Step exercise bench with ratcheting height adjustment

• US 5,683,331 A
• Filed: 12/21/1994
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US08/360,562
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/908, 482/142, 297/261, 297/439, 297/461, 297/462, 297/423.45, 297/334.12, 297/334.15, 108/6, 108/11, 108/12, 108/18, 108/19, 108/106, 248/188.2, 248/422, 248/669
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04

Abstract

A step exercise bench includes a platform and has ratcheting support members providing for adjustment of the height of the platform. The platform has opposite ends with a pawl mounted proximate thereto. A pair of pivotally connected support members are disposed below the platform between the ends. Each support member has ratchet steps formed thereon. The pawls selectively engage ratchet steps. The support members have floor members extending below the ratchet means, for resting on a support surface such as a floor. Springs urge the pawls into selected steps formed in the support members.

Claims

1. A stepping bench comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

support structure mechanically associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first support member having a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform, said first support member having foot structure to contact a support surface;

first securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said first support member in said first position and said second position;

a second support member having a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform, said second support member having foot structure to contact a support surface;

second securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said second support member in said first position and said second position;

first limiting means mechanically associated with said platform and said first support member to limit movement of said first support member outwardly from said platform; and

second limiting means mechanically associated with said platform and said second support member to limit movement of said second support member outwardly from said platform.

2. The stepping bench of claim 1, further including a first flange and a second flange spaced apart from said first flange, said first flange and said second flange being connected to and extending downwardly from said platform.

3. The stepping bench of claim 2, wherein said first securing means includes a first mechanical member moveable relative to said first flange and first receiving structure associated with said distal end of said first support member to receive said first mechanical member.

4. The stepping bench of claim 3, wherein said first mechanical member is a first pawl connected to said first flange and wherein said first receiving structure is a plurality of ratchet steps sized and formed to sequentially connect with said first pawl in said first position and said second position.

5. The stepping bench of claim 4, wherein said second securing means includes a second mechanical member moveable relative to said second flange and second receiving structure associated with said distal end of said second support member to receive said second mechanical member.

6. The stepping bench of claim 5, wherein said second mechanical member is a second pawl connected to said second flange and said second receiving structure is a plurality of ratchet steps sized and formed to sequentially connect with said second pawl in the first position and the second position.

7. The stepping bench of claim 3, wherein said first mechanical member includes a pin and wherein said first receiving structure is a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed in said distal end.

8. The stepping bench of claim 7, wherein said pin has a knob on one end for grasping by the user and wherein said first mechanical member includes a spring interconnected between said pin and said first flange to urge said pin toward said spaced apart apertures.

9. The stepping bench of claim 4, wherein said first pawl has means associated therewith for operation by the user.

10. The stepping bench of claim 9, wherein said first mechanical member includes a spring to urge said first pawl toward said ratchet steps.

11. The stepping bench of claim 1, wherein said support structure includes a pivot member to which said first support member and said second support member are each rotatably secured.

12. The stepping bench of claim 3, further including a cover member connected to said platform and shaped to extend over said first mechanical member.

13. The stepping bench of claim 1, further including a cushioning mat positioned on the upward surface of said platform.

14. The stepping bench of claim 1, wherein said first securing means is a pawl rotatably secured to said platform proximate one end thereof.

15. The stepping bench of claim 14, wherein said first securing means includes a leaf spring associated with said pawl to urge said pawl toward first said support member.

16. The stepping bench of claim 1, wherein said first support member and said second support member are each moveable between at least four positions relative to said platform and wherein said first securing means and said second securing means each selectively secure said first support member and said second support member respectively in each of said at least four positions.

28. The stepping bench of claim 1, wherein said first limiting means includes a first cam connected to said first support member and a first cam post connected to said platform and positioned for contact by said first cam.

29. The stepping bench of claim 28, wherein said second limiting means includes a second cam connected to said second support member and a second cam post connected to said platform and positioned for contact by said second cam.

17. An adjustable height bench, comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first pawl member moveably connected proximate to one of said opposite ends;

a second pawl member moveably connected proximate to the other of said opposite ends;

pivot means disposed below and connected to said platform between said opposite ends for pivoting a first ratchet member and a second ratchet member;

the first ratchet member disposed below said platform, said first ratchet member having foot structure to contact a support surface, a proximal end mounted to said pivot means and a distal end having a plurality of ratchet teeth thereon, for ratcheting engagement with said first pawl member;

the second ratchet member disposed below said platform, said second ratchet member having foot structure to contact a support surface, a proximal end mounted to said pivot means, and a distal end having a plurality of ratchet teeth for ratcheting engagement with said second pawl member;

first limiting means mechanically associated with said platform and said first ratchet member to limit rotational movement of said first ratchet member outwardly from said platform; and

second limiting means mechanically associated with said platform and said second ratchet member to limit rotational movement of said second ratchet member outwardly from said platform.

18. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member each have a width comparable to or slightly less than the width of said platform.

19. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said platform has a upper surface and a mat formed of a cushioning material affixed to said upper surface.

20. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, further including a lip depending from said platform at both said opposite ends and covering said first and second pawl members, said lip extending outwardly from said platform to provide room to rotate said pawl members out of engagement with said ratchet teeth.

21. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said first pawl member is mounted to pivot about an axel, and wherein said second pawl member is mounted to pivot about an axle.

22. The adjustable height bench of claim 21, wherein said ratchet members further have foot members extending from said distal ends each having foot surfaces which contact the support surface.

23. The adjustable height bench of claim 22, wherein said foot members have a nonslip member applied on said foot surface.

24. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member are each configured with a semi-cylindrical surface having a series of ratchet grooves formed in the distal ends thereof.

25. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said distal ends of said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member further include a non-slip tread fixed thereto.

26. The adjustable height bench of claim 17, wherein said pivot means is a single pivot.

27. An adjustable height bench, comprising:

a platform having an upper surface and opposing ends;

a first pawl member pivotally mounted to said platform proximate one of said opposing ends;

a second pawl member pivotally mounted to said platform proximate the other of said opposing ends in facing orientation to said first pawl member; and

first and second support members disposed below said platform and between said opposing ends, said first and second support members each having foot structure for contact with a support surface and each having respective proximal ends and respective distal ends, and said first and second support members being pivotally connected to rotate about a common axis at their respective said proximal ends, and said distal ends each having a semi-cylindrical surface with ratchet teeth disposed thereon, said ratchet teeth being engagable with said first and second pawl members.

30. A stepping bench comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first flange and a second flange spaced apart from said first flange, said first flange and said second flange each being connected to and extending away from said platform;

support structure mechanically associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first support member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform;

first securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said first support member in said first position and said second position, said first securing means including a first pawl connected to and moveable relative to said first flange and ratchet steps sized and formed in said distal end of said first support member to sequentially connect with said first pawl in said first position and said second position, said first pawl having handle means associated therewith for operation by a user;

a second support member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform; and

second securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said second support member in said first position and said second position, said second securing means including a second pawl connected to and moveable relative to said second flange and ratchet steps sized and formed in said distal end of said second support member to sequentially connect with said second pawl in the first position and the second position, said second pawl having handle means for operation by a user.

31. A stepping bench comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first flange and a second flange spaced apart from said first flange, said first flange and said second flange each being connected to and extending downwardly from said platform;

support structure mechanically associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first support member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform;

first securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said first support member in said first position and said second position, said first securing means including a first pawl connected to and moveable relative to said first flange and ratchet steps sized and formed in said distal end of said first support member to sequentially connect with said first pawl in said first position and said second position;

a second support member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end rotatably attached to said support structure and a distal end moveable between a first position and a second position relative to said platform; and

second securing means mechanically associated with said platform proximate one end thereof for selectively securing said second support member in said first position and said second position, said second securing means including a second pawl connected to and moveable relative to said second flange and ratchet steps sized and formed in said distal end of said second support member to sequentially connect with said second pawl in the first position and the second position;

a first spring positioned between said first pawl and said first flange to urge said first pawl toward said ratchet steps of said first support member; and

a second spring positioned between said second pawl and said second flange to urge said second pawl toward said ratchet steps of said second support member.

32. An adjustable height bench, comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first pawl member adapted proximate one of said opposite ends;

a second pawl member adapted proximate the other of said opposite ends;

pivot structure associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first ratchet member disposed below said platform, said first ratchet member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure and a distal end having ratchet teeth thereon for ratcheting engagement with said first pawl member;

a second ratchet member disposed below said platform, said second ratchet member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure, and a distal end having ratchet teeth for ratcheting engagement with said second pawl member;

a lip depending from said platform at both said opposing ends to cover said first pawl member and said second pawl member, said lip extending outwardly from said platform and configured to provide room to rotate said first pawl member and said second pawl member out of engagement with the respective said ratchet teeth of said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member.

33. An adjustable height bench, comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first pawl member adapted proximate one of said opposite ends;

a second pawl member adapted proximate the other of said opposite ends;

pivot structure associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first ratchet member disposed below said platform, said first ratchet member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure and a distal end configured as a semi-cylindrical surface with ratchet teeth formed therein for ratcheting engagement with said first pawl member; and

a second ratchet member disposed below said platform, said second ratchet member having foot structure for contact with a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure, and a distal end configured as a semi-cylindrical surface with ratchet teeth formed therein for ratcheting engagement with said second pawl member.

34. An adjustable height step exercise bench for use by a user for performing step exercises, said step exercising bench comprising:

a platform having opposite ends;

a first pawl member adapted proximate one of said opposite ends;

a second pawl member adapted proximate the other of said opposite ends;

pivot structure associated with said platform between said opposite ends;

a first ratchet member disposed below said platform, said first ratchet member having foot structure to contact a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure and a distal end having a surface facing away from said pivot structure with ratchet teeth formed in said surface for engagement with said first pawl; and

a second ratchet member disposed below said platform, said second ratchet member having foot structure to contact a support surface, a proximal end pivotally mounted to said pivot structure and a distal end having a surface facing away from said pivot structure with ratchet teeth formed in said surface for engagement with said second pawl.