Snow Sports Yoga Mat System

Abstract

A yoga mat having a flexible body is provided for snowboarders and skiers to concurrently have a yoga session and practice body, hand, and arm positions which are assumed during snowboarding or skiing competitions. The device is configured with a top surface of the flexible body which may be used with or without a snowboard or ski positioned thereon.

Description

2. Prior Art

Yoga exercise has become widely practiced by individuals around the world. Traditional yoga has been practiced as a means for physical exercise which focuses on mental exercise in the form of meditation and release from worldly attachments. Consequently, in the United States yoga is considered, by practitioners, a mind and body practice.

Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, stretching and breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. Conventionally such a regimen involves physical movements in a combination with meditation and breathing techniques that promotes mental and physical well-being.

The popularity of yoga in the U.S. and other industrialized countries has given rise to the popularity of the yoga mat. Conventionally, such yoga mats, for many users, have become a necessity to prevent slipping, to mark a territory in crowded classes, or to just provide a surface for the user which covers an underlying support area, such as the ground or a building floor surface. While there are many types and brands of yoga mats, conventionally available and for sale, most such mats focus on providing a safe and defined surface for the user.

With respect to the above, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the yoga mat snow sport exercise system herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of employment and to the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The various components and construction of the disclosed yoga mat and system of employment thereof herein, are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various equivalent ways. Such equivalent structures and methods which may be derived by those skilled in the art once the information herein is reviewed, and thus are considered within the scope of this invention and within the scope of this application.

Also, 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. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for other equivalent yoga mat snow sport systems. It is important, therefore, that the embodiments, objects, and claims herein be regarded as including such equivalent construction, operation and methodology, insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the show sports yoga mat device and system. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device and system herein disclosed and described provides a snow sport yoga mat device and system which provides users who also enjoy snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing, an organized system for multiple regimens for their well being. As disclosed, the device herein enables yoga sessions to be adapted to concurrently provide mental well-being as well as physical exercise and stretching relating to the athletic and acrobatic moves during tricks performed by the user during normal competitions on a snowboard or skis, such as those in a half pipe competition.

The yoga mat, in all modes, preferably features graphic depictions of the circumference or circumferential edge of a snowboard or skis on an upper surface thereof. By circumference or circumferential edge is meant a shape of a snowboard or ski around the circumference thereof, upon which a user would ride during competition. The shape of the snowboard or skis is well known and easily recognized by those skilled in the art and can be generalized as most snowboards have a thinner mid section and the shape of skis are also well known. Alternatively, the shape of the snowboard can be an exact match to that employed by the user of the mat. It should be noted that while the term snowboard is employed herein to describe the device and use thereof, it is intended that skis be included where snowboard is used and claimed as the mat device works just as well when employed with ski depictions as with a snowboard perimeter depiction.

An opposite lower surface is configured for positioning on a support surface such as a floor or the ground. The graphic depictions are formed in the appropriate shapes for the session of the user using laser etching. Laser etching is preferred as it has been found in experimentation to be superior to printing of the depictions as the etching has shown to last for a much longer duration. It was found that because use of the device entails significant friction from the feet and body of the user, laser etchings were much more durable while such contact movement during use was found to damage ink depictions over time.

With the evolution of competitive snowboarding and skiing, various competition tricks which include movements and positions of the rider have evolved which snowboarders and skiers perform for fun and in many instances, in organized competition such as the well known half pipe competition. Many such tricks and movements involve the need for the athlete to touch or grab an edge or other portion of their snowboard or ski, during the performance, in a particular spot on the circumferential edge of the snowboard or ski. For example, such tricks as the stalefish, indy, mute, melon, and others require the rider to reach toward and grab the side edge or nose or tail of the snowboard or ski with their fingers during performance of the maneuver.

