Anti-fatique comfort mat

Abstract

Disclosed is a standing platform having granular material, such as sand, with the granular material positioned to support a user standing on an upper surface of the platform when the platform rests on a floor surface.

1 . A standing platform, comprising:
 a container having an inner surface that defines a receptacle; and   a volume of a granular material contained within the receptacle,   wherein the location and amount of the granular material are sufficient for the granular material to support a user standing on the platform when the platform rests on a floor surface.   
     
     
         2 . The standing platform of  claim 1  wherein:
 the container comprises an envelope having an inner surface that defines a chamber; and 
 the volume of a granular material contained within the chamber, 
 an upper portion of the envelope is an upper membrane that is flexible, 
 the envelope has an envelope upper surface that is a portion of the upper membrane, 
 at least a portion of the envelope upper surface is located over the volume of granular material when the platform rests on a floor surface, and 
 the location and amount of the granular material are sufficient for the granular material to support a user standing on the upper surface when the platform rests on a floor surface. 
 
     
     
         3 . The standing platform of  claim 2  wherein the envelope is sufficiently nonporous to prevent the escape of granular material from the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The standing platform of  claim 2  wherein the envelope further comprises a lower membrane, the upper membrane and lower membranes being secured together at a perimeter seam to define the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The standing platform of  claim 2  wherein the granular material is distributed in a layer of substantially uniform thickness throughout the envelope. 
     
     
         6 . The standing platform of  claim 2  having:
 a length, measured across a greatest span of the upper surface, that is perpendicular to a greatest width measured across the upper surface, the length being no longer than 39 inches and no shorter than 16 inches; and 
 the greatest width being no longer than 25 inches. 
 
     
     
         7 . The standing platform of  claim 2  further comprising a base and wherein:
 the base has a base upper surface that faces upwardly when the base rests on a floor surface and a base lower surface that faces substantially opposite to the base upper surface, the base lower surface contacting the floor surface when the base rests on the floor surface; and 
 the envelope has an envelope lower surface that rests on the base. 
 
     
     
         8 . The standing platform of  claim 7  wherein the envelope lower surface is secured to the base upper surface. 
     
     
         9 . The standing platform of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a base having a base upper surface that faces upwardly when the base rests on a floor surface and a base lower surface that faces substantially opposite to the base upper surface, the base lower surface contacting the floor surface when the base rests on the floor surface; and 
 a pad that rests on the base upper surface, and 
 wherein the envelope has an envelope lower surface that rests on the pad. 
 
     
     
         10 . The standing platform of  claim 9  wherein the pad is a foam pad or a gel pad. 
     
     
         11 . The standing platform of  claim 9  wherein the pad is secured to both the envelope lower surface and the base upper surface. 
     
     
         12 . The standing platform of  claim 9  wherein the base is an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         13 . The standing platform of  claim 9  wherein the base lower surface is convex so that when the platform rests on a floor surface with a user standing on the upper surface, the user can cause the standing platform to rock by shifting weight. 
     
     
         14 . The standing platform of  claim 9  wherein the base upper surface defines a seat that is configured to receive the envelope. 
     
     
         15 . The standing platform of  claim 14  wherein:
 the standing platform comprises plural of the envelopes; and 
 the base upper surface defines plural seats, each of which seats is configured to receive one of the envelopes. 
 
     
     
         16 . The standing platform of any of  claim 7  wherein the base further comprises at least two terrain bodies that extend upwardly from the base upper surface at locations below the envelope. 
     
     
         17 . The standing platform of  claim 1  further comprising at least one inclusion body contained within the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The standing platform of  claim 17  wherein the at least one inclusion body is secured to the inner surface of the envelope. 
     
     
         19 . The standing platform of  claim 17  wherein the at least one inclusion body is not secured to the inner surface of the envelope. 
     
     
         20 . The standing platform of  claim 17  wherein:
 the at least one inclusion body is a pouch; and 
 the pouch contains a granular material that differs from other granular material in the chamber. 
 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)