YOGA MAT CARRYING BAG ASSEMBLY
A dual position yoga mat bag has a longitudinal axis. A rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in an interior chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The rolled-up yoga mat can optionally be held by the container outside of the interior chamber such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.
This non-provisional patent application claims priority to and the benefit of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/699,424, filed on Sep. 11, 2012, entitled Yoga Mats and Carrying Bag, and (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/875,215, filed on Sep. 9, 2013, entitled Yoga Mat Carrying Bag Assembly, each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS1. The Field of the Inventions
The enclosed inventions are in the field of yoga mats and yoga-mat carrying bags.
2. The Relevant Technology
Companies often use the same tubular bag design to hold a yoga mat. One problem is it takes time and is often frustrating trying to put a yoga mat into a tubular shaped bag, especially after a tiring practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a simple sling concept that allows the user to place the mat in a bag vertically, but optionally allows the user to simply and effortlessly drop the mat in the same bag horizontally.
The bag of the present invention has an internal hollow chamber that fully encloses the mat, as well as a large area that provides space for the mat and/or sweaty yoga clothes after practice. The inventive bag can carry a yoga mat in a horizontal position or in a vertical position and a protective sleeve can be pulled out of the internal chamber of the bag to enclose the mat.
A yoga mat bag assembly of the present invention comprises an elongate container having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis. The container has a top opening such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed through the top opening into an internal chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the internal chamber.
Optionally, the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the top opening when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying. In the horizontal carrying position, the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top end and bottom end of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between folded portions of the container.
A shoulder strap is configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying. The bag assembly also includes a yoga mat.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present inventions, a more particular description of the inventions will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The inventions will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings in which:
Yoga bag 12 comprises (i) a substantially flat, flaccid, foldable elongate container 16 having an internal chamber for receiving a yoga mat; and (ii) a shoulder strap 18 configured to selectively connect to two portions of container 16 (e.g., at two corners) for vertical carrying or to selectively connect to four portions (e.g. four corners) of the container for horizontal carrying.
Shoulder strap 18 is configured to selectively connect to two portions (e.g., two corners) of container 16 for vertical carrying of the mat 14, as shown in
Optionally, shoulder strap 18 can also selectively attach to one corner (or other attachment point) of container 16 if desired by the user, e.g., when carrying bag 14 in the vertical position. In such an embodiment, both ends of the shoulder strap 18 can attach to a single corner if desired.
With continued reference to
Container 16 further has a first opening 30 (
Optionally, the rolled up yoga mat 14 can be held by container 16 on the outside surface of container, as illustrated in
Thus, bag 12 can be carried in either a vertical position or a horizontal position as shown in respective
Container 16 comprises a hollow container body 32 having four corners 38a-d, each corner having respective grommets 42a-d there-through in the corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners 38a-d, such that the shoulder strap 18 can be selectively connected to one or more of the first, second, third and fourth corners as shown in
Shoulder strap 18 has first and second selective connectors 44, 46 on opposing ends of the shoulder strap body 48, such that each of the connectors 44, 46 can be selectively connected to container 16 at one or more corners of the container 16 such that different carrying positions can be achieved, as illustrated in the figures. Connectors 44, 46 can be selectively opened and closed for selective attachment through a spring loaded sliding mechanism, for example.
Advantageously, a user can maintain a rolled up yoga mat within the chamber 52 of container 16 in the vertical position of
Body 32 of elongate container 16 of the present invention is comprised of a flaccid (e.g., textile) material that is sufficiently flexible and foldable to move from the vertical carry position of
In one embodiment, circular sleeve 50 (
With reference to
In one embodiment, back panel 60 shown in
Adjacent the opening 30 are two grommets 42a-b and at the opposing bottom end are two respective grommets 42c-d. Grommets 42a-d are examples of selective connection points in the corners of container 16. A variety of different selective connector types may be used to selectively connect to container 16, or a similar container, such as sliding connectors, clips, tabs, snaps, buckles, ties, strings, Velcro, buttons, or a variety of other selective attachments that enable attachment in one position and then allows detachment from the first position and then subsequently allow attachment to a second position and allow detachment therefrom. Thus, the connectors of the shoulder strap of the present invention are selectively attachable and detachable couplers.
