Abstract:
A plyometric exercise device and associated method is disclosed. The device comprises a polyhedron with a plurality of side surfaces. At least two exercise platforms are mounted to a respective two side surfaces of the polyhedron, each of the side surfaces having a respective, opposing, parallel base surface of the polyhedron. The polyhedron is configured such that each of the side surfaces is at a different height above and parallel to a floor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor. A method of exercising using the device includes setting any one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on the exercise platform opposing the base surface at the corresponding height, and setting one of the other base surfaces on the floor and exercising on the exercise platform opposing the base surface on the opposing height.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/563,995, filed Nov. 28, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/603,419, filed Feb. 27, 2012, which are both hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally pertains to exercise devices, and more particularly, to plyometric exercise devices. Some example exercises devices may be used by individuals participating in sports conditioning or fitness exercises. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In a first embodiment, a plyometric exercise device includes a polyhedron with a plurality of side surfaces. At least two exercise platforms are mounted to a respective, adjacent two side surfaces of the polyhedron. Each of the two side surfaces has a respective, opposing base surface of the polyhedron, and the polyhedron is configured such that each of the two side surfaces will be at a different height above and parallel to a floor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor. 
         [0004]    In a further detailed embodiment, the plyometric exercise device has at least three exercise platforms mounted to a respective three side surfaces of the polyhedron, each of the three side surfaces having a respective, opposing, parallel base surface of the polyhedron. The polyhedron is configured such that each of the three side surfaces will be at a different height above and parallel to a floor when its opposite base surface is set on the floor. 
         [0005]    A method of exercising associated with the plyometric exercise device disclosed includes setting a first one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on a first exercise platform opposing the first base surface at a first height; rotating or flipping the device, and setting a second one of the base surfaces on the floor and exercising on a second exercise platform opposing the second base surface at a second height. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0007]    In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an example of the prior art; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device from a perspective view; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a first setting; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a second setting; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a first exemplary plyometric exercise device at a third setting; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a second exemplary plyometric exercise device from a perspective view; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a third exemplary plyometric exercise device from a perspective view; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth exemplary plyometric exercise device from a perspective view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a prior art plyometric exercise device  100 , having a single platform and base, and a single platform height. Device  100  has a base parallel to the platform, which, as shown, is slightly larger than the exercise platform, causing each of the side panels of the frame to be identical trapezoids. The trapezoids are not capable of forming a support base with an opposite, parallel surface to the floor. Thus, prior art device  100  has a fixed height. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an exemplary plyometric exercise device  200 . This perspective shows the polyhedron frame  210  of the device  200 . In this embodiment, frame  210  defines a rectangular prism, and may be constructed from metal square tubing welded at right angles. Three adjacent platforms  202 ,  204 , and  206  cover the sides of the prism, and the underside of each platform is seen through the frame  210 . Each platform  202 ,  204 ,  206  is adjacent to both of the other platforms. Platforms  202 ,  204 , and  206  may be attached to the frame by any secure attachment means, such as with screws  220   a,    220   b.  Platforms  202 ,  204 , and  206  may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood. 
         [0019]    In this embodiment, the support bases to each of the platforms  202 ,  204 ,  206  are left open, i.e. do not have a corresponding platform. Frame  210  contains three dimensions including a length, a height, and a width- each of which may be set perpendicular to the floor, by rotating the device  200 , and used as a height for exercise device  200 . There are four parallel identical frame legs which together forms the vertical support for each of the three heights, and for simplicity, the four identical support legs are referred to as a single leg. Frame  210  has three selectable heights, defined by leg  212 , leg  214 , and leg  216 . Because the frame  210  is covered by a platform, the height of the platform includes the frame leg and the thickness of the platform  202 ,  204 , or  206 . Platform  202  is supported by frame leg  212  at a height of  212   a.  Platform  204  is supported by frame leg  214  at a height of  214   a.  Platform  206  is supported by frame leg  216  at a platform height of  216   a.  As an example, three heights  212   a,    214   a,  and  216   a  provided by frame legs and platform may be 9 inches, 12 inches and 15 inches. However, these three measurements may vary. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a view of plyometric exercise device  200  flipped or rotated so platform  202  is parallel to the floor, functioning as the usable exercise surface  202   a,  at a height defined by edge  212   a.  Edge  212   a  is formed along frame leg  212  where platforms  204  and  206  meet. So that the platforms create a flush surface over frame  210 , some exercise surfaces include the edge of an adjacent platform, while other exercise surfaces include only one platform. For example, exercise surface  206   a  comprises a single platform  206 , while exercise surface  204   a  comprises a platform  204  as well as the edge of platform  206 ; and exercise surface  202   a  includes platform  202 , as well as the edge  214   a  and  212   a.  A resilient cover  240 , such as a texturized or rubberized sheet, may be applied over each platform  202 ,  204 , and  206 , providing friction as well as durability to the platform surface. 
