Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTI-POSITIONED ANGLED STEP AND RISERS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to aerobic exercise devices and, more
particularly, to an
adjustable stepping structure for aerobic exercises.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aerobic exercise platform devices, such as The STEP are often used in
physical fitness
regimens to assist in aerobic workouts and simulating climbing or stair
activities. One example
of these is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,158,512. These platforms are typically
horizontal with
elongate, rectangular shapes having a height simulating a stair step. When a
higher step is
desired for a more difficult routine, one or more risers can typically be
placed under the platform
to raise the total height of the platform. A typical platform includes a tread
or traction area on
the top and a stable base to minimize the risk of a person slipping.
An improved exercise system is desired.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one configuration, the present system includes an adjustable top portion or
platform with one or more support elements or risers. In certain preferred
embodiments, the
platform and risers may be placed or arranged to provide various levels of
platform height
and/or an angled platform surface. Preferably each support element is capable
of being
telescopingly received within the bottom of the platform section, as well as
being received
within the bottom of another support element so that they are vertically
stackable. In certain
embodiments, one or more of the support elements include notches in the top
section allowing
the platform section to be supported at an angled orientation relative to
either the length or
width of the platform section.
Preferably the exercise system can be used as a standard horizontal platform
or as
an angled platform for aerobic exercises, stretching, yoga, or balancing
exercises.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
two support elements, said support elements having an upper portion, a base,
and a notch
formed into the upper portion, the notch having a downward arcuately curved
profile, the
combined lateral length of the upper portions of the support elements being
shorter than the
lateral length of the sidewalls of the platform; wherein the platform can be
supported in a
horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on
top of the support
elements, with the upper portions of the support elements formed to nest
within a lower
portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be supported in a first
angled orientation
relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of the platform on
the floor surface and
a second endwall of the platform into the notch of one of the support
elements; wherein the
platform can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor
surface by
placing a first sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second
sidewall of the
platform into the notch of two of the support elements; and wherein a first
angle of the top
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surface with respect to the floor surface in the first angled orientation is
less than a second
angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the second
angled orientation.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
one support element comprising a unitary member having an upper portion, a
base, an open
center, and at least two parallel notches spaced on opposite sides of said
support element, said
notches having a downward arcuately curved profile; wherein the platform can
be supported
in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the
platform on top of the at
least one support element, with the upper portion of the support element
formed to nest within
a lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be supported in a
first angled
orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of the
platform on the floor
surface and a second endwall of the platform into said notches; wherein the
platform can be
supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by
placing a first sidewall
of the platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the platform
into said notches;
and wherein a first angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface
in the first angled
orientation is less than a second angle of the top surface with respect to the
floor surface in the
second angled orientation.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
one support element having an upper portion and a base; wherein the platform
can be
supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing
the platform on top
of the at least one support element, with the upper portion of the support
element formed to
nest within a lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be
supported in a first
angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of
the platform on the
floor surface and a second endwall of the platform into a notch formed into
the upper portion
of the support element; wherein said notch has a downward arcuately curved
profile; wherein
the platform can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the
floor surface by
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placing a first sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second
sidewall of the
platform into said notch; wherein a first angle of the top surface with
respect to the floor
surface in the first angled orientation is less than a second angle of the top
surface with respect
to the floor surface in the second angled orientation; and wherein said
sidewalls and said
endwalls have a lower rounded edge shaped to sit generally flush in the notch.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
one support element having an upper portion and a base; wherein the platform
can be
supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing
the platform on top
of the at least one support element, with the upper portion of the support
element formed to
nest within a lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be
supported in a first
angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of
the platform on the
floor surface and a second endwall of the platform into a notch formed into
the upper portion
of the support element; wherein said notch has a downward arcuately curved
profile; wherein
the platform can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the
floor surface by
placing a first sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second
sidewall of the
platform into said notch; wherein a first angle of the top surface with
respect to the floor
surface in the first angled orientation is less than a second angle of the top
surface with respect
to the floor surface in the second angled orientation; and wherein said notch
further comprises
a non-slip surface material to inhibit said sidewall and said endwall from
slipping out of said
notch when said platform is placed in either one of said angled orientations.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
two support elements, said support elements having an upper portion, a base,
and a notch
formed into the upper portion, the notch having a downward arcuately curved
profile; wherein
the platform can be supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor
surface by placing
the platform on top of the support elements, with the upper portion of the
support elements
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formed to nest within a lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform
can be supported
in a first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first
endwall of the
platform on the floor surface and a second endwall of the platform into the
notch of a first one
of the support elements; wherein the platform can be supported in a second
angled orientation
relative to the floor surface by placing a first sidewall of the platform on
the floor surface and
a second sidewall of the platform into said notch; wherein a first angle of
the top surface with
respect to the floor surface in the first angled orientation is less than a
second angle of the top
surface with respect to the floor surface in the second angled orientation;
wherein said upper
portion of said support elements is formed to nest within a lower portion of
an upper adjacent
support element; and wherein the platform can be supported in a third angled
orientation
relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of the platform on
the floor surface and
a second endwall of the platform into the notch of said first support element,
said first support
element being vertically stacked upon a second support element.
