Rocker exercise board and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are devices, and methods for creating proportional instability on an exercise board. The disclosed devices and methods use curved rocker plates to define the rate of change for tilting on an exercise board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise rocker board comprising, an elongated, substantially planar board comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a plurality of plano-convex rockers for contacting an exercise surface are attached perpendicularly to the lower surface of the board and in parallel relative to each other, further wherein the plano-convex rockers comprise at least a central high rate of angle of deflection arc segment and a flanking low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         2 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein the flanking arc segment terminates with a truncation perpendicular to the board, thereby preventing a user's hand from being pinned underneath the board at a maximum angle of deflection of the board. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers is monolithic. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers comprises an assembly having a central plano-convex rocker plate fixed in parallel between at least two parallel flanking plano-convex rocker plates, wherein the central plate comprises the high rate of angle of deflection arc segment, and the flanking plate comprises the low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein the board folds laterally into halves. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein the board is stable in a longitudinal plane and unstable in a lateral plane to the exercise surface. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the board is draped with a pad, a towel, or a mat. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1  wherein the exercise surface is a soft surface selected from the group consisting of a mat, a carpet, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the arc segments comprises a function selected from the group consisting of an ellipse, a circle, a parabola, and a hyperbola. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise rocker board, wherein the center of gravity of the board decreases as the board tilts laterally relative to a substantially planar exercise surface. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 10 , wherein the board comprises an elongated, substantially planar board comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a plurality of plano-convex rockers for contacting an exercise surface are attached perpendicularly to the lower surface of the board and in parallel relative to each other, further wherein the plano-convex rockers comprise at least a central high rate of angle of deflection arc segment and a flanking low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 11 , wherein the flanking arc segment terminates with a truncation perpendicular to the board, thereby preventing a user's hand from being pinned underneath the board at a maximum angle of deflection of the board. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers is monolithic. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise rocker board of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers comprises an assembly having a central plano-convex rocker plate fixed in parallel between at least two parallel flanking plano-convex rocker plates, wherein the central plate comprises the high rate of angle of deflection arc segment, and the flanking plate comprises the low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         15 . A method of exercise comprising, a user standing, kneeling, sitting, or laying on a rocker board wherein the rocker board comprises an elongated, substantially planar board comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein a plurality of plano-convex rockers for contacting the exercise surface are attached perpendicularly to the lower surface of the board and in parallel relative to each other, further wherein the plano-convex rockers comprise at least a central high rate of angle of deflection arc segment and a flanking low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flanking arc segment terminates with a truncation perpendicular to the board, thereby preventing a user's hand from being pinned underneath the board at a maximum angle of deflection of the board. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers is monolithic. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plano-convex rockers comprises an assembly having a central plano-convex rocker plate fixed in parallel between at least two parallel flanking plano-convex rocker plates, wherein the central plate comprises the high rate of angle of deflection arc segment, and the flanking plate comprises the low rate of angle of deflection arc segment relative to central arc segment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the exercise is selected from the group consisting of yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and physical rehabilitation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the exercise surface is a mat or carpet.