MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of foldable athletics mats and/or pads, specifically those used for yoga or Pilates.

[0002] Practitioners of yoga often use athletics mats to prevent the slipping of hands and feet. This is especially important for asana practice, where a practitioner must maintain a yoga posture or pose for an extended period of time.

[0003] Slipping of the hands and feet is often made problematic due to perspiration of the practitioner. Perspiration may occur at varying degrees due to the fitness of the practitioner, the intensity or duration of a session, or the environment in which the exercise takes place. Bikram Yoga especially, also known as hot yoga, is conducted in environments which are intentionally made hot and humid, which results in profuse sweating and perspiration.

[0004] Because slipping may cause injury to a yoga practitioner, it is important to reduce this risk. Some athletics mats manage this problem by using materials which maintain traction despite moist conditions, such as rubber or fabric.

[0005] Yoga mats are also frequently designed to be portable. Most ubiquitously, yoga mats are rolled into a small bundle and secured with some manner of straps or cords. However, mats rolled in this fashion often frequently result in voids contained at the center of the roll, which leads to packing inefficiencies. The tubular shape of these rolls may also prove problematic depending on how one seeks to store or transport the mat. [0006] These rolled mats often do not lend well to being folded for storage, often due to the nature of the construction or the materials used. Folding and creasing the mat may damage the material or permanently deform the mat, which is not ideal. Without being able to crease the folds, similar inefficiencies in packing remain.

[0007] Therefore, the invention disclosed herein seeks to describe a foldable athletics mat which may be stored more efficiently, stored more easily, as well as provide better anti-slip properties than those currently known.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention describes a foldable athletics mat for use in yoga, Pilates, and the like. The athletics mat is provided with a plurality of split joints which enable the mat to be easily folded and efficiently stored while enabling a wider selection of composing materials. The athletics mat also contains magnetic fasteners which secure the mat in its folded form without the need for additional straps or cords. The athletics mat is further provided with sweat channels which efficiently transport perspiration away from a user to improve the user’s grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1A is an exemplary embodiment of a first face of a foldable athletics mat.

[0011] FIG. IB is an exemplary embodiment of a second face of a foldable athletics mat. [0012] FIB. 2A is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a foldable athletics mat, partially folded along the split joints.

[0013] FIG. 2B is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a foldable athletics mat, laid flat. [0014] FIG. 2C is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a foldable athletics mat, fully folded into an accordion-like shape.

[0015] FIG. 3A is another exemplary embodiment of a first face of a foldable athletics mat. [0016] FIG. 3B is another exemplary embodiment of a second face of a foldable athletics mat. [0017] FIG. 4 is another exemplary embodiment of a side view of a foldable athletics mat, partially folded along the split joints.

[0018] FIG. 5A is another exemplary embodiment of a side view of a foldable athletics mat having a convex surface.

[0019] FIG. 5B is another exemplary embodiment of a projected view of a foldable athletics mat having a convex surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

[0021] As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0022] Turning now to exemplary Figures 1A and IB, a foldable athletics mat 10 is shown. Figure 1A shows a first face 11 of the foldable athletics mat 10, and Figure IB shows a second face 12 of the foldable athletics mat 10.

[0023] The first face 11 and the second face 12 are typically composed of materials such as rubber, thermoplastics, foam, PVC, vinyl, cotton, jute, or similar. These materials, when varied in type, application, density, and thickness, can provide a variety of properties such as stiffness, stickiness or anti-slip, and sponginess to each face 11, 12.

[0024] The first face 11 and the second face 12 may, for example, each be composed of the same material. Alternatively, the first face 11 and the second face 12 may each be composed of the same material, but in different thicknesses, densities, weaves, or the like. In another advantageous embodiment, the first face 11 and the second face 12 may each also be advantageously composed of differing materials in similar thicknesses, densities, and weaves or in differing thicknesses, densities, and weaves.

[0025] The first and second faces 11, 12 may also be textured to further adjust the anti-slipping properties of the athletics mat 10, such as with a brushed or roughened finish. In cases where a brushed finished is used, it may be advantageous to apply the finish in a substantially lateral direction or a substantially longitudinal direction with respect to the first or second faces 11, 12.

This texture may be incorporated directly into the material of the first or second faces 11, 12, or may be provided via application of a finishing material and/or coating. [0026] The first and second faces 11, 12 may also be configured such that a pattern may be imprinted, cut, molded, or otherwise formed in the face to impart certain qualities into the respective face. Such patterns may be configured to improve comfort of a user when contacting the face, improve traction between either the practitioner and the respective face 11, 12 or the respective face 11, 12 and the floor upon which the face rests, and the like. Figure IB depicts an exemplary hexagonal pattern formed in a second face 12 of the athletics mat 10.