In some embodiments, there is provided a support element for supporting an
aerobic exercise platform, said support element comprising: a generally
rectangular upper
portion; a base extending laterally outward from said upper portion; an open
center cavity;
and at least two parallel notches formed into the upper portion and spaced on
opposite sides of
the support element for jointly supporting an endwall or a sidewall of said
platform, the
notches having a downward arcuately curved profile; wherein the platform can
be supported
in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the
platform on top of the
support element, wherein the upper portion of the support element is formed to
nest within a
lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be supported in a
first angled
orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of the
platform on the floor
surface and a second endwall of the platform into the notch; and wherein the
platform can be
supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by
placing a first sidewall
of the platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the platform
into the notch.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform section comprising:
a substantially
planar top surface; two opposing sidewalls extending downward from said top
surface, each
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of said sidewalls having a lower rounded side edge, said sidewall having a
lateral sidewall
length; and two opposing endwalls extending downward from said top surface,
each of said
endwalls having a lower rounded end edge, each of said endwalls having a
lateral endwall
length; a plurality of support elements for elevating and supporting said
platform section
relative to a floor surface, each one of said support elements comprising: an
upper section
sized to be received within said sidewalls and said endwalls of said platform
section when the
platform is placed in a horizontal arrangement; and at least one downward
arcuately curved
notch defined within said upper section; wherein said platform section can be
supported in a
first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end
edge on the floor
surface and a second end edge in said notch; and wherein said platform section
can be
supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by
placing a first side
edge on the floor surface and a second side edge in said notch.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
endwalls; and at least
one support element having an upper portion and a base, said base extending
laterally outward
from said upper portion; wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal
orientation
relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the at least one
support element,
with the upper portion of the support element formed to nest within a lower
interior portion of
the platform between said sidewalls and endwalls; wherein the platform can be
supported in a
first angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first
endwall of the platform
on the floor surface and a second endwall of the platform into a notch formed
into the upper
portion of the support element; wherein the platform can be supported in a
second angled
orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first sidewall of the
platform on the floor
surface and a second sidewall of the platform into said notch; and wherein a
first angle of the
top surface with respect to the floor surface in the first angled orientation
is less than a second
angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in the second
angled orientation.
