Multi-level aerobic step device

A multi-level aerobic step device includes a base having a flat upper surface. A mounting block is detachably mounted to the base with the mounting block also having a flat upper surface. When the mounting block and base are mounted together a unit is formed having an exposed upper surface which comprises at least a portion of the upper surfaces of each of the mounting block and base wherein the exposed portion of the mounting block upper surface is at a different height elevation than the height of the exposed portion of the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Various forms of aerobic exercise are intended to develop different parts 
of the body. The above noted parent applications and patents disclose 
different forms of steps which could be used to supplement an aerobic 
exercise by permitting the user to step up and down from a horizontal 
platform to the floor. In general, the steps of the above parent patents 
and applications include some form of adjustability to permit the exercise 
program to conform to the particular individuals. This is generally 
accomplished by providing height adjustability so that a selective number 
of different heights can be provided for the platform. Parent U.S. Pat. 
No. 5,162,028 also provides for width adjustability in addition to height 
adjustability. In all of these approaches, however, the adjustability is 
intended to provide a single level step. It would be desirable if an 
exercise step could also be provided which permits the user to have 
multiple height levels during the same exercise program. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of this invention is to provide an aerobic step device having a 
plurality of different levels so that the user can step up and down as 
multi-levels during the same exercise program. 
A further object of this invention is to provide such a device which lends 
itself to attachment to the known height adjustable exercise steps. 
A still further object of this invention is to provide an aerobic exercise 
which utilizes a multi-level step device. 
In accordance with this invention a multi-level step device includes a base 
having a flat upper surface. At least one mounting block is detachably 
mounted to the base and also includes a flat upper surface. When the base 
and mounting block are attached together a unit is formed which has an 
exposed upper surface comprised of at least a portion of the upper surface 
of the base and a portion of the upper surface of the mounting block. In 
this unit the exposed upper surface of the mounting block is at a 
different height elevation than the exposed upper surface of the base. 
The multi-levels could be achieved by mounting more than one mounting block 
at different locations on the base so that at least three height levels 
result from the plurality of mounting blocks and the exposed portion of 
the base. In an alternative practice of the invention height adjustability 
could be achieved by stacking a plurality of mounting blocks atop each 
other on the base. 
In a further alterative form of this invention a multi-level mounting block 
could be provided with detaching means for mounting the block directly on 
the upper surface of a type of step as described in the parent patents and 
applications to cover substantially the entire upper surface of the step 
whereby the exposed upper surface of the unit is comprised essentially 
solely from the multi-level mounting block. 
The invention may be practiced by including the height adjustability 
techniques disclosed in the parent patents and applications. Similarly, 
the invention could be practiced by utilizing the width adjustability 
features of parent Patent No. 5,162,028. In a variation the techniques for 
achieving width adjustability in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,028 could be used for 
detachably mounting the mounting block to the base. For example, in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,162,028 the base is formed from two members which may slidably 
move away from each other and thus achieve a greater width by mounting an 
insert into the space between the members. In the practice of this 
invention it is the mounting block that would be the insert mounted in 
that space and the mounting block would have a higher height level than 
the two sliding members. 
In a yet further practice of this invention the base may have a hollow 
interior so that the mounting blocks and adjustable legs could be stored 
within the base during periods of non-use and transportation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The present invention in general involves creating an aerobic step which 
could have a plurality of levels on which to exercise. These levels may be 
in the form of permanent multi-levels or could be adjustable to one or 
more levels. The steps can be fixed or adjustable in height or expandable 
in width. It is to be understood that added height adjustability could be 
accomplished by providing height adjustment means such as the types of 
legs described in the various parent patents and applications, the details 
of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one form of multi-level aerobic step device 10 in 
accordance with one embodiment of this invention. Step device 10 is 
intended to be used with the known type of steps which would function as 
the base 12 for the step device 10. These known steps are provided with 
some form of legs 14 to provide height adjustability. The upper surface 16 
would ordinarily comprise a stepping platform onto which and from which 
the user would step to and from the floor. In accordance with this 
invention substantially the entire upper surface 16 of base 12 is covered 
by a mounting block 18. Any suitable means could be used for mounting the 
mounting block 18 to base 12. If desired, for example, a generally 
permanent attachment of mounting block 18 to base 12 could be achieved by 
the use of adhesive areas 20 on the lower side of mounting block 18. Thus, 
no modifications are necessary to convert the known step or base 12 to a 
multi-level step other than the attachment of mounting block 18. FIG. 3 
illustrates the adhesive areas 20 to be covered by release members 22 so 
that the adhesive areas 20 are protected until the time that mounting 
block 18 is mounted to base 12. If desired the lower portion of mounting 
block 18 could have adhesive coated feet. Attachment to the base would 
result from the weight and pressure of the user stepping on the mounting 
block. 
