WEIGHTED MAT

Abstract

A weighted mat includes a top layer of material, a bottom layer of material, and a series of tubes or compartments between the top and bottom layers for holding a weighted material. The top and bottom layers of material preferably include a series of generally evenly spaced seams that connect the top and bottom layers, which leaves a tubular space between the seams. Weighted material is placed within the tubes created by the seams, and the weighted material is preferably in a particulate form that allows the weighted material to flow from one end of the tube to the other. In use, the weighted mat may simply be used as a mat or cushion on a hard surface, or it may be applied to or draped over a particular body part during a yoga pose or stretching exercise to intensify the effects of gravity.

Claims

1. A weighted mat comprising: a top layer of material; a bottom layer of material attached to said top layer of material; a series of tubular compartments positioned in parallel relation between said top and bottom layers of material; and a weighted material disposed within each of said tubular compartments, so that said weighted material may freely flow throughout and within each said tubular compartment, and wherein said weighted material may be unevenly distributed throughout said mat.

2. The weighted mat at set forth in claim 1, wherein said top layer of material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, cotton, silk, polypropylene, and any combination thereof.

3. The weighted mat set forth in claim 1, wherein said bottom layer of material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, cotton, silk, polypropylene, and any combination thereof.

4. The weighted mat set forth in claim 1, wherein said weighted material is selected from the group consisting of sand, gel, seeds, gravel, stone, beads, metal, plastic, and any combination thereof.

5. The weighted mat set forth in claim 1, wherein each said tubular compartment includes a sealable opening, so that said weighted material may be added to or removed front each said tubular compartment.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the weighted mat, including a series of parallel sleeves that contain a weighted material, so that the weighted material may shift longitudinally along the inner portions of the sleeves;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the weighted mat along longitudinal side thereof;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the weighted mat along a lateral side thereof;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the weighted mat along the lines 4-4 shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a person using one embodiment of the weighted mat on one leg for floor exercises;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a person using one embodiment of the weighted mat on both legs for floor exercises; and

[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a person using one embodiment of the weighted mat for floor exercises.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in more detail. In a preferred embodiment, a weighted mat 10 includes a top layer of material 12, a bottom layer of material 14, and a series of tubes or compartments 16 between the top and bottom layers for holding a weighted material 18. The top and bottom layers of material 12, 14 preferably include a series of generally evenly spaced seams 20 that connect the top and bottom layers 12, 14, which leaves a tubular space between the seams 20. Weighted material 18 is placed within the tubes 16 created by the seams 20, and the weighted material 18 is preferably in a granular or other form that allows the weighted material 18 to flow from one end of the tube 16 to the other. It is contemplated that the compartments 16 formed between the seams 20 may serve as tubes to hold the weighted material, or alternatively, a separate tube 22 may be inserted into the compartments 16 between the seams 20 to hold the weighted material 18, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] The material that forms the top and bottom layers 12, 14 may be made of the same material, such as nylon, polyester, cotton, silk, polypropylene, or any other suitable material. It is also contemplated that the top layer 12 may be made from a first material, and the bottom layer 14 may be made from a second material, as desired. The mat 10 itself may be formed into any desired shape, including a square, rectangle, circle, triangle, or any other desired shape.

[0033] The tubes 16 preferably run longitudinally or transversely along the mat 10, although it is contemplated that the tubes 16 may run diagonally (corner to corner, for instance), so long as the weighted material 18 is allowed to freely flow within the tubes 16 to distribute the weight within the tubes 16 as desired. The weighted material 18 may be formed from any suitable material, such as sand, gel, seeds, gravel, stone, beads, metal or plastic, and should be formed into particulate that is small enough to flow freely through the tubes or compartments 16.

[0034] It is contemplated that the tubes 16 may include openings that may allow weighted material 18 to be added or removed, and the openings may include a zipper or other closure device to seal the weighted material 18 within the tubes during use of the weighted mat 10. In this way, more weighted material 18 can be added to any or all tubes 16, or may be removed from any or all tubes 16. Or, if a user desires to use a different weighted material 18 (a lighter weighted material, for instance) a first weighted material 18 may be removed from the tubes 16 and a second weighted material 18 may be added to the tubes 16 and sealed therein for use.

[0035] In use, the weighted mat 10 may simply be used as a mat or cushion on a hard surface, or it may be applied to or draped over a particular body part during a yoga pose or stretching exercise to intensify the effects of gravity, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The weighted mat 10 may be draped over a user's arms, legs, or any other desired body part during a yoga pose or exercise, and because the weighted material 18 is allowed to flow freely through the tubes 16, the weighted mat 10 has a tendency to stay draped where it is placed on the body during such exercises or yoga poses. A single weighted mat 10 may be used, or multiple mats may be draped over different portions of a user's body simultaneously to provide additional gravitational effects, as desired.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.