Impact absorbing exercise platform

• US 20050101444A1
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Indian Industries Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dadbeh, Bemanali H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,131,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/10 for feet or toes

Abstract

In a basic configuration, the present system includes an adjustable top portion or platform, one or more lower portions or risers and one or more resilient members placed between the riser and the platform. Preferably the resilient members have a sufficient height to space the platform slightly above the riser, and the resilient members are partially compressible to absorb the impact when a user steps atop the platform. In preferred embodiments, the platform and/or riser include a variety of locations in which the resilient member or members may be placed or arranged to provide various levels of cushioning and/or balancing of the platform over the riser. Preferably the multi-exercise system can be used as a standard horizontal platform, as an angled platform, as a balancing platform, or a resilient member-mounting riser for aerobic exercises, stretching, yoga, balancing or exercises exercising the sole or arch of a foot.

Claims

1. An exercise platform system, comprising:

a. a platform having a top surface for a user to step upon and a lower surface;

b. a riser having an upper surface opposing said lower surface of said platform; and

,

c. at least one spherical resilient member disposed between said lower surface of said platform and said upper surface of said riser and spacing said platform apart from said riser.

3. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said platform defines at least one recess for receiving at least a portion of said at least one resilient member.

4. The exercise system of claim 3, wherein said upper surface of said riser defines at least one recess for receiving at least a portion of said at least one resilient member.

5. The exercise system of claim 4, comprising one or more retaining members for retaining said at least one resilient member in said at least one recess.

6. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said riser defines at least one recess for receiving at least a portion of said at least one resilient member.

7. The exercise system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of resilient members disposed between said lower surface of said platform and said upper surface of said riser.

8. The exercise system of claim 7, wherein said lower surface of said platform defines a plurality of recesses for receiving portions of said resilient members.

9. The exercise system of claim 8, wherein said upper surface of said riser defines a plurality of recesses for receiving portions of said resilient members.

10. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of recesses in said platform are arranged opposite said plurality of recesses in said riser.

11. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein said resilient members are spherical and wherein said recesses in said platform and said riser are substantially hemispherical and sized to receive portions of said resilient members.

15. The exercise system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of resilient members include at least one resilient member with an uncompressed cross-section differing from the uncompressed cross-section of at least one other resilient member.

2. (canceled).

12-14. -14. (canceled)

16. An exercise platform system, comprising:

a. a platform having a top surface for a user to step upon and a lower surface;

b. a riser having an upper surface opposing said lower surface of said platform;

c. wherein said lower surface of said platform and said upper surface of said riser define a plurality of locations for one or more resilient members to be placed between them to selectively configure the balancing of said platform over said riser;

d. wherein said one or more resilient members are arrangeable to support said lower surface above said upper surface of said riser; and

,

e. wherein said one or more resilient members are partially compressible to absorb pressure applied to said platform top surface.

18. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein said locations comprise opposing recesses in said platform and said riser.

19. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein said recesses have a circular cross-section.

20. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein said recesses have a rectangular cross-section along a vertical axis.

32. The exercise system of claim 19, wherein said recesses are substantially hemispherical and sized to receive portions of said resilient members.

17. (canceled)

21. An exercise platform, comprising:

a. a platform having a top surface for a user to step upon and a lower surface;

b. wherein said lower surface of said platform defines a plurality of recesses for receiving one or more resilient members;

c. at least one resilient member selectively disposable in one or more of said recesses and between said platform and a support surface, to selectively configure the balancing of said platform above said support surface, and wherein said at least one resilient member is partially compressible to absorb pressure applied to said platform top surface.

23. The exercise platform of claim 21, comprising a plurality of partially compressible resilient members configured to be received in said recesses to selectively configure the balancing of said platform above said support surface.

24. The exercise system of claim 23, wherein said resilient members are balls and wherein said recesses in said platform are substantially hemispherical and sized to receive portions of said balls.

25. The exercise system of claim 23, wherein at least one of said resilient members has a rectangular cross-sectional along a vertical axis and wherein at least one of said recesses in said platform and said riser have a rectangular cross-section along a vertical axis.

26. The exercise system of claim 23, wherein said plurality of resilient members include at least one resilient member with an uncompressed cross-section differing from the uncompressed cross-section of at least one other resilient member.

27. The exercise system of claim 21, wherein said at least one resilient member has a large diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion.

28. The exercise system of claim 27, wherein said smaller diameter portion of said resilient member is received within said at least one recess in said platform.

22. (canceled)

29. An exercise system, comprising:

a. a riser having an upper surface;

b. a plurality of substantially hemispherical recesses defines in said upper surface; and

,

c. at least one resilient member disposed in one of said recesses.

30. The exercise system of claim 29, comprising a plurality of resilient members.

31. The exercise system of claim 29, wherein said resilient member is a ball.