YOGA MAT CARRYING BAG ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A dual position yoga mat bag has a longitudinal axis. A rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in an interior chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The rolled-up yoga mat can optionally be held by the container outside of the interior chamber such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. The Field of the Inventions

The enclosed inventions are in the field of yoga mats and yoga-mat carrying bags.

2. The Relevant Technology

Companies often use the same tubular bag design to hold a yoga mat. One problem is it takes time and is often frustrating trying to put a yoga mat into a tubular shaped bag, especially after a tiring practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a simple sling concept that allows the user to place the mat in a bag vertically, but optionally allows the user to simply and effortlessly drop the mat in the same bag horizontally.

The bag of the present invention has an internal hollow chamber that fully encloses the mat, as well as a large area that provides space for the mat and/or sweaty yoga clothes after practice. The inventive bag can carry a yoga mat in a horizontal position or in a vertical position and a protective sleeve can be pulled out of the internal chamber of the bag to enclose the mat.

A yoga mat bag assembly of the present invention comprises an elongate container having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis. The container has a top opening such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed through the top opening into an internal chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the internal chamber.

Optionally, the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the top opening when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying. In the horizontal carrying position, the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top end and bottom end of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between folded portions of the container.

A shoulder strap is configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying. The bag assembly also includes a yoga mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present inventions, a more particular description of the inventions will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the inventions and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The inventions will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a yoga mat bag assembly of the present invention comprising a yoga mat and a yoga mat bag.

FIG. 2A shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 in a vertical carry position.

FIG. 2B shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 in a horizontal carry position.

FIG. 3 shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 with the top opening thereof in an open position and with a sleeve shown in phantom lines extending out of the top opening.

FIG. 4 shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 in the vertical carry position with a rolled up yoga mat therein.

FIG. 5 shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 in another version of the vertical carry position without a rolled up yoga mat therein. The shoulder strap is connected in a different position from that of FIG. 4 (with the shoulder strap couplers coupled to the top connection points on the bag).

FIG. 6 shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 with a rolled up yoga mat being placed between the top and bottom ends of the yoga mat bag assembly in preparation for carrying the rolled up yoga mat in the horizontal carry position.

FIG. 7 shows the yoga mat bag assembly of FIG. 1 in the horizontal carry position with a rolled up yoga mat placed between the top and bottom ends of the yoga mat bag assembly, wherein the top and bottom ends of the bag are adjacent each other with the mat therebetween.

FIGS. 8A-B show the yoga mat of FIG. 1 with the side pocket in respective closed and open positions. In another embodiment, the side pocket is adjacent the top end rather than being adjacent the bottom end.

FIG. 9 shows the bag in the horizontal carry position, illustrating the opening 70 in the bag when the bag is in the horizontal carry position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a yoga mat bag assembly 10 of the present invention comprising a dual position yoga mat bag 12 and a rolled-up yoga mat 14. Yoga mat 14 can be any type of yoga mat or a variety of other mats that can be used in yoga for providing cushioning and orientation and positioning for a yoga participant.

Yoga bag 12 comprises (i) a substantially flat, flaccid, foldable elongate container 16 having an internal chamber for receiving a yoga mat; and (ii) a shoulder strap 18 configured to selectively connect to two portions of container 16 (e.g., at two corners) for vertical carrying or to selectively connect to four portions (e.g. four corners) of the container for horizontal carrying.

Shoulder strap 18 is configured to selectively connect to two portions (e.g., two corners) of container 16 for vertical carrying of the mat 14, as shown in FIG. 2A or to four portions (e.g., four corners) of the container 16 for horizontal carrying of the mat 14, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Optionally, shoulder strap 18 can also selectively attach to one corner (or other attachment point) of container 16 if desired by the user, e.g., when carrying bag 14 in the vertical position. In such an embodiment, both ends of the shoulder strap 18 can attach to a single corner if desired.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, elongate container 16 has a top end 20 and a bottom end 22 and a longitudinal axis 24 extending there-through. Top and bottom exterior portions 26, 28 of container 16 are separated in the vertical position of FIG. 1, but are folded adjacent to each other in the horizontal position of FIGS. 2A and 7.

