Patent Application
20250143464
The present invention relates generally to the field of bench step devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other applications where people are applying and securing footwear. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in bench step devices. Generally, athletes who change shoes or footwear to participate in their sport may have trouble property securing their footwear while wearing equipment. Specifically, hockey players trying to tie their skates may put their skate blades up on benches and end up causing scratches and chips in the wood. Further, people with knee or back issues can have trouble bending down to put on their shoes and tie laces. Additionally, in retail stores, people may try on multiple pairs of shoes and bending over several times can be frustrating and tiring.
Consequently, the act of putting on and removing footwear, such as shoes, often involves bending over to reach a shoe on the ground while sitting on a chair or standing. This can be a challenge to some such as the disabled, the elderly, and women in advanced stages of pregnancy, etc. Others may simply find this act annoying and troublesome. An object of the invention is therefore to provide an article for use in and which facilitates the putting on and removing of shoes.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved bench step device that is a bench with a pair of platform steps that slide out from opposite ends to support a user putting on their shoes. More particularly, there is a demand for a bench step device that has a grit-style surface for traction to ensure that a user does not slip while using the device to put on their shoes.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that provides users with a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other applications where people are applying and securing footwear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that features a pair of platforms that can slide out from the sides of the bench and lock into place via sliding hinge. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that allows users to stand in a comfortable position and utilize the platform to put on and secure footwear rather than bending over toward the ground. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that includes a sandpaper or other grit-type surface on the platform to prevent feet from slipping while putting on and taking off footwear. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that prevents damage to wooden benches and other surfaces in changing rooms, retail stores, lock room, and the like, offering a specific area for people to put on and take off footwear. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that can be constructed using metal or strong plastic, such as Plexiglas or PVC.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bench step device. The device is a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other areas where people take off and put on footwear. The bench step device comprises a body component that is configured in a rectangular, table-like shape with a pair of legs positioned at the corners of the opposing sides. The body component also comprises a pair of platform steps that slide out from the opposing sides. The platform steps can be expanded and retracted via manual or automated means and provide a place for users to tie their shoes, roller skates, ice skates, boots, or other footwear. Each platform step can be secured in place via a sliding hinge. Further, each platform step has a sandpaper or other grit-style surface for traction to ensure that the user does not slip while reaching down. The bench step device can be constructed using metal or strong plastic, such as Plexiglas or PVC. Accordingly, the device prevents discomfort in bending over and damage to a seating area, and helps keep the bench step device clean during use.
In this manner, the bench step device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that allows users to stand in a comfortable position and utilize the platform steps to put on and secure footwear. The device is a bench with a pair of platform steps on opposing sides. The device can be manufactured of a plastic or metal material.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bench step device. The device is a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other areas where people take off and put on footwear. The bench step device comprises a body component with a pair of legs positioned at the corners. The body component also comprises a pair of platform steps that slide out from opposing sides. The platform steps provide a place for users to tie their shoes, roller skates, ice skates, boots, or other footwear. Accordingly, the device prevents discomfort in bending over and damage to a seating area and helps keep the bench step device clean during use.
In one embodiment, the bench step device provides a device for use in putting on and removing a shoe without having to sit down and/or bend down to put on the shoe. The bench step device has a plurality of legs for resting on the ground and a tabletop component above the legs. The bench step device also has a platform step that is positionable in an expanded position and a retracted position. In the expanded position, the platform step is angled upwardly towards the tabletop component to present an inclined surface to a user, whereby the user can put his or her foot on the platform step while putting a shoe on or removing a shoe from the foot. In the retracted position, the platform step hangs down, in-line with the legs of the device.
In one embodiment, the bench step device comprises a body component that is configured in a rectangular, table-like shape, but can be any suitable shape as is known in the art. The body component comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing side edges and opposing front and back edges. A tabletop component is secured to the top surface of the body component and is typically a smooth surface for supporting shoes, shoeboxes and other accessories in a retail store or other location. Specifically, the tabletop component typically has a smooth, planar, and generally square or rectangular top surface and side edges which are chamfered to heighten the visual appeal of the device as well as to minimize sharp edges which may lead to personal injury.
In one embodiment, the body component comprises a pair of legs positioned at the opposing sides. Specifically, a single leg is positioned at each of the corners of the body component to support the device on the floor. The legs can be any suitable length as is known in the art, as long as the legs act to raise the body component off the floor at such a height, that a user can easily stand and place his foot on a platform step to lace his/her shoe. Further, each leg is attached to and depends downwardly from the bottom surface of the body component to touch the floor or other ground surface.
In another embodiment, the body component comprises a pair of platform steps that slide out from the opposing sides and can expand or retract, as needed. Each platform step is rectangular or square in shape and is dimensioned to fit between the legs of the body component, such that once in a retracted position, the platform step is flush with the legs of the body component. In use, the platform step is expanded out via a sliding hinge or other suitable means and locked into place at an angle to the tabletop component. Specifically, in the expanded position, the platform step extends laterally outwardly of the body component at a selected location above the legs, such that a shoe placed upon the platform step will be within reach of a person standing nearby, wherein the person may place a shoe on the platform step while standing up. In a retracted position, the platform step is in a non-supporting position and rests under the body component and is flush with the legs. Thus, when the platform step is not in use, the platform step can be concealed by the legs of the body component and thus the body component acts like a table when the platform steps are concealed and not in use.