The yoga mat device and method herein provides a system for snowboarders and skiers to enjoy the stretching and mental and physical aspects of yoga. In addition, the yoga mat device herein provides an organized system for the user to physically stretch and to concurrently mentally practice specific tricks and moves for snowboarding and skiing competition which require specific extensions of the arms and hands and also the grasping of their board or skis in a particular position. Both the mental practice of snowboarding and competitive ski tricks and the concurrent stretching required for each can be practiced while concurrently exercising in such a yoga session.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed snow sport yoga mat and system 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 and steps in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various equivalent ways by those skilled in the art subsequent to their review of this application. Also, 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.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, upon review hereof, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other components configured to holster a smartphone, and for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. Finally, unless provided with a different respective definition, the term substantially herein means plus or minus five percent.

It is an object of this invention to provide a yoga mat which provides a method and structure for users to concurrently practice yoga and mentally envision competitive moves required of professional and armature snowboarders and skiers.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a yoga mat which also provides directed stretching of the arms and fingers and contraction of the legs required of the user to perform specific stunts or moves in competition.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device and system for an organized practice of snow sport grabs by the hands of the users on both boards and skis.

These and other objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the yoga mat and snow sport exercising device and system herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a top surface of the yoga mat device herein showing the indicia imparted thereto in the form of a snowboard with targeted stretch and grab points around the perimeter thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the device, similar to FIG. 1, but with a defined perimeter edge or perimeter depiction of the indicia depicting a virtual snowboard.

FIG. 3 depicts another view of a yoga mat, per the device and method herein, wherein an interior area is depicted within a defined perimeter depiction of the circumference of snowboard and which is recessed below the surrounding area.

FIG. 4 depicts the mat in a fashion similar to FIG. 3. However, the shown perimeter depiction is raised above both the interior area within the raised perimeter and above the area of the mat surrounding the perimeter depicted and with removable connections in areas surrounding the perimeter depiction.

FIG. 5 depicts the yoga mat herein being employed in combination with a snowboard where the interior area within the defined perimeter depiction is recessed in the manner of either FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 and is thereby adapted for positioning of the depicted snowboard therein during yoga exercise.

FIG. 6 shows the yoga mat having indicia thereon depicting snow skis.

FIG. 7 depicts a configuration of the removably engageable cover which may include indicia correlating to the move or trick where the user will extend their arm and hand and shows an optional projection which provides the user a touch point thereon imitating the side of a ski or snowboard.

FIG. 8 shows the cover of FIG. 7 showing the projection having a planar edge which provides the user the same tactile feeling when touched as that of the side of a snowboard or ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the yoga mat device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used a terms for convenience only. The employed terms are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-8, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the device 10 herein for use in concurrent yoga exercise and snow sport trick practice exercises. The mat device 10 has a planar body 12 having a top surface 14 configured for practice of yoga by a user thereon opposite a bottom surface adapted for positioning on the support surface for the mat device 10, such as the ground or a floor.

Indicia 16 is positioned on the top surface 14 in a perimeter depiction 18, in the shape or form of snow sport equipment, such as matching the circumferential edge of a snowboard. The shape of the circumferential edge of a snowboard or, as noted, skis, can be formed by a cessation of the indicia 16 along an edge thereof or, more preferably as in FIGS. 2-6, indicia depicting a curvilinear line in a shape of the circumferential edge of a snowboard.

Also shown are at least one or a plurality of hand placement areas 22 positioned adjacent the depicted perimeter depiction 18 where the user, during a yoga session on the mat device 10 may reach therefor and thereby move their body to practice balance during hand placement for individual tricks or maneuvers on a snowboard 30 or skis. The hand placement areas 22, as shown, may be labeled with indicia 16 relating to one of the conventional competition names for the board trick or maneuver involving a grip of the edge of the snowboard 30. In the device 10 herein, hand placement areas 22 are positioned in substantially the same area or position, relative to their depiction on the shown perimeter depiction 18 of the indicia 16 depicting a snowboard such as shown in FIG. 5, as board grips would occur for the tricks or maneuvers during competition.

