Exercise apparatus

• US 5,645,511 A
• Filed: 12/16/1992
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Green Journal Limited
• Original Assignee: The Green Journal Limited
• Inventors: Edgerley, David A., Le Roux, Philippe A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/991,460
• Time in Patent Office: 1,665 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/53, 482/148, 482/DIG. 9, 482/142, 182/194, 108/19
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is disclosed having a bridge and two adjustably connectable support elements. The bridge and support elements are configured so that the support elements can securely engage the bridge in a locking fashion at three different relative positions, thus supporting the bridge at different heights.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a bridge, the bridge being of elongate form and having two end regions, and two support elements, each support element being adapted to engage a respective end region of the bridge, the bridge and the support elements being so configured that lateral translation of the support elements causes the support elements to engage the bridge in different relative positions, thus supporting the bridge at different heights,

wherein each support element comprises means defining a base to engage the ground and an upper surface having a lower portion and an upper portion, each end of the bridge having an under surface defining at least two levels which are spaced apart vertically, and adapted selectively to engage said portions of the upper surface of the support element.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

connector means for releasably connecting each support to the bridge, the connector means being located on the uppermost part of the upper surface of each support.

3. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a bridge, the bridge being of elongate form and having two end regions, and two support elements, each support element being adapted to engage a respective end region of the bridge, the bridge and the support elements being so configured that the support elements can engage the bridge in different relative positions, thus supporting the bridge at different heights;

wherein each support element comprises means defining a base to engage the ground and an upper surface having a lower portion and an upper portion, each end of the bridge having an under surface defining at least two levels which are spaced apart vertically, and adapted selectively to engage said portions of the upper surface of the support element; and

further comprising connector means for releasably connecting each support to the bridge, the connector means being located on the uppermost part of the upper surface of each support; and

wherein the connector means comprises cooperating elements present on the bridge and on the support, the elements on the support comprising projections, each projection having connector means adapted to engage cooperating surfaces provided on the bridge.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

the cooperating surfaces on the bridge comprise inclined surfaces which form boundaries for apertures formed in a recess formed in the under surface of the bridge.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

each connector means comprises a connector element located within the projection, the connector element having a permitted degree of freedom of movement, comprising a base and an upstanding web, the web being engaged by two parallel ribs formed within the recess, the engagement between the web and the ribs defining the direction of the permitted movement of the connector element.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the connector element is provided with means adapted to retain the connector element within the projection.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

the means adapted to retain the connector element within the recess comprises resilient arms provided with projections thereon, the projections engaging apertures provided in the recess.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

the bridge is formed of a principal molding defining at least one axially extending channel therein, there being a cover which is secured to the said molding on either side of the channel, thus defining a box-beam structure.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:

the molding defines two axially extending channels, the channels being separated by an axially extending partition, the cover being secured to the partition.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

each channel is provided with transversely extending webs.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the cover is provided with a recess which receives a mat of high friction material.

12. An apparatus comprising:

an elongate bridge, the bridge having two depending edge regions to support the bridge, the bridge being formed of a principal molding defining at least one channel extending axially of the bridge, there being a cover secured to the molding on both sides of the channel thereby forming a box-beam structure; and

further comprising connector means to connect together the supports and the bridge, the connector means comprising connector projections provided on the supports and cooperating recesses provided on the bridge, each connector projection containing a connector element, each connector element comprising a base and a central upstanding web, the web being guided by spaced apart parallel ribs formed within the projection, the connector element further presenting two resilient arms each carrying a cam head located to extend through apertures formed in the side of the projection, the connector element presenting two opposed retaining arms, each comprising a resilient arm carrying an outwardly directed projection, said projections being received within apertures formed in the projection to retain the connector element within the projection while permitting axial movement thereof, said recesses defined by the bridge being dimensioned to receive said projection on the support and presenting surface areas adapted to be engaged by the cam heads of the connector element.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

the under surfaces of the cam heads are inclined and the surfaces engaged by the cam heads are similarly inclined so that a significant downward force may separate the support from the bridge.