Flexible foot-board for jumping devices

Abstract

Embodiments of a foot-board for play, exercise, and practice of aerial recreational moves on a jumping device are described. The foot-board is preferably flexible and cushioning, but with enough firmness for the desired effect of aerial moves taking off on a board rather than just on the jumper's feet. The foot-board is preferably flexible in a plurality of directions, that is, at least in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. The foot-board is attached to the user's feet by a strap system, and preferably heel rests at the back of the heels. The feet may rest in recesses in the top surface of the board to provide more sure location of the feet. The foot-board is preferably water-proof or water-resistant, for use on water trampolines. Hand-grips may be provided at one or more locations of the foot-board, which, combined with the flexibility of the board, enhance the moves and style of the practicing foot-boarder.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A foot-board for use on a jumping device, the foot-board comprising: 
 a board having a top surface and a generally flat bottom surface for impacting the jumping device, the top surface having a central area for receiving a user's foot or feet; and    a connection system located at or near the central area and adapted to connect the board to a user's feet;    wherein the board is flexible.    
     
     
         2 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the board is closed-cell foam.  
     
     
         3 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the board comprises a flexible interior plate covered by a water-resistant casing.  
     
     
         4 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the connection system comprises a recess in the top surface for receiving one or both feet of a user.  
     
     
         5 . A foot-board as in  claim 4 , wherein the recess is ¼-½ inches deep.  
     
     
         6 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the connection system comprises a heel rest upending from the top surface for contacting a user's heel.  
     
     
         7 . A foot-board as in  claim 6 , wherein the heel rest upends 1-5 inches from the top surface  
     
     
         8 . A foot-board as in  claim 6 , wherein the heel rest is soft and flexible, so that the user's heel is not injured by impacting the heel rest.  
     
     
         9 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the connection system comprises elastic straps extending from the top surface for extending across the user's foot or feet.  
     
     
         10 . A foot-board as in  claim 9 , wherein the connection system comprises neoprene straps extending from the top surface for extending across the user's foot or feet.  
     
     
         11 . A foot-board as in  claim 9 , wherein the straps do not extend to the bottom of the board.  
     
     
         12 . A foot-board as in  claim 9 , wherein the straps do not extend to the bottom of the board and are not visible on the bottom of the board.  
     
     
         13 . A foot-board as in  claim 1 , wherein the board has an outer perimeter and further comprises a hand-grip near the outer perimeter.  
     
     
         14 . A foot-board as in  claim 13 , wherein the hand-grip comprises an aperture near the outer perimeter and a handle portion of the board between the aperture and the outer perimeter.  
     
     
         15 . A foot-board as in  claim 1  that is an elongated with generally rounded ends.  
     
     
         16 . A foot-board as in  claim 1  that is elongated with generally pointed ends.  
     
     
         17 . A foot-board as in  claim 1  that is elongated with one end having two longitudinal fins.  
     
     
         18 . A foot-board as in  claim 1  that is a cross-shape.  
     
     
         19 . A foot-board as in  claim 1  that is an inflatable board.  
     
     
         20 . A foot-board for use on a jumping device, the foot-board comprising: 
 a board having a top surface and a generally flat bottom surface for impacting the jumping device, the top surface having a central area for receiving a user's foot or feet; and    a connection system located at or near the central area and adapted to connect the board to a user's feet;    wherein the connection system comprises a heel rest upending from the top surface for contacting a user's heel.    
     
     
         21 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the heel rest upends 1-5 inches from the top surface.  
     
     
         22 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the connection system comprises a recess in the top surface for receiving one or both feet of a user.  
     
     
         23 . A foot-board as in  claim 22 , wherein the recess is ¼-½ inches deep.  
     
     
         24 . A foot-board as in  claim 22 , wherein the top surface in the recess is textured for improved footing.  
     
     
         25 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the connection system comprises neoprene elastic straps extending from the top surface for extending across the user's foot or feet.  
     
     
         26 . A foot-board as in  claim 25 , wherein the straps do not extend to the bottom of the board.  
     
     
         27 . A foot-board as in  claim 25 , wherein the straps do not extend to the bottom of the board and are not visible on the bottom of the board.  
     
     
         28 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the board has an outer perimeter and further comprises a hand-grip near the outer perimeter.  
     
     
         29 . A foot-board as in  claim 28 , wherein the hand-grip comprises an aperture near the outer perimeter and a handle portion of the board between the aperture and the outer perimeter.  
     
     
         30 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the board is an elongated, substantially flat plastic plate with two opposing ends that do not curve significantly out of the plane of the flat plastic plate.  
     
     
         31 . A foot-board as in  claim 20 , wherein the board is an inflatable board.  
     
     
         32 . A jumping system comprising a foot-board and a jumping device, the foot-board comprising: 
 a flexible board having a top surface, a generally flat bottom surface adapted for impacting the jumping device, a front edge and a rear edge, the top surface having a central area for receiving a user's foot or feet; and    a connection system located at or near the central area and adapted to connect the board to a user's feet, the connection system comprising a recess in the top surface of the board for receiving a user's foot, a strap system for holding the foot to the board, and a heel rest upending from the top surface at or near the rear edge for extending up along the rear side of the user's heel.    
     
     
         33 . A jumping system as in  claim 32 , wherein the flexible board comprises two layers of high density foam and a plastic plate inserted between the two layers.  
     
     
         34 . A jumping system as in  claim 32 , wherein said strap system extends through from a top surface of the board through one of said two layers and high density foam and through the plastic plate.  
     
     
         35 . A jumping system as in  claim 32 , wherein the jumping device is a land-based trampoline.  
     
     
         36 . A jumping system as in  claim 32 , wherein the jumping device is a water-based trampoline.  
     
     
         37 . A jumping system as in  claim 32 , wherein the jumping device is a land-based trampoline.