Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a roller-supported balance board
structure used for recreational and/or exercise purposes, and which is
generlly of the type disclosed in my earlier ~J.S. patent No. 3,488,049
issued January 6, 1970.
Ralance board structures of the type disclosed in my earlier patent
comprise a generally planar foot platform having a pocket or the like in its
undersurface which receives a roller that supports the platform on a support
surface (such as a floor or a support board of similar form to the foot
platform) the roller conforming in length to the width of the pocket but
being free to roll along the pocket under the control of a person balancing
on the foot platform. Skill is required in maintaining one's balance on the
platform while manipulating the roller along the pocket, and accordingly the
structure is useful in providing recreational activity and/or exercise.
In structures in accordance with the aforementioned patent, the
roller is retained in the pocket solely by the conforming interfitting rela-
tionship of these components. The present invention, however, is directed
toward improving thereon by p}oviding more positive retention of the roller
with respect to the foot platform, thereby, for example, facilitating trans-
portion of the deviced and improving its safety.
The following IJ.S. patents disclose balance board structures and
the like, but none of these discloses the concepts or structure of the
present invention.
2,764,411
2,829,891
3,604,726
3,630,540
3,895,794
D 237,813
In accordance with the present invention, a balance board structure
comprising a roller-supported foot platfo~n is provided with roller retention
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means which, at least in a preferred embodiment, comprises an elongate reten-
tion pin projecting from each end of the rotler, for receipt in elongate
guide and retaining channels or the like formed on a frame to be secured on
the base of the foot platform whereby, in use, the pin positively retains the
roller and foot platform in assembled relation. The pin may, for example, be
of a resilient nature whereby it may be flexed and snapped into the retaining
channels for assembly of the components, or alternatively an access opening
may be formed in the frame structure for receipt and removal of the pin.
A foot platform for a structure in accordance with the invention
may comprise a solid board or the like with the roller frame being secured
thereunder. Alternatively, the platform may have a central opening receiv-
ing the roller with the pin ~eing received in channels formed in the edges
of the platform defining the opening, and with portions of the platform on
opposite sides of the opening receiving the user's feet. It is also within
the scope of the invention to provide a frame and roller assembly with a
retention pin for securement to the base of a suitable foot platform such
as a surfboard.
The foot platform further may be formed in alternative designs
simulative, for example, of game ball or other sports items, food items
or the like to enhance the attraction of the device, for example, or to
assist in indicating its use as an exercise or training aid. The upper
surface of the foot platform may carry advertising material, slogans, team
logos, or the like.
A balance board structure in accordance with the inventipn over-
comes problems associated with prior art designs such as, for example,
separation and loss of the roller during shipment and storage, a tendency
for the roller to separate from the foot platform during use, leading to
accidents, and the necessity to reposition or adjust the roller each time
the device is used.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first form of balance board
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structure in accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 i5 a cross-sectional view on line 2--2 of Figure 1.
Eigure 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3--3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of only a front part of the
structure showing the manner of removing the roller retainer pin.
Figure 5 is an underneat'n plan view of a modified form of balance
board structure.
Figure 6 i8 a front elevational view of another modified form of
balance board structure.
Figure 7 is an underneath plan view of still another modified form
of balance board structure.
Figure 8 i8 a perspective view of a roller retainer pin of the type
used in the structure shown in Figure 7.
Figure ~ i9 a part undernezth plan view similar to Figure 7 showing
how the pin is inserted and removed.
Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a
balance board structure 10 comprising a foot platform 12 supported on a
roller 14 which is releasably attached beneath the foot platform by means
of a retainer pin 16 as will be described.
Foot platform 12 may be made of wood or a suitable plastic and,
in the illustrated embodiment, is shaped to simulate a Eootball. The upper
surface of the foot platform may have a suitable non-slip covering 18 and
recesses 20, 22 may be provided for a user's feet. The covering may also
be provided with slogans or logos 24 or the like.
Roller 14 is supported below the foot platform in a roller pocket
26 defined by a rectangular frame 28 on the base of the foot platform. In
the case of a plastic platform, the frame may be molded integrally there-
with, or for other types of platform the frame may be attached to the under-
surface thereof by any suitable attachment means known in the art. The
length of the roller conforms substantially to the width of the pocket, and
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the roller is free to roll along the length of the pocket up to the respec-
tive end ~7alls 30, 32 of the frame (see also Figure 5).
~ oller 14 may be of a hollow cylindrical form as sho~n, made in a
material of sufficient strength to support a user, with pin 16 freely
received therein. The respective ends of the pin are received in guide
channels 34, 36 formed in respective side walls 38, 40 of frame 28, thereby
retaining the roller and foot platform in assembled relation. When a user
stands on the platform and manipulates the roller along the length of pocket
26, the pin ends move along the respective channels. Lubricant, as referred
to in my earlier patent mentioned above, the disclosure of which is incor-
porated herein by reference, may be used between the pin and frame. ~ pin
insertion and removal opening 42 is provided through side wall 38, and the
opening may be plugged during use to prevent inadvertent removal of the pin.
The foot platform may be provided on its undersurface with resilient
bumpers 44.
As previously noted, the pin maintains the roller and foot platform
in assembled relation, obviating the need for adjustment or positioning of
the roller when commencing use of the device, and preventing separation
thereof during transportation, or in the event the user takes a fall.
The arrangement shown in Figure 5 is similar to the construction
previously described, except that the foot platform ]2a in this case is
shaped to simulate a boxing glove. In Figure 6 the foot platform 12b is
shaped to simulate a hamburger.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the foot plat-
form 12c may be shaped and finished to simulate a soccer ball, basket ball,
or the like, and pin 16a may be of a resilient spring-like material with
cranked ends 17, 19, whereby the pin may be flexed as illustrated in Figure
9, to snap the pin into, or remove it from the guide channels 34, 36,
obviating the need for an opening corresponding to opening 42 in the previous
embodiments. Operation of the structure is otherwise the same as in the
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previous embod;menLs.
In further modified forms of the invention (not illustrated) a
:Erame-like assembly of t'ne nature of frame 28, with an associated roller and
pin, may be secured on the undersurface of articles such as surfboards and
the like, to form a roller supported balance board, the securement, for
example, being by suction pads, securing brackets, or the like.
