Abstract:
A step exercising system for an aerobic step workout is constructed as a portable inclined step ramp. The ramp is sloped towards a user such that the user can step up onto the ramp at various heights, thereby regulating the degree of intensity of the workout without having to suspend the workout to adjust the step height, as is the case when using a conventional aerobic step having a raised level platform.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/166,573, filed Jun. 10, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to step systems for aerobic and cardio-vascular activities. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   By way of background, a popular form of cardio-vascular training is aerobic stepping. An aerobic step workout is performed by stepping on and off a raised, level step platform. The steps are choreographed, usually performed to music, and leader-driven by an instructor in a class setting or on videotape for home exercise. Workout intensity is largely dependent on the step platform height. Presently, step platforms require a user to suspend the workout while an adjustment to height is made. This is disruptive. Additionally, a user who is becoming fatigued and who should probably lower the step height will not do so, and instead will continue the workout, allowing for the possibility of over fatigue and potential miss-step. Another drawback of existing level step platforms is the great amount of load placed on the knee joint while performing the step up to the level platform. To step up on a level platform, the leg is moved forward by hip flexion. At the same time, the foot is brought up to a position above the level platform by knee flexion. Once the foot is on the platform it has a surface from which to push off. The hip and knee joints go into extension to move the body up against gravity. This places the knee joint under a substantial compression load. Further, most aerobic or cardiovascular activity such as stepping will cause the participants to perspire. This perspiration has a tendency to pool on the level step platform, creating the potential for injury by slipping on the surface. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing problems are solved and an advance in the art is obtained by a novel step exercising system for an aerobic step workout comprising a portable inclined step ramp. The ramp is sloped towards a user such that the user can step onto the ramp at various height levels, thereby easily regulating the degree of intensity of the workout. There is no need to suspend the workout to perform a height adjustment, as is the case when using a level aerobic step platform. There is also reduced stress on the knee joint. 
   In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the ramp is configured to define a front portion, a back portion, an upper workout surface portion, and an underside portion. The incline of the ramp can be provided in various ways, with adjustable legs or other incline members being preferred so that the incline of the ramp can be altered. The legs can be permanently or removably attached to the underside portion of the ramp proximate to the back portion thereof. In addition, adjustable legs can also be mounted to the front portion of the ramp so as to allow the overall height of the ramp to be varied. The ramp can also have one or more additional features, such as a radiussed leading edge on the ramp&#39;s front portion for contacting an independent support surface. Further, the ramp can be formed with grooves that channel perspiration from the upper work surface portion of the ramp and serve to visually divide the ramp into multiple workout areas, such as a central workout area and two lateral workout areas. Each workout area can be color-coded so as to allow a user to follow a choreographed routine. The front of the center workout area may be recessed relative to the lateral workout areas so as to facilitate easier access to all workout areas by the user. The upper workout surface portion is preferably configured with a non-slip surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing a first embodiment of a step exercising system constructed in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the step exercising system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the step exercising system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of an exemplary height adjustable incline member for the step exercising system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view showing a second embodiment of the step exercising system constructed in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view showing the step exercising system of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the step exercising system of  FIG. 1  in use; 
       FIG. 8  is a front perspective view showing a third embodiment of the step exercise system constructed in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a close-up fragmentary view of an adjustable leg of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable leg, taken along line  15 — 15  of  FIG. 14 , showing the leg in a retracted position; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable leg, taken along line  16 — 16  of  FIG. 14 , showing the leg in an extended position; 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded, perspective view of the adjustable leg of the step exercise system of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable leg, showing the spring resistance means; and 
       FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  19 — 19  of  FIG. 9 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A step exercising system for an aerobic workout will now be described by way of exemplary embodiments shown by the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements in all of the several views. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1–3 , a step exercising system  2  in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown at rest on a support surface S (see  FIG. 3 ), such as a floor. The step exercising system  2  includes a portable inclined aerobic step ramp  10 , whose overall configuration is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It will be appreciated that the ramp  10  can be made of any suitable material capable of supporting a person stepping thereon. Examples include but are not limited to plastics such as ABS (acetyl butyl stylrene), polyethylene or the like. The ramp  10  can be formed with such materials using a blow mold technique, pressure forming, or injection molding. As an alternative to plastic, other material such as metal (e.g. aluminum) could be used to form the ramp  10 . 