By placing the grommets 42a-d in opposing corners of the elongate, rectangular shaped bag, the bag is appropriately balanced for conveniently carrying a yoga mat in a rolled up configuration. The grommets 42a-d of the present invention are oriented in the corners of the bag and are rigid (e.g, metallic) such that they can endure long periods of use and many couplings and un-couplings from rigid connectors on the shoulder strap.
It is sometimes more convenient after a strenuous yoga workout to place mat 14 in bag 12 by placing mat 14 downwardly onto bag 12 in a substantially perpendicular orientation, as shown in
With reference to
With reference to
In one embodiment, opening 30 enables a reliable fit when container 16 is in the vertical carry position, such that the rolled up yoga mat is fully enclosed (or more fully enclosed) and is stable therein and is not inclined to fall out while a similar sized opening 70 is formed in the horizontal carry position such that mat 14 is similarly held reliably within bag 12 in the horizontal position. Thus, in one embodiment, opening 30 is approximately the same length as opening 70, such that mat 14 fits equally snugly and reliably within both openings 30 and 70. This enables a rolled up mat having a certain width to be placed either through opening 30, or through opening 70 depending upon the particular interest of a user at that time. Either opening 30, 70 readily accommodates the width of the rolled up mat 14. For example, in one embodiment, the length of opening 30 is approximately eleven inches, while the length of opening 70 is also approximately eleven inches. Thus, in one embodiment, opening 30 is approximately the same length of opening 70, such that bag fits equally snugly and reliably within both openings 30 and 70.
Also by way of example, in one embodiment, the elongate yoga mat bag container 16 is approximately 12½ inches wide and approximately 25 inches long (or 25.5 inches long for example), such that the length of the yoga mat bag is approximately twice the width of the yoga mat bag. These dimensions allow for convenient vertical carry and horizontal carry as illustrated in the enclosed drawings. Additional examples of possible dimensions and other features are shown in the provisional applications that are incorporated herein by reference.
Thus, one method of use of the present invention comprises: (i) providing a yoga mat bag comprising an elongate, rectangular shaped bag 12 having a top opening 30 that opens into an internal chamber 52 for receiving a rolled up yoga mat 14 in a vertical carry position and that can be folded so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat 14 in a horizontal position, the bag 12 having four connection points for selectively connecting to selective connectors on a shoulder strap 18, such that the yoga mat bag 12 can be used in a vertical position or a horizontal position as selectively selected by a user; and (ii) positioning the bag 12 in a vertical carry position with the bag 12 in an elongate position with one shoulder strap connector at a top end and another shoulder strap connector at a top end (see
In one embodiment, after a tiring workout, the mat 14 is first placed substantially perpendicularly onto open bag 12, as shown in
As shown, in one embodiment, container 16 has four connection points in corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners thereof, such that the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to one or more connection points. While the shoulder strap can be coupled to a single connection point, e.g., by placing both connectors 44, 46 into a single grommet in the top portion of bag 12 adjacent the top opening 30, to carry mat 14 within bag in a vertical carry position, it is often more stable for a user to either position first and second connectors 44, 46 into the top portion of bag at separate corners, e.g., within respective grommets 42b, 42a or to position a first connector 44 into the top portion of bag 12 and a second connector 46 into a bottom portion of bag 12 for vertical carrying, as shown in
Similarly, while it is possible to connect to three out of four connection points in the horizontal carrying position, connection to all four connection points is often more stable.
Since bag 12 has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof, mat 14 is quite stable in the horizontal carry position, being approximately parallel to the ground and thereby balanced with bag 12 with the top end and bottom end of container 16 positioned adjacent each other, as shown in
Thus, in one embodiment, length of the elongate rectangular container 16 is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container 16, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square. This substantial square shape maximizes the ratio of stability to surface area—providing sufficient surface area for stably carrying bag 12 in the horizontal position, and providing an appropriate size for comfortably carrying a bag that can be switched to a vertical carry position if desired.
To further enhance the yoga practitioner's experience, bag 12 includes indicia on body 32 in the form of a motivational or inspirational statement 82 and/or a scannable code 80, such as a scannable quick response (QR) code that can be read by a scanning device, to thereby direct the scanning device to a form of communication, e.g., a website, that provides a motivational statement or other form of communication to the user. For example a mobile scanning device, e.g., smart phone can be used to scan code 80, then receive a motivational message based on the code 80. Scannable indicia 80, e.g., a QR code, is configured to communicate with a computer network in order to generate a message to a user of the yoga mat bag.
