Step platform
AssigneeStep Fitness & Recreation, Inc.
InventorsLyle Ray Irwin, Virginia Miller, Bradley Workman, Sam Crosby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A step platform for aerobic exercise may include multiple layers. The top layer may include an elastic foam member that is configured to at least partially deform when stepped on by a user. The middle layer may include a rigid support member that is configured to at least partially maintain the shape of the foam member. The foam member may include a cover that wraps around the foam member and at least a portion of the support member to fasten the support member to the foam member. The bottom layer may include a base member having a support ridge configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least one direction. The base member may be connectable to the support member.
Claims20
A step platform for aerobic exercise, the step platform comprising:
- an elastic foam member with tapered sides, the elastic foam member configured to at least partially deform when stepped on by the user;
- and
- a base member connectable to the foam member, the base member having a plurality of exposed tapered sides that continuously taper from a lowermost edge of the base member to an uppermost edge of the base member,
- wherein the base member comprises a tapered support ridge having a flat, angled contact surface operable to abut at least a portion of an outermost edge of one or more of the side surfaces of the foam member, the tapered support ridge tapering in height as it extends inwardly towards a central vertical axis of the base member such that the contact surface of the tapered support ridge forms an obtuse angle with a horizontal axis of the base member and is configured to at least partially restrict deformation of the foam member in at least one direction, the obtuse angle facing the central vertical axis of the base member,
- wherein when the base member is connected to the foam member, each tapered side of the base member combines with an adjacent tapered side of the foam member to form a continuously tapered face of the step platform.
A bench for supporting a user during stepping exercise, the bench comprising:
- a foam member comprising an elastic material, the foam member having a plurality of exposed tapered sides that continuously taper from a lowermost edge of the foam member to an uppermost edge of the foam member;
- a support member connectable to a bottom surface of the foam member, the support member comprising a rigid material;
- and
- a base member connectable to at least a portion of the support member and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the foam member, the base member having plurality of exposed tapered sides that continuously taper from a lowermost edge of the base member to an uppermost edge of the base member, each tapered side of the base member combinable with an adjacent tapered side of the foam member to form a tapered face of the bench.
A method of manufacturing a step platform for aerobic exercise, the method comprising:
- placing a support member into a recess formed by a bottom surface of a foam member such that the support member partially covers the bottom surface of the foam member, wherein the support member comprises a rigid material and the foam member comprises an elastic material and a plurality of exposed tapered sides that continuously taper from a lowermost edge of the foam member to an uppermost edge of the foam member, wherein the support member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces, and the recess is configured to receive the top surface of support member and at least a portion of each side surface of the support member;
- covering at least a portion of the foam member and the support member with a moisture-resistant cover;
- sealing the moisture-resistant cover to the foam member in a fixed position such that the moisture-resistant cover forms to the one or more exposed surfaces of the foam member and at least partially compresses against the support member to fasten the support member to the foam member;
- and
- connecting at least a portion of a base member to at least a portion of the foam member, the base member having a plurality of exposed tapered sides that continuously taper from a lowermost edge of the base member to an uppermost edge of the base member,
- wherein, when the at least a portion of the base member is connected to the at least a portion of the foam member, each tapered side of the base member combines with an adjacent tapered side of the foam member to form a continuously tapered face of the step platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.