CA2043738C

CA2043738C - Portable, adjustable exercise step/bench

Info

Publication number: CA2043738C
Application number: CA002043738A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William T. Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-06-04
Filing date: 1991-06-03
Publication date: 1996-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-03
Also published as: ATE133871T1; DE69132072D1; ES2083481T3; ATE190855T1; DE69116932D1; EP0460535B1; DE69116932T2; EP0685241A1; CA2043738A1; JPH06198003A; GR3019713T3; JP2892182B2; EP0460535A1; EP0685241B1; DK0460535T3

Abstract

An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform having a downwardly and outwardly extending apron disposed at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°. A leg is mounted against the apron at each corner of the platform.
The leg is movable from an active position where it extends downwardly beyond the apron to a stored condition where it is mounted against or in the base within the periphery of the apron.

Description

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~: --"- ~
-. ., .., -: Back~round of Invention - Various devices exist for use in an aerobic exerciseprogram. One type of device which has met with grest success - is a bench or step for aerobic step climbing. For example, ~ ~ I have developed a form of single step climbing during which the user would repeatedly step up and down from a single step. An important feature for making the device capable for widespread appeal to permit it to be customized to the needs of the particular user in height adjustability. In - my U.S. Patent 4,340,218 I disclose one msnner of schieving -- this height sdjustsbility. Other lster pstents of mine - disclose usef~l vsristions for accomplishing that result.
-~ Summsry of Inventioo ~. -- , An object of this invention is to provide an exercise ~ ` device for simulating climbing which is compact and lightweight:: .
-~ and capable of being conveniently stored and transported.
- A further object of this invention is to provide such a device which may offer a wide variety of incremental heights, thst sre easily and quickly sdjustsble, to sccommodste the needs of the psrticulsr user.
- A further object of this invention is to provide ~-~ an unobstructed platform surfsce so thst the user can safely ~ - step on and off in sny direction.
- - A still further object is to provide such a device, ;:
- which may be mass produced inexpensively in a simple design.
- A yet further object of this invention is to provide : ::
,~ such a device which may be used as an elevated platform for ~- warmup exercises.
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In sccordsnce with this invention, the exercise : device for simulating climbing includes a base which is in !
, the form of 8 horizontal platform having a downwardly and outwardly extending peripheral apron. The apron is disposed -- at an angle of from greater than 0 to less than 90 snd - ::
preferably 20 from the platform so as to conveniently permit the user to step on and off the platform from any direction . , while providing the necessary 6tability for the platform.
--- Height adjustment is achieved by a leg mounted in each corner ~ of the platform, preferably against the apron so that the . ,:
: leg is disposed at the same angle as the apron. Each leg -~- itself may be adjustable in its length to provide a certain degree of incremental hei8ht adjustment. Additionslly, - - interchangeable legs of different lengths may be used to - provide for the variation in height.
.~:
In a preferred practice of this invention, the .
legs are detachably mounted to guides at the corners of the - base member. The guides may be in the form of tracks, grooves, channels, holes or post/holes. During the stored condition -- , the legs may be removed and mounted to the base member itself.
- In an alternative form of this invention the legs may be ;i hinged to the base member at the corners to be movable to.-. ~/,~. ...
and from an active position where the legs support the base member and a stored condition where the legs are hinged into contact with the lower surface of the platform.
The Drawin~:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view partly broken away of an exercise device in accordance with this invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the exercise device - shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 i8 an end elevation view of the exercise , .:
- device shown in Figures 1-2;
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the exercise -.:
:- ; device shown in Figures 1-3;

