FR2510895A1 - Aid for sense of balance - has central narrow convex base resting on ground and allowing platform to move - Google Patents

Abstract

The aid (1) is for improving the users sense of balance and is a circular plate that can rest directly on the ground, or on a flat plate. The base is narrow and convex and is formed in the centre of the plate (2). This enables rotation, oscillation and nutation movements to be made. It can be hollow and filled partly or completely by a fluid. The base can be interchangeable and joined to an elastically deformable pad. The base can be concave and fit over a convex ball head.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for learning and / or perfecting the sense of balance.

To this end, according to the invention, the present device makes it possible to quickly acquire the musculation, the flexibility and the reflexes necessary for the sense of balance, vital both in sports disciplines, sports games, certain cases of functional rehabilitation , than in everyday life.

The growing number of occasional athletes, the appearance of new sports such as windsurfing, surfing, skateboarding, etc. and sports in general, linked to an excessively temporary and almost always brutal practice, often have unfortunate consequences due to poor conditioning.

Known physical training devices are often tedious to use and do not, or only very partially, appeal to the sense of balance and the physiology associated therewith,
The present invention, which remedies these drawbacks, by making it possible to quickly educate or improve the sense of balance, relates to an oscillating and rotary device on its base, at one point and in all directions, on which the user must maintain balance in various positions.

The device according to the invention, compact, which also has the advantage of being used in all seasons and in all places, also offers that of being produced using simple and inexpensive means.

To this end, according to the invention, the device for learning and / or perfecting the sense of balance is remarkable in that it relates to a round plate preferably, advantageously slightly convex or concave on its upper face which may have a non-slip surface, said plate rests directly or indirectly on the ground by means of its underside formed to raise it. The end of the shape of the lower face comprises, at least approximately plumb with the center of the apparatus, an inverted dome of convex shape preferably, of so-called Hanse section of basket "bordering on a point of support, allowing movements combined or not with rotation, nutation and oscillation with the whole device.

Said device capable of supporting the weight of at least one person is therefore entirely free in its rotations and the movements of oscillation and nutation are only limited by the external shape and the height of the plate relative to the ground. The dimensions are given here for information only and are not limitative.

The invention will be clearly understood in the light of the accompanying drawings.

Figure i shows a schematic perspective view of the device
according to one of the possibilities of use.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device or its
maximum inclination is shown in dotted lines.

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 show in vertical section variants
for producing the device according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the base with a section
vertical of the interchangeable concave end piece according to the example
shown in figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic example view of three
interchangeable convex tips in cases where the device
allows.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the lower end
of the device and its interchangeable convex tip associated with a
element made of elastically deformable material.

Figure 1 shows the device in operation. The user is balanced on the platform which rests only on its central convex base.

In FIG. 2, the device 1 shown in vertical section rests on a support 2 in order to remedy the unevenness of the ground and to prevent wear of the bearing part. The dotted drawing 3 shows the device in its maximum tilt. It will be appreciated that there are other exemplary embodiments as to the shape of the device i and of the support 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the device t is hollow e 5 and a valve at 4 allows its filling in part or in whole for a fluid 3 such as water. The convex tip 2 in contact with the ground is removable and interchangeable.

The upper face of the device 1 advantageously includes a relief or a non-slip surface coming from the molding or by application.

The user climbs on the inclined device, the edge of the round plate therefore resting at a point on the ground. By play of its weight on the legs, it seeks to maintain the device in a position close to the horizontal, the device therefore having only support as its convex tip.

We can see that this search for balance is directly linked to the shape of this convex end. Its interchangeability allows the user to practice at different levels of difficulty. The additional possibility of introducing part or all of a fluid into the device, gives the present device new properties. Indeed, the device, for example half filled, responds dynamically to the user's requests.

The particular case where the cavity would be completely filled with a fluid, then deprives the device of this internal dynamic. The liquid rendered thus inert acts by its weight as a stabilizer.

Thus the different filling possibilities chosen by the user give the device, during its use, a very varied range of properties.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment which highlights the molding or rotational molding techniques associated in the example with internal foaming 3. The shell 1 can be produced in one or two pieces, the convex end piece 2 comes adjust for example either by gluing or by screwing on the molded part, thus hiding the foaming orifice. This technique makes it possible, among other things, to obtain a very light, resistant and waterproof device.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 comprises a plate 1 provided at its lower end with a convex end piece 2 and a slightly concave base 3, which is produced as a function of the shape of the convex end piece. This gives a very varied range of difficulty levels, depending on the base or the end piece chosen.

The device according to the invention shown in Figure 6 comprises a plate 1 and a base 3 connected together by an elastically deformable element 2. In addition, this connection leaves the upper plate free in its rotations. In the present device, one obtains, thanks to the elastically deformable element, vertical movements and very flexible nutation movements.

FIG. 7 shows another possible embodiment in which the convex end piece 3 is associated with a base resting on the ground. The receiver housing 2 is integral with the plate t. The whole coming to rest on the base 3 which therefore allows the plate 1 to have simultaneous or non-rotating and nutating movements.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the convex end piece 2 associated with a base, and of the concave receiver housing 1. The interchangeability of the base 2 and receiver housing 1 couple offers a varied number of combinations associated with very different levels of difficulty.

FIG. 9 schematically shows in 1, 2 and 3 alternative embodiments of interchangeable convex tips. These convex tips can be made of various materials, for example metal, rubber, different elastomers, nylons or plastics. The choice of material chosen will influence the behavior of the device according to the invention.

Figure 10 is a vertical section through the lower end of
3 the device and its convex / interchangeable tip associated with a
2 elastically deformable element / This association brings a particular character to the movements of the whole device which, consequently, acquires vertical and horizontal flexibility.

Claims (8)

1.- Device for learning and perfecting the sense of balance characterized in that it relates to a plate resting directly or indirectly on the ground by means of its lower face, formed to raise said plate relative to on the ground. The fulcrum of the device, located at least approximately directly above the center of the latter, is convex in shape, capable of allowing movements of rotation, oscillation and nutation of the entire device . 2.- Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the convex shape of the fulcrum of the device is interchangeable. 3.- Device according to claim 2 characterized in that there is a plurality of interchangeable convex shapes. 4.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the device is hollow and can collect a fluid in part or in whole, by means of a resealable orifice provided for this purpose, 5.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the convex shape of the fulcrum of the device is associated with an elastically deformable element. 6.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the convex shape of the fulcrum of the device is replaced by an elastically deformable element, bearing either directly on the ground, or through a base to which it is attached. 7.- Device according to one of claims i to 5 characterized in that the convex shape of the fulcrum of the device is replaced by a concave shape, acting as receiving housing for a convex ball, which is integral d '' a base resting on the ground. 8.- Device according to one of claims i to 5 characterized in that the convex shape of the fulcrum of the device rests on the ground by means of a small plate of planar or slightly concave shape intended to facilitate or slow down the movements of the device as well as to prevent wear of the convex shape. 9.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the upper part of the plate is convex, concave, or flat, and has a non-slip surface.