   Although shown as being semi-circular in shape, the ramp  10  may be constructed in various configurations, depending on design preferences. Such shape variations notwithstanding, the ramp will generally define a front portion  12  adapted to face a user and a back portion  14  that lies away from the user. The ramp  10  will further define an upper workout surface portion  20  and an underside portion  22 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the back portion  14  is positioned at a height which is above the front portion  12  relative to the support surface S, such that the upper workout surface portion  20  is inclined toward the person at a constant angle during use. Moreover, the leading edge  24  of the front portion  12  preferably rests on the support surface S, so as to facilitate easy stepping onto the ramp  10 . The ramp  10  will preferably be constructed such that the incline of the upper workout surface portion  20  has about a 10–30 degree angle relative to the support surface S. An angle of incline less than about 10 degrees will be too small to facilitate an adequate workout, and an angle greater than about 30 degrees will be too large to enable the user to step securely up onto the ramp  10  and will tend to hyper extend the achilles tendon. It will be appreciated that the inclined configuration of the ramp can be provided in various ways. In  FIGS. 1–3 , the incline is provided by mounting incline members in the form of adjustable legs  26  to the underside portion  22 , proximate to the back portion  14 . Other types of incline members could also be used, such as non-adjustable legs, frames, blocks, or otherwise. Another alternative would be to form the ramp  10  as a wedge-shaped structure in which the back portion  14  is thicker than the front portion  12 . 
   The legs  26  in the ramp embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3  can be made of any suitable material capable of supporting a person, including plastics as described above, and metals. The legs  26  can be attached to the underside portion  22  in any suitable fashion. For example, if the ramp  10  is molded, the legs  26 , or a portion thereof, could be integrally formed with the ramp  10  during the molding process so as to be built-in to the ramp  10 . Other alternatives include attachment by welding, bolting, threading or the like, depending on whether the legs are to be permanently or removably attached to the ramp  10 . 
   The legs  26  are constructed with a height adjustable feature so that the incline angle of the ramp  10  can be altered.  FIG. 4  illustrates one example of a leg  26  having height adjustment capability. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the leg  26  comprises an inner tubular member  31  that is slidably disposed within, and surrounded by, an independent outer tubular member  33  that is attached to the ramp  10 . The inner tubular member  31  is thus capable of telescoping from the outer structure  33 , allowing for a change in length of the leg  26 . The inner tubular member  31  may be secured in position relative to the outer tubular member  33  in various ways. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the outer tubular member  33  is constructed with a slotted opening  35  and the inner tubular member  31  is constructed with a protruding pin member  37  that is received in the slotted opening  35 . The slotted opening  35  includes two horizontal channels  41  connected by a vertical channel  43 . To adjust the length of the leg  26  (thereby adjusting the height and incline of the ramp  10 ), the inner tubular member  31  is rotated so that the pin member  37  can be slid from a fixed point  45  in one of the horizontal channels  41 , then through the vertical channel  43  of the slotted opening  35 , and to another fixed position  47  in the other horizontal channel  41 . Note that additional horizontal channels  41  can be provided depending on the number of height adjustments desired. Other adjustment arrangements could also be used, including pins inserted through holes in the inner tubular member  31  and outer tubular member  33 . 
   The legs  26  can further be mounted with a slip-resistant tip  49  at the end, which rests on the support surface S. The tip  49  may be made of any suitable slip-resistant material, including but not limited to silicone rubber, high friction plastic, or otherwise. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the front portion  12  of the ramp  10  may be constructed with a radius on the leading edge  24 . The radius enables the leading edge  24  to contact the support surface S without damaging it, as might be the case from a squared edge. The radius also facilitates ramp angle changes by allowing the leading edge  24  to contact the support surface at various locations. In addition, the radius provides a friendlier contact surface with a user. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a second embodiment of the ramp  10  is shown wherein the underside  22  mounts adjustable legs  52  proximate to the front portion  12  of the ramp  10 . The adjustable legs  52  directly contact the support surface S and enable the leading edge  24  to be positioned above the support surface rather than resting directly thereon. This allows a user to intensify the workout by having a higher initial starting point for the workout. 
   As can be seen in any of  FIGS. 1–2  and  5 , and as further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the upper workout surface portion  20  of the ramp  10  comprises grooves  54  that divide the surface into visually distinct workout areas. The grooves  54  can be formed in a variety of ways. If the ramp  10  is formed as a single unit, the grooves  54  can be formed therein during the fabrication process or thereafter in subsequent processing. Alternatively, the grooves  54  could be defined by fabricating the ramp  10  as separate sections that are suitably fastened together such that a space is formed between adjacent sections to define the grooves  54 . 
   In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1–3  and  5 , the grooves  54  divide the upper workout surface portion  20  into three visually distinct workout areas, namely, a center workout area  55  and two distinct side workout areas  56  adjacent to the center workout area  55 . Other configurations in which the number and arrangement of workout areas is different could also be used. To further visually differentiate the workout areas  55  and  56 , and to enable a user to follow a step workout choreographed to different workout areas, the workout areas  55  and  56  can be color-coded. 
