EXERCISE STEP APPARATUS

• US 20130045840A2
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exemplar Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Exemplar Design, LLC
• Inventors: Ross, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04

Abstract

A step apparatus is disclosed for individual training or group fitness classes. The step apparatus may simultaneously contain a plurality of step heights for a dynamic work out. The platform heights may be quickly adjusted to user preference. The adjustable settings may be self-contained within a single unit, or alternate pieces may be provided for additional variation. The step apparatus has a frame and a plurality of step platform units, with each platform unit having two height settings.

Claims

1. A stepper apparatus, comprising:

a base structure comprising an elevated frame;

a ledge along at least a portion of the inside of the elevated frame;

at least one removable flippable platform unit received within the frame;

the at least one removable flippable platform unit comprises a first box attached to a second box in a stacked formation;

the first and second boxes having opposed exercise surfaces;

the first box being dimensioned to rest on the ledge within the frame;

the first box having a height corresponding to the distance from the ledge to the top of the frame;

the second box having a length and width sized to pass through the frame;

the second box having a height not greater than the elevation of the frame.

2. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the first box has a rectangular cross section.

3. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of removable flippable platform units.

4. The stepper apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the removable flippable platform units is not set within the frame.

5. A method of using the stepper apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

replacing the at least one removable flippable platform unit with a plurality of removable flippable platform units.

6. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the second box has a rectangular cross section.

7. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the second box has a triangular vertical cross section providing a tilted exercise surface.

8. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the flippable platform unit comprises at least two adjacent removable flippable platform units within the frame.

9. The stepper apparatus of claim 8, where at least two of the second boxes of the at least two adjacent flippable platform units have either different heights or different cross sections.

10. The stepper apparatus of claim 8, where the frame contains a divider wall between adjacent flippable platform units, the divider wall having a ledge.

11. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where at least one support bridge extends across the width of the frame, the at least one flippable platform unit resting on the at least one support bridge.

12. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the frame is adapted to stand on a floor.

13. The stepper apparatus of claim 12, where the frame has at least one non-slip contact with the floor.

14. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the stepper apparatus is made from a rigid material.

15. The stepper apparatus of claim 14, where the stepper apparatus is made from plastic.

16. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the first box and the second box have a non slip or rubberized exercise surface.

17. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the frame encloses a polygon.

18. The stepper apparatus of claim 17, where the frame is rectangular.

19. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the frame contains at least one access port to the at least one flippable platform unit.

20. The stepper apparatus of claim 1, where the frame contains at least one of a hook, a loop, a post, a snap, a buckle and a Velcro®

strip for coupling to at least one accessory.