In some embodiments, there is provided a support element for supporting an
aerobic exercise platform, said support element comprising: a generally
rectangular upper
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portion; a base extending laterally outward from the upper portion; and at
least one notch
forming a downward indentation in the upper edge of the upper portion; wherein
the platform
can be supported in a horizontal orientation relative to a floor surface by
placing the platform
on top of the support element, wherein the upper portion of the support
element is formed to
nest within a lower portion of the platform; wherein the platform can be
supported in a first
angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first endwall of
the platform on the
floor surface and a second endwall of the platform into the notch; and wherein
the platform
can be supported in a second angled orientation relative to the floor surface
by placing a first
sidewall of the platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the
platform into the
notch.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: a substantially rectangular platform having a top
surface for stepping,
sidewalls and endwalls, said sidewalls being laterally longer than said
cndwalls; and at least
one support element having an upper portion and a base, said base extending
laterally outward
from said upper portion; wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal
orientation
relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the at least one
support element,
with a lower portion of the platform having a cavity formed to receive the
upper portion of the
support element; wherein the platform can be supported in a first angled
orientation relative to
the floor surface by placing a first endwall of the platform on the floor
surface and a second
endwall of the platform into a notch formed into the upper portion of the
support element;
wherein said notch has an arcuately curved profile; wherein the platform can
be supported in a
second angled orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first
sidewall of the
platform on the floor surface and a second sidewall of the platform into said
notch; and
wherein a first angle of the top surface with respect to the floor surface in
the first angled
orientation is less than a second angle of the top surface with respect to the
floor surface in the
second angled orientation.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping
and sidewalls
extending downward from the top surface; and at least two support elements,
said support
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elements having an upper portion and a base, said base extending laterally
outward from said
upper portion; wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal
orientation relative to a
floor surface by placing the platform on top of the at least two support
elements, with the
upper portion of the support elements formed to nest within a lower interior
portion of the
platform between said sidewalls; wherein the platform can be supported in a
first angled
orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the
platform on the floor
surface and a second end of the platform on a first one of the support
elements, the second end
of the platform and the first support element secured together by a notch
interface.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping
and sidewalls
extending downward from the top surface; and at least one support element,
said support
elements having an upper portion and a base, said base extending laterally
outward from said
upper portion; wherein the platform can be supported in a horizontal
orientation relative to a
floor surface by placing the platform on top of the support element, with the
upper portion of
the support element formed to nest within a lower interior portion of the
platform between
said sidewalls; wherein the platform can be supported in a first angled
orientation relative to
the floor surface by placing a first end of the platform on the floor surface
and a second end of
the platform on the support element, the second end of the platform and the
first support
element secured together by a notch interface between the sidewall of the
platform the upper
portion of the support element.
In some embodiments, there is provided an adjustable stepping structure for
aerobic
exercise, comprising: an elongated platform having a top surface for stepping
and sidewalls
extending downward from the top surface; and at least two support elements,
said support
elements having an upper portion, a base, and an open center, said base
extending laterally
outward from said upper portion; wherein the platform can be supported in a
horizontal
orientation relative to a floor surface by placing the platform on top of the
at least two support
elements, with the upper portion of a first support element formed to nest
within a first lower
interior portion of a first end of the platform between said sidewalls and the
upper portion of a
second support element formed to nest within a second lower interior portion
of a second end
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of the platform between said sidewalls; wherein the platform can be supported
in a first angled
orientation relative to the floor surface by placing a first end of the
platform on the floor
surface and a second end of the platform on a first one of the support
elements, the second end
of the platform and the first support element secured together by notch
interface.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved exercise system.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become
apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1. is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a portion of one of the support elements of
the
embodiment of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment taken along line 4-4 of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a support element of the embodiment shown in
Fig. I.
Fig. 6 is a top view of a support element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a side view of a support element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a platform supported along a lengthwise angle
on a support
element.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a front view of a platform supported along a widthwise angle on two
support
elements.
Fig. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a support element according to a further
embodiment for
use with the platform of Fig. 1.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
disclosure,
reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific
language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of
the scope of the
invention is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further
applications of the
principles being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the
art to which the
invention relates.
FIGS. 1-11 depict an example embodiment, denoted generally by the numeral 100,
comprising a platform section 112 and a plurality of risers or support
elements 114 which
provide means for vertically adjusting the height of platform section 112 in a
horizontal or
angled arrangement above a support surface, such as a floor. The illustrated
embodiment 100 is
constructed of molded high impact plastic materials.
