Abstract
A yoga mat comprising at least one folding depression which enables folding and rolling of a yoga mat so that the width of the mat is typically less than the shoulder width of the user of the yoga mat. The at least one folding depression is typically on the upper, user-contacting surface of the yoga mat. In instances where the overall thickness of the yoga mat is greater than about 0.35 inches, it is advisable to use a location matching folding depression on each side of the yoga mat. The folding depression may be deeper on the user-contacting surface than on the floor contacting surface of the yoga mat. In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface of the yoga mat may be a solid layer, with at least two underlying spaced lower sections to permit folding inward upon the solid layer.
Claims
1. A fold-able yoga mat having an upper surface upon which a user of the yoga mat stands and a lower surface which is placed in contact with a floor or other supporting surface when said yoga mat is in use, the invention comprising: a) said yoga mat having at least one permanent depression upon said upper surface, wherein said depression assists in folding of said yoga mat, so that said upper surface is present on the interior of said folded yoga mat, and said lower surface is present on the exterior of said folded yoga mat, wherein said depression forms a circle or oval shaped hollow tubular area internal to said folded yoga mat, where said hollow tubular area travels in the longest dimension of said folded yoga mat.
2. A fold-able yoga mat in accordance with claim 1, wherein said folded yoga mat width ranges from about 10 inches to about 16 inches, whereby said mat may be rolled to fit into a small space.
3. A fold-able yoga mat having a single upper surface upon which a user of the yoga mat stands and a lower surface comprising at least two sections, wherein a space exists between each of said at least two sections, and wherein the number of spaced sections present enables the folding said yoga mat so that said single upper surface is internal to said folded yoga mat and said lower surface sections are external to said folded yoga mat, wherein a fold at each space between at least two sections travels in the longest dimension of said folded yoga mat.
4. A fold-able yoga mat in accordance with claim 3, wherein a width of said folded yoga mat, which width is perpendicular to the length of said folded yoga mat, ranges from about 10 inches to about 16 inches.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] So that the manner in which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are attained is clear and can be understood in detail, with reference to the particular description provided above, and with reference to the detailed description of exemplary embodiments, applicants have provided illustrating drawings. It is to be appreciated that the drawing is provided only to assist in understanding of the invention, and that certain well known materials and processes are not illustrated herein in order not to obscure the inventive nature of the subject matter of the disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a view of an opened yoga mat 100. The mat has a folding depression 104 running lengthwise down the center of the yoga mat 100. The upper surfaces 102 and 103 of yoga mat 100 are the contact surfaces with the user of yoga mat 100. The bottom surfaces 105 and 106 of yoga mat 100 are in contact with a floor or other surface which is used to support yoga mat 100.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a view 110 of the yoga mat 100 when the yoga mat 100 is folded around folding depression 104, so that the upper surfaces 102 and 103 (not shown) are in the center of folded mat 100, and the bottom surfaces 105 and 106 are exposed.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a view 120 of the yoga mat shown in view 110 of FIG. 2 after the mat has been rolled up. The bottom surfaces 105 and 106 of the yoga mat 100 which are in contact with a floor (not shown) when the yoga mat 100 is used, form the exposed surface on each side of the rolled yoga mat 120, while the upper surfaces 102 and 103 of yoga mat 100 which come in contact with the user of the yoga mat 100 are on the interior of the folded, rolled yoga mat 100 and are protected from contamination during handling and storage of the rolled yoga mat 100.
[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first example of a folding depression 134 which is present in an unfolded mat, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and in a folded mat as illustrated in FIG. 5. The shape of depression 134 is designed to produce a round folded shape interior to the yoga mat, when the yoga mat is folded as shown in FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the unfolded yoga mat 130 where the surface of the yoga mat which contacts a floor surface (not shown) is numbered 136 on the left side (which remains on the lower exterior of the yoga mat after folding) and is numbered 135 on the right side (which moves to the upper exterior surface of the yoga mat after folding). The surface 133, which is in contact with the user of the mat, becomes the interior surfaces after folding of yoga mat 130.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows the folded yoga mat 140 where areas 135 and 136 are now on the exterior of folded yoga mat 140, and surface 133 is on the interior of folded yoga mat 140. The shape of the depression may be different from that shown in FIG. 4, and the shape of the depression after folding, as shown in FIG. 5, may not be a circle, but may be an oval (not shown). However, a circle is known in the mechanical arts to be a strong shape, resisting compression, and a shape which transfers a load along the circle inner surface evenly.
