VARIABLE THICKNESS YOGA MAT
A mat for yoga that has a variable thickness with a first layer that is rectangular in shape, a second layer that is rectangular in shape and similarly sized to the first layer, and at least one middle layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer which, when layered, will give the mat a variable thickness. In other examples, the mat may have a first top surface, a second bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first end with a thickness, a second end with a thickness opposite the first end, and a thickness as measured from the first top surface to the second bottom surface, where the thickness is variable om the first end to the second end.
The present disclosure relates generally to exercise mats. In particular, yoga mats with a variable thickness to provide a user with extra padding in specific areas for different exercises and stretches are described.
Yoga can be an invigorating and beneficial form of exercise that can be done in a home, office, or studio. To increase comfort, most people will use a yoga mat while exercising that they can sit and stand on. This mat adds a padded layer between a person and the floor, protecting their hands, feet, and joints. it also provides a non-slip surface to reduce the risk of slipping while stretching or exercising. However, known yoga mats are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed, For example, existing yoga mats only provide a single thickness throughout the mat, limiting the versatility and usefulness of the mat. With an ever expanding yoga demographic, many older people practicing yoga need extra padding in certain areas when in certain poses. When any user may need extra padding, they often times fold their mat to double the thickness and provide extra cushioning for their knees or elbows, but this limits the mat's coverage and may even damage the mat. Alternatively, they may use a folded towel or blanket with the mat to achieve the desired cushion. The last option is to always use a thicker mat, but the thicker mat is heavier and harder to roll up, making transportation difficult. In addition to potentially damaging the mat, making these changes to the mat also disrupts the flow of the exercise.
Thus, there exists a need for yoga mats that improve upon and advance the design of known yoga mats. Examples of new and useful yoga mats relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
The present disclosure is directed to a mat for yoga, and other mat-based exercises that has a variable thickness with a first layer that is rectangular in shape, a second layer that is rectangular in shape and similarly sized to the first layer, and at least one middle layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The middle layer may be smaller than the first layer and the second layer which, when layered, will give the mat a variable thickness. The mat may have a first end having a thickness, a second end opposite the first end having a thickness, and a center section disposed between the first end and the second end having a thickness.
The center section includes the middle layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer giving the center section a greater thickness than that of the first end and the second end. This middle layer may be a single layer and have a rectangular shape. The middle layer may also have an area approximately one sixth to one half of the area of the first layer. Alternatively, the middle layer might have more than one individual layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. These middle layers may be side by side, or stacked one on top of the other. These middle layers that create the thicker portions of the mat may be rounded, rectangular, circular, or oblong shape.
The mat may have the first layer, second layer, and the middle layer are made from an elastic, non-slip material. These layers may be adhered together using vulcanization, a process used to link together the polymer chains of the material. Once the layers are together, the mat may have a variable thickness in a range between one millimeter and thirty meters thick.
In other examples of the invention, the mat may have a first top surface, a second bottom surface opposite the top surf ace, a first end with a thickness, a second end with a thickness opposite the first end, and a thickness as measured from the first top surface to the second bottom surface, where the thickness is variable from the first end to the second end. In some other examples of the invention, the thickness of the first end and of the second end is greater than the thickness of the center section. Still in other examples, the thickness alternates between a thicker portion and a thinner portion at least one time from the first end to the second end. One example of this might be when the center section is the same as the thickness of the first end and of the second end, and the thickness between the first end and the center section and the thickness between the center section and the second end is less than the thickness of the first end, the second end, and the center section.
The disclosed yoga mats will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of theinventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various yoga mats are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar,or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
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For example, mat 100 offers more cushion in selected areas and less in others, providing a user with focused protection and padding where needed. This variable thickness mat allows the user to enjoy added cushion without the use of additional props or without folding their mat. This will reduce damage to the mat that occurs when folding it or adding props. Additionally, because a user doesn't need to pause exercising to add cushioning,they can easily maintain the flow of their exercise without sacrificing comfort or safety. Mat 100 is also easily transportable. Because of the variable thickness, the mat 100 can provide comfort and thickness in certain areas while remaining thin in others, reducing weight making it easier to rull up and transport.