Container 16 further has a first opening 30 (FIG. 3) such that a rolled up yoga mat 14 can be placed in the internal hollow chamber 52 (FIG. 3) within the container 16 for vertical carrying as illustrated in FIG. 2A, such that a longitudinal axis 32 of the rolled up yoga mat 14 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 of container 16 when the rolled up yoga mat 14 is placed through opening 30 into container 16. An example of the vertical carrying position is shown in FIG. 2A.

Optionally, the rolled up yoga mat 14 can be held by container 16 on the outside surface of container, as illustrated in FIG. 2B when the rolled up yoga mat 14 is placed on container 16 for horizontal carrying such that the longitudinal axis 32 of the rolled up yoga mat 14 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 of container 16 and such that the top end 20 and bottom end 22 of container 16 are positioned adjacent to each other when the rolled up yoga mat is positioned between respective top and bottom exterior portions 26, 28 of container 16, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 7.

Thus, bag 12 can be carried in either a vertical position or a horizontal position as shown in respective FIGS. 2A and 2B. Container 16 further has a side pocket 39, having an opening 40, for holding small objects, e.g., keys, wallets, cell phones, for example, or for other objects.

Container 16 comprises a hollow container body 32 having four corners 38a-d, each corner having respective grommets 42a-d there-through in the corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners 38a-d, such that the shoulder strap 18 can be selectively connected to one or more of the first, second, third and fourth corners as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Shoulder strap 18 has first and second selective connectors 44, 46 on opposing ends of the shoulder strap body 48, such that each of the connectors 44, 46 can be selectively connected to container 16 at one or more corners of the container 16 such that different carrying positions can be achieved, as illustrated in the figures. Connectors 44, 46 can be selectively opened and closed for selective attachment through a spring loaded sliding mechanism, for example.

Advantageously, a user can maintain a rolled up yoga mat within the chamber 52 of container 16 in the vertical position of FIG. 2A when the user desires to maintain the yoga mat snugly and completely covered within the container 16. However, at the end of a tiring workout, the yoga user can simply place the yoga mat 14 onto bag 12 substantially perpendicularly with respect to bag 12 between upper and lower exterior portions 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 6 and readjust the connectors 44, 46 such that all four corners are connected to the shoulder strap 18, as shown in FIG. 7, with respective adjacent grommets 42b, 42d being coupled to the same respective shoulder strap connector 44 and with respective adjacent grommets 42a, 42c being coupled to the same respective shoulder strap connector 46 for carrying assembly 10 in the horizontal position of FIGS. 2A and 7. A user can also carry clothes and other items within the enlarged pouch of the horizontal carrying position of FIGS. 2A and 7.

Body 32 of elongate container 16 of the present invention is comprised of a flaccid (e.g., textile) material that is sufficiently flexible and foldable to move from the vertical carry position of FIG. 2A to a horizontal carry position of FIG. 2B. Bag 12 is thus comprised of a substantially flat, flaccid, fabric material, such that the bag 12 conveniently folds into a folded, horizontal carrying position.

In one embodiment, circular sleeve 50 (FIG. 3) connects to body 32 and can be: (i) selectively inserted into the hollow chamber 52 within body 32 through opening 30 when not in use or (ii) extended out of opening 30 when in use. Sleeve 50 can be used to cover larger rolled up yoga mats that protrude out of body 32 when located within internal hollow chamber 52. Sleeve 50 can be used when larger rolled up yoga mats are contained within the yoga mat bag and then placed within the opening inside the chamber between the first and second panels when not in use. As shown, a zipper 36 or other closing device can close first opening 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, body 32 is comprised of a substantially flat first panel 60 connected, e.g, through stitching, to a substantially flat second panel 62 at the respective peripheral edges thereof. Side pocket 39 of FIGS. 8a-b having opening 40 is coupled between panels 60, 62 near the bottom end of both panels 60, 62 or optionally near the top end.

In one embodiment, back panel 60 shown in FIG. 4 is a substantially flat panel without a significant slit therein, while front panel 62 shown in FIG. 3 has a slit in an upper portion thereof, which forms opening 30, which leads to hollow internal chamber 52. Sleeve 50 is connected within chamber 52 about the inside rim of opening 30 on the inside of front panel 62 and can be closed, for example, by a drawstring.

