Portable stepping device

• US 20060243522A1
• Filed: 02/14/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Barbara Follette, Kathleen Moroney, Kelly F. Hart
• Original Assignee: Barbara Follette, Kathleen Moroney, Kelly F. Hart
• Inventors: Follette, Barbara, Hart, Kelly F., Moroney, Kathleen
• Application Number:
  US11/354,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20060243522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/63.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/001 on steps or stairways
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04 ; applying electrical currents by contact electrodes for stimulating motor muscles, e.g. walking assistance A61N1/36003
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 1/005 Ladders in use as furniture or ladders in relation to furniture, e.g. in cupboards step-stools, chairs or benches requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0068 Modular articulated structures, e.g. stands, and articulation means therefor

Abstract

Described herein is a device 10 that is easily transportable, platform-like device, lightweight, portable, and strong, for assisting people and animals as they enter and exit vehicles, buildings, etc. The device of the invention generally decreases the distance that a user must step when going from one level to another. Thus, a user who has trouble (due to frailty, illness, agedness, youth) getting in and out of cars or over the threshold of houses may place (or have a caregiver or other companion place) the device 10 immediately in front of the door of a car or house. The user would then step on the device, and then step from the device onto the ground, or into the car or house.

Claims

1. A portable stepping device comprising a substantially planar member, wherein the planar member is comprised of a solid material that is lightweight and is able to withstand the weight of a person thereon without compressing significantly,

said planar member further comprising:

a first side that is horizontal when in use and receives contact with a user; and

a second side that is parallel to the first side;

wherein the distance between the first and second sides is at least about one inch.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first side of said planar member is provided with frictional means for preventing the user from slipping or sliding on the planar member'"'"'s surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the frictional means is selected from the group consisting of anti-slip coatings, anti-slip tape and anti-slip decals.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second side of said planar member is provided with frictional means for preventing the device from slipping or sliding on the ground or floor on which the device is placed.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the frictional means is selected from the group consisting of anti-slip coatings, anti-slip tape and anti-slip decals.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle for carrying or moving the device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the handle is comprised of a cut-out area in the planar member adjacent an edge of the substantially planar member.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said planar member is in a rectangular or square shape, and has an easily visible colored border on at least on the first side, and the distance between the first and second sides of the member is from about 3 to about 6 inches.

9. A portable stepping device comprising two substantially planar members, wherein each of said planar members is comprised of a material that is lightweight and is able to withstand the weight of a person thereon without compressing significantly,

said each planar member further comprising:

a first side that is horizontal when in use and receives contact with a user; and

a second side that is parallel to the first side,

wherein the distance between the first and second sides is at least about one inch,

and wherein said planar members are flexibly joined to one another so that said members may be folded onto one another.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first side of said planar member is provided with frictional means for preventing the user from slipping or sliding on the planar member'"'"'s surface.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the frictional means is selected from the group consisting of anti-slip coatings, anti-slip tape and anti-slip decals.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the second side of each said planar member is provided with frictional means for preventing the device from slipping or sliding on the ground or floor on which the device is placed.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the frictional means is selected from the group consisting of anti-slip coatings, anti-slip tape and anti-slip decals.

14. The device of claim 10, further comprising a handle for carrying or moving the device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the handle is comprised of a cut-out area in the planar member adjacent an edge of at least one of the substantially planar members.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein said planar members are in a rectangular or square shape, and at least one planar member has an easily visible colored border on at least on the first side, and the distance between the first and second sides of the member is from about 3 to about 6 inches.

17. A portable stepping device comprising three substantially planar members,

wherein each of said planar members is comprised of a material that is lightweight and is able to withstand the weight of a person thereon without compressing significantly,

said each planar member further comprising:

a first side that is horizontal when in use and receives contact with a user; and

a second side that is parallel to the first side,

wherein the distance between the first and second sides is at least about one inch,

and wherein said planar members are flexibly joined to one another so that said members may be folded onto one another.