- :
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through ---, :
- ~ -3--; ~ Figure 2 along the line 5-5;
Figure 5A i8 a view similar to Figure 5 of a modified - device of this invention;
.:
--- Figure 6 is an end elevation view of the device --. shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the device shown ~:: in Figure 5;
~- Figure 8 is a side elevation view partly broken away of a portion of the device shown in Figures 1-4 and further illustrating a support post;
. Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a detachable leg for a device in accordance with this invention;
-Figure lO is a side elevation view in section of .`. the embodiment shown in Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a top plan view partly broken away . showing a pouch for.; holding sets of legs usable with the - - device of this invention;
- Figure 12 is a side elevation view partly in section -- of an alternative device in accordance with this invention;
- Figure 13 is an end elevation view of the device .- - of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a side elevation view partly in section of a further alternative device in accordance with this :
:.................... invention;
- Figure 15 is an end elevation view of the device -- -:
of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a top plan view of the device of Figures -- 14-15.
- - Detsiled De~cription Figures 1-4 illustrste sn exercise device 10 for .. simulating climbing. Exercise device 10 is psrticulsrly constructed to be used for single step climbing snd aerobic : exercise program~ wherein the user would repeatedly step ~':

~ , onto and off from a base 12 which functions 8B a step or , .. .. .
bench. Base 12 includes a horizontal plstform 14 having - a pair of end walls interconnected by a pair of side walls.
~ A downwardly and outwardly extending apron 16 is connected _~-~' to the edge of the end and side walls at an angle with respect -~ to horizontal platform 14. As illustrated, each corner 18 :` :
- of apron 16 is of rounded configuration to eliminate sharp - edges. A leg 20 is provided at each corner to elevate platform ~- 14. Each leg 20 would be disposed at the same sngle that - apron 16 is inclined. For example, as shown in Figure ~- leg 20 (and apron 16) is at an angle A with respect to the side wall of platform 14. Figure 3 shows leg 20 to be at .
- -. an angle B with respect to the end wall of platform 14. Angles ~ A and B are greater than 0 and less than 90 so as to be - non-horizontal and non-vertical. Preferably both A and B
are between 10 and 30 and most preferably about 20.
,, -"~
~-- The invention may be practiced by having the legs -~-- hinged to base 12 so as to be moved from an active supporting - ~ position to an inactive stored condition. Alternatively, ,..
the legs may be completely detachable to be selectively moved :
to the two positions. Additionally, in the preferred practice of this invention, the effective length of each leg is adjustable to provide the ability to vary the height of platform 14.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-4 legs 20 are in the form of an inner tube 22 telescopically mounted in an outer tube 24. Outer tube 24 includes a series of holes 26. See for example, Figure 5.
Inner tube 22 would have a spring loaded pin 28 disposed for engagement in a selective hole. Holes 26 are spsced spsrt to provide, for example, two inch incrementsl hei8ht sd~ustment of plstform 14. A mounting bracket 30 is provided st esch corner 18 of bsse 12. Pivot shaft 32 is locsted ,,.,~

., .
-- in corresponding holes in mounting bracket 30 to permit each -- leg 20 to pivot from its support position shown in solid .... .
in Figure 5 to its stored condition shown in phantom in Figure -~- 5 and shown in solid in Figure 7. Snap clips 34 are provided .: .
on apron 16 to hold each leg 20 in its support or active ' :
position. Similarly, snap clips 36 are provided on the underside of platform 14 to hold the legs 20 in their stored condition. Each leg 20 rotates about its axis a distance greater than 90 and preferably 110 to and from its stored - and active positions.
- ~ As also illustrated a foot 38 is mounted on each ~- leg 20 by being telescoped over inner tube 22. If desired :
~ foot 38 may be molded integrally with leg 20. Foot 38 serves ,, the multiple functions of adding additional height to platform 14 and also by making foot 38 of a non-slip material the device 10 is less likely to slide or slip during the exercise ::
-- program. Further because foot 38 is wider than leg 20, foot 38 also provides added stability. Similarly, a non-slip ~ material 40 is provided on the upper surface of platform - - 14 to reduce the possibility of the user slipping when stepping up and down from platform 14. Alternatively, a non-slip ~- - surface may be provided by molding a non-slip design on the top surface of platform 14.
Indentations 41 may be molded at some or all of the corners of the upper surface of platform 14. Indentations - 41 would function as entitlements to permit advertising bearing - inserts to be mounted in indentation 41. The invention may be practiced with indentations 41 being in any exposed surface of base 12, including apron 16. Preferably each advertising insert would be flush with that surface of base 12.
Not only does each leg 20 extend downwardly at - an angle of A and B in the elevstion view, but also as shown - in Figure 4 each leg i8 at an angle C in the plan view with ... . .

