초록 ▼

A balancing device to assist a patient in exercising and rehabilitating balance. The balancing device includes a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports, and a suspended platform hanging from the overhead support by first and second suspending m

A balancing device to assist a patient in exercising and rehabilitating balance. The balancing device includes a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports, and a suspended platform hanging from the overhead support by first and second suspending members. The platform is stabilized by at least two elastic supports having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports. The patients standing on the platform can practice balancing and adjustments in a pivoting motion, and/or in ether a longitudinal and/or lateral direction.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A balancing device including: a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports; a suspended platform having a periphery and a bisecting pivot line, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proxima

I claim: 1. A balancing device including: a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports; a suspended platform having a periphery and a bisecting pivot line, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line; a first and second suspending members, each having a first and second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports. 2. A balancing device including: a stationary support structure including an rectangular overhead support frame having four corners, and a plurality of upright support beams supporting the support frame at each of the four corners; a suspended rectangular platform having four corners and a periphery, and a bisecting pivot line dividing the rectangular platform into two rectangular portions, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line; a first and second suspending cables, each having a first end and a second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second suspending members are non-extensive flexible members. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second suspending members are chains. 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second suspending members are cables. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the suspended platform is a substantially rectangular and substantially planar platform. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the suspended platform is rectangular and planar. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two elastic supports extend from the platform at an angle δ from horizontal, wherein the δ angle is between about −10° and about +30° from horizontal when the platform is unloaded or at rest. 9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second suspending cables are non-extensive flexible members. 10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two elastic supports extend from the platform at an angle δ from horizontal, wherein the δ angle is between about −10° and about +30° from horizontal when the platform is unloaded or at rest. 11. A balancing device consisting of: a stationary support structure including an overhead support and a plurality of upright supports; a suspended platform having a periphery and a bisecting pivot line, and having a first position and a second position on opposite sides of the platform proximate the periphery and along the bisecting pivot line; a first and second non-extensive suspending members, each having a first and second end, each secured at the first end to the overhead support and at the second end to the platform at the first position and second position, respectively; and at least two elastic supports, each elastic support having a first end attached proximate a portion of the periphery of the platform on opposite sides of the bisecting pivot line, and a second end attached to one of the plurality of upright supports.