[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second example, illustrating dual folding depressions, areas 152 and 154 of a kind which may be used when the yoga mat 150 is particularly thick and it is desired to reduce the stress on the exterior surface of the folded yoga mat.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows the unfolded yoga mat, where the surfaces 155 and 156 of the yoga mat 150 contact the floor (not shown). Folding depressions 152 and 154 are on opposite sides of the yoga mat 150.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows the folded yoga map 160, where surface 153 is now interior of the folded mat 160. Bottom 156 is on the floor (not shown) and the upper exterior is 155. The folding depression 152 is now a circular opening through the folded mat 160. The folding depression 154 is now along the exterior edge of the fold, and provides stress relief for the exterior surface areas 155 and 156 which are now the folded exterior surface areas.
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example where there is no folding depression on the upper surface of a thin mat 170. Instead, a constant smooth surface 173 is present across an upper layer 172, which is present across the surface of the mat.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formed from two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space 178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thickness of the two material layers 174 and 176. The width 179 is typically about the same as the thickness of the upper surface layer 172, so that when the mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of stress present within the folded upper surface layer 172 will be acceptable. Surface 171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of the mat 170 which is in contact with a floor, for example.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the folded mat from FIG. 8, where the lower sections of the mat, 174 and 176 are now on the exterior of the folded mat 180. The interior surfaces of folded layer 172 are internal to folded mat 180 and protected from soiling.
[0040] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a yoga mat 190 (unfolded) and 200 (folded), where the yoga mat 190 is wider, such that two folds are required to reduce the width adequately before rolling the yoga mat 190.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 10, two folding depressions 193 and 195 are present on the upper surface 194 of yoga mat 190. The width dimensions of sections 192 and 196 are such that the edges will mate at the center of section 194, when sections 192 and 196 are folded.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows the folded yoga mat 200, where the folded depressions 193 and 195, each form circular spacing. The interior surfaces 192, 194, and 196 which are the contact surfaces with the user (not shown) are protected, and the surfaces 197,198, and 199, which have been in contact with a floor (not shown) are on the exterior of the folded mat 200. The folded mat 200 is now ready to be rolled, and will provide a narrow width (typically less than about 16 inches wide) which facilitates easy carrying strapped against the owner's back, or packed into a small bag having a shoulder strap for carrying, by way of example.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0043] One embodiment of the invention relates to a yoga mat which comprises at least one folding depression, which may be located on either side of the yoga mat. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, the folding depression is generally located on the upper surface of the yoga mat, so that (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) when the side sections 102 and 103 of a yoga mat 100 are folded in, the upper surface 102 of the mat is protected from soiling, and the folding depression forms a circle (a particularly strong shape) 104 at the folded edge. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, where there is a double folding of a wider mat, user surfaces 192, 194, and 196 are folded inward to prevent soiling, and folding depressions 193 and 195 preferably form circles 193 and 195 which provide strength along the outside edges of the folded mat 200.
[0044] The folding depression is typically a relatively shallow arc shape, which does not bother the user of the yoga mat, and which puts very little stress on the inside and outside surfaces of the mat when the mat is folded. In most instances a single fold in the mat is adequate to narrow the width of the matt sufficiently that a rolled up mat will not extend past the shoulders of the user. This permits the user to carry the folded and rolled mat easily strapped to his/her back, without bumping objects while carrying the mat. If the mat is particularly wide, it may be necessary to make two folds in the mat before rolling, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, where folding depressions 193 and 195 are used to assist folding of exterior sections 192 and 196 toward center section 194, forming a folded structure of the kind shown in FIG. 11.