This configuration of snowboard with hand placement areas 22 allows the user during a yoga workout, with their feet positioned on the top surface 14 of the yoga mat device 10, to concurrently assume a yoga position of choice and extend their arms and hands and fingers to locations atop the respective hand placement area 22 of choice. This configuration is preferred to allow both the practice of yoga with the feet of the user atop a depicted snowboard and to allow concurrent practice stretching and accurate hand placement for the grip or hand and arm positions required for the trick or maneuver.

In a particularly preferred mode of the device 10, shown in FIG. 4, the hand placement areas 22 can be removably engaged to locations upon the top surface 14, such as using the covers 27, such as those of FIGS. 7-8, with or without the depicted indicia 16 thereon should the user wish to apply such. This removable engagement is achieved using removably engageable fasteners 24. By removably engageable fasteners herein is meant any separable fastener where one half thereof is positioned on the body 12 and the other mating half thereof is positioned on the cover 27, such as snaps, clips, magnets, buttons, hook and loop fabric 25 or other equivalent separable fasteners as would occur to those skilled in the art which will removably couple the cover 27 to the top surface 14.

For convenience, there is shown removable fasteners, such as mating hook and loop fabric 25 upon a removably engageable cover 27 which would couple to mating hook and loop fabric, shown as removable fasteners 24 on the top surface 14. The provision of removably engageable covers 27 which may be provided with indicia 16 correlating to a move or trick allows the user to configure the mat device 10 for yoga and concurrent practice of the arm and hand and finger placement toward and upon the cover 27.

The covers 27, such as shown in FIGS. 7-8 can be provided in a kit of covers 27 each of which have indicia 16 thereon correlating to the name of the move or trick a user of a snowboard 30 or skis will practice to perform. The cover 27 in the kit form can include indicia correlating to the move or trick, or the covers 27 can be provided to the user to impart the appropriate indicia 16 thereto. This mode allows the user to change the indicia 16 by replacing the cover 27 as needed to change the practiced arm and hand extension and board grip as needed.

In FIG. 3 is shown another overhead view of a mode of the yoga mat device 10 herein. In this mode of the device 10, an interior area 26 is positioned within the perimeter depiction 18 depicting the shape of a snowboard 30 but could also be formed in the shape of two skis where the device 10 is used by a skier. In this particularly preferred mode, the interior area is recessed into the top surface 14 to an elevation below that of the shown perimeter depiction 18 and a surrounding area 28 of the top surface 14. The recessed interior area 26 may be formed by configuring the perimeter depiction 18 and surrounding area 28 in fabric which is thicker between the top surface 14 and bottom surface 15 of the device 10 that forms the recessed area 26 within the perimeter depiction 18. For example, the surrounding area 28 could be formed using 18 oz. vinyl coated PVC having a 20 ml thickness and the recessed area 26 can be formed of 10 oz. vinyl coated PVC having a 13 ml thickness. Alternatively, the surrounding area 28 can be formed of multiple layers of flexible textile or tarp fabric and the recessed areas 26 can be formed of a single layer thereof.

It was found during development that the recessed interior area 26 works well when there is no snowboard positioned therein to provide the feet of the user a tactile feeling of where the perimeter depiction 18 is located during exercise without having to look at it with their eyes. In modes of the mat device 10, such as is shown in FIG. 5 where the snowboard 30 is positioned on the top surface 14 during use, it was found during development of the device 10 that the recessed interior area 26 provides a means to maintain the snowboard 40 in a fixed position on the top surface 14 and within the recessed area 26 by preventing sliding, by surrounding it with a higher edge at the perimeter 18. However, because users may wish not to carry a snowboard 30 or skis to practice, this recessed area 26 on the device 10 gives them both options. They can position the snowboard 30 or skis in the mode of FIG. 6 therein when they wish, or they can use the tactile feeling provided by the raised perimeter depiction 18 when they do not wish to practice with a snowboard 30 or skis.

