AU2010201559A1

AU2010201559A1 - Under - Desk Exerciser

Info

Publication number: AU2010201559A1
Application number: AU2010201559A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Linda Cummings
Original assignee: Apparition Marketing Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Apparition Marketing Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2010-11-11

Description

1 Title - Under-Desk Exerciser Field of Invention The present invention relates to a mini portable under-desk exerciser and more particularly to a device with a step type motion for use while in the sitting position 5 and while in a confined areas such as at a desk, in a car or on an aeroplane. The invention also relates to a device with multiple functions, being exercise, self adjusting foot rest and low step stool. Background Existing step exercise machines require the user to be in the upright position. They 10 are also too large and/or have a hydraulic rebound action that renders them unsuitable for use whilst in the sitting position and/or in a confined space. Existing step exercise machines are also generally not multifunctional, when not in use they can be difficult to store, they often expensive if purchased for exercise function alone and are generally only in use for a limited period of time. 15 Existing foot rests generally have a fixed foot rest surface plane and therefore do not adjust to the users' individual height and/or angle position requirements. Existing low step stools generally only have the one function. 20 1 2 Summary of Invention In an attempt to address the above disadvantages the present invention is designed with the following objectives: The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a highly compact step s motion exercise device for use whilst sitting in confined spaces such as at a desk, in a car or on an aeroplane. The compact low profile design of the present invention is such that it sits neatly under a standard desk/work bench or other confined space. The flat foot rest strike plates function with an underlying spring mechanism that is maintained under pressure while in the resting state. As the springs are under 10 pressure when the user begins to exert force it is possible to can gain more effective exercise with a smaller range of movement such as that afforded to a person in the sitting position in a confined space. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an under-desk exercise device that functions also as a more interactive foot rest than conventional foot rest. 15 Conventional foot rests have a fixed foot rest surface plate, in contrast the under desk exerciser has non-fixed strike plates that are capable of adjusting to the users' individual comfort needs. The foot rest plates on the present invention sit on the internal spring mechanism, the user can effectively determine both the height and the angle at which they rest their feet by simply moving the position of the feet 20 and/or exerting more or less pressure. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an under-desk exerciser and foot rest that can also function as a low step. The present invention is a portable exercise machine and foot rest when the movable strike plates are facing upwards and a portable light weight step stool when inverted. 25 As such the present under-desk exerciser is a unique concept that overcomes many of the issues with traditional step exercise machines, while at the same time providing an improved foot rest and functional step stool. 2 3 The invention is better described by the following illustrations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 Rear view schematic showing some of the general physical shape options for the base housing enclosures for the present invention. 5 FIG.2 Top view schematic of one of the overall inside housing options for the present invention showing the essential top and front openings. FIG.3 A perspective view of the general external appearance of preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG.4 Front angled view of preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 with one step depressed FIG.5 Front angle view of the present invention showing the internal spring mechanism and optional step counter FIG.6 Top angle view of present invention as in Fig.5 without the strike plate catching lip in place 15 FIG.7 Front angled view of one form of the present invention with one strike plate removed showing more clearly the strike plate extrusion guides and the enclosure guide channels Fig.8 Inverted back view of some of the overall external shapes for the housing options for the present invention 20 3 4 Key 10 Housing enclosure 15 Foot strike plate (s) 18 Front opening for foot strike plate movement 5 19 Top opening for foot strike plates 22 Spring coils 23 Spring coil connection/supporting points 25 Catching Lip for strike plates for one 30 Solid base - step stool surface 10 35 Flexible front covering material 40 Dividing wall, partial wall or upright supports 45 Glide channels for one embodiment of the present invention 50 Strike plate extrusion guide one embodiment of the present invention 55 Step counter one embodiment of the present invention 15 20 4 5 Detailed Description Referring to drawings (FIG 1-8) a portable under desk exerciser in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing enclosure of a generally rectangular shape (FIG.1) with overall dimensions not greater than s W450XD35OXH150. The fabrication material can be plastic, wood, metal, fibreglass, covering material and or a combination of these and other materials. The corners of the enclosure can be square, rounded or angled (FIG.1&FIG8) or any combination thereof. The enclosure of the preferred embodiment however must have a top opening (19) 10 an internal space suitable for housing two side-by-side foot strike plates (15) and an opening on the front (18) for enabling free movement of the strike plates up and down. Another component of the preferred embodiment of the current invention is two functionally independent foot strike plates (15), located on the top of the enclosure 15 and enabling the user to place all or a part of their foot on the plate surface. In order to provide pressure resistance for user when they press down on the strike plate surface (15) of the portable under desk exerciser the preferred embodiment has a serious of spring coils (22) each held in place attached by an attachment point (23) to the underside of the strike plate and extending vertically to the inside of the 20 base (30) of the device where it is held in place by a corresponding attachment point (23). In the proffered embodiment of the present invention the spring coils (22) are maintained under pressure while in the resting state by the horizontally extending catching lip (25) around the entire top edge or any part of the top edge of the sides 25 and back of the housing enclosure. The user therefore has to exert more pressure on the strike plates (15) to further depress the already partially compressed springs (22). This provides the opportunity for more effective exercise with a smaller 5 6 movement range making the portable under desk exerciser ideal for use whilst in the sitting position in a confined area. The catching lip (25) also prevents the strike plates from rebounding beyond the top surface area of the base. The two strike plates (15) are generally the width of a larger size foot and move 5 independently of each other when pressure is applied. When not being used for exercise the strike plates (15) combined with the underlying spring coil mechanism (22) provide a foot rest that adjusts to individual needs. The user can effectively determine both the height and the angle at which they rest their feet by simply moving the position of the feet and/or exerting more or less pressure. In contrast 10 conventional foot rests have a fixed non adjustable foot rest surface plate. The front of each Strike plate is covered with a thick flexible covering (35) that can move up and down with the depression and rebound of the strike plates. The front covering material may have a one or a number of air escape holes. 15 The preferred embodiment of the present invention has a solid bottom base (30) that functions as a stable support for the portable under-desk exerciser and as standing surface suitable for a normal adult when the unit is inverted for use as a step stool. 20 One form of the present invention has a dividing wall, partial wall or upright supports down the middle plane (40). Another form of the present invention has a series of glide channels (45) on the dividing wall, partial wall or upright supports. In this form the foot strike plates have corresponding extrusions (50) that slot into the glide channels to give added stability to the strike plates when pressure is exerted. 25 Another form of the present invention has a step counter (55) incorporated on one of the external surfaces of the housing (10) 6

Claims

1. A portable under-desk exerciser having a total surface area not larger than W450XD35OXH150 comprising: A generally rectangular shaped housing surround with square, rounded or angled corners, having two functionally independent side by side foot strike plates supported on the underside by a series of spring coils that extend vertically and connect to a base plate. The surround incorporates a horizontally extending catching lip around the inside top back and side edges to maintained the springs under pressure and prevent the full rebound of the springs.

2. A portable under-desk exercise machine as in Claim 1, that has a wall, partial wall or upright supports down the middle plane.

3. A portable under- desk exercise machine as in Claim 1 that has a wall, partial wall or upright supports down the middle plane with a series of glide channels and with foot strike plates having a corresponding extrusion to slot into the guides for added stability.

4. A portable under-desk Exerciser as in Claim 1 that functions as an automatically height and position adjusting foot rest.

5. A Portable Under-Desk Exerciser as in Claim 1 that has a flexible covering on the front of each step to hide the internal mechanism.

6. A portable Under Desk Exerciser as in claim 1, that has a solid base, such that when inverted the base provides a stable standing platform to support the weight of a normal adult. 7