Mat Stickers for Yoga and Pilates

Abstract

The present invention is stickers for exercise mats, such as those commonly used in yoga or pilates. These mat stickers are available in a multitude of geometric shapes and adhere to the mats via an acrylic surface. A preferred thickness for the mat stickers is approximately 1.5 mm, which provides a sufficient grip for the practitioner, but is thin enough to roll into the mat at the conclusion of the exercise.

Claims

1. A mat sticker comprising: a geometric pattern of a material body; an adhesive surface; and, wherein the material body is attached to an exercise mat through the means of the adhesive surface.

2. The geometric pattern of claim 1 wherein it is a hexagonal pattern.

3. The geometric pattern of claim 2 wherein the hexagonal pattern is honeycomb.

4. The geometric pattern of claim 2 wherein the hexagonal pattern is trimeric.

5. The geometric pattern of claim 1 wherein it is a rectangular pattern.

6. The geometric pattern of claim 1 wherein it is a leaf-shape pattern.

7. The material body of claim 1 wherein it is silicone.

8. The material body of claim 8 wherein the silicone is 70 shore A durometer.

9. The material body of claim 1 wherein it is cork.

10. The adhesive surface of claim 1 wherein it is an acrylic adhesive.

11. The adhesive surface of claim 10 wherein the acrylic adhesive is a double-surface tape.

12. The material body of claim 1 wherein it has a thickness of 1.5 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

[0036] FIG. 1 displays the trimeric hexagonal shape variant according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 displays the honeycomb hexagonal pattern variant according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 displays the leaf-shape variant according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 displays the rectangle-shape variant according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions.

[0041] The present invention consists of mat stickers for practitioners of yoga and pilates to avoid slipping on the mat. These mat stickers adhere to the mat surface with the use of an acrylic adhesive. This provides a grip for both hands and feet to brace against. This prevents the hands and feet from slipping on the mat and in turn, facilitates the strengthening of the muscles of the arms and legs.

[0042] The mat sticker creates a slightly raised surface of approximately 1.5 mm. For the practitioner, this subtle change in the surface level of the mat enables the practitioner's hands and feet to “claw” at the mat and grip better. This improves the practitioner's pose and stability.

[0043] The mat sticker attaches to the mat via an acrylic adhesive which creates a semi-permanent fixture for multiple uses of the product with the mat. The mat sticker can be removed once attached, but this destroys the adhesive and a new coating of adhesive would need to be applied before the mat sticker can attach again to a mat.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the mat sticker is furbished to the practitioner with the adhesive already applied, but covered in a non-adhesive backing for shipment. The practitioner then removes the non-adhesive backing from the mat sticker before attaching to the surface of a mat. The user then has hand and foot traction on the mat.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the mat sticker has small bumps or studs that cover the top surface. This creates extra texture and decreases hand and foot slippage.

[0046] As an advantage of the invention, the applied mat stickers can be rolled with a standard mat for yoga and pilates.

[0047] As a further advantage of the invention, the mat stickers made from silicone are naturally anti-microbial and need only be quickly wiped down for cleaning.

[0048] As another advantage of the invention, the mat stickers can be placed on any other athletic equipment to enhance the grip and traction to avoid slips. This could be a yoga block, a staircase, or anywhere else the practitioner desires.

[0049] Construction

[0050] The use of silicone 70 shore A durometer (70A) is preferred. A softer silicone would peel off the mat and a firmer silicone would not roll with the mat.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the silicone is molded or die cut into a 1.5 mm thick shape.

[0052] Another variant of the present invention utilizes cork instead of silicone. The dimensions of the cork variant are the same as that of silicone.

[0053] A pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the under surface of the mat sticker. In a preferred embodiment, this is a commercially available acrylic adhesive. In an especially preferred embodiment, the acrylic adhesive is a double coated tissue tape such as 9448A and sold by 3M.

Examples

[0054] The invention employs any number of potential shapes and geometric patterns.

[0055] These geometric patterns include circles, diamonds, ovals, rectangles, squares, stars, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, and the like.

[0056] Non-limiting examples of potential shapes are described in reference to FIGS. 1-4. In a preferred embodiment, each is approximately 1.5 mm in thickness when attached to a mat.

[0057] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which displays the trimeric hexagonal shape according to the present invention. The trimeric hexagonal shape comprises three interconnected hexagons, as demonstrated by Item (1), Item (2), and Item (3). Item (4) designates a series of studs on the upper surface of the trimeric hexagonal shape.

[0058] Item (5) designates the length of the internal hexagonal lumen. In a preferred embodiment, it is 1.9 inches long.

[0059] Item (6) designates the width of the internal hexagonal lumen. In a preferred embodiment, it is 1.64 inches wide.

[0060] Item (7) designates the width of the body of a hexagonal piece. In a preferred embodiment, it is 0.75 inches wide.

[0061] Reference is made to FIG. 2, which displays the honeycomb hexagonal pattern according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the individual hexagons of the honeycomb pattern are the same as that of the trimeric hexagon. Specifically, the internal hexagonal lumens are 1.9 inches long and 1.64 inches wide, and the width of the body of a hexagonal piece is 0.75 inches wide.

[0062] FIG. 3 displays the leaf-shape variant according to the present invention.

[0063] Reference is made to FIG. 4, which displays the rectangular-shape according to the present invention. Item (8) designates the length of the rectangle. In a preferred embodiment, this side is 22 inches long. Item (9) designates the width of the rectangle. In a preferred embodiment, this side is one inch long

[0064] Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

[0065] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[0066] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0067] The foregoing description comprises illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] As will be appreciated, the foregoing objects and examples are exemplary and embodiments need not meet all or any of the foregoing objects, and need not include all or any of the exemplary features described herein. Additional aspects and embodiments within the scope of the claims will be devised by those having skill in the art based on the teachings set forth herein.

[0069] While the invention has been described in connection with what are considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.