Exercise step using spirally shaped air-cushioning legs

• US 8,944,979 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B & R Plastics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: B & R Plastics Incorporated
• Inventors: Kulzer, Darrell A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fischer, Rae
• Application Number:
  US13/241,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20120088642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 482/52, 482/53
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/262 provided with unscrewing drive means unscrewing means outside the mould B29C45/178
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/44 for undercut articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of an exercise step that utilize spirally shaped air-cushioning legs. The direction of the spiral of the air-cushioning legs is alternated around the periphery of the exercise step to eliminate rotational creep. Flow regulators are utilized to control the flow of air from the top of each of the air-cushioning legs into an interior portion of the base of the exercise step. Spokes provide an air flow passage between the air flow regulators and the central air regulator, as well as providing structural support for the base. Rings are also used around the base that inner connect the spokes and provide additional support. Recessed portions of a lower plate of the base are welded to an upper plate during a blow molding process to add additional support to the base of the exercise step.

Claims

1. An exercise step comprising:

a base comprising;

an upper plate having a non-slip top surface;

a lower plate comprising;

a plurality of leg attachments;

adjustable flow regulators disposed in said leg attachments that individually and separately control airflow at each of said leg attachments;

an air control regulator disposed in said lower plate that controls airflow;

an outer curved ring that provides circumferential support to said lower plate;

an inner curved ring that provides circumferential support to said lower plate;

a center curved ring that supports said air control regulator;

a plurality of spokes that interconnect said outer curved ring, said inner curved ring and said center curved ring to provide lateral support to said lower plate, said spokes providing a plurality of air passages between said flow regulators and said air control regulator disposed in said center curved ring, so that air flow can be individually and separately controlled by said flow regulators and collectively controlled by said air control regulator;

a plurality of recessed portions disposed between said plurality of rings and said plurality of spokes, said recessed portions of said lower plate welded to said upper plate that strengthen said base and form said air passages said spokes;

at least one clockwise air-cushioning leg comprising;

a first sidewall having a clockwise spirally shaped bulge that allows said clockwise air-cushioning leg to compress when a user steps onto said exercise step;

a non-slip cover attached to a bottom portion of said first sidewall that forms an airtight seal with said bottom portion of said first sidewall;

a first attachment plate connected to an upper portion of said first sidewall that forms an airtight seal with said leg attachments on said lower plate so that when said clockwise air-cushioning leg is compressed, air flows from said clockwise air-cushioning leg through said flow regulators and said air control regulator, which control the speed at which said clockwise air-cushioning leg compresses;

at least one counterclockwise air-cushioning leg comprising;

a second sidewall having a counterclockwise spirally shaped bulge that allows said air-cushioning leg to compress when a user steps onto said exercise step;

a second non-slip cover attached to a bottom portion of said second sidewall;

a second attachment plate connected to an upper portion of said second sidewall that forms an airtight seal with said leg attachments on said lower plate so that when said counterclockwise air-cushioning leg is compressed, air flows from said counterclockwise air-cushioning leg through said flow regulators and said air control regulator, which control the speed at which said counterclockwise air-cushioning leg compresses.

2. The exercise step of claim 1 wherein said clockwise air-cushioning leg is attached to said lower plate adjacent to said counterclockwise air-cushioning leg so that said at least one clockwise air-cushioning leg and said at least one counterclockwise air-cushioning leg are alternately disposed on said lower plate to prevent rotational creep.

3. The exercise step of claim 1 wherein said flow regulators comprise openings having a predetermined size that pass air at a predetermined rate based upon pressure of said air.

4. The exercise step of claim 1 wherein said flow regulators comprise a porous foam disposed in an opening in said lower plate.

5. The exercise step of claim 1 wherein said flow regulators comprise a porous foam disposed in an adjustable opening in said lower plate.

6. The exercise step of claim 3 wherein said air control regulator comprises a porous foam disposed in an opening in said lower plate that controls air flow through said air control regulator and reduces noise.