[0027] The first and second faces 11, 12 may also be configured or formed to have a concave or convex surface. That is to say, the first and/or second faces 11, 12 may be configured or formed so as not to be flat or level when the athletics mat 10 is, for example, laid upon the floor. In one advantageous embodiment, the concave or convex shaping may extend across an entire width or length of the athletics mat 10. In another advantageous embodiment, the concave or convex shaping may instead be localized, such as spanning between one or more split joints 15, one or more sweat channels 16, patterns, or other features formed or cut into the first and second faces 11, 12 of the athletics mat. The concave or convex shaping may be provided to improve the comfort of the mat, such as being locally positioned in places where a practitioner’s body is likely to come into contact with the mat. The concave or convex shaping may also be provided to facilitate the flow of sweat or fluids into split joints 15, sweat channels 16, or the like. For example, a sweat channel 16 may be positioned in the trough of a convex shaping, so that fluids are more likely to collect in the sweat channel 16.

[0028] The material comprising the first and/or second faces 11, 12 may also be formulated to have hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial qualities. Alternatively, the surfaces of the first and/or second faces 11, 12 may be treated with an appropriate surface treatment or coating material which may impart hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial qualities. For example, before being formed into a first or second face 11, 12 of the mat, the base material may be mixed with certain chemicals or additives such as, for example, polysiloxanes to impart hydrophobic qualities or silver to impart anti-microbial qualities. Alternatively, these chemicals or additives may be applied to the first and/or second face 11, 12 once formed, before or after the first and second faces 11, 12 are bonded together to form an athletics mat 10. The foregoing chemicals or additives are meant to be exemplary in nature only, as one skilled in the art would be knowledgeable as to additional chemicals or additives which are appropriate to mix with or coat the base material of the first and second faces 11, 12 in order to yield the desired hydrophobic and/or anti-microbial qualities.

[0029] In this manner, one may advantageously create an athletics mat with a sum total of properties not possible with a single layer of material. One may also advantageously create an athletics mat that has reversible capability, such that a practitioner may use the athletics mat 10 with the first face 11 facing upwards or the second face 12 facing upwards as preferred.

[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, the first face 11 may provide a firm surface for the practitioner while the second face 12 provides a soft surface for the practitioner.

[0031] The first face 11 and the second face 12 may be bonded directly to one another. Alternatively, the first face 11 and the second face 12 may each be bonded to a middle or intermediate layer provided for additional structural support. This intermediate layer may likewise be varied in material and thickness, density, and weave as with the first and second faces 11, 12.

[0032] Provided in the first and second faces 11, 12 are a plurality of split joints 15. The split joints 15 are provided at locations where the athletics mat 10 is intended to be folded. Split joints are positioned on each respective face at locations where, due to the direction of the fold, the material of the face may be in tension. Each split joint 15 may span the entire, or substantially the entire, length or width (as is appropriate) of the athletics mat 10.

[0033] For example, when folding the athletics mat 10 in a way that two sections of the second face 12 are brought into direct contact and sandwiched between two sections of the first face 11, the material of the second face 12 would necessarily be in compression about the fold and the material of the first face 11, positioned at an outer surface of the fold, would necessarily be in tension about the fold. To relieve this tension, a split joint 15 is provided so that no stretching of the material of the first face 11 occurs. This may advantageously allow for a wider array of materials to be used, especially those which may easily fatigue or respond negatively to such tension.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, split joints 15 are positioned at various lateral or longitudinal locations along the respective dimension of the athletics mat 10. The first face 11 may, for example, have four such split joints 15 at four different longitudinal locations, and the second face 12 may, for example, have three such split joints 15 at three different longitudinal locations, for a total of seven joints along seven locations enabling seven folds. The seven joints of this exemplary embodiment divide the athletics mat 10 into eight hinged panels which may then be folded accordion-style into a compact shape.

[0035] However, it is conceived that any number of split joints 15 may be cut or formed in the athletics mat 10 to enable different folding patterns.

[0036] The athletics mat 10 may be further provided with a plurality of sweat channels 16. These channels are cut or formed into the material of the first and/or second faces 11, 12 to allow sweat and perspiration from a practitioner or user to efficiently settle away from points of contact. The sweat channels 16 may be wholly contained by the athletics mat 10 and simply serve as reservoirs in which sweat may accumulate. By accumulating in these lower regions, the impact of sweat on the grip of a practitioner or user on the complementary raised regions can be lowered and the overall grip of the practitioner or user can be improved. The sweat channels may also be cut or formed to the edge of the athletics mat 10, thus allowing sweat to flow off and/or away from the athletics mat 10 by way of the channels thus provided. Again, by allowing sweat to flow away via low regions, the grip of the user or practitioner at the complementing raised regions can be improved.

