EXERCISE MAT WITH TEXTURED INSERTS

Abstract

An exercise mat comprising: a base layer; a top layer comprising at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section; and at least one textured insert adapted for insertion into a gap in said top layer, wherein said gap is defined by the removal of said at least an one pre-determined removable mat layer section; wherein said at least one textured insert provides for a tactile sensation when a user applies pressure thereonto.

Claims

1. An exercise mat comprising: a base layer; a top layer comprising at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section; and at least one textured insert adapted for insertion into a gap in said top layer, wherein said gap is defined by the removal of said at least an one pre-determined removable mat layer section; wherein said at least one textured insert provides for a tactile sensation when a user applies pressure thereonto.

2. The mat according to claim 1 wherein the at least one textured insert has a convex shape which allows a top surface of the insert to be above a plane defined by the top layer of the mat when the insert is in place inside the gap in said top layer.

3. The mat according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least one textured insert has a circular shape adapted for insertion into a circular gap present in the top layer of the mat once a removable mat layer section is removed therefrom.

4. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one textured insert is made of a lightweight material such as foam or soft plastic.

5. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one textured insert is maintained in place by a friction-fit with the surrounding top layer.

6. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one textured insert is maintained in place by a securing means located on the bottom layer of the mat inside the gap.

7. The mat according to claim 6, wherein securing means is Velcro.

8. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the pre-determined removable mat layer sections are evenly distributed on the mat surface

9. The mat according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the textured inserts comprises at least one of the following features: a series of concentric circles, a series of wavy lines, a series of short soft spikes, a series of hemispheres, or a combination thereof.

10. An exercise mat kit comprising: an exercise mat comprising: a base layer; a top layer comprising at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section; and at least one textured insert adapted for insertion into a gap in said top layer, wherein said gap is defined by the removal of said at least an one pre-determined removable mat layer section; wherein said at least one textured insert provides for a tactile sensation when a user applies pressure thereonto.

11. The exercise mat kit according to claim 10, further comprising a cylindrical tube around which the mat can be rolled up.

12. The exercise mat kit according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising securing means on said cylindrical tube to maintain such in place after being rolled up.

13. The exercise mat kit according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said cylindrical tube comprises at least one space adapted to store said at least one textured insert when such is not in use.

14. The exercise mat kit according to claim 13, wherein said at least one space is a slot-like compartment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] The present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise mat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with several inserts put in gaps on the top layer of the mat;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a side view of a convex insert according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view of an insert covered in soft spikes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a top view of a textured insert having a wavy pattern on its surface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a top view of a textured insert having a dot pattern on its surface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a top view of a textured insert having a number of concentric circles on its surface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a front view of the cylindrical tube having a plurality of slot-like compartments for the insertion of textured inserts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 8 is a side view of the exercise mat being rolled up with the cylindrical tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising: [0042] an exercise mat comprising: [0043] a base layer; [0044] a top layer comprising at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section; and [0045] at least one textured insert adapted for insertion into a gap in said top layer, wherein said gap is defined by the removal of said at least an one pre-determined removable mat layer section;
wherein said at least one textured insert provides for a tactile sensation when a user applies pressure thereonto.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 1, an exercise mat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with several inserts put in gaps on the top layer of the mat. Upon use, the user selects the type of textured inserts desired and removes the at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section and inserts any one of the various textured inserts.

[0047] Preferably, the kit comprises a stacking system to put away the various inserts. Even more preferably, the stacking system has a cylindrical shape around which a user can roll the mat after use. This is especially convenient to transport the mat and the various inserts.

[0048] The user can store the at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section into the slot-like compartments provided for on the cylindrical storage tube (See FIG. 7). Once the exercise session completed, the user can remove the various inserts from the exercise mat and replace them with the at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section. The user can then store the inserts into the cylindrical storage tube where they are held in place through the use of any one of retaining means.

[0049] As best seen in FIG. 7, the cylindrical storage tube can comprise a top and bottom edge which is specifically designed to help the user roll up the mat after the exercise session. FIG. 8 is a side view of the exercise mat being rolled up with the cylindrical tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Securing means such as an elastic or any other similar securing means can be used to keep the mat tightly rolled up.

[0050] FIGS. 2 to 6 display a variety of textured inserts for use with a mat as depicted in FIG. 1 for example. These inserts include convex inserts (FIG. 2), an insert covered in soft spikes (FIG. 3); a textured insert having a wavy pattern on its surface (FIG. 4); a textured insert having a dot pattern on its surface (FIG. 5); a textured insert having a number of concentric circles on its surface (FIG. 6).

[0051] According to a method of using the exercise according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method which comprises the following steps: [0052] unrolling the mat with the top layer comprising at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section facing up; and [0053] removing at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section; [0054] inserting into a gap created by the removal of at least one pre-determined removable mat layer section at least one at least one textured insert adapted for insertion into said gap in said top layer;
wherein said at least one textured insert provides for a tactile sensation when a user applies pressure thereonto.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, the exercise mat is used to help individuals with tactile sensitivities perform exercise as they are encouraged to perform exercise and feel the various textures present on the mat where inserts have been placed. This provides for an engaging activity and possible improvement in behavior in individuals affected with tactile hypersensitivity.

[0056] According to one aspect of the present invention, the exercise mat is used to help individuals perform stretching or other exercises all the while providing various surfaces (or surface areas) which may be used to massage a specific body part.

[0057] While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts, once they have been made familiar with this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention in the appended claims.