[0045] When the yoga mat is a thicker mat, having a thickness greater than about 0.25 inches, for example and not by way of limitation, it may be desirable to place an additional folding depression in the lower, floor-contacting surface of the yoga mat. Typically the depressions on the upper surface and lower surface of the mat are aligned with each other. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 6 where the yoga mat 150 comprises two folding depressions 152 and 154. FIG. 7 shows the folded mat 160, where there is an internal circle formed at the point where the upper and lower folding depressions meet; in addition, there is an external, stress relieving area 154 on the exterior fold area of the yoga mat 160. This relief on the exterior surface increases the service life of the yoga mat by reducing stress at the outside surface in the area of the fold.
[0046] Typically, for thinner mats, having a thickness of about 0.30 inch or less, the folding depression(s) are placed on the upper, user-contacting surface of the yoga mat, because this surface is folded to the inside to keep it clean; and, since the stretched distance is smaller at the inside surface, the mat will last longer. It is possible to place the folding depression(s) on the exterior surface, but just not as desirable. A single folding depression is shown unfolded and folded in Figure sets 1 and 2; 4 and 5; and 6 and 7.
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a different embodiment of a kind which is recommended for thicker mats. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the mat is formed from more than one section, sections 174 and 176. This mat structure is recommended for thicker mats, as a means of reducing the amount of stress created on the exterior folded surface 172.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formed from two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space 178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thickness of the two material layers 174 and 176. Not by way of limitation, the width 179 is typically about the same as the thickness of the upper surface layer 172, so that when the mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of stress present within the folded upper surface layer 172 will be acceptable. Surface 171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of the mat 170 which is in contact with a floor, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, after folding of the mat, the lower sections of the mat, 174 and 176 are now on the exterior of the folded mat 180. The interior surfaces of folded layer 172 are internal to folded mat 180 and protected from soiling.
[0049] The folding depressions of the yoga mat, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, 10 and 11; or the spacing between bottom sections of the kind shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are designed to permit folding of the mat in a manner which provides a smaller dimension across the width of the folded mat, so that when the mat is rolled up, the mat can be carried on the user's back more easily, without bumping.
[0050] When the yoga mat is a wider mat of the kind shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is recommended to use two folding depressions 193 and 195 so that the overall width of the folded mat can be reduced substantially, as shown in FIG. 11. This same concept may be used with respect to the design shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, (not illustrated), where there are three lower sections of material, separated by two spacings beneath the upper surface layer of the mat, and the folded mat would resemble the mat shown in FIG. 9 on one edge, but the folded mat would have two folded edges which resemble fold 172. Again, the ability to reduce the width of a rolled mat reduces the probability of bumping objects when the mat is carried on the back of a person, and makes it easier to carry the folded, rolled mat in a carry bag, purse, motorcycle saddle bags, bicycle basket or rack, automobile seating, gym locker, and in other confined spaces.
[0051] In the mat embodiments where there are folding depressions in a mat surface, or in the embodiment where there are spacings between bottom sections of a mat surface layer, this permits easier folding of the mat, and reduces the probability that, upon repeated folding of the mat, the upper surface of the mat and/or the interior material of the mat which lies beneath the upper surface, will crack or deteriorate over time. When shaped folding depressions are used, the folding depressions may be easily formed by applying moderate heat and pressure to a number of synthetic, thermoplastic materials.