The present inventions may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the inventions is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A dual position yoga mat bag comprising:
- a. a container having a top end and a bottom end and a longitudinal axis, the container having an interior chamber such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in the interior chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the interior chamber and wherein the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the interior chamber when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top portion and bottom portion of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between portions of the container; and
- b. a strap configured to selectively connect to different portions of the container for vertical carrying or for horizontal carrying.
2. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the strap is a shoulder strap configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying.
3. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 2, wherein the container has four connection points in corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners thereof, such that the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to one or connection points.
4. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 3, wherein the shoulder strap has first and second selective connectors on opposing ends thereof, such that each of the connectors on the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to the container at one or more connection points.
5. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein a side opening of the bag formed in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.
6. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof.
7. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the yoga mat bag has an elongate rectangular configuration such that the bag is balanced in a horizontal position, such that in the horizontal position, a rolled up yoga mat carried in the horizontal position is approximately parallel to the ground, such that the rolled up yoga mat does not fall out of the bag.
8. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag includes a scannable code on the container configured to communicate with a computer network in order to generate a message to a user of the yoga mat bag.
9. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag is substantially flat and is comprised of a flaccid, fabric material, such that the bag conveniently folds into the folded, horizontal carrying position.
10. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the length of the elongate rectangular container is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square for conveniently, stably carrying the mat in the horizontal carrying position.
11. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the yoga mat bag container is an elongate, rectangular shaped container, the container having four corners, each of the corners having a connection point, the connection point being configured to connect with a corresponding selective connection member on the strap that can be selectively connected or disconnected to one or more connection points on the container.
12. A yoga mat bag assembly comprising:
- a. an elongate, flaccid, foldable, rectangular container having a top end and a bottom end and a longitudinal axis, the container having an interior chamber such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in the interior chamber for vertical carrying and such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the interior chamber and wherein the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the interior chamber when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top portion and bottom portion of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between portions of the container;
- b. a shoulder strap configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying; and
- c. a yoga mat configured to be selectively carried within the interior chamber in the vertical carry position or to be carried between adjacent top and bottom portions of the container in the horizontal carry position.
13. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 12, wherein a side opening of the bag in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.
14. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 12, wherein the bag has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof.
15. A method of using a yoga mat bag, comprising:
- (i) providing a yoga mat bag comprising an elongate, flaccid rectangular shaped bag having a top opening that opens into an internal chamber for receiving a rolled up yoga mat in a vertical carry position and that can be folded so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat in a horizontal position, the bag having four connection points for selectively connecting to selective connectors on a shoulder strap, such that the yoga mat bag can be used in a vertical position or a horizontal position as selectively selected by a user;
- (ii) positioning the bag in a vertical carry position with the bag in an elongate position with one shoulder strap connector at a top end and another shoulder strap connector at a top end or a bottom end of the bag;
- (ii) placing a rolled up yoga mat in the internal chamber within the bag so as to carry mat in a vertical position;
- (iii) removing the rolled up yoga mat from the internal chamber;
- (iv) placing the yoga mat onto the yoga bag outside of the internal chamber; and
- (v) placing the yoga mat bag in a horizontal carry position with connectors of the shoulder strap connected to four connection points of the yoga mat bag in a horizontal carry position with the corners of the bag adjacent to each other so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat in the horizontal position.
16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein a side opening of the bag in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.
17. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 15, wherein the length of the elongate rectangular container is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square for conveniently, stably carrying the mat in the horizontal carrying position.
18. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 15, wherein the yoga mat is placed onto the yoga bag for horizontal carrying after a yoga workout.
19. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 18, wherein the yoga mat is placed into the yoga bag for vertical carrying before a yoga workout.
20. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 18, wherein the yoga bag is folded from the vertical carry position into the horizontal carry position and wherein the mat is placed onto the yoga bag substantially perpendicularly with respect to the yoga mat bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 11, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2014
Applicant: MANTIS MATS, LLC (Heber, UT)
Inventor: Paul F. Thomas, Jr. (Heber, UT)
Application Number: 14/023,978
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101);