Physical activity apparatus and kit

• US 8,434,824 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2011
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Classroom Seating Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Classroom Seating Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Spinabella, Ronald Sr., Singer, Roberta, Spinabella, Kathy
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): GABLER, PHILIP F
• Application Number:
  US13/114,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20120138113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 108/25, 108/26, 108/50.14, 108/92, 108/96, 108/106, 108/182, 108/188, 297/423.1, 297/423.39, 482/79, 482/80, 482/121, 482/129, 482/130, 482/148
• US Class Current: 297/423.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 19/00 Reading-desks; Lecterns; Pulpits , i.e. free-standing
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0097 Foot rest being part of desk
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 41/00 School desks or tables attaching to floor A47B91/08
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/00 Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 16/02 Footstools; Foot-rests; Leg-rests
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1261 combined with active exercising of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides for a universal foot assembly having a foot pedal that may be attached to a desk or workstation that can be adjustably configured to allow for the foot pedal to vibrate, rotate, or move in a number of directions. The foot assembly comes as part of a kit and is configurable for retrofit attachment to existing desks and workstations. The foot assembly helps students having ADD or ADHD expend nervous energy. It also provides a valuable exercise mechanism for those trying to improve their physical health.

Claims

1. A physical activity system for people having a need to expend energy while remaining generally immobile comprising:

a support structure having four spaced apart legs;

a first elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end of the first cord being connected to a first leg of the support structure and the second end of the first elastic cord being connected to a second leg of the support structure;

a first sleeve disposed around and supported by the first elastic cord;

a second elastic cord having first and second ends, the first end of the second elastic cord being connected to a third leg of the support structure and the second end of the second elastic cord being connected to a fourth leg of the support structure;

a second sleeve disposed around and supported by the second elastic cord; and

a footpad sleeve disposed around the first and second sleeves and supported by the first and second elastic cords, the first elastic cord, the second elastic cord, the first sleeve, the second sleeve and the footpad sleeve depending from the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure, and the footpad sleeve for receiving a user'"'"'s foot in operation to move the first and second elastic cords in a generally vertical direction between retracted and extended configurations.

2. The physical activity system of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the second end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the first end of the second elastic cord forms a loop; and

the second end of the second elastic cord forms a loop.

3. The physical activity system of claim 1, wherein:

each of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure includes a horizontally directed groove.

4. The physical activity system of claim 1, wherein:

the footpad is a right circular cylinder.

5. The physical activity system of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the second end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the first end of the second elastic cord forms a loop;

the second end of the second elastic cord forms a loop;

each of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure includes a horizontally directed groove to receive a loop of the elastic cords; and

the footpad is a right circular cylinder for loosely receiving the sleeve covered elastic cords.

6. The physical activity system of claim 5, wherein:

the support structure includes a base with four upstanding legs.

7. The physical activity system of claim 5, wherein:

the support structure includes a desk with four depending legs.

8. The physical activity system of claim 5, wherein:

the grooves of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure define a horizontal plane.

9. The physical activity system of claim 1, wherein:

the footpad sleeve pivots the first and second elastic cords when operated by a user'"'"'s foot.

10. The physical activity system of claim 9, wherein:

the first end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the second end of the first elastic cord forms a loop;

the first end of the second elastic cord forms a loop;

the second end of the second elastic cord forms .a loop; and

each of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure includes a horizontally directed groove to receive a loop of an elastic cord.

11. The physical activity system of claim 10, wherein:

the footpad is a right circular cylinder.

12. The physical activity system of claim 11, wherein:

the support structure includes a base with four upstanding legs.

13. The physical activity system of claim 12, wherein:

the footpad is disposed midway between the legs of the support structure.

14. A physical activity system comprising:

a support structure having first, second, third and fourth spaced apart legs, each leg having a horizontally disposed groove;

a first elastic cord having a first looped end and a second looped end, the first looped end of the first cord being disposed in the groove of the first leg of the support structure and the second looped end of the first elastic cord being disposed in the groove of the second leg of the support structure;

a first sleeve disposed around and supported by the first elastic cord;

a second elastic cord having a first looped end and a second looped end, the first looped end of the second elastic cord being disposed in the groove of the third leg of the support structure and the second looped end of the second elastic cord being disposed in the groove of the fourth leg of the support structure;

a second sleeve disposed around and supported by the second elastic cord; and

a footpad sleeve disposed around the first and second sleeves and supported by the first and second elastic cords midway between the legs of the support structure, wherein the first elastic cord, the second elastic cord, the first sleeve, the second sleeve and the footpad sleeve hang downwardly at rest, the first and second elastic cords are in a retracted configuration when at rest, and the first and second elastic cords are movable between retracted and extended configurations in operation when the footpad sleeve is operated by a user'"'"'s foot.

15. The physical activity system of claim 14, wherein:

the footpad is a right circular cylinder.

16. The physical activity system of claim 15, wherein:

the grooves of the first, second, third and fourth legs of the support structure define a horizontal plane.

17. The physical activity system of claim 16, wherein:

the support structure includes a base and four upstanding legs.

18. The physical activity system of claim 16, wherein:

the support structure includes a desk and four leg extensions.