ground (pressure is removed), the compressed first and second air tubes 13-1 and 13-2 of each air shock absorbing unit 10 are expanded, thus restoring their original state. When the compressed air shock absorbing unit 10 is expanded (when its original state is restored), suction force is generated in the air chamber 16.

[49] When the compressed air shock absorbing unit 10 is expanded (its original state is restored) and suction force is generated, the outside air is drawn into each air circulation chamber 17 through each outer circulation hole 17-2 by the suction force. By the pressure of the air drawn into each air circulation chamber 17, the control piece 18 is opened toward the air chamber 16, thus opening the inner circulation hole 17-1, as shown in FIG. 5. The outside air is fed through the open inner circulation hole 17-1 to the air chamber 16, and fills the air chamber.

[50] When each air chamber 16 is filled with the drawn outside air, each compressed air shock absorbing unit 10 is completely extended, thus restoring its original state.

[51] As such, when a person exercises by repeatedly jumping and landing on the health air board 1 according to the present invention, each air shock absorbing unit 10 is repeatedly compressed and extended, thus absorbing shocks. Such a shock absorbing action prevents shocks from being applied to the exercising person's ankles and knees, thus protecting the exercising person from injury.

[52] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[53] As described above, the present invention provides a health air board for exercising, which is constructed so that a shock absorbing plate is integrally attached to the upper surface of a tetragonal board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit is attached to each corner of the lower surface of the board frame. The air shock absorbing unit has a main body defining therein an air chamber which is open at the top. A plurality of anti-slip protrusions is formed on the lower surface of a bottom tube of the main body with regular intervals therebetween, and a plurality of air circulation chambers is formed in the upper surface of a frame supporting part of the main body with regular intervals therebetween to allow the interior and exterior of the main body to communicate with each other. Further, an inner circulation hole and an outer circulation hole are formed in the inner portion and the outer portion of each air circulation chamber to communicate with each other, and a control piece is provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole. Therefore, the present invention allows the air shock absorbing unit to be formed without an additional manufacturing step, thus affording ease of manufacture without incurring additional cost.

Claims

[1] A health air board for exercising, having a tetragonal board frame (2), a shock absorbing plate (3) integrally attached to an upper surface of the board frame, and an air shock absorbing unit (10) attached to each corner of a lower surface of the board frame, the air shock absorbing unit having a main body (11) defining therein an air chamber (16) which is open at a top, with a plurality of anti-slip protrusions (15) formed on a lower surface of the main body at regular intervals and a plurality of air circulation holes formed in an upper surface of the main body at regular intervals to allow an interior and an exterior of the main body to communicate with each other, wherein a plurality of air circulation chambers (17) is formed in an upper surface of the air shock absorbing unit (10) at regular intervals, an inner circulation hole (17-1) and an outer circulation hole (17-2) are formed in an inner portion and an outer portion of each of the air circulation chambers (17) so as to communicate with each other, and control means is provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole (17-1) or (17-2) to control a flow of air.

[2] The health air board according to claim 1, wherein the control means, provided in either the inner or outer circulation hole (17-1) or (17-2) to control the flow of air, comprises: a control piece (18) integrally formed in either of the inner or outer circulation hole (17-1) or (17-2).