The platform section 112 is generally rectangular in shape with a length and a
width and
a substantially planar top with a stepping surface 116 having a non-slip,
textured surface or
coating 117 thereon. A pair of sidewalls 118 and a pair of endwalls 120 extend
downward and
optionally slightly outwardly from the top surface 116 to a transition point
121. The walls 118
and 120 then extend further downwardly to lower rounded side edges 123 and end
edges 125.
Optional openings or passages 129 are provided, for example by molded areas,
to aid in
maneuvering and aligning the platform section 112.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, each support element 114 is capable of being
telescopingly
or nestably received within the bottom of the platform section 112, as well as
being received
within the bottom of another support element 114 so that they are vertically
stackable. In certain
embodiments, one or more of the support elements further include notches 170
in the top section
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allowing the platfolin section to be supported in an angled orientation
relative to either the length
or width of the platform section. In other words, the platform 112 may
oriented with the smaller-
width end supported within the notches 170, or oriented with the longer-length
side supported
within the notches 170.
The illustrated support element 114 is a generally square or rectangular
shaped unitary
member, preferably with an open center. Each support element includes a top
section 131
having a slightly rounded top 133 and downwardly extending outer sidewalls
135. A lower
section 143 includes a curved, base portion 145 that terminates in a lower
edge 149. Lower
section 143 is generally arranged and configured to rest flat upon a support
surface or to rest flat
upon an underlying support element. The cross-section of top section 131 is
substantially
parallel to the cross-section of lower section 143. Optional molded openings
153 are formed in
the lower edges 149 of support elements 114 to aid in maneuvering and aligning
the support
elements 114.
As seen in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4. the walls of platform 112 and
sidewalls of
lower section 143 each include interior wall portions which project
downwardly. Preferably the
outer cross-section of top section 131 is sized to be telescopingly and
internally snugly received
adjacent the interior wall portions within the bottom of the platform section
112 or within the
bottom of another support element 114 so that one or more support elements 114
and platform
112 may be vertically stacked. In alternate embodiments, a platform may have
portions which
telescopingly engage a support element, for example by having portions of the
platform received
within a cavity defined in a support element.
In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the support elements 114 may each
include
continuous or discontinuous horizontal ledge portions 137. The ledge portions
137 extend
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outward from sidewall 135 of top section 131 and above lower section 143. In
the illustrated
embodiment, each support element 114 includes a pair of short ledge portions
on two opposing
sides of the support element and a pair of longer ledge portions on the other
two sides of the
support element. In certain embodiments, the top portions of the ledge
portions 137 are at a
height equal to or slightly below the height of the lowest points of notches
170.
In certain embodiments, ledge portions 137 may be sized and placed to
correspond to the
positions of molded openings 129 and 153, and can extend horizontally outward
to support all or
a portion of the thickness of the respective platform or support element
sections. In the
illustrated embodiments, the pair of short ledge portions are intended to
allow a support element
114 to engage in registry with corresponding short molded sections along the
sidewalls 123 of
platform 112, while the longer ledge portions allow for a support element 114
to be placed at
either end of platfoini 112 with a longer ledge portion of the support element
engaging one of the
end walls 125 of the platform. The differently sized ledge portions assist in
aligning the platform
with a support element. The ledge portions 137 may also be used to ensure a
desired alignment
when multiple support sections 114 are stacked.
Optionally, an element such as a circular foot portion 155 is located at each
bottom
corner of platform 112 and each support element 114 to engage a support
surface or to engage in
registry with an upwardly facing depression 157 located on an upper facing
surface of an
underlying support element. Foot portions 155 preferably assist in supporting,
aligning and
stabilizing the upper platform and/or support elements in horizontal
arrangements.
In certain preferred embodiments, support elements 114 include at least one
pair of
notches 170 defined in parallel on opposite edges of top section 131. In these
embodiments, the
rounded top 133 has downward arcuately curved notches 170 with a length equal
to or shorter
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than the length of a sidewall of top section 131. In certain embodiments, the
profile of notches
170 substantially corresponds to the profile of the lower edges of sidewalls
123 and endwalls 125
of platform 112. The profile of the notches may include such properties as
length, width, depth,
radius, cross section, or other dimensional properties.
