Patent Application
20240382800
This disclosure relates generally to a yoga accessory tool and, more particularly, to an improved yoga block that improves an individual's yoga practice while being easy to transport and use for each yoga session as well as to store after use by being easily inflatable and deflatable.
Yoga blocks have been used for decades to aid individuals of all levels in practicing yoga, especially beginners and individuals having physical limitations, but more advanced individuals can utilize them to safely learn more challenging poses. Yoga blocks may be most often used as an extension of one's hands, i.e., to help an individual reach a stable surface during yoga poses where the individual cannot fully reach the ground, but may also be used to support the back, head, and hips. Furthermore, yoga blocks are known to help with lengthening, strengthening and support while practicing yoga. For example, it is known to use a single yoga block to help one go deeper into poses, while a pair of yoga blocks may be used for strengthening and improving flexibility in certain poses, i.e., ones that require a yoga block on each side.
In more detail, yoga blocks are a valuable and handy tool to substantially improve one's yoga practice and physical well-being. Specifically, yoga blocks may help build strength throughout the entire body, practice correct alignment, protect and build strength in weak wrists, provide support in a posture by using one as a cushion or bolster, and get deeper into numerous yoga poses, including but not limited to triangle, standing forward fold, camel, and downward facing dog.
Typically, yoga blocks may come in different materials as well as different sizes and/or thicknesses. For example, it is known to use foam, cork and wood materials in making yoga blocks. The first yoga blocks were made of wood. Different types of wood may be used such as birch, maple, pine, balsa and poplar, but currently the most common type of wood is bamboo. The advantages of wooden yoga blocks are they are comparatively hard, extremely sturdy, aesthetically pleasing and will last for a long time (essentially forever). The disadvantages of wooden yoga blocks are they are the hardest yoga blocks, so they can be more difficult to use for beginners. In addition, they are typically more expensive and tend to lose grip when an individual gets sweaty.
Foam is the lightest, softest and usually the least expensive of the known materials for use in making yoga blocks. Generally, foam is considered the best for beginners as it more comfortable for use in supportive postures than cork and wood. However, it suffers from the drawback as not providing much, if any, grip and can be too light and get dirty easily. Furthermore, they are not particularly durable and may not last very long as they may deform and lose their shape over time such that they are not as effective for use in most poses. For individuals wanting something heavier than foam, but lighter and softer than wood, cork is a suitable option. It typically lasts longer than foam as it is more durable, but cork yoga blocks do not provide much cushion or support. Furthermore, cork yoga blocks absorb sweat, moisture, and odor which may cause them to smell and deform over time as they wear and, thus, require regular cleaning.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved yoga block that is lightweight, yet sufficiently dense having a slip-resistant surface that can be easily transported in luggage and workout bags. Advantageously, the improved yoga block should be easily inflated to a working position to a deflated transportable and storage position while be relatively inexpensive, easy to clean and sufficiently durable.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a yoga block is provided. The yoga block includes an inflatable body defining an internal chamber and a valve positioned on an exterior surface of the body for inflating the body into a working condition and deflating the body into a storage condition.
In one possible embodiment, the inflatable body may be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be vinyl. In another embodiment, the polymeric material may be rubber. The polymeric material may be clear. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an inflatable yoga block is provided. The inflatable yoga black includes a body defining an internal chamber for receiving air, whereby the body is configured to be inflated in a first position and deflated in a second position.
In one possible embodiment, the body may be a cuboid shape in the first position. The body may include six faces, wherein the six faces include a front face, a rear face, a side face, an opposite side face, a top face and a bottom face. Each of the side face, the opposite side face, the top face, and the rear face may include a bisecting line. The bisecting line defines a curved shape for a top half and a bottom half of the faces. Each of the front face and the rear face may include a cross pattern. One of the front face and the rear face may include a valve to expose the internal chamber to an outside environment. The valve may include a removable cover to seal the valve in the first position. The valve is configured to connect to an electric air pump or a manual air pump.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a yoga block is provided. The yoga block includes a body defining a hollow, interior chamber. The yoga block also includes a hole connecting the interior chamber to an outside environment such that a fluid may fill the interior chamber. The yoga block includes a removable cover for sealing the hole.
In one possible embodiment, the body may have a non-stick exterior surface. The body may have a substantially cylindrical cross-section shape. In another possible embodiment, the body extends into a first neck portion connected to a first tapered end and the body extends into a second neck portion connected to a second, opposite tapered end. Each of the tapered ends may have a substantially square cross-section shape.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of this disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and photographs that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the disclosure, an inflatable yoga block is hereinafter described.
Reference is now made to
As shown in
The inflatable yoga block has a first face 20, a second face 30, a third face 40, a fourth face 50, a fifth (front) face 60, and a sixth (rear) face 70. The faces 20, 30, 40, and 50 are substantially rectangular in shape and substantially identical in size. On the other hand, the fifth face 60 and sixth face 70 are closer to substantially square in shape and substantially identical in size to each other, but smaller than the other faces 20, 30, 40, and 50. Each of the first, second, third and fourth faces of the inflatable yoga block 10 has a line 80 that bisects the face in the middle such that the faces have a rounded shape wherein the top half of each face and the bottom half of each face come together at the respective line 80.
Each of the lines 80 on faces 20, 30, 40, and 50 helps define the cuboid form of the inflatable block 10. Furthermore, the lines 80 provide increased proprioceptive precision, i.e., they help the individual using the block to better know where their body (namely, their hand) is located in space. The lines further provide the user with a greater ability to map their body neurologically and create new neural pathways through the tactile biofeedback of the unique design of the block 10. In order words, they help to strengthen the mind-body connection. The lines also define the curved edges of the faces that form to the natural arch of the user's hands to provide even greater support during use.
Turning to front and rear faces 60 and 70 (perhaps as best shown in
As perhaps best shown in
The edges of the yoga block 10 may be welded to together such that an internal inflatable chamber is formed. The yoga block 10 may be inflated and deflated via a valve 110 that is closed by a removable cap or cover 120 that seals the valve 110 in a first, inflatable position. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 110 is positioned on the front face 60 to expose the internal chamber to an outside environment such that a fluid like air may fill the interior chamber. It should be appreciated that the valve may be positioned on either of the front or rear face 80. Typically, the inflatable yoga block 10 is inflated by blowing air into the valve 110, either with a manual or an electric pump or manually by a person's mouth. It should be appreciated that it may be automatically inflated when a valve is opened, up to a certain pressure with additional inflation manually or by pump.
The inflatable yoga block 10 is relatively dense because when inflated it is composed mainly of air, surrounded by a thin layer of synthetic material. As a result, it provides a sturdy, yet pliable base for one to use while performing yoga such that it is firm enough to keep one from pressing too deep into it and losing one's balance, while also offering some pliability for comfort. The vinyl surface is lightweight, inexpensive, easy to clean and provides a suitable non-stick surface for executing tricky poses that require balance and precision. This non-stick surface is also important is an individual is sweating, especially in hot yoga. The surface provides a good feel for the individual, while offering biofeedback to the individual.
Advantageously, the inflatable yoga block may come in a storage or deflated state. In this position, it is easy to store the block and also transport the block to and from the place where yoga will be practiced. Once the individual is ready to practice yoga, the block may be easily inflated via a pump, needle or one's lungs. It is incredibly easy and quick to inflate the block into a use or working state. In the working state, the yoga block is particular durable having sufficient density while offering pliability, comfort and support to the individual.
The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the inventive principles and their practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/466,499, filed on May 15, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63466499 | May 2023 | US |
