US20030186786A1

US20030186786A1 - Assembled aerobic exercising step

Info

Publication number: US20030186786A1
Application number: US10/377,872
Authority: US
Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-02
Filing date: 2003-03-04
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Also published as: TW563571U

Abstract

An assembled aerobic exercising step includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a front plate, a rear plate, a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate. These plates are assembled to form a box-like structure that has an internal storage space. The top plate is movably disposed on the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate. Each plate has a supporting portion. There are a handle and rollers for the user to drag it easily. It is easy to use, good-looking and compact. It can be assembled and disassembled. Many articles can be stored inside this invention. And, the user can drag it easily.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an assembled aerobic exercising step. Especially, it relates to an assembled aerobic exercising step that can store many articles inside and can be dragged by a user's hand easily. Therefore, it is easy to use, good-looking and compact. It can be assembled and disassembled. Many articles can be stored inside this invention. And, the user can drag it easily.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Referring to FIG. 1, it is a typical aerobic exercising

step

80. It is a box-like structure. Its height is roughly equal to the height of a stair. Its width is slightly larger than the width of a person's shoulder. Thus, it can be used as a step for aerobic exercise.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is another kind of traditional aerobic exercising

step

90. It includes a flat pad portion 91 and a pair of supporting blocks 92. In which, the bottom surface of the flat pad 91 has two recessed portions for engaging with these two supporting blocks 92.

When a user exercises on the aerobic exercising

step

80 as shown in FIG. 1, this user usually needs to hold other auxiliary devices, such as dumbbell, jump rope, gripping exerciser, etc. These auxiliary devices can significantly increase the variety and amusement of the aerobic exercise. However, the user has to carry these devices by one or more bags. It is possible that the user should bring the dumbbell on one day and bring the jump rope on another day. Hence, the user might forget to bring the correct auxiliary device. And, after using one of the auxiliary devices, it cannot be stored inside the step immediately.

So, the disadvantages and problems can be summarized as follows.

(1) The related auxiliary devices, clothing, shoes, and towels cannot be stored inside the step. All these articles must be stored in many bags. Thus, it is not convenient to carry them.

(2) When the user needs to move this step, the user has to lift up and hold it by both hands. If it is too heavy, it will make the user feel exhausted.

(3) It cannot be manufactured as a do-it-yourself (or briefly called DIY) product that can be assembled or disassembled by the user.

Thus, it is desirable to invent a new product for solving the above-mentioned disadvantages and problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of this invention is to provide an assembled aerobic exercising step. It is easy to use, good-looking and compact. It can be assembled and disassembled. Many articles can be stored inside this invention.

