Patent Application
20180272180
The present disclosure relates generally to devices useful for various health and fitness routines and discipline. In particular, yoga blocks, useful in performing various yoga poses and practices, that include storage for personal effects are described.
Yoga is a popular activity to engage in to improve both physical and mental health, as well as improve flexibility. Often yoga blocks are used in practice, as props to aid alignment or to support body parts to facilitate poses, or as a makeshift seat during meditation to ensure a seated posture with an upright spine. Further, yoga blocks are frequently used for other types of exercise beyond yoga, and so must be sturdy enough to support a user's weight in various orientations (both the block and the user). Such blocks are typically made from a rigid or solid foam, or on occasion from materials such as wood, cork, or plastic. Yoga blocks are typically the size of a large jewelry box, approximately 9″×4″×3″ in most implementations, but must be of sufficiently sturdy construction to meet the intended uses described above, which exceeds the durability of a typical jewelry or storage box.
However, known yoga blocks are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. Many people enjoy practicing yoga in a studio, where instruction, an appropriate environment, and a sense of community are readily available. Yoga studios often supply yoga blocks for patrons; however, these blocks are not always cleaned after every use, and consequently may pick up odors from sweat and otherwise be unsanitary. Furthermore, some yoga studios are sparsely equipped compared to gyms, lacking locker or other storage facilities for patrons' personal effects. In such a situation, a patron is forced to either leave their personal items in their vehicle or other location out of sight, where valuables become an easy target for theft or the cause of vehicle break-ins, or bring their items into the studio with them, which can create clutter and/or the possibility of breakage if a patron (or any other patron) is not careful. Also, different patrons will need to bring different items with them into the studio, e.g. glasses, keys, phones, toiletries, etc. A yoga block is of a suitable size to store most personal effects such as a phone and/or wallet, yet many yoga blocks are typically solid, and incapable of storage.
There are known in the art yoga blocks that are hollow so as to accommodate storage of personal effects. However, as noted above, the types of personal effects may vary from patron to patron. A simple hollow block fails to provide adequate storage in the context of a yoga block that is subject to movement and potential drops. Some personal effects, such as jewelry, can be damaged if not secured properly, or become tangled or knotted. Other combinations of personal effects can cause damage when stored together in an unrestrained fashion. For example, if keys are stored unrestrained in a container with a smartphone—two common personal effects that most people own—the keys can cause damage to the finish and screen of the smartphone. It is thus preferable that personal effects be stored in a fashion that suitably separates and protects the various items.
Thus, there exists a need for yoga blocks that include storage to improve upon and advance the design of known yoga blocks. As a variety of items may need to be stored in a given block, it is desirable to allow a user to customize the type of storage offered by a particular block. Examples of new and useful yoga blocks including storage that relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to yoga blocks with storage include the following references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,796,344, 7,318,794 and 8,646,971; and U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2009/0023563, 2010/0147861 and 2015/0258363. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0258363 to Kampinski discloses a yoga brick with an internal storage area and grip system that functions to secure the brick. The grip system includes two straps that lie in parallel grooves formed in the external surfaces of the brick, and are used to secure the brick in a closed configuration. The internal storage area can either include a stabilization means comprised of an interior container that is either permanently affixed within the internal storage area, or that fits snugly within the internal storage area and is held in place via friction from the snug fit. The configuration of the removable container is not discussed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,794 to Davies discloses a yoga block system that includes a plurality of yoga blocks that can be releasably joined together along a common face to form a larger structure. At least one of the blocks is hollow, and allows a user to gain access to the interior for storage of items. As with Kampinski, the internal configuration of the block is not discussed.
The present disclosure is directed to a yoga block with storage. According to one aspect of the invention, a yoga block with storage comprises a first block half that possesses a cavity; and a second block half, wherein the first block half possesses one or more attachment points located within the cavity, the first block half and second block half are attached together using one or more hinges that are hidden when the first block half and second block half are closed together, and the first block half removably secures to the second block half when the two block halves are brought together.
In one embodiment, the first block half removably secures to the second block half by way of a magnet positioned in one of the block halves, and a corresponding piece of magnetically attractive material located in the opposing block half.
In another embodiment, a flexible pouch is provided that is equipped with one or more attachment points disposed upon the flexible pouch such that each of the one or more attachment points upon the flexible pouch corresponds in location to one of the one or more attachment points located within the cavity, so that the flexible pouch is removably secured within the cavity by the interaction of the one or more attachment points upon the flexible pouch with the one or more attachment points located within the cavity.
In another embodiment, the second block half possesses a cavity, and further possesses one or more attachment points located within the second block half cavity.
In still another embodiment, a second flexible pouch is provided that is equipped with one or more attachment points disposed within the flexible pouch such that each attachment point in the second flexible pouch corresponds in location to one of the one or more attachment points located within the second block half cavity, so that the second flexible pouch is removably secured within the second block half cavity by the interaction of the one or more attachment points upon the second flexible pouch with the one or more attachment points located within the second block half cavity.
