U.S. patent application number 12/523162 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for air step board for health.
Invention is credited to Jong Seon Kim.
Application Number | 20100029443 12/523162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39636122 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100029443 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jong Seon |
February 4, 2010 |
Air Step Board For Health
Abstract
An air step board for health is disclosed. The step board has an
upper plate on the upper surface of a board frame, and a shock
absorbing leg on a corner of an underside of the board frame. The
board frame is formed using a synthetic resin material through
injection molding such that a seating part is provided on the upper
surface of the board frame, and a reinforcing rib is provided in
the seating part to reduce a weight of the board frame and impart
sufficient strength. A handle is provided on at least one side of
the board frame. In this invention, the board frame having the
reinforcing rib is manufactured through injection molding, thus
enhancing the durability of the board frame, permitting mass
production, and ensuring easy workability, and a reinforcing plate
is provided between the reinforcing ribs and the upper plate, thus
reliably withstanding shocks.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jong Seon;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANKIN, HILL & CLARK LLP
23755 Lorain Road - Suite 200
North Olmsted
OH
44070-2224
US
|
Family ID: |
39636122 |
Appl. No.: |
12/523162 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
January 14, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR08/00223 |
371 Date: |
July 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0458 20130101;
A63B 2071/0063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0004687 |
May 2, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0042615 |
Claims
1. An air step board for health, having an upper plate on an upper
surface of a board frame, and a shock absorbing leg provided on a
corner of an underside of the board frame and stably supporting the
board frame, wherein the board frame is formed using a synthetic
resin material through injection molding such that a seating part
is provided on the upper surface of the board frame to hold the
upper plate seated on the seating part, and a reinforcing rib is
provided in the seating part to reduce a weight of the board frame
and impart sufficient strength.
2. The air step board according to claim 1, wherein a handle is
provided on at least one side of the board frame to allow the air
step board to be easily held and carried.
3. The air step board according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing
plate is provided between the reinforcing rib of the board frame
and the upper plate so as to impart sufficient strength to the
board frame.
4. The air step board according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcement
protruding part protrudes from a center of a lower surface of the
board frame, and increases ability to withstand a load which is
repeatedly applied by a user.
5. An air step board for health, having an upper plate on an upper
surface of a board frame and a shock absorbing leg provided on a
corner on an underside of the board frame and stably supporting the
board frame, wherein the shock absorbing leg comprises: at least
one ventilation opening formed in an upper end of the shock
absorbing leg, and allowing air to circulate in and out of the
shock absorbing leg as it is compressed or extended; and an air
circulation unit installed in the ventilation opening, and
comprising: a perforated member functioning to prevent a noise from
being generated when air circulates in and out of the shock
absorbing leg; and a casing having a hole to allow air to flow from
an interior or exterior of the shock absorbing leg through the
ventilation opening and the perforated member, and surrounding the
perforated member so as to prevent the perforated member from being
removed from the ventilation opening by the air flowing through the
ventilation opening.
6. The air step board according to claim 5, wherein the casing of
the air circulation unit is made of metal or synthetic resin, and
has a "U" shape to surround the perforated member.
7. The air step board according to claim 6, wherein, when the
casing is made of synthetic resin, the casing comprises an open
sheet having a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces
which are to be folded along folding lines, a coupling pin
protruding from the first side surface and a pin hole formed in the
second side surface so that the coupling pin is inserted into the
pin hole, whereby the casing is assembled into a "U" shape by
folding the side surfaces along the folding lines.
8. The air step board according to claim 5, further comprising: a
removal prevention step provided on an upper end in the ventilation
opening of the shock absorbing leg, thus preventing the inserted
air circulation unit from being removed from the ventilation
opening.
9. The air step board according to claim 8, further comprising: a
locking step provided on the casing of the air circulation unit,
and locked by the removal prevention step provided on the upper end
in the ventilation opening.
