U.S. patent application number 12/931876 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for device for step exercises.
Invention is credited to Sylvia Orizaba Knilans.
Application Number | 20120208678 12/931876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46637332 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120208678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knilans; Sylvia Orizaba |
August 16, 2012 |
Device for step exercises
Abstract
Disclosed is a device for a core balance stepping workout having
a flexible air or water filled bladder that can hold 400 to 500
pounds, and can be used by stepping, standing, sitting, or lying on
the device to create new physical fitness exercises.
Inventors: |
Knilans; Sylvia Orizaba;
(Wilmette, IL) |
Family ID: |
46637332 |
Appl. No.: |
12/931876 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0458 20130101;
A63B 2225/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Claims
1. A device for physical fitness exercises comprising: An
inflatable bladder with a top, a bottom, and four sides, the top
being a horizontal surface designed to support the weight of a
person, the bottom side being structured to maintain contact with
the floor, and the four sides structured to support the top and to
support the weight of a person.
2. A device according to claim 1, where the bottom of the device is
reinforced with an attached stability ring.
3. A device according to claim 1, where the four sides of the
device are reinforced with strength ribs.
4. A device according to claim 1, where the bottom side of the
device is reinforced with a rigid bottom plate.
5. A device according to claim 2, where two or more rope locks are
integrated into the stability ring.
Description
Field of Invention
[0001] The invention concerns physical fitness and exercise
systems, principally in the area of step aerobics, though the
invention can be used for other physical fitness training
methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Step aerobics is a specialized form of aerobic physical
fitness training which is characterized by its use of an elevated
platform or step. Many devices for use with step aerobics are
known, virtually all of which consist of a hard, inflexible, flat
surface on a stable, immobile base. These devices require of the
user simply the physical work required to raise the user's body
onto the step. Further, the known devices in this field are hard
and rigid, and impart a physical shock to the user when
contacted.
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,344,488, 7,494,446, 6,554,753, 6,575,885,
and 6,422,983 describe a balancing device which challenges a user's
balance but lacks the proper rigidity, shape, and stability to be
useful for step aerobics. Other devices provide the rigidity,
shape, and stability in a platform for step aerobics, but do not
challenge the user's balance and core muscles, and do not cushion
the impact on the foot of the user when used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The preferred embodiment of this invention is as a device
for a step aerobic physical fitness workout. The device has a
molded, semirigid, inflatable bladder which is filled with air or
water and is generally of the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped
step, in most cases approximately six inches to one foot above the
floor. In the preferred embodiment, the bladder is molded such that
it has a flat bottom side which is rigid and makes stable contact
with the floor, and a rounded top side which, while primarily flat,
is rounded at the corners. The flexible bladder, when fully filled,
shall have sufficient rigidity to maintain its shape when stepped
upon by the user.
[0005] In another embodiment, the device has .a clamped on
stability ring around the bladder where it makes contact with the
floor. The stability ring increases the rigidity and stability of
the device without sacrificing the cushioning effect or the
balancing aspects of the invention.
[0006] In another embodiment, the device has a base which is either
a separate piece attached to the stability ring or an integral
piece which incorporates the functions of the stability ring. This
base further decreases the required rigidity of the bladder and
allows for greater stability without sacrificing the cushioning
effect or the balancing aspects of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0007] FIG. 1--Isometric View of the Full Assembly
[0008] FIG. 2--Isometric Bottom View of the Bladder Showing Recess
for the Bottom Plate
[0009] FIG. 3--Isometric Top View of the Bladder
[0010] FIG. 4--Elevated View of One Half of the Stability Ring
[0011] FIG. 5--Isometric Top View of the Male Stability Ring
Connector
[0012] FIG. 6--Isometric Bottom View of the Male Stability Ring
Connector
[0013] FIG. 7--Isometric Bottom View of the Male Stability Ring
Connector
[0014] FIG. 8--View of Dovetails Locked Together
[0015] FIG. 9--Bottom Plate
[0016] FIG. 10--Section View Showing Stability Ring and Bottom
Plate attached to Bladder
[0017] FIG. 11--View of Rope Lock Assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIG. 1 shows the invention in its preferred embodiment. This
embodiment consists of a inflatable or fillable semirigid bladder
(1) and an attached stability ring (2). The bladder (1) is molded
with reinforcements at the corners (3) and reinforcements along the
edges (4) so that it substantially maintains its form when inflated
or filled, and when pressure is exerted on the top side (5) of the
bladder (1). In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the bladder
(1) is molded with indented strength ribs (6) in the side panels,
which increase the vertical strength and rigidity of the device. In
this embodiment, the bladder (1) is secured to the stability ring
(2) which gives it increased strength and makes better contact with
the ground.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the underside of the bladder (1). In the
preferred embodiment, the bladder (1) is molded with a recess (7)
in which rests a bottom plate (8), however the recess (7) and the
bottom plate (8) can be omitted in some embodiments. At the
outermost extremity of the recess, a lip (9) is formed by
protruding material from the bladder, which rests in a bladder lock
(10) of the stability ring (2) as seen also in FIG. 5, and which
holds the bottom plate (8) in place as per FIG. 10 below.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the top view of the bladder (1) itself,
including the reinforcements at the corners (3) and the
reinforcements at the edges (4) and the indented strength ribs (6)
and also another embodiment of the invention, in which no stability
ring is present.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows one of two matched frame halves (11) of the
stability ring. Each half has a male dovetail (12) and a female
dovetail (13) which are intended to interlock with mating
connections on the opposite matched frame halves (11), and nine
optional screw holes (14) which allow the stability ring to be
attached to the bottom plate (8), if present.
[0022] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show top and bottom views respectively of
one end connector of the stability ring. This view shows more
clearly the male dovetail (12) which is interlocked with the female
dovetail (13) of the matched frame half (11). The figure also shows
a recessed area or bladder lock (10) in which the bladder lip (9)
rests, if present. Also shown in this drawing is a detail of a
screw hole (14) which allows for the stability ring (2) to be
attached to the bottom plate (8) if present.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows the female dovetail (13) into which the male
dovetail (12) is connected. Clearly shown in this view is the screw
head recess (15) for screws which connect the stability ring (2) to
the bottom plate (8).
[0024] FIG. 8 shows the male dovetail (12) and female dovetail (13)
when the matched frame halves (11) of the stability ring (2) are
connected.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows the optional bottom plate (8). The bottom plate
(8) is fitted with 18 tapped holes (16) located to align with the
screw holes (14) on the matched frame halves (11) of the stability
ring (2).
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment
of the invention. In this embodiment, the water-filled or inflated
bladder (1) rests in an enclosure created by the stability ring (2)
on all four sides and by the bottom plate (8) below it. In this
embodiment, bottom plate (8) is inserted into the lip (9), which
itself rests on the bladder lock (10) of the stability ring (2).
Screws threaded through the screw holes (14) and into the tapped
holes (16) of the bottom plate (8) further secure the bladder (1)
to the stability ring (2).
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a example of a protruding extension (17) from
the stability ring (2) in which notched rope locks (18) are
present. The rope locks (18) are intended to allow the user to
attach or loop various exercise devices to the invention to augment
the exercises that can be performed with the invention.
* * * * *