Patent Application
20070225124
None.
This invention was not federally sponsored.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the field of exercise mats. More particularly, the present invention relates to exercise mats, in particular yoga mats, having magnetic properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many exercise activities, including aerobic activities, involve positioning oneself on a floor or other flat surface while performing various movements. One such activity, yoga, has been practiced for many centuries. More recently, yoga has become a popular and cost-effective way to help achieve relaxation and relieve stress in the United States. Many yoga practitioners use a yoga mat when practicing yoga. Yoga mats are helpful in that they provide a more sanitary and comfortable practicing surface than a bare floor. However, most yoga mats do nothing more than act as a static surface for exercises to be performed on.
Some inventions have attempted to utilize the principles of magnetism to achieve a variety of health-related benefits. Magnetic therapy has a long history dating back to the time of Cleopatra, when the Queen wore a magnet on her face to preserve her youthful appearance. The use of magnets has also been used by NASA to treat astronauts who complained of weakness after returning from space, as well as professional athletes who seek to treat injuries.
There are many observed actions or effects caused by magnets on biologic processes, including chemical reactions, ion movement, changes in charges and electrical potentials, effects on lipids, starches and proteins, hormones and the large molecules and fundamental cellular processes, among others. However, there is no accepted concept in physics yet of how magnetic fields affect these biologic activities. Many theories have been suggested as to how magnetic therapy works. One theory is that all injuries generate positive magnetic fields and that application of a negative magnetic field relieves pain and speeds healing. Another theory suggests that magnets stimulate red blood cells that have iron. Yet another theory indicates that magnets placed on the body separate positive and negative ions in the blood which physically pushes the walls of blood vessels apart resulting in increased blood flow. Further, magnets also have been theorized to stimulate neurons, blocking signals that cause pains.
Magnetic devices used to treat various health-related conditions have come in various sizes and embodied various shapes. For instance, magnets have been used in items ranging from mattress pads and liners to joint wraps. These inventions however, require that either magnets be placed within the non-magnetic material or magnetic material be attached to the non-magnetic material. These requirements can increase the cost of producing such devices as well as increase the complexity of the manufacturing process.
Therefore, there is a present need for an exercise mat that has magnetic properties that can be safely and comfortably used in performing various exercises, including yoga and aerobic activities.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of this invention is to provide an exercise mat with magnetic properties that can be used when performing various exercises, including yoga and aerobic activities.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a magnetized yoga where the natural, inherent beneficial qualities of magnets—namely to energize the yogi, or yoga practitioner and allow him/her to practice yoga with less strain, quicker recovery from muscle extensions, enhanced flexibility a calmer, more centered feeling, and more concentration.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a mat having hand support means to aid in the performance of various exercises, including yoga.
It is another object of this invention to provide a mat that is comfortable to use while performing various exercises.
It is a still another object of this invention to provide a unique magnetized mat to the field of exercise mats.
These objects and further objects and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present invention as set forth herein.
The present invention involves an exercise mat having magnetic properties. The mat is preferably rectangular in shape and comprised of magnetized polyvinyl chloride foam material. A thin net layer of fibers can be positioned on top of and/or below the foam layer to increase strength and durability. The foam material can contain a magnetic flux in the range of 400 gauss to 3950 gauss, preferably 800 gauss to 2550 gauss. Alternatively, the exercise mat can comprise an inner layer of magnetic material surrounded by outer layers of non-magnetized foam material. The exercise mat can also contain two or more hand grips or support openings for use when performing various activities, such as yoga or aerobic exercises.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.
Referring now to the drawings,
Base 20 contains magnetic properties as a result of being magnetized. Base 20 can be magnetized in various ways as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Base 20 preferably has a magnetic flux of between 800 gauss to 2550 gauss, but can contain a magnetic flux in the range of 350 gauss to 3950 gauss. At such levels, base 20 can remain magnetized for approximately 3-5 years. However, base 20 may remain magnetized for more or less time depending on factors such as environmental conditions, manner of use, and amount of use.
With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.
The above description, together with the objects of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.