10. The air step board according to claim 5, wherein a locking
projection is provided on a predetermined portion of a leg
fastening groove which contacts a lower surface of a leg fastening
protrusion of the shock absorbing leg, and a locking hole is formed
in a lower surface of the leg fastening protrusion of the shock
absorbing leg to be locked to the corresponding locking projection
of the leg fastening groove.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to an air step
board for health, which is used for conducting repeated skipping
and landing, and absorbs shocks generated during exercise, using
air pressure, thus mitigating the shocks. More particularly, the
present invention relates to an air step board for health, in which
a board frame is manufactured through injection molding using
synthetic resin, and reinforcing ribs are provided in the board
frame in such a way as to cross each other, thus increasing
strength and realizing lightness, and in which an upper plate made
of a shock absorbing material is welded to the reinforcing ribs,
thus ensuring easy workability and preventing the upper plate from
being removed from the board frame, and in which an air circulation
unit having a perforated member surrounded with a casing is fitted
into a ventilation opening formed in the upper end of a shock
absorbing leg, thus preventing the removal of the air circulation
unit and preventing noise from being generated by the sudden
compression of the shock absorbing leg, when the air is discharged
from the shock absorbing leg.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, an air step board for health is sports equipment
that is placed on a living room or a room floor and is used to
repeatedly perform stationary jumping, skipping, and landing. The
air step board includes a board frame which comprises a flat plate,
a sheet member which surrounds the upper surface or the entire
outer surface of the board frame, and shock absorbing legs which
are attached to corners of the underside of the board frame, thus
spacing the board frame apart from the floor and reducing the noise
that is generated when landing.
[0003] Various kinds of sports equipment for repeatedly performing
skipping and landing, like the above-mentioned air step board for
health, have been proposed.
[0004] According to Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-298847, an air
step board includes a board frame having the shape of a plate.
Shock absorbing legs are provided on corners of the underside of
the board frame, and function to absorb shocks applied to the board
frame, in addition to supporting the board frame. Each shock
absorbing leg includes a body which is open at the top thereof and
has air circulation holes in the upper surface thereof. An air
control member having flanges at regular intervals is fitted into
the upper portion of the body. A disc-shaped cover is attached to
the air control member.
[0005] An air step board of Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-385431
includes a rectangular board frame. Shock absorbing legs are
mounted to corners of the underside of the board frame. Each shock
absorbing leg includes an integral body, with a coil spring
installed in the body. Alternatively, the shock absorbing leg may
include a fixed body and a movable body which are separately
manufactured and are subsequently coupled to each other, with a
coil spring elastically installed in the space between the fixed
and movable bodies. When a user jumps on the board frame, the coil
spring is compressed and extended along with the body of the leg,
thus absorbing shocks. Alternatively, the movable body moves
relative to the fixed body to compress or extend the coil spring,
thus absorbing shocks.
[0006] A shock absorbing leg for an air step board according to
Korean U.M. Registration No. 20-421118 is mounted to the underside
of a board frame, and functions to absorb and withstand a load
applied to the board frame. The shock absorbing leg is open at the
top thereof, and is constructed so that a cushioning member having
in the center of the bottom thereof an air discharge hole is
integrally provided on the bottom of a leg body. A vertical passage
is formed through the cushioning member in such a way as to
communicate with the air discharge hole, which is formed in the
center of the cushioning member, and a plurality of horizontal
passages is formed in the bottom of the cushioning member in such a
way as to communicate with the vertical passage. Thus, when shocks
are applied to the board frame, the leg body is compressed, so that
the air is discharged from the body through the air discharge hole,
the vertical passage, and the horizontal passages to the outside.
In this way, shocks are absorbed.
[0007] An air step board for health and a shock absorbing leg
thereof according to Korean Patent No. 10-446588 are constructed as
follows. That is, a bolt is provided on each corner of the
underside of the air step board, and a screw hole is formed in the
upper portion of the shock absorbing leg, so that the bolt is
screwed into the screw hole. The shock absorbing leg includes a
body which is open at the bottom thereof. Shock absorbing means,
each having an air control part and a closing part, are provided in
the body in multiple layers. A plurality of air discharge holes is
formed through the closing part. Thus, when shocks are applied to
the air step board, the body is compressed, and the air is
discharged from the body through the air discharge holes in the
closing part to the outside.
[0008] A memory foam shock absorbing step board for health
according to Korean Patent No. 10-574199 includes a rectangular
board frame. A shock absorbing leg is attached to each corner on
the bottom of the board frame. The shock absorbing leg includes a
body which is open at the bottom thereof, with a coil spring
installed in the wall of the body. A groove and an air hole are
formed, respectively, in the outer circumference and the lower end
of the body. The body is filled with sponge. When the body is
compressed by shocks applied to the board frame, both the coil
spring and the sponge are compressed, so that the shocks are
absorbed.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] The conventional air step boards for health, constructed as
described above, are problematic in that the board frame of each
air step board is made of wood, such as plywood, so that the board
frame made of the wood is easily deformed or damaged due to
moisture, and in addition, the board frame does not withstand
shocks which are repeatedly applied to the board frame during the
use of the air step board, and thereby the board frame may
break.