As best shown in FIG. 1 the resulting unit from the attachment of mounting 
block 18 to base 12 is a multi-level step wherein the step has three 
generally flat horizontal exposed surfaces, each at different levels. As 
shown the central portion 24 is of the lowest level. An intermediate level 
26 is located on one side and a high level 28 is located on the other 
side. Thus, the user may perform an aerobic exercise which would include 
stepping from low portion 24 and selectively onto and down from portions 
26 and 28. For beginners the stepping exercise could include the lower 
stepping action by stepping to and from surfaces 24 and 26. For more 
advanced programs the stepping exercise could include the adjacent 
portions 24 and 28 or all three portions 24, 26 and 28. A further exercise 
program could include using the floor as a further height level. 
As illustrated, the sides 30 and 32 which join the flat surface 24 with 
surfaces 26 and 28, respectively, are inclined away from central portion 
24. If desired, for aesthetic purposes the outer sides 34, 34 and the 
front and back walls 36 may also be tapered. 
Any suitable dimensions could be used for step 10. Where the mounting block 
provides all of the multi-level steps the central portion 24 could be 
elevated, for example, four inches above surface 16. Intermediate surface 
26 could be 6 inches above surface 16 and the highest surface 28 could be 
8 inches above surface 16. 
It is to be understood that in its broadest aspect the mounting block 28 
(with or without adhesive areas) may comprise the entire multi-level 
aerobic step by-being mounted directly on the floor without any attachment 
to base 12. Alternatively, base 12 could be utilized as a means of 
controlling the elevation of the entire mounting block 18. Thus, if base 
12 has a height of 4 inches in its lowest position then the user could 
step from the floor to central portion 24 at an elevation of 8 inches with 
intermediate level 26 being 10 inches above the floor and high level 28 
being 12 inches above the floor. These heights could be increase by 
manipulation of legs 14 in the manner described in the various parent 
patents and applications referred to herein. 
It is to be understood that while mounting block 18 is illustrated in FIG. 
1 as having three height levels the invention may be practiced with other 
numbers of height levels. Thus, for example, mounting block 18 might 
include only two height levels by omitting one of the portions 26 or 28. 
Alternatively, both portions 26 and 28 could be of the same height level. 
A still further alternative is to provide more than three height levels by 
appropriately including any other number of flat topped projections for 
mounting block 18. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a modified form of mounting block 40 which would be 
similar to block 18 except for its step structure. Block 40 includes a low 
surface 42 and a high surface 44 with the connecting wall 46 being tapered 
as well as outer walls 48 and front and back walls 50 being tapered. 
Mounting block 40 could be used as an entire multi-level step device or 
could be used with some form of base such as base 12 illustrated in FIG. 
1. It is also to be understood that the mounting block such as mounting 
blocks 18 and 40 may be detachably mounted to a base or height adjustable 
step rather than permanently mounted. For example instead of adhesive 
areas, suction cups could be used for detachable mounting so that no 
modifications need be made to the base. Any suitable form of detachable 
mounting could be used including some forms described hereinafter. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the invention wherein the mounting block 
60 has a pair of low levels 62,62 on each side of central surface 64. The 
surfaces 62,62 may be of the same height or may differ in height. The 
various walls may be perpendicular to the lower surface of mounting block 
60 or may be inwardly tapered as illustrated. 
If desired the mounting block may cover only a portion of surface 16 so 
that the remaining portion of surface 16 would be exposed to comprise a 
further stepping section. 
FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a further form of this invention wherein device 70 
includes a base 72 which may be generally constructed as in the form of 
height adjustable steps disclosed in the parent patents and applications 
and would include any suitable form of adjustable legs 74. In this 
practice of the invention the upper surface 76 of base 72 would be 
provided with sets of holes 78, preferably having a total of three sets of 
holes with four holes in each set. The mounting blocks could include a low 
level mounting block 80 and a higher level mounting block 82 each having a 
flat horizontal upper surface 86. Each of the mounting blocks 80, 82 would 
be provided with posts or pins 84 located to fit in the corresponding 
holes 78. Thus, each mounting block 80, 82 may be selectively located at 
either end or at the central portion of upper surface 76. The result would 
be to provide three different height elevations where two different size 
mounting blocks are used or to provide two different height elevations 
where the mounting blocks are of the same size or where only one mounting 
block is used. If desired, where the mounting blocks are of the same size 
the mounting blocks could be disposed adjacent each other so that only two 
levels are formed with one level being surface 76 and the other level 
being from juxtaposed coplanar surfaces 86. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a variation wherein the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 
is used to include only a single mounting block 80 so that lower levels 76 
are on each side of the mounting block 80 and thus the user may step from 
platform upper surface 76 to upper surface 86 of mounting block 80 and 
then back onto upper surface 76 on either side of surface 86. 
FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a variation of the invention wherein each mounting 
block 80 is also provided with sets of holes 88 in its upper surface 86 so 
that the post 84 of a similar mounting block 80 could be inserted into the 
holes 88 and thus change the elevation of the exposed surface 86 by in 
effect doubling the height of mounting block 80 where two mounting blocks 
are used. This concept may be practiced by stacking any number of mounting 
blocks 80 or by adding taller mounting blocks 82 as well as shorter 
mounting blocks in any combination at any of the locations on upper 
surface 76 for achieving a virtual limitless possible number of height 
level combinations. 
A further advantageous feature of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-10 is 
that base 72 is molded so that it is completely open between its 
peripheral sides. This open space resulting from the hollow base 72 could 
be utilized for storing the mounting blocks and legs such as mounting 
blocks 80,82 and legs 74. Reference is made to the parent patents and 
applications which disclose this storage feature. See for example, U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 5,096,186 and 5,125,646. 
FIG. 11 illustrates a variation of the invention similar to that of FIGS. 
7-8. The device 90 of FIG. 11 utilizes an alternative mounting means for 
detachably mounting the blocks 92, 94 to base 96. As shown therein sets of 
dove tailed grooves 98 are provided on the upper surface 100 of base 96. 
The lower surface of each mounting block 92, 94 contains appropriately 
shaped tongues 102 which slide in grooves 98. Each groove 98 includes a 
hemispherical recess 104 at an appropriate thereof into which a 
corresponding ball shaped detent 106 on each tongue would fit when the 
block 92 or 94 is in its proper position. The seating of the ball 106 in 
the appropriate recess 104 would serve to lock the block 92,94 in place. 
Such locking mechanism may be used in all embodiments using sliding 
movement for the mounting. 
FIGS. 12-13 show a further variation of this invention wherein device 10 
utilizes an alternative form of mounting means. As shown therein hook and 
loop mounting means is utilized for mounting each block 112 to base 114. 
For example, sets of VELCRO.RTM. type strips 116 would be provided at 
appropriate locations on base 114. Each block 112 would include a suitable 
number of straps 118 extending through the lower portion for the block 112 
having VELCRO.RTM. formations which engage the strips 116. 
FIG. 14 illustrates a device 120 which utilizes the features of parent 
patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,028, the details of which are incorporated 
herein by reference thereto, as a means of achieving multi-level heights. 
The principles of U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,028 are utilized with device 20 by 
forming base 122 with a pair of members or sections 124 which are movable 
away from each other as indicated by the arrow with the movement being 
controlled by rails 126. When sections 124 are moved away from each other 
the rails are exposed and a mounting block 128 is snapped into place by 
any suitable means such as clips 130 which snap onto rails 126. Mounting 
block 128 is dimensioned with respect to its height so that the upper 
surfaces 132 of sections 124 are at a lower (or higher) elevation than the 
upper surface 134 of mounting block 128. Thus, device 120 differs from the 
device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,028 where in the patent the various upper 
surfaces are intended to be co-planar. In the general practice of this 
invention the incremental difference of two levels is two inches. 
Accordingly, if the surface 132 is four inches above the floor surface 134 
would be six inches above the floor. If desired, however, other height 
increments could be used by snapping different blocks onto rails 126. 
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a further device 140 in accordance with this 
invention wherein longitudinal and/or transverse grooves are used. As 
shown therein base 142 includes in its upper surface 144 a plurality of 
transverse L-shaped grooves 146 and longitudinal T-shaped grooves. If 
desired only transverse or only longitudinal grooves of either L- or T- 
shape may be used. Mounting block 148 in turn would have a complementary 
L-shaped rail 150 which would fit in the L-shaped grooves or slots 146. 
See FIG. 16. Alternatively, mounting block 148 could have T-shaped rails 
to fit in slots 152 as illustrated in FIG. 17. 
FIGS. 18-19 illustrate a further device 160 which includes a base 162 
having a groove 164 formed along one and preferably each side thereof. The 
mounting block 166 is provided with a pair of downwardly extending aprons 
168 each having a track 170 which slidably fits in groove 164. A 
hemispherical recess may be provided at the end of each groove into which 
a ball detent 174 on aprons 168 would be seated in the previously 
described manner. The recess and detent arrangement may also be used for 
controlling the specific location of block 166. FIG. 18, for example, 
illustrates a plurality of spaced recesses 172 with a ball detent 174 on 
each apron 168 positioned for selectively fitting into a corresponding 
recess 172 to lock block 166 in its desired position at each end of or in 
the central portion of the upper surface 176 of base 162. If desired, the 
concept of providing grooves and rails could also be effected by 
positioning these detachable locking members on the upper surface 176 of 
base 162 and lower surface of block 166 or in any other location where 
sliding contact is achieved between the block and base. 
