Aerobic exercise/household step

• US 5,855,536 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: William T. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US08/944,039
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 297/423.41, 297/188.1, 108/130-135, 108/126, 108/129, D 6/336, D 6/350, D 6/349, 248/188.2
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 12/02 requiring conversion between the step and seat functions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04

Abstract

An aerobic exercise/household step comprises a base having an upper surface which is horizontal and planar to comprise a primary stepping surface. The upper surface includes a recess resulting in a lower secondary stepping surface which is also horizontal and planar. A compartment is formed under a portion of the upper surface with that portion of the upper surface being hinged to the remainder of the upper surface to provide a cover for the compartment. The step may include legs to selectively elevate the base.

Claims

1. An aerobic exercise/household step comprising a base having an upper exposed surface with a downwardly extending apron and terminating in a lower edge, a portion of said upper surface being horizontal and planar to comprise a primary stepping surface, a further portion of said upper surface being recessed to provide a secondary surface extending to one of the walls of said apron, said secondary surface being horizontal and planar and disposed lower than said primary stepping surface to provide a secondary stepping surface, said base having a storage compartment below said upper surface, legs mounted to said base for raising the height of said stepping surface, said storage compartment being spaced inwardly of said apron to provide an open space, and said legs being selectively movable to a storage condition in said open space between said compartment and said apron.

2. The step of claim 1 wherein said compartment is located below a part of said primary stepping surface, said part of said primary stepping surface being hinged to a further part of said primary stepping surface to provide a cover for selectively opening and closing said compartment.

3. The step of claim 2 wherein said cover is hinged by hinges which extend no higher than said primary stepping surface.

4. The step of claim 1 wherein said legs are hinged to said base.

5. The step of claim 4 wherein said legs straddle said compartment during conditions of non-use.

6. The step of claim 5 wherein said apron is formed by a pair of elongated side walls interconnected by end walls which are shorter than said side walls, and said secondary stepping surface being located at one of said end walls.

7. The step of claim 6 wherein said secondary stepping surface is located inwardly of each of said elongated side walls whereby said recess is defined by three depending walls extending downwardly from said upper stepping surface to said secondary stepping surface.

8. The step of claim 7 wherein said legs are hinged to said base by means of mounting brackets depending from said upper primary stepping surface, and said mounting brackets being said mounting structure.

9. The step of claim 1 wherein said apron is formed by a pair of elongated side walls interconnected by end walls which are shorter than said side walls, and said secondary stepping surface being located at one of said end walls.

10. The step of claim 9 wherein said secondary stepping surface is located inwardly of each of said elongated side walls whereby said recess is defined by three depending walls extending downwardly from said upper stepping surface to said secondary stepping surface.