Postural Stability Platform

Abstract

Postural stability platforms include at least one movement resistant element Fixed to a base and coupled to a plate. The plate is movable relative to the base but the movement resistant elements resist movement of the plate. Accordingly, subjects standing upon the plate are provided a degree of stability. The movement resistant elements may include springs, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, electromagnetic solenoids, and the like. Furthermore, in certain instances, the degree of resistance offered by a movement resistant element may be adjusted, such as by operation of a valve, so that the stability of the plate upon which the subject stands may vary depending upon the needs of the subject.

1 . A stability platform, comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of movement resistant elements fixed to the base;   a rigid plate coupled to the movement resistant elements and pivotally coupled to the base such that the movement resistant elements resist movement of the plate relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The stability platform of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of movement resistant elements comprise cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The stability platform of  claim 2 , wherein the cylinders are hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         4 . The stability platform of  claim 3 , wherein there are at least four hydraulic cylinders, a first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a front portion of the plate, a second hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a rear portion of the plate, a third hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a left portion of the plate, and a fourth hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a right portion of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The stability platform of  claim 4 , wherein a top chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically interconnected to a top chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, a bottom chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically interconnected to a bottom chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder, a top chamber of the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically interconnected to a top chamber of the fourth hydraulic cylinder, a bottom chamber of the third hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically interconnected to a bottom chamber of the fourth hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The stability platform of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first valve disposed within the hydraulic interconnection of the first and second hydraulic cylinders; and   a second valve disposed within the hydraulic interconnection of the third and fourth hydraulic cylinders.   
     
     
         7 . The stability platform of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a control mechanically interconnected to the first and second valves, wherein manipulation of the control adjusts the degree of opening of the first and second valves.   
     
     
         8 . The stability platform of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control interconnected to the plurality of movement resistant elements, wherein manipulation of the control adjusts the amount of resistance provided by the plurality of movement resistant elements.   
     
     
         9 . The stability platform of  claim 2 , wherein the movement resistant elements further comprise springs spaced about the periphery of the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The stability platform of  claim 1 , wherein the movement resistant elements comprise springs spaced about the periphery of the plate. 
     
     
         11 . The stability platform, wherein the base comprises a step adjacent to the plate. 
     
     
         12 . The stability platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a first vertically elongated member extending upward from the base. 
     
     
         13 . The stability platform of  claim 12 , further comprising first and second rails extending upward from opposing sides of the base to a top portion of the first vertically elongated member. 
     
     
         14 . The stability platform of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a hub fixed to the top of the first vertically elongated member; and   a second vertically elongated member extending upward from the top of the first vertically elongated member, the second vertically elongated member being rotatable about a longitudinal axis in relation to the hub.   
     
     
         15 . The stability platform of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a control disposed on the hub and interconnected to the plurality of movement resistant elements, wherein manipulation of the control adjusts the amount of resistance provided by the plurality of movement resistant elements.   
     
     
         16 . The stability platform of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one shelf fixed to the first vertically elongated member. 
     
     
         17 . The stability platform of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a tilt sensor coupled to the plate; and   a computer located on the at least one shelf, the computer being in electrical communication with the tilt sensor.   
     
     
         18 . The stability platform of  claim 1 , wherein each movement resistant element includes a shaft with a pivotal connection to the plate. 
     
     
         19 . The stability platform of  claim 18 , wherein the pivotal connection comprises:
 a retaining member having a first aperture of a first diameter and having a second aperture of a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the apertures being concentric, the shaft of the movement resistant element extending through the first and second apertures;   first and second ball bearings; and   a bearing retaining disk having a disk diameter less than the second diameter and larger than the first diameter, the retaining disk having a channel on each side with the first ball bearing seated in one channel of the retaining disk and with the second ball bearing seated in the other channel of the retaining disk, the retaining disk being disposed within the second aperture and being movable within the second aperture, the retaining disk having a ball and socket joint wherein a socket portion of the ball and socket joint is fixed relative to the retaining disk while the ball portion pivots relative to the socket, the ball portion being affixed to the shaft of the movement resistant element.   
     
     
         20 . A stability platform, comprising:
 a base;   at least one movement resistant element fixed to the base, the at least one movement resistant element containing a flowing substance;   a rigid plate coupled to the at least one movement resistant element and pivotally coupled to the base such that the movement resistant elements resist movement of the plate relative to the base; and   a valve having adjustable positions and being in fluid communication with the at least one movement resistant element such that the position of the valve controls the degree of resistance created by the at least one movement resistant element.   
     
     
         21 . The stability platform of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one movement resistant element is a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         22 . The stability platform of  claim 20 , further comprising a control knob mechanically coupled to the valve such that rotation of the control knob adjusts the position of the valve. 
     
     
         23 . The stability platform of  claim 20 , further comprising a tilt sensor coupled to the plate. 
     
     
         24 . The stability platform of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one movement resistant element has a shaft that has a pivotal connection to the plate. 
     
     
         25 . The stability platform of  claim 24 , wherein the pivotal connection comprises:
 a retaining member having a first aperture of a first diameter and having a second aperture of a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the apertures being concentric, the shaft of the movement resistant element extending through the first and second apertures;   first and second ball bearings; and   a bearing retaining disk having a disk diameter less than the second diameter and larger than the first diameter, the retaining disk having a channel on each side with the first ball bearing seated in one channel of the retaining disk and with the second ball bearing seated in the other channel of the retaining disk, the retaining disk being disposed within the second aperture and being movable within the second aperture, the retaining disk having a ball and socket joint wherein a socket portion of the ball and socket joint is fixed relative to the retaining disk while the ball portion pivots relative to the socket, the ball portion being affixed to the shaft of the movement resistant element.   
     
     
         26 . A stability platform, comprising:
 a base;   a rigid plate pivotally coupled to the base;   at least one movement resistant element fixed to the base, the at least one movement resistant element having a shaft that has a pivotal connection to the rigid plate such that the movement resistant element resists movement of the plate relative to the base.   
     
     
         27 . The stability platform of  claim 26 ,
 a valve having adjustable positions and being in fluid communication with the at least one movement resistant element such that the position of the valve controls the degree of resistance created by the at least one movement resistant element.   
     
     
         28 . The stability platform of  claim 26 , wherein the pivotal connection comprises:
 a retaining member having a first aperture of a first diameter and having a second aperture of a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, the apertures being concentric, the shaft of the movement resistant element extending through the first and second apertures;   first and second ball bearings; and   a bearing retaining disk having a disk diameter less than the second diameter and larger than the first diameter, the retaining disk having a channel on each side with the first ball bearing seated in one channel of the retaining disk and with the second ball bearing seated in the other channel of the retaining disk, the retaining disk being disposed within the second aperture and being movable within the second aperture, the retaining disk having a ball and socket joint wherein a socket portion of the ball and socket joint is fixed relative to the retaining disk while the ball portion pivots relative to the socket, the ball portion being affixed to the shaft of the movement resistant element.