[0010] Further, in order to protect the board frame from moisture,
the outer surface of the board frame may be covered with the sheet
member. The sheet member is made of synthetic resin or rubber.
Thus, an adhesive is applied to the surface of the board frame, and
the sheet member must be pressed against the board frame for a
predetermined period of time so as to be reliably attached to the
board frame. However, it is very difficult to attach the sheet
member to the board frame. Moreover, even though the sheet member
is attached to the board frame using the adhesive, the sheet member
may easily become detached from the board frame during use.
[0011] Further, the air discharge hole and the vertical passage are
formed by simply boring holes through predetermined portions in the
shock absorbing leg. Thus, the conventional air step boards are
problematic in that noise is generated when a user repeatedly skips
and lands on the board frame, so that the user cannot continue
exercise, and thus avoids exercise.
[0012] Particularly, according to Korean U.M. Registration No.
20-298847, the air control member is fitted into the entire opening
of the top of the leg body. The entire top of the leg body,
including the air control member is covered with the cover, so that
the construction is complex, and many parts are required, so that
the cost of materials is high.
Technical Solution
[0013] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in
mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object
of the present invention is to provide an air step board for
health, in which a board frame having on an upper surface thereof
reinforcing ribs is manufactured through injection molding, thus
enhancing the durability of the board frame, permitting mass
production, and ensuring easy workability, and in which a
reinforcing plate is provided between the reinforcing ribs and an
upper plate, thus reliably withstanding shocks that are repeatedly
applied to the board frame due to repeated skipping and
landing.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air
step board for health, in which an upper plate is simply fitted
into the upper surface of a board frame in a one-touch manner, and
is welded or attached at predetermined portions to the board frame,
thus preventing the upper plate from being removed from the board
frame or breaking during exercise, and in which a handle is
provided on each side of the board frame, thus allowing a user to
more conveniently hold the air step board, therefore making it easy
to carry.
[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
air step board for health, in which an air circulation unit, having
a perforated member surrounded by a casing, is fitted into a
ventilation opening formed in the upper end of a shock absorbing
leg, thus preventing the removal of the air circulation unit and
preventing noise from being generated, due to the sudden
compression of the shock absorbing leg when the air is discharged
from the shock absorbing leg.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
air step board for health, in which a locking projection and a
locking hole are provided in a leg fastening groove of a board
frame and a leg fastening protrusion of a shock absorbing leg,
respectively, such that the locking projection is locked into the
locking hole, thus preventing the shock absorbing leg from being
undesirably released during use, by fitting the leg fastening
protrusion of the shock absorbing leg into the leg fastening groove
of the board frame, therefore allowing the shock absorbing leg to
be stably used for a lengthy period of time without the separation
of the shock absorbing leg.
Advantageous Effects
[0017] According to the present invention, an air step board for
health is constructed so that a board frame having on an upper
surface thereof reinforcing ribs is manufactured through injection
molding, thus enhancing the durability of the board frame,
permitting mass production, and ensuring easy workability, and a
reinforcing plate is provided between the reinforcing ribs and an
upper plate, thus reliably withstanding shocks that are repeatedly
applied to the board frame due to repeated skipping and
landing.
[0018] Further, a handle is provided on each side of a board frame,
thus making it more convenient for a user to hold an air step
board, therefore making it easy to carry. An air circulation unit,
having a perforated member surrounded by a casing, is fitted into a
ventilation opening formed in an upper end of a shock absorbing
leg, thus preventing the removal of the air circulation unit and
preventing noise from being generated due to the sudden compression
of the shock absorbing leg when the air is discharged from the
shock absorbing leg.