In FIG. 4 is depicted an especially favored mode of the mat device 10 herein. As shown, the perimeter depiction 18 itself, defining the shape of the snow sport equipment, such as a snowboard 30, has an elevation which is higher than the interior area 26 and the surrounding area 28. As noted, much the same as in FIG. 3, in this configuration with the raised perimeter depiction 18 area provides a ledge which will prevent sliding of a snowboard 30 or skis when placed therein to and thereby maintain the snowboard 30 positioned in the recessed area 26 on the top surface 14 removably fixed and prevented from sliding. The perimeter depiction 18 may also be raised above the surrounding area 26, as shown, to better give the user a tactile feeling when their foot has moved outside both the recessed area 26 and the perimeter depiction 18, since they will feel a recess or drop in the surface on both sides.

Additionally shown in FIG. 4 are the removable fasteners 24 for engaging covers 27 upon the hand placement areas 22 where a user would touch the snowboard 30 or skis for a maneuver or trick. As noted, the covers 27 can have a body which can be formed of material having the mating removable fasteners 24 thereon, such as hook and loop fabric 25. This configuration with separable removable fasteners 24 on the top surface 14 and upon the body of any cover 27 is employable in all modes of the yoga mat device 10 herein and allows for the customization of the indicia designated types of hand grip practice.

Using the removable fasteners 24, the body of the covers 27, with or without indicia 16 and/or with a projection, such as in FIG. 8, may be removed and replaced to any position on the top surface 14. This allows the user to customize and change the position for hand grip practice at the hand placement areas 22, since they can move both the removably engageable fasteners 24 for engagement with labels 27 depicting indicia 16 indicating a target for the stretching of hands and fingers, and simulating a grip at the proper location on the snowboard 30 or skis for the identified move or trick in the indicia defining the hand placement areas 22.

When used with a snowboard 30, the device 10 provides a user a substantially stable mount for the snowboard 30 during yoga exercise and any concurrent practice of body and hand positioning. When used without a snowboard 30 on the top surface 14, the user is provided a tactile feeling to their feet as to the perimeter depiction 18 of the indicia depicted snowboard during yoga exercises. The raised perimeter also provides users a tactile means to discern the perimeter depiction 18 with their hands during positioning of their hands to the hand placement areas 22.

FIG. 5, as noted, shows the yoga mat device 10 herein where at least the interior area 26 within the defined perimeter depiction 18 shaped as a snowboard 30 is also recessed below the inner edge of the perimeter depiction 18 area, as in FIG. 3, or both the surrounding area 28 and the interior area 26 are recessed below the perimeter depiction 18 area, and thus well adapted for a secure positioning of a snowboard 30 therein during yoga exercise. Preferably, the formed recessed area 26 will extend to an interior edge 29 of the raised perimeter depiction 18 area and will substantially mirror the shape of the perimeter of the snowboard 30. An outer edge 31 will be slightly larger but mirror the shape of the circumferential perimeter depiction of the snowboard 30 positioned in the interior area 26. Such will allow for a sunken or recessed positioning of the entire snowboard 30 therein, whereby the raised perimeter 18 area, between the inner edge 29 and outer edge 31, will prevent sliding of the snowboard 30 on the mat device 10 during use. As noted, the surrounding area 28 may be recessed below the outer edge 31 or may be substantially level with the outer edge 31 of the marked perimeter 18. Where the user is going to employ the mat device 10 without the snowboard 30, the raised perimeter depiction 18 area, where the interior area 26 within the interior edge 29 and the surrounding area 38 surrounding the exterior edge 31 are both at levels below that of the perimeter depiction 18 area therebetween. Such a configuration will give the user a better tactile feeling when their foot is moved outside the perimeter depiction 18 by providing two points of lowered contact adjacent a ridge.