Preferably, notches 170 are arranged in parallel pairs aligned both vertically
and
horizontally to define a channel 172 with a horizontal axis 174 crossing the
top of the support
element 114. While illustrated with one pair of notches, in alternate
embodiments two pairs of
notches can be formed with one notch in each side of top section 131.
Alternately, multiple
notches of greater or lesser length and depth can be defined along a side of
top section 131 to
define alternately selectable horizontal channels and angular arrangement.
In preferred embodiments, notches 170 have sufficient size in length and depth
to receive
either a lengthwise lower edge 123 of a sidewall 118 or a shorter width-wise
lower edge 125 of
an endwall 120 of platform 112. In one configuration, shown in Figs. 8 and 9,
a pair of notches
170 receive and support a first endwall 125 at a raised height, to support
platfoiiii 112 in an
angled arrangement along the length of platfotm 112, with the second endwall
of the platform
supported at a lower heiRht, typically by a support surface such as the floor.
In an alternate configuration, shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a pair of notches 170
receive the
edge 123 of a sidewall 118 along the length of platform 112. In this
configuration, the support
element 114 supports the sidewall edge 123 at a raised height, supporting
platform 112 at an
angled arrangement along the shorter width of platform 112, with the opposite
sidewall of the
platform 112 supported at a lower height, typically by a support surface such
as the floor. In
certain embodiments, more than one support element 114 with parallel aligned
notches 170 can
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be arranged and spaced along the length of a sidewall to provide stability via
support points
spaced along the length of the platform.
In certain angled arrangements, for example as illustrated in Figs. 8-11, foot
portions 155
assist in supporting, aligning and stabilizing the upper platform over the
support elements. For
example, foot portions 155 can be sized and placed so the lower surface of the
foot portion rests
upon the upper surface of a ledge portion 137, such as the short ledge
portions illustrated.
Preferably, the foot portions 155 are made from a non-slip material to assist
in supporting the
platform without undesired movement.
Notches 170 preferably have a length and depth sufficient to inhibit the edges
of the
platfoun 112 from slipping out of the notches 170 during use of an angled
arrangement. In
certain optional embodiments, a non-slip texture or surface material may be
mounted in the
notches 170 and/or along the lower edges of the platfolin's sidewalls and end
walls to further
reduce the risk of slippage during use. In still further embodiments, separate
engagement
features such as fasteners could be used to secure the platform sidewall or
endwall in a notch
with a desired placement and/or orientation. Examples of such engagement
features include pegs
or gear teeth extending upward within notches 170, below the height of the
upper plane of top
section 131, which engage corresponding openings or gearing on the lower edges
of the
platform.
Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of a generally rectangular support element
180 for use
with platform 112 and having an upper portion 182 and a lower portion 184. As
illustrated, the
support element 180 includes a closed center with two perpendicularly-opposed
notches 190 and
192. The profile of the notches 190 and 192 may be sized to accommodate
different lower
surfaces of a platform 112 or to allow support element 180 to be used to
support different sizes
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or models of platforms. For example, notch 190 may be correspond to the
profile of the lower
edge of endwalls 125 of platform 112, thereby allowing platfoim 112 to be
supported in a
lengthwise angled arrangement, similar to that shown in Fig. 8 8z. 9.
Likewise, notch 192 may be
sized to correspond to the radius and thickness of the lower edge of sidewalls
123 of platform
112, thereby allowing platform 112 to be supported in a widthwise angled
arrangement upon two
support elements 180, similar to that shown in Fig. 8 & 9. The notches 190 and
192 may
optionally be laterally offset towards one side of the support element to
facilitate better fitment
when platform is placed in an angled orientation. In certain embodiments, the
notches may form
channels which may be fully or partially-continuous across the length of
upper portion 182. The
notches may be also be non-continuous, such as notch 192, which is fully
intersected by notch
190.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
drawings and
foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive in character,
it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and
described and that
all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are
desired to be
protected.
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