[0019] Furthermore, a locking projection and a locking hole are
provided in a leg fastening groove of a board frame and a leg
fastening protrusion of a shock absorbing leg, respectively, such
that the locking projection is locked into the locking hole, thus
preventing the shock absorbing leg from being undesirably released
during use, by fitting the leg fastening protrusion of the shock
absorbing leg into the leg fastening groove in the board frame,
therefore allowing the shock absorbing leg to be stably used for a
lengthy period of time without the separation of the shock
absorbing leg.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air step board for
health, according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the air step board of
FIG. 1, in which one shock absorbing leg is separated from the
bottom of a board frame;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the board frame of the air
step board for health, according to the present invention, in which
an upper plate is removed from the board frame;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the shock
absorbing leg of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the state in
which the shock absorbing leg is fastened to the board frame of the
air step board for health, according to the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing air step boards
for health, according to other embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view showing an air circulation unit of an air
step board for health, according to a further embodiment of the
present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present
invention provides an air step board for health, having an upper
plate on an upper surface of a board frame, and a shock absorbing
leg provided on a corner of an underside of the board frame and
stably supporting the board frame, wherein the board frame is
formed using a synthetic resin material through injection molding
such that a seating part is provided on the upper surface of the
board frame to hold the upper plate seated on the seating part, and
a reinforcing rib is provided in the seating part to reduce a
weight of the board frame and impart sufficient strength.
[0028] In the air step board of the invention, a handle is provided
on at least one side of the board frame to allow the air step board
to be easily held and carried.
[0029] Further, a reinforcing plate is provided between the
reinforcing rib of the board frame and the upper plate so as to
impart sufficient strength to the board frame.
[0030] A fitting projection may protrude upwards from the
reinforcing ribs, and a fitting hole may be formed in the underside
of the upper plate or the reinforcing plate, so that the fitting
projection is fitted into the fitting hole.
[0031] Further, the present invention provides an air step board
for health, having an upper plate on an upper surface of a board
frame and a shock absorbing leg provided on a corner on an
underside of the board frame and stably supporting the board frame,
wherein the shock absorbing leg includes at least one ventilation
opening which is formed in an upper end of the shock absorbing leg
and allows air to circulate in and out of the shock absorbing leg
as it is compressed or extended, and an air circulation unit
installed in the ventilation opening and including a perforated
member which functions to prevent a noise from being generated when
air circulates in and out of the shock absorbing leg, and a casing
which has a hole to allow air to flow from an interior or exterior
of the shock absorbing leg through the ventilation opening and the
perforated member and surrounds the perforated member so as to
prevent the perforated member from being removed from the
ventilation opening by the air flowing through the ventilation
opening.
[0032] The casing of the air circulation unit is made of metal or
synthetic resin, and has a "U" shape to surround the perforated
member. Further, the casing is made of synthetic resin, the casing
comprises an open sheet having a bottom surface and first and
second side surfaces which are to be folded along folding lines, a
coupling pin protruding from the first side surface and a pin hole
formed in the second side surface so that the coupling pin is
inserted into the pin hole, whereby the casing is assembled into a
"U" shape by folding the side surfaces along the folding lines.
[0033] Further, in order to prevent the air circulation unit from
being undesirably removed from the ventilation opening of the shock
absorbing leg, a removal prevention step is provided on an upper
end in the ventilation opening of the shock absorbing leg, or a
locking step is provided on the casing of the air circulation
unit.
[0034] The air step board for health according to the present
invention includes a locking means for preventing the undesirable
separation of the shock absorbing leg, when the leg fastening
protrusion of the shock absorbing leg is fitted into the leg
fastening groove of the board frame in a one-touch manner and then
a user continuously and repeatedly performs skipping or stepping.
The locking means includes a locking projection which is provided
in the leg fastening groove of the board frame contacting the lower
surface of the leg fastening protrusion of the shock absorbing leg,
and a locking hole which is formed in the lower surface of the leg
fastening protrusion of the shock absorbing leg to correspond to
the locking projection of the leg fastening groove.
Mode for the Invention
[0035] Hereinafter, an air step board according to the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an air step board for
health, according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective
view showing the air step board of FIG. 1, in which one shock
absorbing leg is separated from the bottom of a board frame, FIG. 3
is a plan view showing the board frame of the air step board for
health, according to the present invention, in which an upper plate
is removed the board frame, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view
showing the shock absorbing leg of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a vertical
sectional view showing the state in which the shock absorbing leg
is fastened to the board frame of the air step board for health,
according to the present invention.
[0037] As shown in the drawings, the air step board for health
according to the present invention includes a board frame 10, an
upper plate 20, and shock absorbing legs 30. The board frame has
the shape of a rectangle having rounded corners. The upper plate is
attached or mounted to the upper surface of the board frame 10. The
shock absorbing legs are mounted to four corners of the bottom of
the board frame 10, and function to absorb and mitigate shocks.
