WO2006065056A1

WO2006065056A1 - Memory foam step board for exercise

Info

Publication number: WO2006065056A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/004267
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyudong Kim
Original assignee: Kyudong Kim
Priority date: 2004-12-15
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: KR100574199B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a memory foam step board for exercise, in which dual massage protrusions are formed on an upper surface of a base board for providing a massaging effect and a plurality of shock-absorb members are installed at a lower portion of the base board. The memory foam step board includes an upper base board having a plurality of first massage protrusions formed at an upper surface of the upper base board while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a plurality of second massage protrusions formed on upper portions of the first massage protrusions, a plurality of shock- absorb members fixedly coupled to a lower portion of the upper base board and including an upper wall section coupled to a lower surface of the upper base board, a sidewall section having a spiral protrusion and a spiral recess, and a lower wall section, and a spring accommodated in the spiral protrusion of the sidewall section.

Description

Description MEMORY FOAM STEP BOARD FOR EXERCISE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a memory foam step board for exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to a memory foam step board for exercise, in which dual massage protrusions are formed on an upper surface of the memory foam step board for massaging feet of a user and a plurality of shock-absorb members are provided at a lower portion of the memory foam step board so as to absorb shock applied to the user.

[2]

Background Art

[3] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional step board 100 for exercise includes an elastic base board 110 having a rectangular shape and supporters 130 coupled to a lower surface of the base board 110 at four edges of the base board 110 so as to support the base board 110.

[4] The base board 110 is provided at an upper surface thereof with an attachment plate

120 having a rectangular shape. The attachment plate 120 is made of an elastic material, such as rubber.

[5] The supporter 130 is made of polyurethane. The polyurethane is an elastic member having a relatively high hardness. Mechanical properties (wear-resistant, elongation and shock-resistant properties) of the polyurethane are two to five times higher than those of rubber or plastic.

[6] The conventional step board 100 having the above structure is installed on a flat floor and the user steps on the attachment plate 120 of the base board 110. In this state, if the user walks or hops on the step board 100, impact applied to the attachment plate 120 is transferred to the ground through the base board 110 and the supporters 130. At this time, the attachment plate 120, the base board 110 and the supporters are elastically deformed while reducing shock applied to the user, thereby preventing the user (e.g. knees of the user) from being damaged. Thus, the user can take exercise using the step board 100 by repeatedly walking or hopping on the attachment plate 120 of the step board 100.

[7] However, since the supporters 130 of the conventional step board 100 are made of polyurethane, the conventional step board 100 may not sufficiently absorb shock if the user repeatedly hops on the conventional step board 100. Thus, the user does not feel pleasant while performing exercise. In particular, if the user repeatedly hops or highly jumps on the conventional step board 100, impact may be applied to the knees of the user because the conventional step board 100 does not properly attenuate the impact, thereby causing injury to the user.

[8] In order to solve the above problem, Korean Patent Unexamined Publication No.

2003-0068839 discloses "Air step board for exercise and shock-absorb member for the same". According to the above air step board, a base plate is installed on a shock- absorb member made of polyurethane. However, since the shock-absorb member is made of polyurethane, the shock-absorb member may be recessed if it is used for a long time, so that the shock-absorb function of the shock-absorb member is significantly degraded. In addition, since the air step board has a flat upper surface, the air step board cannot provide a message function when the user performs exercise using the air step board.

[9] In this regard, applicant of the present invention has studied about a shock-absorb member and an air step board using the same, which can maintain the shock-absorb function for a long time without causing damage to the knees of the user. As a result, applicant has obtained the shock-absorb member and the air step board according to the present invention.

[10]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a memory foam step board for exercise, which can maintain its shock-absorb function without causing damage to the knees or articulation of the user even if it is used for a long time.

[12] Another object of the present invention is to provide a memory foam step board for exercise, which can provide a dual massage effect when the user performs exercise.

[13] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a memory foam step board for exercise capable of preventing noise caused by air discharged from the memory foam step board during exercise.

[14] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a memory foam step board for exercise, which can be securely installed on a floor by creating a vacuum between the memory foam step board and the floor so that the memory foam step board cannot be moved during exercise.