         [0021]    The user may choose from three predetermined heights per plyometric device  200  to perform plyometric exercises. In some embodiments, the user may choose from two predetermined heights per plyometric box  200 . The platform height is selected by flipping and/or rotating device  200  so the frame leg  212 ,  214  or  216  corresponding to the desired platform height is perpendicular to the floor. Plyometric exercise device  200  may be used as a step surface for plyometric exercises, or for any purpose requiring a stable flat platform. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows plyometric exercise device  200  rotated so platform surface  204  is parallel to the floor, functioning as the usable exercise surface, at a height defined by edge  214   a.  Edge  214   a  is formed along frame leg  214  where exercise platforms  202  and  206  meet.  FIG. 5  shows plyometric exercise device  200  rotated so platform surface  206  is parallel to the floor, functioning as the usable exercise surface, at a height defined by edge  216   a.  Edge  216   a  is formed along frame leg  216  where exercise platforms  202  and  204  meet. 
         [0023]    In a further exemplary embodiment of device  600  shown in  FIG. 6 , all six sides of frame  610  is covered by an exercise platform; i.e., the opposing faces to each exercise platform  602 ,  604 , and  606  have a corresponding exercise platform, identical in size and exercise height. Each corresponding exercise platform  603  (not shown),  605 , and  607 , respectively may comprise either the exercise surface, or its support base. In this embodiment, the height of the platform includes the length of the frame leg, as well as the thickness of both of the corresponding platforms covering the frame  610 . Because the platforms cover over the frame  610 , in order to create a flush box some platforms must extend past the frame  610 , and some exercise surfaces contain the edge of another platform, while other platforms cover the entire exercise surface. For example, platform  606  comprises the entire exercise surface  606   a,  while platform  604  includes the edges of platforms  606  and  607  to comprise its exercise surface  604   a;  and platform  602  includes the edges of platforms  604 ,  605 ,  606 , and  607  to comprise its exercise surface  602   a.  In the orientation shown in  FIG. 6 , exercise platform  602  is the currently in-use exercise surface  602   a  with a height  612   a.  A resilient cover  640 , such as a texturized or rubberized sheet, may be applied over each platform, providing friction as well as durability to the platform surface. 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a third embodiment of plyometric device  700 , including support frame  710 , exercise platform  702 , and exercise platform  704 . In this embodiment, the support base opposite each platform is left open. Frame  710  includes a plurality of feet  730  on the base opposing each platform  702 ,  704 , and  706  (not shown). Feet  730  are distributed symmetrically on frame  710  at support points, for example at each frame junction of a perpendicular support (i.e, frame leg  712 ,  714 ,  716 ). Feet  730  may be rubber or another non-slip material to provide a gripping force, and may also act as shock absorbers when device  700  is used for plyometric exercise. Feet  730  may also be formed from other known materials. 
         [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of plyometric device  800 . In this embodiment, platform surface,  802  and  804  are recessed into frame  810 . Recessing the platforms  802  and  804  into frame  810 , instead of covering over frame  810 , allows each platform to lie flush with the frame, and avoids multiple configurations of some exercise surfaces being comprised of a single platform, and other exercise surfaces having the edge of another platform comprising the exercise surface. Frame  810  determines the height of each platform, and the thickness of the platform does not add additional height to the exercise surface. 
         [0026]    While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the express scope of the following claims. For example, it is within the scope of the disclosure to form the plyometric device from molded plastic components, or even as a single molded plastic or resin component. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.