Adjacent the opening 30 are two grommets 42a-b and at the opposing bottom end are two respective grommets 42c-d. Grommets 42a-d are examples of selective connection points in the corners of container 16. A variety of different selective connector types may be used to selectively connect to container 16, or a similar container, such as sliding connectors, clips, tabs, snaps, buckles, ties, strings, Velcro, buttons, or a variety of other selective attachments that enable attachment in one position and then allows detachment from the first position and then subsequently allow attachment to a second position and allow detachment therefrom. Thus, the connectors of the shoulder strap of the present invention are selectively attachable and detachable couplers.

By placing the grommets 42a-d in opposing corners of the elongate, rectangular shaped bag, the bag is appropriately balanced for conveniently carrying a yoga mat in a rolled up configuration. The grommets 42a-d of the present invention are oriented in the corners of the bag and are rigid (e.g, metallic) such that they can endure long periods of use and many couplings and un-couplings from rigid connectors on the shoulder strap.

It is sometimes more convenient after a strenuous yoga workout to place mat 14 in bag 12 by placing mat 14 downwardly onto bag 12 in a substantially perpendicular orientation, as shown in FIG. 6, then thereafter connecting the shoulder strap to all four grommets of bag 12, as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, in one embodiment, a yoga participant initially carries the rolled up yoga mat 14 in the top opening 30 in the vertical carry position, then removes mat 14 for a workout, and then at the end of the strenuous workout when the yoga participant is tired, the participant places the rolled up yoga mat 14 substantially perpendicularly on bag 12 as shown in FIG. 6, then connects all the corners using strap 18 as shown in FIG. 7 such that bag 12 is positioned within opening 70, as shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, bag 12 can first be folded and positioned in the horizontal carry position of FIG. 9, after which a mat 14 can be extended through opening 70 into bag 12 for horizontal carrying.

With reference to FIGS. 2B and 9, bag 12 is shown in the folded, horizontal carry position ready to receive a rolled-up mat 14 therein. In this folded position, opening 70 of bag 12 extends between the upper grommet, e.g. 42d of bag 12, and the folded corner 72 of bag 12. A rolled up mat 14 is readily and conveniently placed through opening 70 if the user desires to carry mat 14 in the horizontal carry position.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 9, in one embodiment, the top opening 30 of container 16 is approximately the same length as side opening 70 created when the container 16 is in the folded, horizontal carry position. Mat 14 is extended through opening 30 for horizontal carrying or through opening 70 for horizontal carrying.

In one embodiment, opening 30 enables a reliable fit when container 16 is in the vertical carry position, such that the rolled up yoga mat is fully enclosed (or more fully enclosed) and is stable therein and is not inclined to fall out while a similar sized opening 70 is formed in the horizontal carry position such that mat 14 is similarly held reliably within bag 12 in the horizontal position. Thus, in one embodiment, opening 30 is approximately the same length as opening 70, such that mat 14 fits equally snugly and reliably within both openings 30 and 70. This enables a rolled up mat having a certain width to be placed either through opening 30, or through opening 70 depending upon the particular interest of a user at that time. Either opening 30, 70 readily accommodates the width of the rolled up mat 14. For example, in one embodiment, the length of opening 30 is approximately eleven inches, while the length of opening 70 is also approximately eleven inches. Thus, in one embodiment, opening 30 is approximately the same length of opening 70, such that bag fits equally snugly and reliably within both openings 30 and 70.

Also by way of example, in one embodiment, the elongate yoga mat bag container 16 is approximately 12½ inches wide and approximately 25 inches long (or 25.5 inches long for example), such that the length of the yoga mat bag is approximately twice the width of the yoga mat bag. These dimensions allow for convenient vertical carry and horizontal carry as illustrated in the enclosed drawings. Additional examples of possible dimensions and other features are shown in the provisional applications that are incorporated herein by reference.

