Rollable Fitness Mat

Abstract

A mat, such as an exercise, yoga, an/or Pilates mat, that includes two bottom panels and a top layer, the panels being assembled in a manner that enables a user to roll the mat in a way that keeps an upper surface of the mat clean.

Description

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to exercise equipment, and in particular mats for exercise and activities such as yoga and Pilates.

Discussion of Prior Art

Many different styles of exercise involve the use of personal, rollable fitness mats. For example, various forms of yoga, Pilates, and/or Barre typically involve the use of a personal size exercise mat. It is also common for people to bring their own personal mats to group classes where the mats are rolled for transportation, and people often roll them for storage purposes even when used in a home setting.

In use, these mats often become somewhat dirty, either from a person sweating during exercise, or simply because such mats are usually placed on a ground or floor surface.

Exercise mats such as these are easy to clean but are difficult to roll up without soiling. Many people resort to using the thinner mats specifically so that after they clean or use it, and they fold it in half before they roll it up. This is done so that dirt, cat hair, and other unpleasant things do not stick to the topside of the mat. This becomes more difficult to do as the thickness of the mat increases and can also causes creases in the mat and/or cause other damage or prematurely degrade the quality of the mat. What is needed, therefore, is a mat that may be rolled up in a manner that keeps at least one side clean without damaging or otherwise degrading the quality of the mat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a unique way of cleaning and rolling up a yoga mat, Pilates mat or any other similar mat, in a manner that keeps at least one side of the mat clean. The invention includes 3 distinct components that are combined in a manner that allows it to be folded before being rolled tightly and efficiently, the fold keeping one side of the mat clean while it is rolled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mat showing the top, end, and side of the mat in an unrolled and ready-to-use configuration, the top layer being transparent so as to illustrate the connection of the two bottom panels.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the top layer of the mat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the two bottom panels connected together in an unrolled configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the two bottom panels folded together.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mat in a partially rolled configuration.

FIG. 6A is a top plan view showing a first embodiment of a connection pattern for the bottom two panels.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view showing a second embodiment of a connection pattern for the bottom two panels.

FIG. 6C is a top plan view showing a third embodiment of a connection pattern for the bottom two panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a rollable mat 100 according to the invention, including a first bottom panel 10, a second bottom panel 20, and top layer 30. The first panel 10 and second panel 20 each have an end 12, 22, with interlocking members 14, 24, that enable the two panels 10, 20, to be connected to one another. The top layer 30 is affixed to an upper side of each panel 10, 20, to provide a comfortable surface and further secure the two panels 10, 20 to one another.

When the panels 10, 20, are connected and laid flat on a ground surface, the mat functions like any conventional exercise mat. However, when a user wishes to store or transport the mat, the mat has the two panels 10, 20, that may be folded together, approximately folded in half, with the interlocking member 12, 22, separating from one another and the top layer 30 pressing against itself. In this configuration, the top surface is largely protected from exterior elements while the bottom surfaces of the panels 10, 20 are exposed both above and below the mat 100. Now, the mat 100 may be rolled for storage and transport but while it is rolled, only the bottom surfaces of the panels 10, 20, are in contact with the ground/floor surface and, as it rolls, portions of the bottom surface only come into contact with other portions of the bottom surface such that the top surface remains clean.

More specifically, FIGS. 1, 3, and 6a-6c illustrate the bottom views of the two panels 10, 20, together. They have identical interlocking patterns, similar widths and are likely to be different in length. Both bottom panels 10, 20 come together at the points of the interlocking patterns, with the patterns, or members 12, 22, configured to fit tightly together but also be separable by use of a user's hands. Each panel has one of its four edges as the interlocking pattern while the other three sides are smooth and straight. The areas that are squared in by dotted lines in FIG. 1 represent one area where the two bottom panels 10, 20 may affixed to the top layer, shown in FIG. 2, most likely via an adhesive such as silicon glue, rubber glue or another similarly suitable type of adhesive that has pliability. Other top layer to bottom panel attachment arrangements are also suitable.

The bottom two panels 10, 20 may be comprised of, but are not strictly limited to, foam, thermoplastic, or jute. Other similarly suitable materials are also acceptable. It is important that both bottom panels are approximately the same width. However, it is also important that each panel is not the exact same length. Ideal offsets have been found to be somewhere between 51%/49% and 55%/45%. For example, the lengths may be 37.5″ and 34.5″. The desired cuts vary in thickness and length based on the intended purpose and particular user, e.g. taller users may want a longer mat.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top layer 30, which is a thin layer of the yoga mat that ultimately holds the two bottom panels together. This top layer may be comprised of thermoplastic, silicon and other various similarly suitable materials and fabrics that are pliable and able to be rolled.

The rollable mat is much more desirable once the total thickness reaches upwards of 0.25 in-1 in, although the components come together and work together in the same manner at thinner and thicker dimensions.

The configuration of the two bottom panels and top layer allow the mat to first be folded together, as shown in FIG. 4, before being rolled up as shown in FIG. 5. This method of folding and rolling thereby ensures that the entire surface that is folded onto itself remains clean as the other side is rolled off of a surface and against itself.

It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the rollable mat may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mat comprising:

a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having a first panel end and the second panel having a second panel end, each of the first panel end and second panel end having locking members that are configured to interlock with each other;

a top panel that is attached to upper surfaces of each of the first panel and the second panel;

wherein the first panel and second panel are configured to connect to one another and lie flat on a surface or be separated from one another and folded such that a portion of the top panel on the first panel is placed against a portion of the top panel on the second panel so that the mat may be rolled.

2. The mat of claim 1, the first panel and the second panel each having a width and a length, and wherein the width of the first panel is approximately the same as the width of the second panel and the length of either the first panel or the second panel is longer than the length of the other of the first panel or the second panel.

3. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top panel is approximately the same size and shape as the first panel and the second panel when the first panel and second panel are connected to one another.

4. The mat of claim 1, wherein the top panel is attached to the first panel and the second panel by an adhesive.

5. A method of rolling a mat comprising the steps of:

providing a mat that includes a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having a first panel end and the second panel having a second panel end, each of the first panel end and second panel end having locking members that are configured to interlock with each other;

placing the mat on a surface and interlocking the locking members;

folding either of the first panel or the second panel on the other of the first panel or the second panel to create folded panels;

rolling the folded panels.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the mat further includes a top layer that is attached to an upper surface on each of the first panel and the second panel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein either the first panel or the second panel is longer than the other of the first panel or the second panel.