[0037] The split joints 15 provided in the first and second faces 11, 12 may advantageously be cut or formed wider than otherwise necessary so that, when the athletics mat 10 is laid flat, the split joints 15 may also serve as sweat channels 16.

[0038] Patterns formed in either the first and second faces 11, 12 may also advantageously be used as sweat channels 16.

[0039] The athletics mat 10 may be further provided with one or more magnets 18 which are provided to aid in securing the mat as it is folded. The magnets 18 thus provided are incorporated into the first and/or second faces 11, 12 so as to be flush with the surface of each respective face. For example, a depression may be cut or formed into the second face 12 so that the magnet may be inserted in a flush manner into this depression and secured via adhesive or a fastener - such as a flattened tab, button, or hook - to the material of the first face 11 or the intermediate layer. The magnets 18 are positioned preferably near the side edges of the athletics mat 10, but the magnets 18 may be placed at any place on the athletics mat 10 where practitioner contact is expected to be limited. The magnets 18 may be arranged in varying patterns depending on the fold pattern desired. For example, the magnets may be positioned at four longitudinal positions to enable the athletics mat 10 to be folded into an accordion shape with eight distinct panels, resulting in two magnetically secured portions each comprising four distinct panels.

[0040] The magnets 18 may thus be embedded in the first face 11, the second face 12, or both the first and second faces 11, 12. When two magnets 18 are embedded in both the first and second faces 11, 12 at the same location, it may be appropriate to configure the thickness of the magnets and the depth of the depression in the first and second faces 11, 12 so that enough material remains of the first and second faces 11, 12 with which to bond to or anchor the magnets 18. Alternatively, if an intermediate layer is not provided throughout the whole of the athletics mat 10, an intermediate layer may be provided locally to the depression or a cutout to serve as a mounting point for the magnets 18. This local intermediate layer may extend sufficiently between and be bonded to the first and second faces 11, 12 to provide a secure anchoring location for the magnets 18.

[0041] Additional magnets 18 may also be arranged on the athletics mat 10 in a way advantageous to accommodate static magnetic field therapy. In this manner, the magnets 18 may be provided specifically in locations where a practitioner is likely to contact the mat, so that the magnetic fields of the magnets 18 may come into contact with or close proximity to the practitioner’s or user’s body. In doing so, the magnets 18 can correct for imbalances in the magnetic field of the practitioner’s or user’s body and/or aid in the treatment of pain.

[0042] Turning to exemplary Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, a side view of the athletics mat 10 with seven total folds can be seen.

[0043] In Figure 2A, it is shown the athletics mat 10 being folded into, for example, an accordion-type pattern. The first face 11 is provided on the top side, relative to the page, and the second face 12 is provided on the bottom side, relative to the page. Split joints 15 are cut or formed into those faces where each fold may place the face in tension.

[0044] The magnets 18 are provided in four longitudinal positions, as in Figures 1A and IB. The magnets are provided such that magnet 18a attracts magnet 18b, magnet 18b attracts magnet 18c, and magnet 18c attracts magnet 18d. In this manner, the folded accordion shape is firmly secured by the magnets and no additional means are required to keep the athletics mat 10 in its folded configuration.

[0045] Figure 2B shows the athletics mat of Figure 2A lain out flat.

[0046] Figure 2C shows an athletics mat 10 with nine total folds. The first face 11 is provided five split joints 15 and the second face 12 is provided with four split joints. The magnets 18 are provided similarly spaced throughout the mat in order to secure adjacent panels to one another. [0047] It is also noted that magnets need not be located so that each adjacent panel is magnetized to the next. When magnets of sufficient strength are to be used, the attractive forces may penetrate multiple panels of the athletics mat 10. This allows panels to be “skipped” and an overall fewer number of magnets used while still retaining the ability of the athletics mat to be secured in the folded position.

[0048] The magnets 18 positioned on either longitudinal end of the athletics mat 10 may also serve to secure the athletics mat 10 to a second and/or third athletics mat. This may be advantageous for further securing stacks of the athletics mats for shipping, as well as provide a benefit when stacks of the athletics mats are displayed for advertising or store display purposes. The magnets 18 thus provided may assist in enabling a stack of athletics mats that is more stable. The magnets 18 may also encourage the athletics mats to be stacked in a more visually appealing manner, as the magnets 18 would encourage the stack to be more orderly fashion without the need for boxes, guides, or the like.

[0049] In this manner, for example, magnets 18a of a first athletics mat 10 may be attracted to magnets 18d of a second athletics mat.

[0050] The present invention relates to a foldable athletics according to the preceding disclosure. [0051] The present invention further relates to a method for producing a foldable athletics mat according to the preceding disclosure.

[0052] The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art (for example, features associated with certain configurations of the invention may instead be associated with any other configurations of the invention, as desired).

[0053] Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.