Thus, one method of use of the present invention comprises: (i) providing a yoga mat bag comprising an elongate, rectangular shaped bag 12 having a top opening 30 that opens into an internal chamber 52 for receiving a rolled up yoga mat 14 in a vertical carry position and that can be folded so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat 14 in a horizontal position, the bag 12 having four connection points for selectively connecting to selective connectors on a shoulder strap 18, such that the yoga mat bag 12 can be used in a vertical position or a horizontal position as selectively selected by a user; and (ii) positioning the bag 12 in a vertical carry position with the bag 12 in an elongate position with one shoulder strap connector at a top end and another shoulder strap connector at a top end (see FIG. 5) or a bottom end (see FIG. 1A) of bag 12, (iii) placing a rolled up yoga mat 14 in the chamber 52 within bag 12 so as to carry mat 14 in a vertical position, and then further comprising (iv) removing the rolled up yoga mat 14 from the chamber 52 (e.g., for exercise such as yoga), and further comprising, (e.g., after the workout); (iv) placing yoga mat 14 onto the yoga bag 12 outside of chamber 52 for horizontal carrying; and further comprising (v) placing the yoga mat bag 12 in a folded horizontal carry position with connectors of the shoulder strap 18 connected to four connection points of yoga mat bag 12 in a horizontal carry position with the corners of the bag 12 adjacent to each other so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat in the horizontal position.

In one embodiment, after a tiring workout, the mat 14 is first placed substantially perpendicularly onto open bag 12, as shown in FIG. 6, after which the bag 12 is placed in the horizontal carry position with corners 38a and 38c adjacent to each other with a shoulder strap connector extending through both corresponding grommets 42a, 42c and with corners 38b and 38d adjacent to each other and with the opposing shoulder strap connector extending through both corresponding grommets 42b, 42d, as shown in FIG. 7. In another embodiment, bag 12 is first placed in the folded horizontal carry position of FIG. 9, with corners 38a and 38c adjacent to each other with a shoulder strap connector extending through both corresponding grommets 42a, 42c and with corners 38b and 38d adjacent to each other and with the opposing shoulder strap connector extending through both corresponding grommets 42b, 42d, after which yoga mat 14 is placed through opening 70 onto bag 12 as shown in FIG. 7. Each of these methods are examples of a method of placing the yoga mat onto the yoga bag in the horizontal position for horizontal carrying.

As shown, in one embodiment, container 16 has four connection points in corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners thereof, such that the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to one or more connection points. While the shoulder strap can be coupled to a single connection point, e.g., by placing both connectors 44, 46 into a single grommet in the top portion of bag 12 adjacent the top opening 30, to carry mat 14 within bag in a vertical carry position, it is often more stable for a user to either position first and second connectors 44, 46 into the top portion of bag at separate corners, e.g., within respective grommets 42b, 42a or to position a first connector 44 into the top portion of bag 12 and a second connector 46 into a bottom portion of bag 12 for vertical carrying, as shown in FIG. 2A.

Similarly, while it is possible to connect to three out of four connection points in the horizontal carrying position, connection to all four connection points is often more stable.

Since bag 12 has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof, mat 14 is quite stable in the horizontal carry position, being approximately parallel to the ground and thereby balanced with bag 12 with the top end and bottom end of container 16 positioned adjacent each other, as shown in FIG. 2B, with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between portions of the container 16, such that the rolled up yoga mat does not fall out of the bag.

Thus, in one embodiment, length of the elongate rectangular container 16 is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container 16, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square. This substantial square shape maximizes the ratio of stability to surface area—providing sufficient surface area for stably carrying bag 12 in the horizontal position, and providing an appropriate size for comfortably carrying a bag that can be switched to a vertical carry position if desired.

To further enhance the yoga practitioner's experience, bag 12 includes indicia on body 32 in the form of a motivational or inspirational statement 82 and/or a scannable code 80, such as a scannable quick response (QR) code that can be read by a scanning device, to thereby direct the scanning device to a form of communication, e.g., a website, that provides a motivational statement or other form of communication to the user. For example a mobile scanning device, e.g., smart phone can be used to scan code 80, then receive a motivational message based on the code 80. Scannable indicia 80, e.g., a QR code, is configured to communicate with a computer network in order to generate a message to a user of the yoga mat bag.

The present inventions may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the inventions is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A dual position yoga mat bag comprising: a. a container having a top end and a bottom end and a longitudinal axis, the container having an interior chamber such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in the interior chamber for vertical carrying such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the interior chamber and wherein the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the interior chamber when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top portion and bottom portion of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between portions of the container; andb. a strap configured to selectively connect to different portions of the container for vertical carrying or for horizontal carrying.

2. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the strap is a shoulder strap configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying.

3. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 2, wherein the container has four connection points in corresponding first, second, third and fourth corners thereof, such that the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to one or connection points.

4. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 3, wherein the shoulder strap has first and second selective connectors on opposing ends thereof, such that each of the connectors on the shoulder strap can be selectively connected to the container at one or more connection points.

5. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein a side opening of the bag formed in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.

6. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof.

7. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the yoga mat bag has an elongate rectangular configuration such that the bag is balanced in a horizontal position, such that in the horizontal position, a rolled up yoga mat carried in the horizontal position is approximately parallel to the ground, such that the rolled up yoga mat does not fall out of the bag.

8. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag includes a scannable code on the container configured to communicate with a computer network in order to generate a message to a user of the yoga mat bag.

9. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag is substantially flat and is comprised of a flaccid, fabric material, such that the bag conveniently folds into the folded, horizontal carrying position.

10. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the length of the elongate rectangular container is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square for conveniently, stably carrying the mat in the horizontal carrying position.

11. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the yoga mat bag container is an elongate, rectangular shaped container, the container having four corners, each of the corners having a connection point, the connection point being configured to connect with a corresponding selective connection member on the strap that can be selectively connected or disconnected to one or more connection points on the container.

12. A yoga mat bag assembly comprising: a. an elongate, flaccid, foldable, rectangular container having a top end and a bottom end and a longitudinal axis, the container having an interior chamber such that a rolled-up yoga mat can be placed in the interior chamber for vertical carrying and such that a longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed in the interior chamber and wherein the rolled-up yoga mat can be held by the container outside of the interior chamber when the rolled-up yoga mat is placed on the container for horizontal carrying such that the longitudinal axis of the rolled-up yoga mat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and the top portion and bottom portion of the container are positioned adjacent each other with the rolled-up yoga mat positioned between portions of the container;b. a shoulder strap configured to selectively connect to two portions of the container for vertical carrying or to four portions of the container for horizontal carrying; andc. a yoga mat configured to be selectively carried within the interior chamber in the vertical carry position or to be carried between adjacent top and bottom portions of the container in the horizontal carry position.

13. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 12, wherein a side opening of the bag in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.

14. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 12, wherein the bag has a rectangular configuration with the width thereof being approximately half the size of the length thereof.

15. A method of using a yoga mat bag, comprising: (i) providing a yoga mat bag comprising an elongate, flaccid rectangular shaped bag having a top opening that opens into an internal chamber for receiving a rolled up yoga mat in a vertical carry position and that can be folded so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat in a horizontal position, the bag having four connection points for selectively connecting to selective connectors on a shoulder strap, such that the yoga mat bag can be used in a vertical position or a horizontal position as selectively selected by a user;(ii) positioning the bag in a vertical carry position with the bag in an elongate position with one shoulder strap connector at a top end and another shoulder strap connector at a top end or a bottom end of the bag;(ii) placing a rolled up yoga mat in the internal chamber within the bag so as to carry mat in a vertical position;(iii) removing the rolled up yoga mat from the internal chamber;(iv) placing the yoga mat onto the yoga bag outside of the internal chamber; and(v) placing the yoga mat bag in a horizontal carry position with connectors of the shoulder strap connected to four connection points of the yoga mat bag in a horizontal carry position with the corners of the bag adjacent to each other so as to carry the rolled up yoga mat in the horizontal position.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein a side opening of the bag in the horizontal carry position is about the same size as a top opening in the bag.

17. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 15, wherein the length of the elongate rectangular container is approximately twice the width of the elongate rectangular container, such that when the container is folded into the horizontal carrying position, the container substantially has the shape of a square for conveniently, stably carrying the mat in the horizontal carrying position.

18. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 15, wherein the yoga mat is placed onto the yoga bag for horizontal carrying after a yoga workout.

19. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 18, wherein the yoga mat is placed into the yoga bag for vertical carrying before a yoga workout.

20. A yoga mat bag as recited in claim 18, wherein the yoga bag is folded from the vertical carry position into the horizontal carry position and wherein the mat is placed onto the yoga bag substantially perpendicularly with respect to the yoga mat bag.