In yet another embodiment, the one or more attachment points located within the cavity and the second block half cavity are each comprised of a magnet, and the one or more attachment points located upon the flexible pouch and the second flexible pouch are each comprised of a magnetically attractive material.
In another embodiment the one or more attachment points located within the cavity are each comprised of a magnet, and the one or more attachment points located upon the flexible pouch are each comprised of a magnetically attractive material that is embedded within the flexible pouch.
In another embodiment each of the one or more attachment points located within the cavity further comprise either hook or loop material, and each of the one or more attachment points located upon the flexible pouch further comprise either loop or hook material, complementary to and engaging with the hook or loop material comprising each of the one or more attachment points located within the cavity.
In still another embodiment each of the one or more attachment points located within the cavity further comprise a snap, a plurality of straps, or a plurality of ties.
According to a second aspect of the disclosed invention, a yoga block with storage comprises a first block half, further comprising a cavity disposed within the first block half; and securing means disposed within the first block half cavity; a second block half; a hinging means that attaches the first block half to the second block half such that the two halves can pivot relative to each other to open or close the yoga block; and latching means for securing the first block half and second block half together so as to retain the yoga block in a closed configuration.
In one embodiment a pouch sized to fit within the first block half cavity is provided, possessing securing means complementary to and attaching to the securing means disposed within the first block half cavity.
In another embodiment the second block half further comprises a second cavity disposed within the second block half; and securing means disposed within the second cavity.
In yet another embodiment a first pouch sized to fit within the first block half cavity is provided, which possesses securing means complementary to and attaching to the securing means disposed within the first block half cavity; and a second pouch sized to fit within the second block half cavity is further provided, possessing securing means complementary to and attaching to the securing means disposed within the second block half cavity.
In still another embodiment the first block half is substantially taller in proportion compared to the second block half.
According to a third aspect of the disclosed invention a yoga block with storage comprises a first block half; the first block half further comprising a first block half cavity disposed within the first block half; a plurality of magnets disposed within the first block half cavity; and at least one magnet disposed within a first block half first edge and a second block half, the second block half further comprising a second block half cavity disposed within the second block half; a plurality of magnets disposed within the second block half cavity; and at least one magnetically attractive piece disposed within a second block half first edge so as to come into proximity with the at least one magnet disposed within the first block half first edge when the first block half and second block half are closed together, and wherein the first block half and second block half are attached to each other by at least one hinge that connects to a first block half second edge and a second block half second edge, the first block half second edge being disposed opposite from the first block half first edge and the second block half second edge being disposed opposite from the second block half second edge, and the first block half and second block half can be retained in a closed configuration by the interaction between the at least one magnet disposed within the first block half first edge and the at least one magnetically attractive piece disposed within the second block half first edge.
According to one embodiment of the third aspect a flexible pouch sized to fit within the first block half cavity is further provided, the flexible pouch possessing a plurality of magnetically attractive pieces arranged so as to engage with the plurality of magnets disposed within the first block half cavity and thereby be removably secured within the first block half cavity, the flexible pouch further comprising one or more securing flaps arranged in a first configuration.
According to another embodiment a second flexible pouch sized to fit within the second block half cavity is provided, the second flexible pouch possessing a plurality of magnetically attractive pieces arranged so as to engage with the plurality of magnets disposed within the second block half cavity and thereby be removably secured within the second block half cavity, the second flexible pouch further comprising one or more securing flaps arranged in a second configuration that differs from the first configuration.
According to yet another embodiment the at least one hinge is configured to he hidden from the exterior of the yoga block when first block half and second block half are in a closed configuration.
According to still another embodiment the first block half and second block half are substantially identical in size and configuration.
According to another embodiment the first block half and second block half are constructed from wood, metal, plastic, or composite materials.
The disclosed yoga blocks with storage 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 the inventors described herein. Many variations are contemplates for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each an every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various yoga blocks with storage are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not 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.
With reference to
For example, yoga block 100 provides a space for safe, secure and discreet storage of personal items such as watches, jewelry, wallets, keys and phones during a yoga class or studio session. Where a studio provides yoga blocks 100, patrons of the studio are thereby supplied with a storage option that helps to minimize the risk of a vehicle break-in, as well provide a place for storage that is both proximate to the patron yet out of the way of possible damage that could occur if left in the open within the studio, as well as preventing clutter of studio.
Further, where a yoga block 100 is personal to a user, hygiene is improved compared to using shared yoga blocks. Yoga block 100 can be equipped with a variety of internally secured storage pouches that can be selected by a user to customize the nature of the internal storage as well as to hold internally stored items in a secure fashion, so that movement of yoga block 100 does not result in the stored items tumbling against each other, and thus delicate items are held safe. For example, if keys are placed relative to a phone such that the keys can tumble and rub against the phone, the phone's display and/or case can be easily marred or scratched. Likewise, jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, or necklaces could become tangled in an environment where they are tossed around; storage pouches can be used to secure items against each other and hold them fast while yoga block 100 is moved during exercise.