-:

;, -~ respect to the respective side and end walls of platform - 14. Angle C is greater than 0 and less than 90 and is . ~
preferably 45.
As also shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 2 : -, a slot 42 is provided in one portion of apron 16 to act as ~ a convenient handle for carrying the device, par~icularly - when legs 20 are mounted in the stored condition within the --~ periphery of apron 16 against the underside of platform 14.
~- - Alternatively, a carrying strap or handle may be utilized - instead of slot 42.
~-:. ...
---i;- Figures 1, 4 and particularly Figure 8 illustrate `-- a further feature of this invention wherein an opening 44 -~ is provided in platform 14. A tubular sleeve 46 is secured ~ against opening 44 as best shown in Figure 8. Sleeve 46 --"- functions to hold a steady post 48 mounted therein so that the user would have something to hold while performing the , .
exercise. It is emphasized, however, that device 10 generally ~,~ presents an unobstructed platform to facilitate the user stepping up and down from platform 14 in any direction from - either end or either side of platform 14. Thus, steady post - 48 is an optional feature which may be completely omitted.
., -~ Where steady post 48 is included it is preferred that only .
- a single such member be provided.
~- - If desired a steady post could be mounted to base :: ~
12 by means of an external bracket secured generally at the ~ ~uncture of apron 16 and an end edge of platform 14 rather - than having the hole 44 and sleeve 46.
In the~preferred practice of this invention apron 16 i8 a continuous apron or skirt which extends completely --- around the periphery of platform 14. The invention, however, may be practiced by having open areas in apron 16A such as at the corners where the legs 20 would be located, as shown ,, ~ in Figure 5A. In this embodiment the bracket 30 could abut -:
. :
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,.. .
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, . . .

~ against the underside of the platform to limit the outward , ~ pivoting of legs 20. Since the lower or remote edge of the .,--, .:-: , --~ extensions which form apron 16A would function as the support -- . in the lowest position of the platform, a non-slip gasket -:
~ could be mounted on the remote ed8e. Where there is an open . .: -,-:
~ area at each corner, the result would be that apron 16A would ,r,, - comprise four spaced extensions acting as fixed legs in the , . . .
- lowest position of the platform. The invention may also -- - be practiced with the extensions or fixed legs at any spaced ,,", locations including the corners with the pivoted legs inwardly - thereof.
- Although the embodiment of Figures 1-7 illustrate legs 20 to be hinged, in a particularly advantageous practice A ~"~ ~
of this invention, legs 50 are provided which are completely -- detachably secured to base 12 as illustrated in Figures 9-10.
:,, ---.
In this embodiment, legs 50 are held by guides 52 integrally -- formed with base 12. For example, guides 52 may be in the ~r ~ i ~ form of channels, grooves, brackets, tracks, post/holes or :,-.: :-.
--- - pockets integrally molded during the same operation in which base 12 is molded. A series of spaced holes 54 would be provided in these guides 52 for reception of spring pin 56 :~:
- on leg 50 so as to vary the amount of extension of leg 50 ;,- -, :-- - from guide 52 which in turn would control the height of platform 14. Holes 54 preferably provide two inch height ~ ---~ adjustment.
- - As shown in Figure 10 mounting devices such as ~- spring clamps 58 are secured to the inner surface of apron 16 so that legs 50 may be mounted to base 12 during the stored -- - condition of the legs. Similarly, such spring clamps 58 ~ may also be used to store legs of one size while legs of - -~ another size are mounted in guides 52 during the active or - ~ support condition of the legs. The stored legs may be mounted -:.-,- ".,:..
--~ to the underside of platform 14 or the inside of apron 16.
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If desired clamps or grooves could be molded to apron 16 ~- to store the legs.
Figure 11 illustrates a further feature of this invention wherein a storage pouch 60 is provided of a size and shape to package or hold sets of legs 50. The storage pouch could include for example an openable flap 62 having -- a hook and loop material, such as sold under the trademark :--VELCRO, strip 64 for selective opening and closing of the - - flap to provide or prevent sccess to the legs stored in pouch . ~ .
` 60. Pouch 60 could be placed within the periphery of apron 16 during the transport and storage of device 10.
- Legs 50 may be of singular tubular construction -- ` or legs 50 may also take the same form as legs 20 to provide added length adjustment. In this respect, legs 50 could -- be formed as an inner tube telescopically mounted in an outer : --- tube.
A further feature of this invention is the provision of spring members in the legs 20 or 50 to lessen the climbing impact when the user steps onto platform 14. ~he spring members would also provide energy return to produce a bounce - effect.
-- In the preferred practice of this invention apron -~ 16 would be dimensioned so that when apron 16 is placed - - directly on the floor platform 14 would be disposed 4 inches - above the floor. Apron 14 may be provided with an edge made - -~ of a non-slip material such as rubber to facilitate the use ' of base 12 being placed directly on the floor where the - exercise program would have the user step at a height of 4 inches. Apron 16 may, for example, have rubber grommets 66 at the corners as shown in Figure 8. Device 10 is so constructed that the height of platform 14 above the floor ` -~ could be incrementally increased by two inch increments from - four inches to 14 inches. For example, for beginners an g_ .

