Step Platform

• US 20160199689A1
• Filed: 01/08/2015
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2015
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Step Fitness & Recreation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Step Fitness & Recreation, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Virginia, Crosby, Sam, Irwin, Lyle Ray, Workman, Bradley
• Granted Patent: US 10,252,103 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 21/00189 using resistance provided by plastic deformable materials, e.g. lead bars or kneadable masses resilient force-resistors made of material having high internal friction A63B21/028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 1/00 Layered products having a non-planar shape
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 21/047 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 21/14 comprising wood board or veneer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/04 4 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0278 Polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/51 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2571/00 Protective equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/065 of foam
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/04 characterised by at least one layer folded at the edge, e.g. over another layer ; characterised by at least one layer enveloping or enclosing a material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/06 for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support , or to another product, e.g. groove/tongue, interlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material

Abstract

A step platform for aerobic exercise may include multiple layers. The top layer may include an elastic foam member that is configured to at least partially deform when stepped on by a user. The middle layer may include a rigid support member that is configured to at least partially maintain the shape of the foam member. The foam member may include a cover that wraps around the foam member and at least a portion of the support member to fasten the support member to the foam member. The bottom layer may include a base member having a support ridge configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least one direction. The base member may be connectable to the support member.

Claims

1. A step platform for aerobic exercise, the step platform comprising:

an elastic foam member configured to at least partially deform when stepped on by the user;

a rigid support member connectable to a bottom surface of the foam member such that the support member covers at least a portion of the bottom surface, the support member configured to at least partially maintain a shape of the foam member; and

a base member connectable to the support member, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the foam member, and at least a portion of one or more side surfaces of the foam member,

wherein the base member comprises a support ridge connectable to at least a portion of the one or more side surfaces of the foam member, the support ridge configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least one direction.

2. The step platform of claim 1, wherein the foam member comprises a moisture-resistant cover.

3. The step platform of claim 2, wherein the moisture-resistant cover is configured to at least partially compress the foam member.

4. The step platform of claim 1 further comprising one or more risers connectable to the base member, the one or more risers having at least one ridge, wherein the base member comprises at least one groove configured to mate with the at least one ridge of the one or more risers.

5. The step platform of claim 1, wherein the support ridge of the base member is further configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least two axes.

6. The step platform of claim 1, wherein the support ridge comprises a tapered support ridge having a flat, angled contact surface configured to abut at least a portion of the one or more side surfaces of the foam member, and the tapered support ridge tapers as it extends inwardly.

7. A bench for supporting a user during stepping exercise, the bench comprising:

a foam member comprising an elastic material;

a support member connectable to a bottom surface of the foam member, the support member comprising a rigid material; and

a base member connectable to at least a portion of the support member and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the foam member.

8. The bench of claim 7, wherein the foam member further comprises a moisture-resistant cover surrounding the elastic material.

9. The bench of claim 8, wherein the moisture-resistant cover comprises vinyl.

10. The bench of claim 8, wherein the foam member is configured to deform when stepped on by the user.

11. The bench of claim 7, wherein the elastic material comprises urethane foam.

12. The bench of claim 7, wherein the rigid material comprises plywood.

13. The bench of claim 7 further comprising one or more risers connectable to the base member, the one or more risers having at least one ridge, wherein the base member comprises at least one groove configured to mate with the at least one ridge of the one or more risers.

14. The bench of claim 7, wherein the base member comprises a support member, the support member being connectable to at least a portion of one or more side surfaces of the foam member.

15. The bench of claim 14, wherein the support member comprises a tapered support ridge having a flat, angled contact surface that is configured to abut at least a portion of an outermost edge of the one or more side surfaces of the foam member, and the tapered support ridge tapers as it extends inwardly.

16. A method of manufacturing a step platform for aerobic exercise, the method comprising:

placing a support member on a bottom surface of a foam member such that the support member partially covers the bottom surface, wherein the support member comprises a rigid material and the foam member comprises an elastic material;

covering at least a portion of the foam member and the support member with a moisture-resistant cover; and

at least partially compressing the foam member between the moisture-resistant cover and the support member to fasten the support member to the foam member.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising connecting a base member to the support member and at least a portion of the foam member, wherein the base member is configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least one axis.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting the base member comprises connecting a top surface of the base member to the support member and at least the portion of the foam member, and abutting one or more tapered support ridges of the base member against at least a portion of one or more side surfaces of the foam member such that the one or more tapered support ridges at least partially restricts deformation of the foam member in at least two axes.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein covering at least the portion of the foam member and the support member comprises covering a top surface of the foam member, one or more sides of the foam member, a portion of the bottom surface of the foam member, and a portion of the support member.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least partially compressing the foam member comprises sealing the moisture-resistant cover in a fixed position such that the moisture-resistant cover at least partially compresses the foam member against the support member.