   The workout areas  55  and  56  are also preferably constructed with a non-slip surface configuration. The non-slip configuration could be provided by suitably texturing the upper workout surface portion  20  in its initial construction. Alternatively, the non-slip configuration can be provided by a separate material that is directly applied to the workout areas  55  and  56  after initial construction, as by spraying, brushing, or adhering. Examples include, but are not limited to, textured paints, rubber coatings, or various inserts or stickers made of rubber, sand paper, or other materials. Note that the center workout area  55  is constructed with a recess  59  at the front portion  12  of the ramp  10 . The recess  59  is adapted to enable a user easier access to the two side workout areas  56  such that the user may contact a side workout area  56  without stepping over the center workout area  55 , as will now be described. 
     FIG. 7  shows the ramp  10  as it would be used during a typical workout. It is assumed that the ramp  10  includes plural workout areas as described above. First, a user  70  can predetermine the overall incline of the ramp  10  by adjusting the length of the legs  26  (when included in the ramp&#39;s construction). Next, the ramp is placed on the support surface S with the leading edge  24  in direct contact with the support surface S (or above the support surface S if the ramp  10  is so constructed and the user desires such a setup). The ramp  10  remains in this constant position throughout the workout. The user  70  stands facing the ramp  10  proximate to the leading edge  24  of the front portion  12 . The user  70  steps on and off the various workout areas  58  of the upper work surface portion  20  of the ramp  10  as dictated by a choreographed workout. Throughout the workout, the user  70  can vary the height of each step by choosing a point (e.g.  81 ,  82 , or  83 ) of contact on the ramp  10  and thereby modifying the intensity of the workout. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8–19 , a third embodiment of the portable inclined aerobic step ramp  110  of the present invention includes a plurality of adjustable legs  126  affixed to an underside portion  122  and are preferably disposed adjacent to a peripheral edge  113  of the underside portion  122 . 
   The underside portion  122  is preferably substantially parallel to an upper workout surface portion  120  of a main body  111  of the portable inclined aerobic step ramp  110 ; and is spaced a distance from the upper workout surface portion  120 . The portable aerobic step ramp  110  may be formed in a hollow configuration such that a gap  115  exists between an interior surface  117  of the upper workout surface portion  20  and an interior surface  119  of the underside portion  122  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). 
   The adjustable legs  126  preferably include a fixed, outer tubular member  133  and an inner tubular member  131  which is telescopically, slideably received within the outer tubular member  133 . An attachment flange  150  is integrally formed with or otherwise affixed to the outer tubular member  133 . The attachment flange  150  extends radially outwardly from the outer tubular member  133  and is preferably permanently affixed to the underside portion  122  of the main body  111  by bolts, or other suitable attachment means. 
   Preferably, the attachment flange  150  is affixed to the outer tubular member  133  intermediate upper and lower ends  152 ,  154  of the outer tubular member  133  such that the upper end  152  of the outer tubular member  133  extends into the gap  115  between the interior surfaces  117 ,  119  of the upper workout surface portion  120  and the underside portion  122 . Also, the upper end  152  of the outer tubular member  133  abuts or is disposed in close proximity to the interior surface  117  of the upper workout surface portion  120 , such that, during periods of high loads, the adjustable legs  126  can provide support directly to the upper workout surface portion  120 . 
   Protruding pin members  137  extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular member  131 , substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131 , preferably on two opposed sides of the inner tubular member  131 . The protruding pin members  137  may be formed from a threaded sleeve and two threaded bolts. 
   The outer tubular member  133  includes slotted openings  135  into which the protruding pin members  137  extend. The slotted openings  135  are located on opposite sides of the outer tubular member  133  and are preferably separated by 180 degrees. Preferably, one of the slotted openings  135  is aligned to be easily visible by a user. 
   Each slotted opening  135  includes an upper angled portion  156 , a middle longitudinal portion  158  and a U-shaped lower portion  160 . The U-shaped lower portion  160  includes a first longitudinal section  162  (which is connected to the middle portion  158 ), a center, circumferential section  164 , and a second longitudinal section  166 . The second longitudinal section  166  has a closed end  168 , which is aligned with a closed end  170  of the upper angled portion  156  of the slotted opening  135 . 
   The middle longitudinal portion  158 , and the first and second longitudinal sections  162 ,  166  of the U-shaped lower portion  160  are preferably aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131 . The outer circumferential section  164  of the U-shaped lower portion  160  is preferably aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131  (i.e., parallel to the circumference thereof). 
   The upper angled portion  156  of each of the slotted openings  135  includes a closed end  172  which is aligned with the closed end  168  of the second longitudinal section  166  on a line which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member. The upper angled portion  156  is preferably disposed within the main body  111 . 
   The upper angled portion  156  extends downwardly from a closed end  172  to the middle longitudinal portion  158  at an angle that is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131 , preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131 . 