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-~ exercise program might require a height in the range of 4-10 - inches whereas an advanced program might require a height of 10-14 inches. Accordingly, the minimum height of four :
`- inches could be achieved by mounting base 12 directly on -~ , the floor without the use of any legs or feet. Feet 38 could be dimensioned to add, for example, one inch elevation. In the preferred practice of this invention two sets of legs . . ..
~~ having differing lengths would be provided. For example, the shorter set of legs could be utilized for the beginner ., .
--- program and the longer set of legs for the advanced program.
~`-;= The 2 inch increments could be achieved by providing -,, ::-.
-- - extendability of each set of legs in 2 inch increments and --:- -- then shifting from one set of legs to another when a greater - or lesser height is required. In the preferred practice :
- of this invention, platform 14 would be dimensioned longer and wider than a conventional stool and would, for example, .
-- be 28 x 14 inches with a height of 4 inches because of its ~ -- angled apron 16.
,, ~
--~ Platform 14 could be given added strength by forming -~ ribs on its underside.
--- If desired, each foot 38 could be mounted to its , ~ leg in the same manner that the leg is mounted to the base --- by having adjustable telescopic positioning of each foot over its respective leg. This would likewise provide for --~ additional height flexibility.
-- In use the exercise program could thus be performed -~ - by using the base alone or by using the base with short legs ::
or bg using the base with short extended legs or by using - ~ the base with long legs or by using the base with long extended - ~ legs or by additionally providing feet including adjustably ~ ~ " mounted fèet on the legs.
:
~ -~ ~ Device 10 may be formed in any suitable manner.
~--`` In the preferred practice of the invention device 10 is made , -,-.-~ -,:

