US3512774A - Thin metal rotatable exercise platform - Google Patents

Description

f May 19, 1970 I Y H. HAONER y y 3,512,774

V THIN METAL ROTATABLE EXERCISE PLMFORM- Filed May 21.l 1968 I NVEN TOR. #5N/2y #oA/5R 74TTO/Q/VEYS United States Patent Oiice 3,512,774 Patented May 19, 1970 U.S. Cl. 272-57 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An exercise platform having two identical circular metal disks of equal diameter, suficient to support the users feet, and having a large diameter ring of balls between the disks; the disks being retained by a central collar and capable of use either side up. The margins of the disks are curved toward each other and the total thickness is minimized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF 'TI-IE INVENTION In the exercise of the :present invention, a pair of identical metal plates, not only form the top and bottom plates of the platform, but also are provided with annular Vgrooves to receive bearing balls; thus, the wooden plates are entirely eliminated. Furthermore, irrespective of the load distribution, there is no tendency to tip. Still further, the exercise platform may be placed either side up.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. l is a small perspective View of the exercise platform, showing a user thereon.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the exercise platform with portions broken away to show the internal construction.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view, taken through 3-3 of FIG. 2.

SPECIFICATION The exercise platform includes a pair of identical plates 1, each having an annular ball bearing groove 2 and a central aperture 3. The periphery of each plate is provided with a curved rim 4.

The bearing plates are adapted to be positioned, with the ball bearing grooves in confronting relation, and are loosely held in such position by a connecting sleeve 5,

having flanges 6 which overly the margins of the central apertures 3. Alternatively, the sleeve 5 may be integral with one of the plates and have a single iiange overlying the margin of the aperture of the other plate.

A set of bearing balls 7 is interposed between the plates and ride in the confronting ball bearing grooves 2. The bearing balls may fill the grooves; however, to reduce the number thereof, a retainer disk 8 is provided, having perforations which receive the balls and position them in f equally spaced relation.

The plates are made of relatively heavy gauge metal and the rims 4 provide marginal stiffness, so that the margins of the plates need clear each other only a minimal amount.

It will be observed that the exercise platform may be positioned with either plate uppermost and that the other plate being identical in diameter provides a full support for the upper plate, even though the weight of the user may not be accurately centered thereon. That is, the upper plate or the exercise platform as a whole cannot be tilted when in use as long as the underlying plate is on a iirm surface.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claim.

I claim:

1. An exercise platform, comprising:

(a) a pair of circular metal plates, each plate being dimensioned to support directly the feet of the user, and including an annular bearing groove;

(b) means connecting said plates for relative rotation with their bearing grooves in confronting relation;

(c) a set of bearing balls disposed in said grooves to permit free rotation of either plate, when placed uppermost, and the other plate is placed on an underlying surface;

(d) said plates being identical in diameter and each plate including a rim curved into confronting relation with the rim of the other plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1957 Matthews 272-57 3/ 1962 MaMahan 272-57

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