In one embodiment, the platform steps can be expanded and retracted via manual or automated means and provide a place for users to tie their shoes, roller skates, ice skates, boots, or other footwear without having to bend over or sit down. Manually, users can reach down and pull up the platform step, utilizing the sliding hinge, until the platform step is locked in place. In another embodiment, the platform steps can comprise a small motor and other mechanical components to expand and retract the steps automatically, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.
In one embodiment, a forward-facing side of each platform step has a sandpaper or other grit-style surface for traction to ensure that the user does not slip while reaching down to lace a shoe.
In one embodiment, the forward-facing side of the platform step comprises a rectangular rubber pad which also adds grip to the inclined surface. Further, an elongated narrow plastic strip is affixed horizontally to a lower end portion of the rubber pad to provide a straight bottom ledge to prevent a user's foot from sliding downwardly off the platform step when the device is being used.
In one embodiment, a handle is attached by screws to a forward side of the platform step and is used for expanding and retracting the platform step.
In one embodiment, the bench step device can be constructed using metal or strong plastic, such as Plexiglas or PVC, or any other suitable materials as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, the bench step device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of easily applying and securing footwear while standing up is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a bench step device comprising a body component with legs and a pair of platform steps that slide out from the opposing sides. The method also comprises positioning the body component on its legs, such as a table. Further, the method comprises expanding the pair of platform steps out from the body component. The method also comprises securing the pair of platform steps in an expanded position via the sliding hinges. Finally, the method comprises placing a user's foot on the expanded platform steps to put on and secure a shoe without sitting down.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that provides users with a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other applications where people are applying and securing footwear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that features a pair of platforms that can slide out from the sides of the bench and lock into place via sliding hinge. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that allows users to stand in a comfortable position and utilize the platform to put on and secure footwear rather than bending over toward the ground. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that includes a sandpaper or other grit-type surface on the platform to prevent feet from slipping while putting on and taking off footwear. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that prevents damage to wooden benches and other surfaces in changing rooms, retail stores, lock room, and the like, offering a specific area for people to put on and take off footwear. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a bench step device that can be constructed using metal or strong plastic, such as Plexiglas or PVC.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel bench step device. The device is a bench step for locker rooms, retail stores, and other areas where people take off and put on footwear. The bench step device comprises a body component that is configured in a rectangular, table-like shape with a pair of legs positioned at the corners of the opposing sides. The body component also comprises a pair of platform steps that slide out from the opposing sides. The platform steps can be expanded and retracted via manual or automated means and provide a place for users to tie their shoes, roller skates, ice skates, boots, or other footwear. Each platform step can be secured in place via a sliding hinge. Further, each platform step has a sandpaper or other grit-style surface for traction to ensure that the user does not slip while reaching down. The present invention also includes a novel method of easily applying and securing footwear while standing up. The method includes the steps of providing a bench step device comprising a body component with legs and a pair of platform steps that slide out from the opposing sides. The method also comprises positioning the body component on its legs, such as a table. Further, the method comprises expanding the pair of platform steps out from the body component. The method also comprises securing the pair of platform steps in an expanded position via the sliding hinges. Finally, the method comprises placing a user's foot on the expanded platform steps to put on and secure a shoe without sitting down.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the bench step device 100 comprises a body component 102 that is configured in a rectangular, table-like shape, but can be any suitable shape as is known in the art. The body component 102 comprises a top surface 116, a bottom surface 118, opposing side edges 110 and opposing front and back edges 120. A tabletop component 122 is secured to the top surface 116 of the body component 102 and is typically a smooth surface for supporting shoes 114, shoeboxes 124 and other accessories in a retail store 126 or other location. Specifically, the tabletop component 122 typically has a smooth, planar, and generally square or rectangular top surface 128 and side edges 130 which are chamfered to heighten the visual appeal of the device 100 as well as to minimize sharp edges which may lead to personal injury.
Further, the body component 102 comprises a pair of legs 104 positioned at the opposing sides 110. Specifically, a single leg 104 is positioned at each of the corners 106 of the body component 102 to support the device 100 on the floor 132. The legs 104 can be any suitable length as is known in the art, as long as the legs 104 act to raise the body component 102 off the floor 132 at such a height, that a user 112 can easily stand and place his foot on a platform step 108 to lace his/her shoe 114. Further, each leg 104 is attached to and depends downwardly from the bottom surface 118 of the body component 102 to touch the floor 132 or other ground surface.
As shown in
Further, the platform steps 108 can be expanded and retracted via manual or automated means and provide a place for users 112 to tie their shoes 114, roller skates, ice skates, boots, or other footwear without having to bend over or sit down. Manually, users 112 can reach down and pull up the platform step 108, utilizing the sliding hinge 200, until the platform step 108 is locked in place. In another embodiment, the platform steps 108 can comprise a small motor 202 and other mechanical components to expand and retract the steps 108 automatically, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user 112.
As shown in
Furthermore, the forward-facing side 300 of the platform step 108 comprises a rectangular rubber pad 304 which also adds grip to the inclined surface. Further, an elongated narrow plastic strip 306 is affixed horizontally to a lower end portion 308 of the rubber pad 304 to provide a straight bottom ledge to prevent a user's foot from sliding downwardly off the platform step 108 when the device 100 is being used.
As shown in
As shown in
Further, the bench step device 100 can be constructed using metal or strong plastic, such as Plexiglas or PVC, or any other suitable materials as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, the bench step device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe, bench, or brand related.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “bench step device”, “bench device”, “step device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the bench step device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the bench step device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bench step device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/596,743, which was filed on Nov. 7, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63596743 | Nov 2023 | US |
