US20230141513A1 - Balance Station - Google Patents

Abstract

A balance station for practicing balancing exercises made up of a platform, four legs, side rails, and a front rail. Different training exercises can be implemented by using different face plates for the base platform. The balance station provides a safe environment for stability challenge individuals to practice balance exercises.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
• This application is a formal non-provisional utility application claiming priority to provisional application No. 63/277,604, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to elder care. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for safe performance of balance promoting exercises.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury and death to the elderly. The two major approaches to fall prevention for seniors are (1) strength exercise and (2) balance training. Strength exercises for fall prevention are freely available for seniors online and through various organizations. In contrast, there is limited at home balance training available for seniors because of the risk of falling and incurring an injury. Balance training has historically been limited to physical therapy office using apparatus such as parallel bars.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is a balance station comprising a platform with raised handle bars on three sides. A sign is attached to the handle bars with instructions for various balance training exercise. A timer is also attached to the handle bars, which allows the user to time his or her exercise. Footprint outlines are included on the platform suggest the foot position the user should use while using the balance station.
• Balance training is typically based on the time a person can hold a specific position. By using the foot prints and the timer, a user can measure his or her ability to maintain the specific positions.
• The handlebars help prevent the user from falling, and/or helps mitigate possible injury caused by falling, if the user loses balance while using the balance station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG.1 is an isometric view showing the framework for a preferred implementation of the balance station of the present invention;
• FIG.2 is front elevational view of the balance station;
• FIG.3 is a side elevational view thereof;
• FIG.4 is a top view thereof; and
• FIG.5 are perspective views thereof;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims which may be drawn hereto.
• Referring now to the figures, and toFIG.1 in particular, the preferred implementation of a framework for thebalance station10 for safe performance of balance promoting exercises is shown to generally comprise a pair ofside rails14 and afront rail16 supported atop a plurality oflegs18 projecting upwardly from asturdy base platform11. As shown in the figures, eachleg18 is securely attached to thetop face12 of thebase platform11 with, for example,anchors19 fitted one each to thelegs18. Theside rails14,front rail16 andlegs18, and any fittings therebetween, each comprise a strong material such as, for example, steel or the like. In this manner, theside rails14 andfront rail16 provide a user of thebalance station10 with a pair ofside handlebars15 and a pair offront handlebar17.
• In one embodiment, theside handlebars15 andfront handlebar17 are thirty-two inches above thebase platform11, which was calculated as providing sufficient fall prevention for the user. This height is further designed so that thehandlebars15 and17 are similar in height to parallel bars found in physical therapy facilities.
• Thebase platform11 is flat and level with the ground. In one embodiment, thebase platform11 is raised four inches above the ground, forty inches in length, and thirty-two inches in width.
• Thebase platform11 comprises a removablebalance training face40. In one embodiment, the removablebalance training face40 is twenty inches in length and thirty-two inches in width. The removablebalance training face40 comprises indica ofposition13. In one embodiment, the indica ofposition13 are footprint outlines which provide a demonstrative guide to the user for placing his or her feet during balance training exercises.
• The removeablebalance training face40 can be removed and replaced with other removable base faces30,35,37. Theremovable faces30,35,37,40 are slid onto thebase platform11 via an opening31 on the right side of thebase platform11. Theremovable base face30,35,37,40 is secured to the base platform vialocks32.
• Aplacard support20, which may preferably comprise alightweight frame23, constructed for example of PVC or the like, dependently supports aplacard21 which as will be understood is used to provide a user easily viewed instructions for use of thebalance station10. In one embodiment, theplacard21 is angled forty-five degrees away from the user.
• Theplacard21 provides instructions for exercise that directly correlate with theappropriate base30,35,37,40 being used. For example, if the user is using the numbered footprint base, the placard instructs the user where to place feet and hands according to the appropriate exercise, then it instructs the user to press the button and hover hands over the handlebars while attempting balancing exercise for the allotted time. There is a different sign with instructions for each different base insert to allow the user to practice a wide range of balance exercises.
• Additionally, and as particularly inFIGS.2 and4, acontrol support24 is also provided and like theplacard support20 is also preferably constructed of PVC or a like lightweight material, and which in the preferred embodiment is provided as a pair of upwardly projectingarms25.
• The control support24 dependently supports acontrol panel26, on which is mounted astart button27 and, most preferably, a “dead man's”type safety switch29, which is in communication with an alarming device. In the event of a fall by a user in use of thebalance station10, thesafety switch29 is operable through tug on a connectedlanyard29 and wrist band, waist band, or the like to sound an appropriate alarm for summoning help. Atimer28, activated by thestart button27, ensures that the user performs each exercise for an appropriately long, but not excessive time period in order to obtain optimal benefit.