[0038] A seating part 12 is provided on the upper surface of the
board frame 10, so that the upper plate 20 is seated and fitted
into the seating part. Further, reinforcing ribs 11 are provided in
the seating part 12 so as to conserve the material of the board
frame 10, that is, synthetic resin, reduce the weight of the board
frame, and impart sufficient strength. Leg fastening grooves 13 are
formed in four corners of the board frame, so that the shock
absorbing legs 30 are fastened to the board frame.
[0039] The reinforcing ribs 11 may have various shapes, for
example, circular, radial, or rectangular shapes. Further, various
shapes of reinforcing ribs may be used together. As shown in the
drawing, the reinforcing ribs 11 are provided on the upper surface
of the board frame 10 in such a way as to cross each other.
However, the reinforcing ribs 11 may be provided on the lower
surface of the board frame 10 in such a way as to cross each
other.
[0040] Further, a handle 14 is provided on at least one side of the
board frame 10 to allow a user to easily hold and carry the air
step board. The board frame 10 is formed through injection molding
using a synthetic resin material. Preferably, when the reinforcing
ribs 11, the leg fastening grooves 13, and the handle 14 of the
board frame 10 are formed, they are formed integrally with the
board frame 10 using one mold.
[0041] As long as the shock absorbing legs 30 are fastened to the
corresponding leg fastening grooves 13 of the board frame 10 in a
one-touch manner, any shape of fastening groove is possible. When
shown from the bottom, L-type grooves each having the shape of an
arc which is wide at one end thereof are formed along the same
circumference in such a way as to be opposite each other.
[0042] Each shock absorbing leg 30 is a hollow bellows tube, and is
open at the top thereof. Two arc-shaped leg fastening protrusions
31 are provided on the upper end of each shock absorbing leg, and
correspond to the leg fastening grooves 13, which are provided in
the lower surface of the board frame 10. Each leg fastening
protrusion 31 has an angled cross-section which has a neck portion.
Thus, when the leg fastening protrusion enters the wide end of each
leg fastening groove 13 and thereafter is rotated, the neck portion
of the leg fastening protrusion is locked to the leg fastening
groove.
[0043] When the leg fastening protrusions 31 of each shock
absorbing leg 30 are fitted into the corresponding leg fastening
grooves 13 of the board frame 10 in a one-touch manner, and then a
user continuously and repeatedly performs skipping or stepping, a
locking means for preventing the undesirable separation of the
shock absorbing leg 30 is required. The locking means for
preventing the undesirable separation of the shock absorbing leg 30
includes a locking projection 13a, which is provided in a portion
of the leg fastening groove 13 contacting the lower surface of each
leg fastening protrusion 31, and a locking hole 32, which is formed
in the lower surface of each leg fastening protrusion 31 of each
shock absorbing leg 30 and is locked to the corresponding locking
projection 13a of the leg fastening groove 13.
[0044] Further, one or more ventilation openings 33 are provided in
the upper end of each shock absorbing leg 30, and cause the air to
circulate in and out the shock absorbing leg 39 as it is compressed
or extended. An air circulation unit 35 is installed in each
ventilation opening 33 in such a way that it is not undesirably
removed and prevents noise from being generated when the air is
circulated.
[0045] The air circulation unit 35 includes a perforated member 36
and a casing 37. The perforated member prevents noise from being
generated when the air is circulated in and out each shock
absorbing leg 30 through the air circulation unit. Holes 38 are
formed in the casing 37 such that the air flows in and out of each
shock absorbing leg 30 through the ventilation opening 33 and the
perforated member 36. The casing surrounds the perforated member 36
so as to prevent the perforated member from being removed from the
ventilation opening 33 by the flow of the air passing through the
ventilation opening 33.
[0046] Further, a removal prevention step 34 is provided on the
upper end in an associated ventilation opening 33 of each shock
absorbing leg 30. When the air circulation unit 35 is inserted into
the corresponding ventilation opening, the air circulation unit is
stopped by the removal prevention step, and thus the removal of the
air circulation unit is prevented. As such, the removal prevention
step 34 is provided on the upper end in an associated ventilation
opening 33 to restrain both ends of the casing 37. Further, locking
steps 39 having shapes corresponding to the removal prevention step
may be provided on the casing 37 of the air circulation unit
35.
[0047] In the air step board for health according to the present
invention, which is constructed as described above, the reinforcing
ribs 11, which are provided on the upper surface of the board frame
10 and the bottom of the upper plate 20, which is to be seated on
the reinforcing ribs 11 are attached at predetermined positions to
each other using an adhesive, or are welded to each other, and the
edges of the upper plate 20 are fitted into the seating part 12 of
the board frame 10. In comparison with the prior art, in which the
entire upper plate is attached to the board frame using an
adhesive, the present invention considerably enhances productivity,
and prevents the upper plate from being detached from the board
frame during use.