Yoga block 100 includes a first block half 102 that possesses a cavity 106, and a second block half 104 that possesses a cavity 110, wherein the first block half possesses one or more attachment points 112 located within cavity 106, and the second block half 104 possesses one or more attachment points 114 located within cavity 110. First block half 102 and second block half 104 are attached together using one or more hinges 108 that are hidden when first block half 102 and second block half 104 are closed together. First block half 102 removably secures to second block half 104 when the two block halves are brought together via an attachment mechanism.
As can be seen in
Block halves 102 and 104 can be independently constructed, or can be formed by taking a hollow block and splitting it in two, using any well-known technique appropriate for the materials used to construct yoga block 100, such as a band saw, other type of saw, laser, water jet or other similar cutting device. Block halves 102 and 104 can be constructed from the same materials, or from different materials. Where block halves 102 and 104 are constructed separately, they can be manufactured using the same techniques described above in reference to a complete block that is split into two. Moreover, while block halves 102 and 104 are depicted as identical or mirror images in the figures, this need not be the case; block half 102 could be of a different size from block half 104. For example, one block half could be sized to be relatively shallow compared to the other half, similar to a lid on a jewelry box.
Into each block half 102, 104 is created a cavity 106, 110, respectively. In the preferred embodiment each cavity is sized such that the wall thickness of block halves 102 and 104 is approximately consistent throughout. Cavities 106 and 110 must be sized so that the resulting wall thickness of block halves 102 and 104 is sufficient to support the loads experienced by yoga block 100 while in use, without causing structural failure. A person skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that this thickness will depend at least partially on the type of materials used to fabricate yoga block 100.
As shown in
First block half 102 and second block half 104 are secured by one or more hinges 108. As depicted in
Turning to
It should be understood that magnets as described above is but one possible implementation for the attachment mechanism, and is not intended to be limiting. Other possible mechanisms may be employed, such as latches, pins, clasps, hooks, locks or any other means by which first block half 102 may be secured to second block half 104. Where the attachment mechanism employs a lock, yoga block 100 could allow for a measure of secure storage. Moreover, although a single attachment mechanism is depicted in
Furthermore, as an alternative embodiment, hinges 108 could be replaced with attachment mechanisms, such as additional magnets in the location of each hinge. In such an implementation first block half 102 could be completely separated from second block half 104, and would be secured together entirely by the attachment mechanisms.
The body of yoga block 100, when closed, is of suitable dimensions to act as a yoga block; a possible example of these dimensions were recited above.
Returning to
Although each cavity 106 and 110 is depicted with four attachment points 112 and 114, respectively, in each corner of each cavity 106, 110 this should not be taken as limiting. More or less than four attachment points 112 and 114 may be employed, and attachment points 112 and 114 may be placed in different locations that where depicted in
Turning to
Flexible pouch 150 is preferably constructed from material that, as the name implies, is flexible, such as fabric, canvas, plastic, leather, vinyl, rubber or other similar material that is sufficiently durable to retain the personal effects of a user of yoga block 100 without damaging them, or causing them to damage each other when yoga block 100 is in normal use. Flexible pouch 150 may further be constructed of a combination of materials, and may include a lining of different material such as microfiber or velvet for further protection of personal items.
As shown in
Flexible pouch 150 may further be equipped with one or more securing flaps 156 to allow items to be secured within flexible pouch 130 and isolated from other items stored within yoga block 100. Securing flaps 156 may further be designed to be secured shut, such as with a zipper mechanism, hook and loop material, or any other suitable closure means.
Turning attention to
As can be seen in
It should understood that flexible pouches 150 and 160 are but two possible examples and configurations of flexible pouches. A flexible pouch may be configured in any fashion and with any number of different storage options, which can be tailored to specific types of goods to be stored within yoga block 100. For example, a user who needs to store toiletries including liquids may select a flexible pouch that includes waterproof compartments, to contain any accidental leaks. Conversely, a user storing jewelry such as necklaces may desire a pouch configured to keep strand-type jewelry from getting tangled. Other pouch configurations can be utilized for a variety of different personal effects.
Referring to
By securing items within a flexible pouch, and then securing the flexible pouch within one of the halves of yoga block 100, a user can protect his or her personal effects both from external hazards and theft, but also from damage resulting from items such as keys scratching delicate surfaces of other objects. Items can be inserted by removing a flexible pouch from within yoga block 100 and unfolding it, securing items within one of the securing flaps, folding the pouch, and resecuring it within yoga block 100.
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 illustrated 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.
