Multi-positioned angled step and risers

• US 8,915,825 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Indian Industries Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Indian Industries Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Inventors: Elpers, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US14/200,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20140187386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• Field of Search: 482/19, 482/26, 482/35, 482/61, 482/52, 482/142, 482/148, 446/85, 446/106, 446/120, 446/124, 446/125, 446/117, 446/476, 434/247, 434/403, 108/106, 248/188.2, 248/346.5, D21/336, D21/671, D21/694
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04

Abstract

An adjustable stepping structure for aerobic exercise is disclosed having a platform and a plurality of support elements. The support elements include a downwardly arcuate notch or channel for receiving a sidewall or endwall of the platform, allowing the platform to be arranged in multiple angled orientations.

Claims

1. An adjustable stepping structure for aerobic exercise, comprising:

an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping and sidewalls extending downward from the top surface; and

at least two support elements, said support elements having an upper portion and a base, said base extending laterally outward from said upper portion;

wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the at least two support elements, with the upper portion of the support elements formed to nest within a lower interior portion of the platform between said sidewalls;

wherein the platform can be supported in a first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface and a second end of the platform on a first one of the support elements, the second end of the platform and the first support element secured together by a notch interface.

2. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein the platform is substantially rectangular having sidewalls and endwalls and can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the platform on the at least two support elements;

and

wherein a first angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the first angled orientation is less than a second angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the second angled orientation.

3. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein the at least one two support elements have an open center cavity.

4. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein the at least one two support elements have a telescoping relationship.

5. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein the upper portion of said support elements is formed to nest within a lower portion of an upper adjacent support element.

6. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein the platform can be supported in a third angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface and a second end of the platform on a first support element, said first support element being vertically stacked upon a second support element.

7. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 6,

wherein the upper portion of said second support element is formed to nest within a lower portion of said first support element.

8. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein said notch interface comprises a non-slip surface.

9. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein said notch interface comprises a tab-in-notch interface.

10. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 1,

wherein said notch interface comprises at least two notches.

11. An adjustable stepping structure for aerobic exercise, comprising:

an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping and sidewalls extending downward from the top surface; and

at least one support element, said support elements having an upper portion and a base, said base extending laterally outward from said upper portion;

wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the support element, with the upper portion of the support element formed to nest within a lower interior portion of the platform between said sidewalls;

wherein the platform can be supported in a first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface and a second end of the platform on the support element, the second end of the platform and the first support element secured together by a notch interface between the sidewall of the platform the upper portion of the support element.

12. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein the platform is substantially rectangular having sidewalls and endwalls and can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the platform on two support elements;

and

wherein a first angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the first angled orientation is less than a second angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the second angled orientation.

13. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein the support element has an open center cavity.

14. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein the upper portion of the support element is formed to nest within a lower portion of an upper adjacent support element.

15. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein the platform can be supported in a third angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface and a second end of the platform on a first support element, said first support element being vertically stacked upon a second support element.

16. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 15,

wherein the upper portion of said second support element is formed to nest within a lower portion of said first support element.

17. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein said notch interface comprises a non-slip surface.

18. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein said notch interface comprises a tab-in-notch interface.

19. The adjustable stepping structure of claim 11,

wherein said notch interface comprises at least two notches.

20. An adjustable stepping structure for aerobic exercise, comprising:

an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping and sidewalls extending downward from the top surface; and

at least two support elements, said support elements having an upper portion, a base, and an open center, said base extending laterally outward from said upper portion;

wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the at least two support elements, with the upper portion of a first support element formed to nest within a first lower interior portion of a first end of the platform between said sidewalls and the upper portion of a second support element formed to nest within a second lower interior portion of a second end of the platform between said sidewalls;

wherein the platform can be supported in a first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface and a second end of the platform on a first one of the support elements, the second end of the platform and the first support element secured together by notch interface.