Where the invention is practiced with grooves which extend completely 
across the base or platform, one end of each groove may have a stop wall 
to limit the extent of movement of the rail on the corresponding part and 
thus prevent the sliding part slide too far. 
FIGS. 20-21 illustrate a further device 180 in accordance with this 
invention. As shown therein device 180 includes, for achieving its one 
level, a form of stepping device having a base 182 with the legs 184 
attached below the base 182. Because of the arcuate shape of the legs 184 
and the base 182 a groove 186 is formed at the junction of the legs 184 
and base 182. A mounting block 188 is secured to base 182 by having an 
apron 190 extend from mounting block 188 and made of a springy material so 
that its hook end 192 would fit in the junction 186. At the central 
portion of device 180 where there is no leg below base 182 (FIG. 20) the 
hook end 192 would simply fit in the curved area at the lower portion of 
base 182. 
FIGS. 22-23 show a further device 200 which includes a base 202 having a 
mounting block 204 on the flat upper surface 206 of base 202. Base 202 
includes locking members in the form of a plurality of holes 208, 210, 
212, 214 on each of its side walls. Mounting block 204 in turn is provided 
with an apron 216 on each side with apron 216 having complimentary locking 
members in the form of a pair of pins 218 as best shown in FIG. 23. 
Mounting block 204 could be locked in one of three positions. An extreme 
left position would be achieved when the two pins 218 are located in holes 
208 and 210. A central position could be achieved when pins 218 are 
located in holes 210 and 212. An extreme right position could be achieved 
when pins 218 are located in holes 212 and 214. The springy material of 
apron 216 assures retaining the pins in the corresponding holes while 
permitting the pins to be removed when it is desired to change the 
position of mounting block 204 or to completely remove the mounting block. 
This embodiment of the invention may be practiced with more than four 
holes so as to provide a greater variety of possible locations for the 
mounting block. Additionally, more than one mounting block could be 
simultaneously mounted on the base to provide three or more height levels. 
FIG. 24 illustrates a variation of device 200 wherein the holes 220 are 
formed in the apron 216 and pins 222 are provided at spaced locations on 
the base 202 which would be simply a reversal from FIGS. 22-23 in the use 
of holes and pins. 
FIGS. 25-26 illustrate a further device 230 in accordance with this 
invention. As shown therein a base 232 has a mounting block 234 
selectively secured thereto. The means of detachable mounting is achieved 
by providing legs or extensions 236 downwardly from mounting block 234. 
The legs 236 would be angled to conform to the sloping sides of base 232. 
Legs 236 would then terminate in horizontal hooks 238 which would slide 
under base 232. If desired, base 232 could be notched at selected 
locations so that the lower surface of base 232 would terminate co-planar 
with the lower surface of hook 238. 
In the various embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-26 the multi-level is 
achieved by mounting a mounting block on a base. It is to be understood, 
however, that the invention may also be practiced where the mounting 
blocks are mounted below the base. FIG. 27, for example, illustrates a 
device 240 which includes a base 242 which may take the form of any of the 
previously described bases. A pair of mounting blocks 244, 245 are 
detachably secured to and below base 242. The result is a plurality of 
exposed flat surfaces comprising lower surfaces 246, 247 from mounting 
blocks 244, 245 and upper elevation surface 248 from base 242. The 
mounting blocks may be formed identically with each other so that their 
exposed upper surfaces 246, 247 are at the same height level. 
Alternatively, as illustrated, the mounting blocks could be of different 
structure such as by mounting block 245 having a shoulder 250 abutting 
against base 242. This would result in the exposed upper surface 247 of 
mounting block 245 being at a higher elevation than the exposed upper 
surface 246 of the other mounting block 244 so that three levels are 
formed. 
It is to be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be 
practiced by incorporating features of one embodiment into any of the 
other embodiments where suitable. Similarly, the various means described 
in the parent patents and applications with regards to the mounting of 
legs to the base may also be utilized as a means for mounting the mounting 
blocks to the base where appropriate. It is also to be understood that 
although the various figures illustrate the components in the devices to 
generally have tapered sides the sides may be straight. Additionally, it 
is to be understood that where various platforms are illustrated without 
the illustration of legs to provide additional height adjustability, those 
practices may be modified to include legs as described in the parent 
patents and applications. 
An advantage of using height adjustable steps as the base is that the user 
has the option of adding one or more mounting blocks for a multi-level 
exercise or simply using the base alone for the known single level 
exercise. Alternatively, the base may be any structure capable of being 
coupled to at least one mounting block for achieving the multi-levels.