US3743283A — Exercising steps

Claim 1

Independent Claim 342 words

A step device for use by an exercising person comprising: a. a unitary frame having opposite sides and opposite ends, b. said frame having a base spanning said opposite sides and opposite ends and adapted to be supported upon a floor, c. said frame comprising a first upright standard fixed to and projecting upward from one end of said base, and a second upright standard fixed to and projecting upward from the opposite end of said base to define an exercising space between said standards and above said base, d. a first step member mounted on said frame at a first level a predetermined distance above the floor level of said base and extending between said standards within said exercising space, e. a second step member long enough to extend between said upright standards and having a free end, f. a rest member on said second standard for freely supporting said free end in operative position, g. hinge means mounting said second step member on said first standard for swinging movement between said operative position at a second level in said exercising space spaced vertically above said first step member, and an inoperative upright position substantially coextensive with said first standard, h. upward means on said first standard for limiting the upward swinging movement of said second step member to said inoperative upright position, i. each of said first and second step members being strong enough to support the weight of an exercising person standing on said corresponding step member in said operative position, j. the length of said exercising space being approximately equal to the width of a person exercising on said step device, k. both of the side portions of said frame defining said exercising space being completely open and unobstructed above the uppermost step member in operative position to permit an exercising person to step upon and be fully supported by only the uppermost step member in operative position, l. the vertical distance between said first and second step members being less than the length of any step member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 342 words

A step device for use by an exercising person comprising: a. a unitary frame having opposite sides and opposite ends, b. said frame having a base spanning said opposite sides and opposite ends and adapted to be supported upon a floor, c. said frame comprising a first upright standard fixed to and projecting upward from one end of said base, and a second upright standard fixed to and projecting upward from the opposite end of said base to define an exercising space between said standards and above said base, d. a first step member mounted on said frame at a first level a predetermined distance above the floor level of said base and extending between said standards within said exercising space, e. a second step member long enough to extend between said upright standards and having a free end, f. a rest member on said second standard for freely supporting said free end in operative position, g. hinge means mounting said second step member on said first standard for swinging movement between said operative position at a second level in said exercising space spaced vertically above said first step member, and an inoperative upright position substantially coextensive with said first standard, h. upward means on said first standard for limiting the upward swinging movement of said second step member to said inoperative upright position, i. each of said first and second step members being strong enough to support the weight of an exercising person standing on said corresponding step member in said operative position, j. the length of said exercising space being approximately equal to the width of a person exercising on said step device, k. both of the side portions of said frame defining said exercising space being completely open and unobstructed above the uppermost step member in operative position to permit an exercising person to step upon and be fully supported by only the uppermost step member in operative position, l. the vertical distance between said first and second step members being less than the length of any step member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 136 words

The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a third step member having a free end, a second rest member on one of said standards for freely supporting the free end of said third step member in operative position, second hinge means mounting said third step member on the other of said standards for swinging movement between said operative position at a third level in said exercising space spaced vertically above said second member in said second level position, and an inoperative upright position substantially coextensive with said other standard, said third step member being strong enough to support the weight of an exercising person standing on said third step member in operative position, second stop means on said other standard for limiting the swinging movement of said third step member to said inoperative upright position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 73 words

The invention according to claim 2 in which said hinge means for both said second and third step members are journaled in said first standard and said rest members are supported on said second standard in such a manner that the upward swinging movement of said second step member will clear said second rest member, and the stop means for said second step member comprises the hinge means for said third step member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 164 words

The invention according to claim 3 further comprising a fourth step member having a free end, a third rest member on said first standard for freely supporting the free end of said fourth step member in operative position, hinge means mounting said fourth step member on said second standard for swinging movement between said operative position at a fourth level in said exercising space spaced vertically above said third step member in said third level position, and an inoperative upright position substantially coextensive with said second standard, said fourth step member being strong enough to support the weight of an exercising person standing on said fourth step member in operative position, third stop means on said second standard for limiting the upward swinging movement of said fourth step member to said inoperative upright position, said hinge means for said fourth step member being spaced on said second standard above and outward of the swinging path of the free end of said third step member.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The invention according to claim 4 in which the spacing between adjacent levels is substantially uniform.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The invention according to claim 1 in which said first step member is a rigid part of said base and fixed to said first and second standards.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-07-02	1977-01-01	1977-07-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-07-02	1981-01-01	1981-07-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-07-02	1985-01-01	1985-07-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exercising steps

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