The second object of this invention is to provide an assembled aerobic exercising step. The user can drag it easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional aerobic exercising step; [0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another traditional exercising step; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a perspective of this invention; [0016]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of this invention when the top plate is opened; [0017]
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the invention; [0018]
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of this invention showing the rollers; [0019]
FIG. 7 shows a user drags this invention; and [0020]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of this invention.[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. [0022] 3 to 7, this invention relates to an assembled aerobic exercising step. It mainly comprises a box-like structure that includes a top plate 10, a bottom plate 20, a front plate 30, a rear plate 40, a first lateral plate 50 and a second lateral plate 60, a plurality of fixing elements 70, a plurality of supporting portions 32, 42, 52, 62, a handle 53, and a plurality of rollers 63.
About the box-like structure, it includes a [0023] top plate 10, a bottom plate 20, a front plate 30, a rear plate 40, a first lateral plate 50 and a second lateral plate 60. The top plate 10 is substantially parallel to the bottom plate 20. The front plate 30 is substantially parallel to the rear plate 40. And, the first lateral plate 50 is substantially parallel to the second lateral plate 60. The top plate 10, bottom plate 20, front plate 30, rear plate 40, first lateral plate 50 and second lateral plate 60 have several assembling holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 respectively.
These fixing elements [0024] 70 (only one is shown in FIG. 5; the others are omitted in this figure) can connect and engage the top plate 10, the bottom plate 20, the front plate 30, the rear plate 40, the first lateral plate 50 and the second lateral plate 60 together via the assembling holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61. Thus, it will form a box-like structure having an internal storage space. The amount and specific position of the fixing elements 70 and the assembling holes 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 can be modified. However, the top plate 10 is hinged on the first lateral plate 50 and the second lateral plate 60. So, the top plate 10 can be rotated up for putting some articles in the internal storage space (or taking out). That is, the top plate 10 can be opened or closed.
The supporting [0025] portions 32, 42, 52, 62 are disposed on the front plate 30, the rear plate 40, the first lateral plate 50 and the second lateral plate 60 respectively. The supporting portions 32, 42, 52, 62 contact with a bottom surface 13 (near its edges) of the top plate 10 so as to support a loading force applied on the top plate 10.
The [0026] handle 53 is disposed on an outer surface of the first lateral plate 50.
The [0027] rollers 63 are disposed on an outer surface the second lateral plate 60.
Furthermore, a pair of holding [0028] recesses 54, 64 disposed on the first lateral plate 50 and the second lateral plate 60 respectively.
In addition, a [0029] top surface 12 of the top plate 10 is disposed with an anti-slip portion 121. The anti-slip portion 121 includes a plurality of small protrusions 122.
The operation modes of this invention includes: [0030]
(1) Disassembling mode. As shown in FIG. 5, this invention is completely disassembled. This invention can be packed into a smaller box for transportation or delivery. Or, it can be manufactured as a do-it-yourself (DIY) product that can be assembled by the user. No matter for the manufacturers or for the consumers, this invention is very convenient. [0031]
(2) Exercising mode. After assembling this invention into a compact unit as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 or [0032] 8, the user can step on this invention as an aerobic exercising step. Usually, the height of this invention should be approximately equal to the height of a stair. Therefore, this invention can be used in a gym, in an aerobic classroom, or at home.
(3) Storage mode. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the aerobic exercise often needs to cooperate with other small auxiliary devices, such as dumbbell, jump rope, gripping exerciser, etc. Thus, it expands the variety of aerobic exercise. Because there is an internal storage space, the user can put in the auxiliary devices, clothing, towel, shoes, etc. If the user wants to take one of them, the user just lifts up (or pulls out) the [0033] top plate 10. It is very convenient for storage.
(4) Dragging Mode. After finishing the aerobic exercise, the user only needs to tilt this invention as shown in FIG. 7 and then holds the [0034] handles 53. Thus, the user can easily drag this invention to move to other place. For a tired user, such design is quite considerable.
Of course, as shown in FIG. 8, this invention can be modified into its second preferred embodiment. In which, the first [0035] lateral plate 50 has a first sliding slot 55, and the second lateral plate 60 has a second sliding slot 65. The top plate 10 has two opposite edges 14 for slidably engaging with the first slot 55 of the first lateral plate 50 and the second slot 65 of the second lateral plate 60 so that the top plate 10 is horizontally slidable with certain distance. That is, the top plate 10 can be opened or closed.
Above all, this invention not only can be used as an aerobic exercising step, but also has the following functions: [0036]
It can share the loading evenly. Due to these four supporting [0037] portions 32, 42, 52, 62 on the front plate 30, the rear plate 40, the first lateral plate 50, and the second lateral plate 60 respectively, they contact with the bottom surface 13 of the top plate 10. Hence, it will share the loading force evenly. Even though a heavyweight user jumps on the top plate 10, the structure of this invention remains solid and compact.
It can be assembled or disassembled. Because this invention can be disassembled, so it can be manufactured as a product that can be assembled by the user. All the parts of this invention can be packed to minimize its packing volume. Thus, it is very advantageous in packing and transportation. [0038]
It has an internal storage space. The user can put the auxiliary devices, clothing, towel, and shoes into the internal storage space. It is convenient for the aerobic exerciser. Particularly, for the one who often practices or performs at different places, this invention can avoid the user to forget to bring some of the auxiliary devices. [0039]
It can easily drag to move. This invention has a [0040] handle 53 and several rollers 63. So, it can be tilted and then be dragged. It can save the user's pulling force.
Of course, one or more rib portions (not shown) can be additional disposed on inner surfaces of these plates so that the overall structure can be strengthened. [0041]
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [0042]

Claims

I claim:

1. An assembled aerobic exercising step comprising:

a top plate, a bottom plate, a front plate, a rear plate, a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, said top plate being substantially parallel to said bottom plate, said front plate being substantially parallel to said rear plate, and said first lateral plate being substantially parallel to said second lateral plate; said top plate, said bottom plate, said front plate, said rear plate, said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate having several assembling holes respectively;

a plurality of fixing elements for connecting and engaging said top plate, said bottom plate, said front plate, said rear plate, said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate together via said assembling holes, so as to form a box-like structure having an internal storage space; said top plate is movably disposed on said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate;

a plurality of supporting portions disposed on said front plate, said rear plate, said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate respectively, said supporting portions contacting with a bottom surface of said top plate so as to support said top plate;

a handle disposed on an outer surface of said first lateral plate; and

a plurality of rollers disposed on an outer surface of said second lateral plate.

2. The assembled aerobic exercising step as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate is hinged on said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate and is rotatable within certain angles.

3. The assembled aerobic exercising step as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lateral plate has a first sliding slot, and said second lateral plate has a second sliding slot, said top plate having two opposite edges for slidably engaging with said first slot of said first lateral plate and said second slot of said second lateral plate so that said top plate is slidable within certain distance.

4. The assembled aerobic exercising step as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of holding recesses are disposed on said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate respectively.

5. The assembled aerobic exercising step as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top surface of said top plate is disposed with an anti-slip portion, said anti-slip portion including a plurality of small protrusions.