Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device including a single platform and at least five omnidirectional rolling elements supporting said single platform; said at least five rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface.

1 . An exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device consisting of a unitary platform and at least five omnidirectional rolling elements attached at an underside of said unitary platform; said at least five rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said device characterized in that each tipping axis of said device is no longer than 0.6D, where D is the maximum dimension which can be measured between opposing edges of said single platform. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each said tipping axis is defined as a line joining points of contact between adjoining ones of said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements and a supporting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements form an equi-spaced array. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of said omnidirectional rolling elements is located proximate a periphery of said platform. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein an overhang area of said periphery beyond a said tipping axis is such that, in normal use, a force applied by a body weight of a user at said periphery, is unlikely to urge said device into a tilting motion about said tipping axis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements comprise between six and eight omnidirectional rolling elements. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said platform is a circular platform; said platform having a substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said platform is a circular platform; said platform having a concave central portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein said circular platform is provided with a rim at the periphery of said platform; said rim assisting to urge a user's contact with said platform inboard of said rim. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said concave central portion is provided with a pattern of raised annular ridges; said annular ridges providing grip for greater retention of contact between said platform and a said body portion of a user. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said concave central portion is covered by a replaceable mat of resilient material; said resilient material including thermoplastic rubber or expanded EVA/PVS (closed cell) foam. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said omnidirectional rolling elements are swivelling castors. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said swivelling castors are low offset and low profile castors; swivel axes of said castors mounted adjacent said periphery. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said rim provides a covering for pintle bolts securing said castors to said platform. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein wheels of said castors are of a non marking resilient material. 
     
     
         17 . An exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device including a platform and an equi-spaced array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements supporting said platform; said at least five omnidirectional rolling elements permitting omnidirectional movement of said device over a supporting surface, characterized in that no angle, subtended at the centre of said array by a line between swivelling centres of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements, is greater than 72 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein a line joining points of contact of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements defines a tipping axis of said device; the length of a said tipping axis being no greater than 0.6D, where D is the maximum dimension which can be measured between opposing edges of said platform. 
     
     
         19 . A method of preventing tipping of an exercise device for exercising the human body; said exercise device comprising a circular platform mounted on an array of at least five omnidirectional rolling elements; said method including the steps of:
 (a) mounting said circular platform on at least five said omnidirectional rolling elements,   (b) positioning said rolling elements proximate the periphery of said circular platform,   
       and wherein lines between points of contact of adjoining ones of said omnidirectional rolling elements are not greater in length than 0.6D, where D is the diameter of said circular platform. 
     
     
         20 - 36 . (canceled)