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. ~

- - from a plastic material which is injected or blow molded.
-- - Device 10 may however be stamped from a metal material. An advantage of the tapered apron 16 is that a plurality of such devices may be stacked within each other.
. .
-- Figures 12-13 show a further embodiment wherein device lOA includes a pair of legs 68,68 at each end of base - -- 12 integrally connected to each other by a single foot 70 .:: ..-:
`: ~ having non-slip end caps 72,72. This embodiment illustrates -- that the legs may but need not be secured at the corners , ,i :-~. .
-- of base 12. As shown in Figure 13 the legs 68,68 are mounted ~- inwardly of corners 18,18. The U-shaped unit comprising ~ :.
legs 68,68 and foot 70 may be mounted in any suitable manner.
- As shown in Figure 12 each leg 68 is inserted into a channel 74 integral with apron or skirt 16 and is selectively held ,',f in position by spring pin 76 engaged in one of a selected --- number of holes in channel 74.
:
Figures 14-16 illustrate yet other variations of - -- this invention. As shown therein with device lOB a single wide leg 78 is provided at each end of base 12. An elongated ~ foot 80 is integral with leg 78. End caps made of non-slip - - material may be mounted on foot 78 or the ends 82 may simply , ~ . . .
- be rounded.
--~ Figure 14 illustrates a particularly advantageous -manner of mGunting the legs to provide height adjustability.
- ~ Instead of having a series of holes for adjustability at :: ~
- least two side by side slots or channels 84,86 are integrally :, formed on apron 16. The channels are made of different -~ lengths. For example, when leg 78 is inserted completely ., - ., - into long channel 84, it will elevate platform another two ~ inches. When, however, leg 78 is completèly inserted into short channel 86, platform 14 will be elevated four inches.
-- Leg 78 may be locked into a respective channel in any suitable :: .. -; manner such as by spring pin 88 on leg 78 snapping into a :: .
- .
-- i , --11--.
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~ hole 90 in the channel wall. This manner of height , "
- adjustability may, of course, be utilized in the other .
embodiments.
-: Other variations illustrated in Figures 14-16 include -the provision of indents 92 in the opposite ends of apron 16. Indents 92 may be used to grasp base 12 when carrying --- -the device. As illustrated in Figure 16, platform 14 need ~ not be rectangularly shaped. As shown the side walls of ?'. ~ - :
-~base 12 are inwardly bowed. If desired the ends and/or sides , . . ..
; ~of base 12 may be inwardly or outwardly bowed.
The dimensioning of the platform, particularly -with no above surface frame so that it is unobstructed on .,: :: .
-all four sides is particularly advantageous for aerobic "::
--routines. The invention can be practiced by having, for , . . ..
- -example, a single base with two sets of extensions or if desired by having two bases each with its own extensions ~-~- for legs.
-~As can be appreciated, device 10 thus provides -:
- -an exercise device wherein the height can be readily varied :-. - :-, -~ -in a number of different manners. Moreover, by being able to store the legs within the periphery of the apron the resultant device is compact, lightweight and space saving.
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Claims

1. An exercise device for use in aerobic step climbing routines/programs comprising a base, said base consisting of a horizontal platform having opposite ends and intermediate sides with a downwardly extending apron extending from each of said ends and sides, a corner where each of said ends is joined to its adjacent side, at least one leg mounted to said base at each of said ends, each of said legs being movable from an active position to a stored condition, each of said legs extending downwardly beyond said apron when said leg is in said active position, each of said legs being mounted against said base within the periphery of said apron when said leg is in said stored condition, said legs comprising two sets of legs, one set of said legs being longer than the other set of said legs, and mounting means for mounting one of said sets of legs to or in said base while the other of said sets of legs is in said active position.

2. An exercise device for use in aerobic step climbing routines/programs comprising a base, said base consisting of a horizontal platform having an unbroken generally planar upper surface and having opposite ends with straight parallel upper edges and intermediate sides with straight parallel upper edges, said upper edges of said platform being rounded, said upper surface being unobstructed and free of any vertically extending members whereby said upper surface functions as a user support surface from which the user may easily step on and off, a plurality of downwardly disposed extensions connected to said platform at a plurality of spaced locations, said extensions comprising fixed support members having remote ends disposed remote from said upper surface whereby said platform is elevated to a first height stabilized by said extensions when said remote ends of said extensions are placed directly on a floor, at least two legs, each of said legs being secured to said base remote from its other leg, each of said legs being of a length longer than the length of said extensions, each of said legs being hinged to said base to be movable to and from an active position and a stored condition, each of said legs being in said active position when said leg is pivoted away from said base whereby said legs extend beyond said remote ends of said extensions to elevate said platform to a second height higher than said first height, each of said legs being in said stored condition when said leg is pivoted toward base with said leg being generally no further from said platform than said remote ends of said extensions when said extensions are in direct contact with the floor to support and ?levate said platform when said legs are in their stored condition, and said spaced extensions having a plurality of open areas therebetween.