Additionally, as noted, the device 10 herein is configurable for both snowboards 30 and skis. For skiers who wish to enjoy the benefits of yoga while practicing ski positions and grips, there is shown in FIG. 6 the yoga mat device 10 herein having the indicia 16 on the top surface 14 in the form of snow skis. In this mode, it would be preferred to form recessed areas 32 within the inner edge of the perimeter 18, such that, if the user places skis upon the top surface 14, they are held in place by the higher elevation perimeter depictions surrounding the ski recessed areas 32.

As noted, the indicia 16, in all modes of the yoga mat device 10 herein, is formed using laser etching. However, ink or other means can be employed for the indicia 16. Any recessed areas may be formed by either embossing the material forming the body 12 with the shapes needed or by forming layers or thicknesses of the body 12 to yield the desired elevation changes. The flexible planar body 12 itself may be formed of a flexible planar material adapted to the rigors of yoga mats, such as reinforced vinyl fabric used for awnings and gym mats, or other polymeric fabrics or woven or unwoven textile fabrics.

As noted, shown in FIGS. 7-8 are a configuration of the removably engageable cover 27 having a planar body which is removably engageable to the top surface 14. As also noted, the body of the covers 27 can include indicia 16 correlating to the move or trick where the user will extend their arm and hand and shows an optional projection 36 which provides the user a touch point thereon imiating the side of a ski or snowboard. The side view of this projection 36 is shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the projection 36 includes a planar edge 38 which provides the user a tactile feeling when touched which is similar to that of touching the side of a snowboard or ski during competition.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the snow sports yoga mat device herein have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are considered included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A yoga mat comprising: a planar body having a top surface opposite a bottom surface;said top surface including a perimeter depiction, said perimeter depiction having a shape of a snowboard circumference;an interior area of said top surface positioned within said perimeter depiction;a surrounding surface of said top surface located to surround an outside edge of said perimeter depiction;one or a plurality of hand placement areas located adjacent said perimeter depiction; andsaid hand placement area defining a target for stretching of hands and fingers toward said target for simulating a grip or hand positioning of a trick performed upon a snowboard.

2. The yoga mat of claim 1, additionally comprising: said hand placement areas being labeled with trick names; anda respective location of each said hand placement area having a said trick name thereon correlating to hand positions required of a user to perform said trick having said trick name upon said snowboard in competition.

3. The yoga mat of claim 1, additionally comprising: said interior area being recessed and having an elevation lower than said surrounding surface.

4. The yoga mat of claim 2, additionally comprising: said interior area being recessed and having an elevation lower than said surrounding surface.

5. The yoga mat of claim 1, additionally comprising: said hand placement areas including a cover which is being removably engageable to said top surface.

6. The yoga mat of claim 2, additionally comprising: said hand placement areas bearing said trick names including a cover having said trick names thereon, said cover being removably engageable to said top surface.

7. The yoga mat of claim 3, additionally comprising: said hand placement areas being removably engageable to said top surface.

8. The yoga mat of claim 4, additionally comprising: said hand placement areas bearing said trick names including a cover having said trick names thereon, said cover being removably engageable to said top surface.

9. The yoga mat of claim 1, additionally comprising: a surface area of said perimeter depiction upon said top surface being elevated above both said interior area and said surrounding surface.

10. The yoga mat of claim 2, additionally comprising: a surface area of said perimeter depiction upon said top surface being elevated above both said interior area and said surrounding surface.

11. The yoga mat of claim 5, additionally comprising: a surface area of said perimeter depiction upon said top surface being elevated above both said interior area and said surrounding surface.

12. The yoga mat of claim 6, additionally comprising: a surface area of said perimeter depiction upon said top surface being elevated above both said interior area and said surrounding surface.

13. The yoga mat of claim 3, additionally comprising: a snowboard positionable within said interior area during use of said yoga mat; andsaid recessed interior area for preventing sliding of said snowboard upon said top surface.

14. The yoga mat of claim 4, additionally comprising: a snowboard positionable within said interior area during use of said yoga mat; andsaid recessed interior area for preventing sliding of said snowboard upon said top surface.