[0048] Further, since the reinforcing ribs 11 are provided on the
upper surface of the board frame 10 in such a way as to cross each
other, the board frame 10 has sufficient strength, in addition to
saving a material and achieving lightness. Hence, the upper plate
20 is firmly supported, so that the ability to withstand the load
that is applied when skipping and landing are repeatedly performed
is remarkably increased. The upper plate 20 may be made of the same
material as the board frame 10, or may be made of a soft material
so as to perform a shock absorbing operation to some extent.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a view showing the construction of an air step
board for health, according to another embodiment of the present
invention. This embodiment is equal to the first embodiment except
that a reinforcing plate 15 is provided between the reinforcing
ribs 11 provided on the upper surface of the board frame 10 and the
upper plate 20 seated on the seating part 12 of the board frame 10.
The reinforcing plate 15 may be secured to the reinforcing ribs 11
provided on the upper surface of the board frame 10, using a screw
or an adhesive. However, ultrasonic welding, which melts and
attaches surfaces of the reinforcing plate 15 and the reinforcing
ribs 11, is preferred to ensure more reliable and firmer
coupling.
[0050] In the air step board for health according to this
embodiment, the reinforcing plate 15 is provided between the board
frame 10 and the upper plate 20. Thus, the impact load generated
when a user jumps or lands is primarily absorbed by the upper plate
20, and is indirectly transmitted to the reinforcing ribs 11. As
such, since shocks and repeated load applied to the upper plate 20
are indirectly transmitted, the board frame 10 is more reliably
reinforced.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a view showing the construction of an air step
board for health, according to a further embodiment of the present
invention. According to this embodiment, a reinforcement protruding
part 16 protrudes from the center of the bottom of the board frame
10, and contacts the ground when each shock absorbing leg 30 is
contracted by the load generated when a user jumps and lands on the
board frame 10. The reinforcement protruding part 16 is formed
integrally with the board frame 10 through injection molding using
the same material as the board frame 10 or a material that is
different from that of the board frame.
[0052] Therefore, the board frame 10 is reinforced by the
reinforcement protruding part 16, which is provided on the lower
surface of the board frame. Moreover, the reinforcement protruding
part increases the ability of the board frame 10 to withstand the
repeated load generated when a user repeatedly jumps and lands on
the upper plate 20, which is provided on the upper surface of the
board frame 10.
[0053] In a detailed description, as jumping action is repeatedly
performed, the user's impact load is applied to the board frame 10.
Due to the impact load, each shock absorbing leg 30 is contracted,
and simultaneously, the board frame 10 is elastically deformed. At
this time, the reinforcement protruding part 16, provided on the
lower surface of the board frame 10, is supported by the ground on
which the air step board is placed. As such, when the central
portion of the board frame 10 is supported by the reinforcement
protruding part 16, the impact load is reduced. Consequently, the
effect of increasing the strength of the board frame is obtained.
Therefore, the air step board according to this embodiment actively
copes with the repeated load applied due to the jumping action, so
that the durability and stability of the board frame 10 are further
increased.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a view showing a casing of an air circulation unit
of an air step board for health, according to another embodiment of
the present invention. According to this embodiment, when a casing
35a is made of synthetic resin, it has the shape of an open sheet,
which has a bottom surface 37a and both side surfaces 37b and 37c
folded along folding lines 37d. Coupling pins 37e protrude from one
side surface 37b, while pin holes 37f are formed in the other side
surface 37c so that the coupling pins 37e are inserted into the
corresponding pin holes. Thus, when the side surfaces are folded
along the folding lines, the casing has a "U"-shaped profile. As in
the embodiment of FIG. 4, a plurality of holes 38 must be formed in
both side surfaces 37b and 37c of the casing 35a.
[0055] Therefore, when the air step board for health according to
the present invention is manufactured, the casing 37 or 370 for the
air circulation unit 35 may be manufactured using metal or
synthetic resin to thus have a predetermined shape. Further, the
casing may be manufactured by preparing an open sheet and then
folding the sheet according to the predetermined shape. As such,
the casing may be manufactured in various methods.
[0056] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0057] As described above, the present invention provides an air
step board for health, which allows a user to repeatedly perform
skipping, landing, and stepping indoors without generating
vibrations or noise.
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