[15]

Technical Solution

[16] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory foam step board for exercise, the memory foam step board comprising: an upper base board including a plurality of first massage protrusions formed at an upper surface of the upper base board while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a plurality of second massage protrusions formed on upper portions of the first massage protrusions; a plurality of shock-absorb members fixedly coupled to a lower portion of the upper base board and including an upper wall section coupled to a lower surface of the upper base board, a sidewall section having a spiral protrusion and a spiral recess, and a lower wall section; and a spring accommodated in the spiral protrusion 23 of the sidewall section.

[17] The lower wall section is formed at a lower surface thereof with a plurality of vacuum slots and a plurality of air slots.

[18] A plurality of air discharge holes are formed in the spiral recess.

[19] A sponge is installed in the shock-absorb member so as to reduce noise.

[20] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory foam step board for exercise, the memory foam step board comprising: an upper base board including a plurality of first massage protrusions formed at an upper surface of the upper base board while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a plurality of second massage protrusions formed on upper portions of the first massage protrusions; and a plurality of shock-absorb members, each shock-absorb member 220 including a cylinder body 230 formed with a plurality of holes, a spring installed in the cylinder body, and a piston rod coupled to the upper base board while making contact with an upper portion of the spring.

[21]

Advantageous Effects

[22] As can be seen from the foregoing, the memory foam step board for exercise according to the present invention can maintain its shock-absorb function without causing damage to the knees or articulation of the user even if it is used for a long time and can provide a dual massage effect when the user performs exercise.

[23] In addition, the memory foam step board for exercise can prevent noise caused by air discharged from the memory foam step board during exercise and can be securely installed on a floor by creating a vacuum between the memory foam step board and the floor so that the memory foam step board cannot be moved during exercise.

[24] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[25] Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional step board for exercise;

[28] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a memory foam step board for exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a shock-absorb member of a memory foam step board for exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a shock- absorb member shown in FIG. 3; and

[31] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a shock- absorb member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[32]

[33]

Mode for the Invention

[34] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[35] A memory foam step board for exercise according to the present invention includes an upper base board 10 and a plurality of shock- absorb members 20 installed at a lower portion of the upper base board 10. The shock-absorb members 20 can be fixedly bonded to the upper base board 10 by means of strong adhesives or can be fixedly coupled to the upper base board 10 by means of a fixing unit including a bolt and a nut (not shown).

[36] The upper base board 10 is provided at an upper surface thereof with a plurality of first massage protrusions 11 which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The first massage protrusions 11 are integrally provided at upper portions thereof with second massage protrusions 13, which can provide the acupuncture effect.

[37] The first and second massage protrusions are made of rubber or polyurethane.

[38] In addition, the number of the shock-absorb members 20 installed at the lower portion of the upper base board 10 is properly selected in such a way that the base board 10 can be stably supported by the shock-absorb members 20. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, eight shock-absorb members 20 are provided along each lateral side of the upper base board 10.

[39] The shock-absorb member 20 is made of rubber, urethane or silicon and includes an upper wall section 21, a sidewall section 22 having a spiral protrusion 23 and a spiral recess 25, and a lower wall section 30. A central bottom portion of the lower wall section 30 is opened.

[40] A spring 40 is accommodated in the sidewall section 22 of the shock-absorb member 20 along the spiral protrusion 23. The spring 40 prevents the shock- absorb member 20, which is made of rubber, urethane or silicon, from being deformed after it has been used for a long time. In addition, the spiral protrusion 23 prevents the spring 40 from suddenly sprung while the shock-absorb member 20 is being used. That is, the sidewall section 22 and the spring 40 accommodated in the sidewall section have the inter-complementary relationship .

[41] In addition, a plurality of air discharge holes 27 are formed in the spiral recess 25 defined by the spiral protrusion 23 in order to discharge air contained in the shock- absorb member 20 to an exterior.

[42] At this time, noise may be generated when the air is discharged from the shock- absorb member 20. In order to prevent the noise, a sponge 50 is provided in the shock- absorb member 50. Since the sponge 50 has flexibility, the sponge can be easily shrunk and expanded according to the operation of the shock-absorb member 20 and the spring 40.

[43] In addition, a plurality of air slots 31 are formed at a lower surface of the lower wall section 30 in a cross-shaped pattern so as to allow the air to be easily introduced into or discharged from the shock-absorb member 20. Even in this case, the sponge 50 can reduce noise caused by the air being introduced into or discharged from the shock- absorb member 20.