3. The device of Claim 2 wherein said legs are secured to said base inwardly of said ends of said base.

4. The device of Claim 2 wherein said extensions comprise four spaced extensions.

5. An exercise device for use in aerobic step climbing routines/programs comprising a base, said base consisting of a horizontal platform having opposite ends and intermediate sides with a downwardly extending apron, a corner where each of said ends is joined to its adjacent side, and at least two legs, said apron from vertical bearing at least two separate means for receiving said legs mounted to said base against said apron and at the same angle as said apron, and each of said legs being selectively mounted in one of said receiving means, whereby said legs are positioned for differing extensions from said base to adjust the height of said platform.

6. The device of Claim 5 wherein said legs are mounted at opposite ends of said base, and an elongated foot secured to each of said legs.

7. The device of Claim 6 wherein a pair of legs is mounted at each end of said base, and said foot being integrally joined to its pair of legs to form a U-shaped unit.

8. The device of Claim 6 wherein a single widened leg is mounted at each of said ends integral with its foot.

9. The device of Claim 5 wherein a pair of side by side channels of differing length is secured to said apron at each end thereof for selectively receiving one of said legs to provide the height adjustability of said platform.

10. The device of Claim 5 wherein said angle is between 10°
and 30°.

11. An exercise device comprising a base, said base consist-ing of a horizontal platform having a periphery formed by opposite ends and intermediate sides with a downwardly extending apron, at least two sets of channels in said base, each of said sets comprising at least two side by side parallel channels formed in said base at opposite portions of said periphery, each of said channels in each of said sets being of differing depth than each other whereby a leg may be selectively detachably received in each of said channels to provide said platform with at least three levels of height adjustability wherein there is one height level when no leg is in any channel and said apron is placed directly on a support surface and there are other height levels in accordance with which channel a leg is inserted.

12. The device of Claim 11 including locking elements in each of said channels for detachably locking a leg therein.

13. The device of Claim 12 wherein each of said legs is a widened leg extending from the central portion of each of said ends of said base.

14. The device of Claim 12 wherein a set of said channels is provided at each corner of said base where a respective one of said ends and intermediate sides intersect.

15. An exercise device for use in aerobic step climbing routines/programs comprising a base, said base consisting of a horizontal platform having opposite ends and intermediate sides with a downwardly extending apron, a corner where each of said ends is joined to its adjacent side, and at least two legs, said base having at least two separate means for receiving said legs mounted to said base, and each of said legs being selectively mounted in one of said receiving means, whereby said legs are positioned for differing extensions from said base to adjust the height of said platform.

16. The device of Claim 15 wherein one of said receiving means is disposed closer to said platform than the other of said receiving means.

17. The device of Claim 16 wherein said platform has an undersurface, said one receiving means including said underside as its top wall whereby its respective leg is disposed against said undersurface when said leg is received by said one receiving means.

18. The device of Claim 15 wherein one of said receiving means is disposed closer to its respective end of said base than the other of said receiving means.

19. The device of Claim 15 wherein two sets of said receiving means is provided at each end of said base with one of each of said receiving means being generally located at each of said corners but inwardly of its corner.

20. The device of Claim 19 wherein said legs comprise a set of two legs at each end of said base, and a foot being integrally joined to its set of two legs to form a U-shaped unit.

21. The device of Claim 19 wherein a non-slip material is on said lower surfaces of said apron and of said legs, and a non-skid material being on the upper surface of said platform.

22. The device of Claim 21 wherein said non-slip material on said lower surface of said apron is located generally at each of the corners of said lower surface.

23. The device of Claim 15 wherein said apron extends downwardly and outwardly from said platform at an angle greater t??? 0° and less than 90° from vertical, and said apron extends completely around the periphery of said platform.

24. The device of Claim 23 wherein at least a portion of said legs is at the same angle as said apron.

25. The device of Claim 24 wherein said ends and said sides of said platform are outwardly bowed, said corners being rounded, and said platform being at the uppermost portion of said device whereby said platform is unobstructed.

