Exercise Mat

Description

FIELD The present invention relates generally to exercise or yoga mats wherein the inventive mat provides a novel method of keeping the mat in place while a user is exercising or doing yoga.

PRIOR ART

There are many types of exercise mats on the market. Most are made of a semi-sticky material that helps keep the mats from sliding. These mats may not easily stay in place, especially if there is any dust or debris on the floor. The mats will simply slide. A few mats on the market are made with suction type undersides, which do help hold them in place, but are very cumbersome to lift up after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novel design of the inventive mat provides for a four-point suction assembly which is easy to use, and easy to keep clean for extended use.

The mat has an opening in each corner. A two-piece cap and suction piece attach to one another through the openings in the mat. After use, the mat comes up easily and rolls as with any other mat for convenient traveling and storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention most closely corresponds with USPTO Class A63B 21/4037 {Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises (mats for absorbing shocks A63B 6/00).

In its simplest form, the invention relates to a novel exercise or yoga mat that has detachable suction cups to keep the mat in place even on floors with slight amounts of sand or dirt. The mat is easy to remove and roll up.

THE INVENTION

Summary, Objects And Advantages

Yoga is a popular form of exercise for men and women. All that is needed is a yoga mat, and space in which to lay it out. Yoga can be done just about anywhere. Indoors or outside. The inventive mat satisfies a long felt need, and is novel in its design. Yoga mats on the market are all fairly standard shapes and sizes. They are typically made of a material that has a somewhat stickiness to it so the mat will not slide easily. People who practice yoga, however, know that if there is any debris on a surface or the mat itself, it will slide on a surface easily.

The inventive mat has four apertures, one in each corner. A two-piece assembly which consists of a screw cap and a suction cup is then attached to one another through the aperture. This design keeps the mat from sliding and is easy to use. If the suction cup section gets debris on it, it's a quick wipe and the mat is ready for use. A user does not have to clean the entire mat. The inventive mat rolls up and stores in the same convenient way other mats do.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in further detail by reference to eight (8) drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:

FIG. 1 shows the mat fully assembled;

FIG. 2 shows a corner underside aperture;

FIG. 3 is a top side aperture;

FIG. 4 shows the two-piece suction cup and cap with aperture;

FIG. 5 shows angled detail of the cap and suction cup;

FIG. 6 illustrates the underside of the mat with cap inserted into aperture;

FIG. 7 shows the cap in place on the topside of the mat; and

FIG. 8 shows the cap removed and the suction cup portion inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the entire mat 10. In each corner is a top piece of the screw cap 20 in place.

FIG. 2 shows the mat 10 with a corner folded up to display the aperture 30 for connecting the cap and suction cup through.

FIG. 3 shows the top side of the mat 10 with the aperture 30 for connecting the screw cap and suction cup through.

FIG. 4 shows the aperture 30 and the screw top cap 20. The suction cup piece 40 has a small nipple 50 that is received by the cap when the cap is threaded onto the suction cup.

FIG. 5 shows the aperture 30 on the mat, and the cap 20 and suction cup 40 at an angle to illustrate the connecting portions of the cap and suction cup. The suction cup piece goes under the mat, and the screw cap is threaded on to the cap. This creates a flush fit and when the mat is placed on a surface, it will stick until the user picks up the mat.

FIG. 6 shows the suction cup 40 wherein each cup has a tab 60 for easy removal of the mat from a surface. The tab makes it easy to dislodge the suction cups by simply pulling on the tab.

FIG. 8 illustrates the suction cup 40 on the underside of the mat ready to receive the screw cap 20. The user simply screws the top on, and the mat is ready for use. The suction cups are easy to clean and convenient to store in a pouch which can be offered with the mat.