[44] A plurality of vacuum slots 33 are formed between the air slots 31. A vacuum is formed between the floor and the vacuum slots 33 when the shock-absorb member 20 is installed on the floor so that the shock-absorb member 20 can be securely fixed to the floor.

[45] Hereinafter, an operation of the memory foam step board according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[46] First, the memory foam step board is installed on the flat floor. At this time, the memory foam step board can be fixedly installed on the flat floor due to the vacuum slots 33. In this state, the user can perform the stepping movement relative to the upper base board 10 or can perform the jumping action on the upper base board 10. At this time, load is applied to the upper base board 10 and is transferred to the floor through the shock-absorb member 20.

[47] When the user performs the stepping movement or the jumping action, the dual massage protrusions formed on the upper base board 10 may massage user's feet. In particular, the second massage protrusions 13 provide the acupuncture effect to the user. [48] In addition, the shock-absorb member 20 is repeatedly shrunk and expanded when the user performs exercise. That is, if the user steps on the upper base board 10, the shock-absorb member 20 and the spring 40 accommodated in the shock-absorb member 20 are shrunk, so that the air contained in the shock-absorb member 20 is discharged to the exterior through the air discharge holes 27 and the air slots 31. When the air is discharged through the air discharge holes 27 and the air slots 31, noise caused by the air can be reduced by means of the sponge 50.

[49] In contrast, if the user moves away from the upper base board 10, the spring 40 returns to its initial position and air is introduced into the shock-absorb member 20, so that the shock-absorb member 20 is expanded again. Thus, the upper base-board 10 also returns to its initial position.

[50] Hereinafter, a memory foam step board for exercise according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[51] The memory foam step board for exercise according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially similar to the memory foam step board for exercise according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the shock-absorb member.

[52] The memory foam step board for exercise according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a shock-absorb member 220. The shock-absorb member 220 has a cylinder body 230 formed with a plurality of holes 231 , a spring 240 installed in the cylinder body 230, and a piston rod 250 coupled to an upper base board 210 while making contact with an upper portion of the spring 240.

[53] The piston rod 250 is coupled to a lower surface of the shock-absorb member 220 by means of a separate coupling unit. The piston rod 250 extends to an upper portion of the spring 240 by passing through a central portion of the cylinder body 230.

[54] Hereinafter, an operation of the memory foam step board for exercise according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. If the user steps on the upper base board 210, the piston rod 250 coupled to the upper base board 210 moves down in the cylinder body 230 while compressing the spring 240. Thus, air contained in the cylinder body 230 is discharged to the exterior while dampening impact applied to the user.

[55] In contrast, if the user moves away from the upper base board 210, the spring 240 returns to its initial position, so that the piston rod 250 also returns to its initial position.

Claims

[1] A memory foam step board for exercise, the memory foam step board comprising: an upper base board 10 including a plurality of first massage protrusions 11 formed at an upper surface of the upper base board 10 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a plurality of second massage protrusions 13 formed on upper portions of the first massage protrusions 11; a plurality of shock-absorb members 20 fixedly coupled to a lower portion of the upper base board 10 and including an upper wall section 21 coupled to a lower surface of the upper base board 10, a sidewall section 22 having a spiral protrusion 23 and a spiral recess 25, and a lower wall section 30; and a spring 40 accommodated in the spiral protrusion 23 of the sidewall section 22.

[2] The memory foam step board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower wall section 30 is formed at a lower surface thereof with a plurality of vacuum slots 33 and a plurality of air slots 31.

[3] The memory foam step board as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of air discharge holes 27 are formed in the spiral recess 25.

[4] The memory foam step board as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a sponge 50 is installed in the shock-absorb member 20 so as to reduce noise.

[5] A memory foam step board for exercise, the memory foam step board comprising: an upper base board 10 including a plurality of first massage protrusions 11 formed at an upper surface of the upper base board 10 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a plurality of second massage protrusions 13 formed on upper portions of the first massage protrusions 11; and a plurality of shock-absorb members 220, each shock-absorb member 220 including a cylinder body 230 formed with a plurality of holes 231, a spring 240 installed in the cylinder body 230, and a piston rod 250 coupled to the upper base board 10 while making contact with an upper portion of the spring 240.