[0052] The yoga mat lower contact surface 105 and 106 in FIG. 1, for example, is typically formed from a plastic or elastic, rubber-like material which has been chemically treated, texturized, or coated to enable the creation of a frictional contact with a flooring surface. The upper contact surface 102 and 103 in FIG. 1, for example, is frequently formed from a synthetic fibrous material, or may be a woven fabric or sprayed matrix which is capable of resisting soiling and which enables traction by the user on the upper contact surface of the mat. It is helpful if the upper contact surface is stain resistant, washable, and has a smooth and comfortable feel to the user, while still providing traction when pressure is applied to the surface. There are a number of synthetic materials available which can meet these requirements, and one of skill in the art can find the most advantageous materials by consulting with material suppliers. For purposes of forming the folding depressions, materials which can be thermoformed to produce the folding depressions are most advantageous. However, extrusion of a mat into a shape so that the mat contains folding depressions is adequate as long as the extruded material on the surface of the mat provides the desired surface properties. Grinding of surfaces to provide the folding depressions weakens the surface and will reduce the lifetime of the yoga mat, so is less desirable.
[0053] When the main body section of the yoga matt has a consistent composition throughout, down to a direct frictional contact with the floor, or down to a frictional coating in contact with the floor, the folding depressions are typically formed into the upper portion of the main body section of the mat, to the depth desired, followed by texturizing of the upper surface of the mat, or followed by application of a fibrous layer of the kind previously described, to produce a desired amount of frictional contact on the upper surface. When the composition of the lower portion of the yoga mat is different from the composition desired on the upper surface of the mat, the folding depressions are typically formed in the within the upper 20% to 50% of the lower section of the mat material, preferably (but not by way of limitation) followed by application of a layer of upper surface frictional material over the surface of the depression-containing layer, so that the upper surface conforms with the depressions in the lower section of the mat material.
[0054] In some embodiments, where the mat is particularly thick, it may be advisable to have a folding depression both on the top surface and on the bottom surface of the mat, to reduce stress when the mat is folded. This is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The yoga mat then includes an upper contact surface 150 and 153 with a folding depression 152, and a lower contact surface 156 and 155 with a folding depression 154. There may be a separate frictional floor-contacting layer (not shown) which has been applied over the lower contact surfaces 155 and 156.
[0055] Typical yoga mat overall thicknesses range from about 0.125 inches to about 0.35 inches, by way of example, and not by way of limitation. When desired for use on a hard surface, the mat overall thickness may exceed the 0.35 inch dimension, in which case, it is particularly helpful if there is a folding depression both on the top and the bottom of the mat to reduce stress within the mat when the mat is folded. The depth of an individual folding depression depends mainly on the overall thickness of the mat, but may also be influenced by the materials of construction of the mat (which affect ease of folding). Typical folding depression depth for a single depression on the upper surface of the yoga mat ranges from about 20% to about 50% of the overall thickness of the mat, for example and not by way of limitation.
[0056] For yoga mats which are thicker, in excess of about 0.35 inch, it is helpful to use a folding depression on each surface of the yoga mat, and may be advantageous to have the folding depression on the lower surface of the yoga mat may be less deep than the folding depression on the upper surface of the yoga mat, with the idea of reducing stress at the lower surface in the folded mat, which has to stretch a greater distance when the mat is folded. This is particularly helpful when the lower portion of the mat is a high density foam material which provides a padding effect to reduce the transfer of forces from the floor into the body of the user of the mat. The thick-layer high density foam materials are more stress sensitive upon stretching. With this in mind, it is advantageous to provide at least a low depth folding depression (10% or lower of the high density foam material overall thickness) to reduce stress.
[0057] As an alternative for yoga mats which are thicker, as described above, FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example where there is no folding depression on the upper surface of a thin mat 170. Instead, a constant smooth surface 173 is present across an upper layer 172, which is present across the surface of the mat.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formed from two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space 178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thickness of the two material layers 174 and 176. The width 179 is typically about the same as the thickness of the upper surface layer 172, so that when the mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of stress present within the folded upper surface layer 172 will be acceptable. Surface 171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of the mat 170 which is in contact with a floor, for example. FIG. 9 shows the folded mat from FIG. 8, where the lower sections of the mat, 174 and 176 are now on the exterior of the folded mat 180. The interior surfaces of folded layer 172 are internal to folded mat 180 and protected from soiling.
[0059] The above described exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, as one skilled in the art can, in view of the present disclosure, expand such embodiments to correspond with the subject matter of the invention claimed below.
