Abstract:
Aerobic step apparatus comprised of stacked interfitting components simulating a unitary structure from which a plurality of different height steps can be selectively assembled. By selectively combining the different components when disassembled from their unitary structure, at least seven steps of different heights can be readily formed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The field of art to which the invention relates comprises aerobic apparatus utilized by persons for physical fitness exercise.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Exercise of the human body for purposes of physical fitness has become a fundamental staple of life that in recent years has evolved into a flourishing industry. Numerous gymnasiums, exercise salons, etc. with a wide variety of exercise products available from commercial sources can be found in most communities. Even upscale hotels provide exercise rooms for their patrons stocked with various exercise equipment. Many individuals have allocated specific areas of their residence or office for exercise equipment they can use at their convenience.  
           [0003]    A form of exercise equipment most commonly used at home and/or fitness facilities are individual aerobic steps of a height selected by the user. The person using any of the steps first sets foot on the step and then repetitively over a prolonged time period stands up until erect and then steps down in the manner of climbing. The benefits directly attributed to such exercise include enhanced shaping of the thighs and buttocks and cardio enhancement of the participant.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0004]    A form of aerobic stepping equipment is available from the Reebok Company. Such equipment relies on repetitive stepping onto an 8 inch step and is designed primarily for cardiovascular exercise. It allegedly contributes to shaping of the quadriceps.  
           [0005]    Another form of aerobic step equipment is available in the form of individual step stools of 12 or 14 inch height sold under the trademark, “THE FANNY LIFTER” from The Firm of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. The 12 inch height is suggested in their catalog literature as being “Ideal for beginners or overweight exercisers. Also recommended for exercisers of short to average height.” The 14 inch height is recommended as being “Ideal for intermediate or advanced exercisers. Recommended for exercisers of average to tall height.” 
           [0006]    Characteristic of the individual stools of the above type is the fact that they represent items to be purchased and stored separately and with limited size differentiation between them.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An object of the invention is to provide a novel aerobic step apparatus affording greater versatility than heretofore available.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to effect the previous object with such an apparatus formed of interfitting stool steps that can be selectively used singularly or in combination for achieving any of numerous step heights at the option of the user.  
           [0009]    It is a still further object of the invention to effect the previous objects with stool steps which when marketed and stored can be of relatively light weight and a singular unitary appearance.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    This invention relates to aerobic step apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel aerobic step apparatus for conducting physical fitness type exercise and when assembled affords a singular appearance with a versatility of an expanded number of selectively available step heights.  
           [0011]    The foregoing is achieved by a multiple of individual components that when assembled together are interfit and stacked to form a singular unitary appearing individual cube. Each of the achieved steps are of a different height and when the components are disassembled from the cube can be utilized selectively alone or in combination to produce at least seven different step heights. After use, the individual steps can be re-assembled back into the original cube formation for storage.  
           [0012]    It will be appreciated that the foregoing affords a user of such equipment versatility not previously available. Not only does storage of the unit require minimum space but it affords a versatility with respect to family or other groups made up of different sized individuals for which different steps or step heights can be selected. Not least of the advantages is the lower cost of a pre-assembled package of steps as compared to a comparable number of individual steps purchased separately. Yet, even when fully assembled, the unit is compact and light weight so as to be readily portable.  
           [0013]    The above noted features and advantages of the invention as well as other superior aspects thereof will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the individual components of the invention as assembled in a cube formation;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a sectional view as seen substantially along the lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 3A and 3B are fragmentary views as seen substantially along the lines  3 A- 3 A and  3 B- 3 B of FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4A illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 4 inch step height while  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded view thereof;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5A illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 6 inch step height while  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded view thereof;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6A illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting an 8 inch step height while  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6B illustrates an exploded view thereof;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7A illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 10 inch step height while  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view thereof;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8A illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 14 inch step height while  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8B illustrates an exploded view thereof;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 14 inch step height while  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9B illustrates an exploded view thereof, and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 illustrates a combination of components from the assembly of FIG. 1 for effecting a 17 inch step height while  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10B illustrates an exploded view thereof 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and in certain views proportions may have been exaggerated for purposes of clarity.  
         [0032]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 the assembled cube hereof designated  10  and comprised of a plurality of individual components for forming the various step heights hereof. The assembly, as also seen in FIG. 2, includes the various interfitting rectangular components that can be selectively withdrawn for effecting the various step heights hereof as will be described.  
         [0033]    The entire cube assembly is preferably formed of a medium density fiberboard utilizing oval cuts as  38 ,  40  and  42  to reduce cube weight to about twenty-two pounds. This enables the cube to be carried in position by a single individual before separating and combining components for establishing the step height to be utilized.  
         [0034]    Representing the components are a top  12 , a collar  20 , middle sections  28  and  32 , a lower section  26  and a base  29  with upright interfitting walls  31  for floor positioning. Middle section  28  includes rectangular dependent component  32  secured from below to middle section  28  by brad nails  34 . The step heights of FIGS.  4 A- 10 A to be achieved are:  
                                                                 Height               Designation   Height           From Floor   Inches                                        A   4           B   6           C   8           D   10           E   12           F   14           G   17                      
 
         [0035]    For effecting an A step height there is utilized, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 4A and  4 B, the uppermost top section  12  including a top  14  is supported on rectangular arranged box legs  16 . Surrounding the legs is a loose fitting collar component  18  formed of box-like walls  20 . Use of the collar is optional for this size step and when assembled in the manner of FIG. 4A, the under-edge  22  of leg  16  and the under-edge  24  of walls  20  provide a double width support of a person&#39;s weight standing on top  14 . For this purpose, the legs  16  are taller than the legs  20 , such that the top  14  is located above collar  18  for effecting the desired height A.  
         [0036]    For effecting the step height B, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 5A and  5 B, there is utilized the combination of top  12  along with lower section  26 , while step height C, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 6A and  6 B utilize a combination of top  12 , collar  18  and lower section  26 . Secured within component  26  are triangular support blocks  30  (FIG. 3) internally at each of the corners on which to receive and support collar  18 . The individual blocks in this embodiment support collar  18  on which top  12  is caused to rest.  
         [0037]    For effecting step height D, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 7A and  7 B, the combination of top  12 , middle sections  28 , dependent unit  32  and lower section  26  are utilized, while for achieving step height dimension E, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 8A and  8 B, there is utilized a stacked combination of top  12 , collar  18 , middle section  28  with dependent unit  32 , and lower section  26 .  
         [0038]    For effecting, step height F, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 9A and  9 B there is utilized the same components as for height E except lower section  26  is installed inverted from that used in FIGS. 8A and 8B. With blocks  30  being closer to the under-edge of base  28  in FIG. 2, inverting section  26  results in a two inch rise in the overall height of the step as compared to the assembly of FIGS. 8A and 8B.  
         [0039]    Finally, the step G, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 10A and  10 B utilizes the same arrangement as in step F, with the addition of base  29  inserted underneath. This results in an increased overall height of three inches as compared to step F.  
         [0040]    By the above description is disclosed a novel aerobic exercise unit from which individual steps of selected height can be readily formed with only a minimum of effort by a careful selection and assembly from among various components of a cube. Since as many as seven different heights can be readily achieved from the various components forming the cube, there is afforded a versatility not previously known. At the same time, there is afforded a substantial reduction in costs compared to acquiring seven separate steps of comparable height. The virtues thereof are many not least of which are the convenience of handling and storage.  
         [0041]    Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without the departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.