• In one embodiment, thebalance station10 has afirst timer button32 and asecond timer button33. Thefirst timer button32 is preset to start thetimer28 for a thirty-second interval, ending with a loud beep. Thesecond timer button33 is preset to start thetimer28 for a sixty-second interval, ending with a loud beep. In one embodiment, thetimer28 counts up in one second intervals starting at zero.
• As also shown in the figures, indicia ofposition13 are provided on thetop face12 of thebase platform11, to indicated to the user where to place his or her feet during each exercise. Indicia ofidentification22, corresponding to the indicia ofposition13 provided on and in connection with thetop face12 of thebase platform11, are provided as part of the instructions presented on theplacard21.
• In use, the user steps onto thebase platform11, using theside handlebars15 andfront handlebar17 as necessary to maintain stability while stepping onto thebalance station10. The user views the indica ofidentification22 provided on theplacard21. The indica ofidentification22 include, but is not limited to, suggested foot positions for different balance training exercises. The user places his or her feet on the indica ofposition13 that correspond to the indica ofidentification22 selected by the user. The indica ofidentification13 include, but is not limited to, outlines of foot positions, activates thecountdown timer28 and holds the exercise until the timer reaches zero.
• Thebalance station10 can be combined with several attachments34 that can be used for specific exercises related to balancing. The following paragraphs attachments34 that can be combined with thebalance station10.
• Thebasic base35 comprises sixoval shapes36 that are numbered with ovals numbered one being the foot placement for a shoulder width stance by the user while balancing. Ovals numbered two are between the ovals numbered one and signify foot placement for exercise two with the feet being placed together while balancing. Ovals numbered three are placed above and below the ovals numbered two. Ovals numbered three represent the users foot placement while performing exercise three. This design for foot placement is directly derived from widely accepted physical therapy practice. The first exercise is a wide stance, the second a narrow stance, the third with dominant forward then non-dominant foot forward and for exercise four, standing on oval numbered two and lifting one foot off the ground while balancing.
• Thepad base insert37 provides a balance pad used in physical therapy and performance training that provides an intentionally unstable surface for the user. The pad is imbedded into the base insert. In one embodiment, the pad is fifteen inches wide, twelve and a half inches in length and two and a half inches thick and protrudes from the surface of the base ⅛th of an inch.
• The exercises instructed forpad37 use are more difficult than the original base due to the unstable surface. The first exercise for the pad is standing with feet together. The second exercise is to lift each foot alternately. The Third is lifting each leg alternately out laterally.
• Base hoops38 are part of thepad37 balancer and provide four hoops outside each corner of the pad. These are for connecting resistance bands to the base of the device for more advance exercises with the use of additional accessories.
• The squat bar39 is a lightweight and padded aluminum bar with resistance bands attached at both ends. The resistance bands each have a connector such as a carabiner for securing the squat bar to the base. On the pad base instructions, the user is to place the bar across the top of their shoulder blades, hold on to the front handlebar and squat down while feet are in a wide stance. Different resistance bands for more or less resistance will be available for order.
• Dumbbell Bands—These are 2 resistance bands with handles at one end and a carabiner at the other. The bands are secured to the base and used as dumbbells would be used for exercises like curls and shoulder press. Different resistance weight bands will be available for order
• Ring Toss—This attachment is 2 separate 4 inch poles that attach to the handlebars and a rubber ring that fits loosely around a pole. The poles are attached on opposite sides of the balancer. The objective is to transfer the ring from one pole to the other while only using 1 arm. This allows the user to practice balancing while turning their torso from one side to the other. This exercise is to be done with both upper extremities for balance and coordination
• Step Ladder—This attachment is a small ladder that attaches to the 2 vertical front bars via 4 clamps. It is 18 inches in height and 28 inches wide. The user attempts to raise 1 foot at a time to each level of the ladder while maintaining balance with the other foot. The ladder rungs are at 4 inches, 8 inches and 12 inches high
• Vision Sticks—These are 2 adjustable thick wires that have clamps at one end and large colored circles at the other end. They are 32 inches in length and are used during balance exercises when the user looks to the left and right while balancing. They are placed on both side rails and can be adjusted according to the neck mobility of the user. This allows the user to focus on a single point for more successful balancing. This is an advance balancing exercises widely used and accepted by physical therapy practice.
• A Hand Sanitizer Holder—Is a cupholder attached to a clamp for placement on the Balancer for infection control implementation. A bottle of hand sanitizer can be placed in the cup. Hand Sanitizer is not provided by Senior Start
• While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description and the accompanying drawings. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that may be drawn hereto.

Claims (2)

I claim:

1. A balance station comprising a pair of side rails and a front rail supported atop a plurality of legs projecting upwardly from a base platform. As shown in the figures, each leg18 is securely attached to the top face12 of the base platform11 with, for example, anchors19 fitted one each to the legs18.

2. The balance station ofclaim 1 wherein the base platform further comprises a removable balance training face having footprint outlines indicating position for a user's feet.

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