26. The device of Claim 25 wherein strengthening ribs are on the underside of said platform, and said base being made of plastic material.

27. The device of Claim 26 wherein one of said receiving means is disposed closer to said platform than the other of said receiving means, said platform having an undersurface, said one receiving means including said undersurface as its top wall whereby its respective leg is disposed against said undersurface when said leg is received by said one receiving means, said receiving means being located at different distances from the ends of said apron, two sets of said receiving means being at each end of said base with one of each of said receiving means being generally located at each of said corners but inwardly of its corner, said legs comprising a set of two legs at each end of said base, a foot being integrally joined to its set of two legs to form a U-shaped unit, a non-slip material being on the lower surfaces of said apron and of said legs, said non-slip material on said lower surface of said apron being located generally at each of the corners of said lower ?rface, and a non-skid material being on the upper surface of said platform

28. The device of Claim 17 wherein said receiving means are located at different distances from the ends of said apron, two sets of said receiving means being at each end of said base with one of each of said receiving means being generally located at each of said corners but inwardly of its corner, said legs comprising a set of two legs at each end of said base, and a foot being integrally joined to its set of two legs to form a U-shaped unit.

29. The device of Claim 2 wherein each of said legs has a remote end remote from said base, and said remote end of each of said legs extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said base when said legs are in their active position.

30. The device of Claim 29 wherein each of said remote ends of said legs is spaced from the underside of said platform when said legs are in said stored condition.

31. The device of Claim 30 wherein each of said legs is movable in said open areas between said extension.

32. The device of Claim 31 wherein said platform has rounded corners, and each of said legs extending outwardly away from said platform at an angle greater than 90° when said legs are in said active position.

33. The device of Claim 32 wherein said upper surface of said platform has an advertising indentation at one of its corners.

34. An exercise device for use in aerobic step climbing routines/programs comprising a base, said base consisting of a horizontal platform having an unbroken generally planar upper surface and having opposite ends with straight parallel upper edges and intermediate sides with straight parallel upper edges, said upper edges of said platform being rounded, said upper surface being unobstructed and free of any vertically extending members whereby said upper surface functions as a user support surface and a user may easily step onto and off of said upper surface, a plurality of downwardly disposed extensions connected to said platform at a plurality of spaced locations, said extensions comprising fixed support members having remote ends disposed remote from said upper surface whereby said platform is elevated to a first height stabilized by said extensions when said remote ends of said extensions are placed directly on a flat planar support surface, and at least two legs, each of said legs being secured to said base remote from its other leg, each of said legs being of a length longer than the length of said extensions, each of said legs being hinged to said base to be movable to and from an active position and a stored condition, each of said legs being in said active position when said leg is pivoted away from said base whereby said legs extend beyond said remote ends of said extension to elevate said platform to a second height higher than said first height, each of said legs being in said stored condition when said leg is pivoted toward said base with said leg being generally no further from said platform than said remote ends of said extensions when said extensions are in direct contact with said flat planar support surface whereby said extensions support and elevate said platform when said legs are in their stored condition, and said spaced extensions having a plurality of open areas therebetween.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein said legs are secured to said base by mounting brackets.

36. The device of claim 33 wherein said platform has an upper surface, and a non-slip material being on said upper surface.

37. The device of claim 34 wherein said extensions comprise four spaced extensions.

38. The device of claim 34 wherein each of said legs has a remote end remote from said base, and said remote end of each of said legs extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said base when said legs are in their active position.

39. The device of claim 38 wherein each of said remote ends of said legs is spaced from the underside of said platform when said legs are in said stored condition.

40. The device of claim 39 wherein each of said legs is movable in said open areas between said extension.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein said platform has rounded corners, and each of said legs extending outwardly away from said platform at an angle greater than 90° when said legs are in said active position.

42. The device of claim 41 wherein said upper surface of said platform has an advertising indentation at one of its corners.