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Still referring to F tat 700 may achieve a variable thickness using one or more layers stacked and adhered to one another, where one or more of the layers are included in one portion and not another of the mat. In this example embodiment, mat 700 may further include a first layer 720 that is rectangular in shape, and a second layer 724 that is smaller than that of the first layer 720 sposed. on top of the first layer 720. By using two layers of dissimilar sizes, the mat 700 may achieve a variable thickness when measured from a first top surface 726 to a second bottom surface 736. In order to achieve a smooth looking and visually appealing mat, a tapered edge may be desirable between the thicker portions of the mat and the thinner portions of the mat. In this example embodiment, mat 700 may include a sloped edge 718 that tapers from the center thicker portion 708 to the first end 702 and the second end 704. At the sloped edge 718, the taper may be achieved by cutting or compressing the second layer 724 where a taper s needed.
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The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrate(above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
Claims
1. A mat for yoga, were the mat has a variable thickness, comprising:
- a first layer being rectangular in shape;
- a second layer being rectangular in shape and similarly sized to the first layer; and
- at least one middle layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the at least one middle layer being smaller than the first layer and the second layer, and giving the mat a variable thickness.
2. The mat of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first end having a thickness;
- a second end opposite the first end having a thickness; and
- a center section disposed between the first end and the second end having a thickness, where the center section includes the at least one middle layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer, and where the thickness of the center section is more than the thickness of the first end and the second end.
3. The mat of claim 1, wherein the at least one middle layer is a single layer and has a rectangular shape.
4. The mat of claim 3, wherein the at least one middle layer has an area approximately one sixth to one half of the area of the first layer.
5. The mat of claim 1, wherein the at least one middle layer is more than one individual layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer.
6. The mat of claim 1, wherein the at least one middle layer has a rectangular, rounded rectangular, square, circular, or oblong shape.
7. The mat of claim 1, wherein the first layer, second layer, and the at least one middle layer are made from an elastic, non-slip material.
8. The mat of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the at least one middle layer, and the second layer are adhered together using vulcanization.
9. The mat of claim 1, wherein the variable thickness includes a range between one meter and thirty millimeters thick.
10. A mat for yoga, comprising:
- a first top surface;
- a second bottom surface opposite the top surface;
- a first end with a thickness;
- a second end with a thickness opposite the first end; and
- a thickness as measured from the first top surface to the second bottom surface, where the thickness is variable from the first end to the second end.
11. The mat of claim 10, further comprising:
- a center section disposed between the first end and the second end, where the thickness of the center section is greater than the thickness of the first end and of the second end.
12. The mat of claim 11, wherein the center section is between one sixth and one half a total surface area of the first top surface.
13. The mat of claim 11, wherein the center section has a rectangular, rounded rectangular, square, circular, or oblong shape.
14. The mat of claim 10, further comprising:
- a center section disposed between the first end and the second end, where the center section includes two or more areas where the thickness of the center section is greater than the thickness of the first end and of the second end.
15. The mat of claim 10, wherein the mat is made from an elastic, non-slip material.
16. The mat of claim 15, wherein the mat is adhered together using vulcanization.
17. The mat of claim 10, wherein the thickness includes a range between one millimeter and thirty millimeters thick.
18. The mat of claim 10, further comprising;
- a center section disposed between the first end and the second end, and wherein the thickness of the first end and of the second end is greater than the thickness of the center section.
19. The mat of claim 10, wherein the thickness alternates between a thicker portion and a thinner portion at least one time from the first end to the second end.
20. The mat of claim 10, further comprising:
- a center section with a thickness disposed between the first end and the second end, and wherein the thickness of the first end and of the second end is equal to the thickness of the center section, and wherein the thickness between the first end and the center section and the thickness between the center section and the second end is less than the thickness of the first end, the second end, and the center section.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 6, 2018
Inventor: Brienne Wasmer (Central Point, OR)
Application Number: 15/447,753