   As depicted in  FIG. 15 , each adjustable leg  126  has a retracted supporting position in which the protruding pin member  135  is disposed adjacent the closed end  172  of the upper angled portion  156  of the slotted opening  135 . As depicted in  FIG. 16 , each adjustable leg  126  has an extended supporting position in which the protruding pin member  135  is disposed adjacent the closed end  168  of the second longitudinal section  166  of the U-shaped lower portion  160  of the slotted opening  135 . It can be appreciated that when the adjustable leg  126  is in either of the retracted and extended positions, the upward movement of the adjustable leg  126  is prevented. 
   To articulate the adjustable leg  126  from the extended to the retracted position, the inner tubular member  131  is further extended to a point where the protruding pin member  137  is disposed in a bottom of the second longitudinal section  166 . Then, the inner tubular member  131  is rotated relative to the outer tubular member  133  such that the protruding pin member  137  is disposed in a bottom of the first longitudinal section  162 . Then, the inner tubular member  131  is urged to retract it further into the outer tubular member  133  until the protruding pin member  137  reaches a bottom of the upper angled portion  156 . 
   Further retraction of the inner tubular member  131  into the outer tubular member  133  causes the inner tubular member  131  to rotate as the protruding pin member  137  passes along and is guided by the upper angled portion  156  until the adjustable leg  126  is in the retracted position. It can be appreciated that when the inner tubular member  131  is in the retracted position, it is in the same rotational orientation relative to the outer tubular member  133  as when in the extended position. 
   Thus, the upper angled portion  156  serves to automatically properly align the inner tubular portion  131  when in the retracted position. This facilitates the movement of the leg into the extended position, which is desirable since the inner tubular member  131  is disposed within the main body  111  and is not visible to the user. As described in further detail below, this rotational alignment serves to properly align the slip resistant tip  149  attached to the inner tubular member  131 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , preferably, the longitudinal axes of the inner and outer tubular members  131 ,  133  are aligned substantially perpendicular to the underside portion  122  of the main body  111  of the portable inclined aerobic step ramp  110 . A contact surface  180  of the slip resistant tip  149  is aligned substantially parallel to the support surface S when the adjustable leg  126  is in either the retracted or extended positions. Thus, the contact surface  180  is aligned at an angle that is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular member  131 . Preferably, each contact surface  180  is substantially planar and comprises a substantial portion of a bottom surface of the associated adjustable leg  126 . Also, preferably the contact surfaces  180  of each of the adjustable legs  126  are substantially co-planar with one another (and with the support surface S) when the adjustable legs  126  are simultaneously in either the retracted or extended position. 
   Preferably, the configuration of the inner and outer tubular members  131 ,  133  at each of the adjustable legs  126  are substantially identical, except for the length of the inner tubular members  131 . It can be appreciated that the inner tubular portions  131  of adjustable legs  126  located closer to the front portion  112  of the main body  111  are shorter than those located further away. 
   Referring to  FIG. 18 , preferably, each adjustable leg  126  includes means to resist free movement of the inner tubular member  131  relative to the outer tubular member  133  while permitting a user to adjust the leg. Preferably, the inner tubular member  133  includes a through hole  184  through which a contact pin  186  of a resistance spring  188  protrudes. The resistance spring  188  is disposed within the inner tubular member  131 . The contact pin  186  is biased against the outer tubular member  133  and the resulting friction creates a resistance to movement of the inner tubular member  131 . The resistance spring  188  has a substantially V-shaped portion which contacts the inner tubular member  131  opposite the through hole  184 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 19 , the center and side workout areas  55 ,  56  preferably include non-slip panels  190 ,  194  formed of resilient material. The non-slip panels  190 ,  194  preferably have textured upper surfaces  196 ,  198 . The lower surfaces  200 ,  202  of each non-slip surface  190 ,  194  preferably have elongated recessor channels  206  disposed at substantially regular intervals and aligned substantially parallel to the front portion  112  of the main body  111 . It can be appreciated that material above the channels  206  is thinner than the material intermediate the channels  206 . When subject to load, the resilient, non-slip panels deflect downwardly. The upper surface of the non-slip panels in the area above the channels  206  deflect a greater amount than the areas intermediate the channels  206 . Under load, this provides substantial resistance to slippage. While not under load, the upper surface of each non-slip panel is substantially planar (except for any texture thereof). The substantially planar non-loaded configuration of the upper surface allows perspiration to drain unimpeded from the surface, prevents the undesirable build up of dirt on the surface and allows the surface to be cleaned more effectively. 
   Accordingly, a system for an aerobic step workout has been disclosed. While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent that many variations and alternative embodiments could be implemented in accordance with the teachings herein. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be in any way limited except in accordance with the spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.