US20140242357A1

US20140242357A1 - Yoga towel and mat

Info

Publication number: US20140242357A1
Application number: US14/175,757
Authority: US
Inventors: Wendell Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-26
Filing date: 2014-02-07
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: WO2014133730A1

Abstract

A yoga mat and towel exercising combination comprises a towel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a textured weave over at least a part thereof. A yoga mat is provided and has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a textured pattern thereon over at least a part thereof. The textured weave on the lower surface of the towel and the textured pattern on the upper surface of the yoga mat engage with each other in a manner such that slippage or movement of the towel relative to the yoga mat is reduced.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/769,730 filed Feb. 26, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a yoga towel and a yoga mat. Further, the invention is for a yoga towel and yoga mat when used in combination, providing a surface for the user thereof having a certain benefits and advantages.
While the towel and mat in accordance with the invention are particularly useful in so far as they relate to the practice of yoga, the towel and mat, whether used independently of each other or in combination, as will be described in more detail below, may be appropriately used in the course of many other forms of exercises or workouts. It is thus to be understood that the invention is not limited to a towel and mat which apply only in the context of yoga practice and exercises, but is much more broad-based.
Yoga is an exercise and work out discipline which is common in many parts of the world, and has many different forms, versions and movements. In most instances, the yoga practitioner, also known as the yogi, carries out different yoga forms on a flat surface or floor. Many yogis may prefer to use some type of mat or cushioning between the body and the floor surface for the sake of comfort, so that the effect of hard surfaces will not interfere with, or cause discomfort during, the yoga workout. Typical exercise mats may be used and have been developed, and they usually consist of a cushion or rubber mat having a sufficient thickness to provide the desired comfort, based on the preferences of the user.
The present invention provides a yoga towel and a yoga mat, which may be used individually, but have particular advantage when used together, to provide not only a cushioning comfort for the user, but also, due to their structure and configuration, to reduce or prevent any slippage or sliding of the towel relative to the mat during use.
One of the disadvantages of using a towel during exercise or workout is that it tends to slip or slide on the surface on which it is located, and it can be a nuisance to constantly move the towel to place it back in its desired position. On the other hand, the use of towels during exercise has significant advantages. One of these is, of course, to absorb sweat produced by the user during the exercise. A towel which has been used in this way can easily be laundered or washed for future use by placing it in a conventional washer and dryer along with other laundry. This is different to and more convenient than the use of a mat used alone, which would typically need to be wiped down with a cloth of some sort, which itself would need to be either washed or discarded if disposable.
The use of a towel during exercise, to form a barrier between the person exercising and the surface, whether a mat or other type of surface, is of course also beneficial in exercise or yoga classes. Providing towels to users in gymnasiums holding exercise or yoga classes helps to ensure that body sweat is absorbed by the towel and is much less likely to contact the mat or floor surfaces, which would then need to be cleaned on an ongoing basis. With a towel, the user can simply remove the towel after the exercise session and take it home for cleaning, if self owned, or place it in a laundry bin where the yoga or exercise class is held for laundering, rotation and reuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a yoga mat and towel exercising combination comprising: a towel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a textured weave over at least a part thereof; a yoga mat having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a textured pattern thereon over at least a part thereof; and the textured weave on the lower surface of the towel and the textured pattern on the upper surface of the yoga mat engaging with each other in a manner such that slippage or movement of the towel relative to the yoga mat is reduced.
In one embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces of the towel have a textured weave. Preferably, the textured weave on the lower surface is configured so as to reduce slippage with the yoga mat on which it is mounted, and the textured weave of the upper surface is configured to reduce slippage with the user on the towel. The textured weave on the lower surface of the towel may comprise a plurality of shaped areas, each shaped area having a series of substantially parallel stitches extending across the shaped area.
In one form of the invention, the shaped areas are generally diamond shaped areas. Further, the parallel stitches may extend across the diamond shaped areas with the longest stitches being approximately in the middle of the diamond shaped area and increasingly shorter stitches laterally thereof as the edge of the diamond shaped area is approached. In yet another option, the parallel stitches comprise a series of stitches in the diamond shaped area approximately the same length arranged into end with each other along the length of the diamond shaped area. Further, different diamond shaped areas or patches of diamond shaped areas may have parallel stitches extending in different orientations. In yet a further embodiment, selected diamond shaped areas may have stitches extending in a first direction, while other selected diamond shaped areas stitches extending in a second direction which is approximately normal to the first direction.
Preferably, the textured pattern on the yoga mat comprises a plurality of interlocking designs. Further, the interlocking designs may each define a recessed portion and a protruding portion to impart to the surface a slightly roughened textured configuration. In one form of the invention, the interlocking designs are of a honeycomb configuration each being a six sided figure. Interlocking designs may be of larger and smaller honeycomb configuration.
Preferably, the textured weave on the towel frictionally engages the textured pattern on the mat to reduce slippage therebetween, the frictional engagement being increased by a weight such as the body of a user.
Preferably, the textured weave on the towel comprises substantially parallel threads which have some flexibility to move relative to each other to thereby engage with the textured pattern on the yoga mat.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a yoga towel for use on a yoga mat, the yoga towel comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a textured weave over at least a part thereof, the textured weave comprising small repeating areas of substantially parallel threads which are able to frictionally engage with a surface on the yoga mat.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing relative movement between a yoga mat and towel exercising combination, the method comprising: mounting on a surface a yoga mat having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having formed thereon a textured pattern thereon over at least a part thereof; placing a towel on the yoga mat, the towel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having formed thereon a textured weave over at least a part thereof; and allowing the textured weave on the lower surface of the towel and the textured pattern on the upper surface of the yoga mat to engage with each other in a manner such that slippage or movement of the towel relative to the yoga mat is reduced.
The present invention, in one aspect thereof, therefore provides a mechanism whereby a towel can be used on a surface, such as a mat, in a manner which will reduce or eliminate the amount of slippage or movement therebetween, so as to take advantage of the benefits of a towel as outlined above, while at the same time address the downside of towel usage by making it more secure and stable on the mat to control relative movement between them.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a towel for use in an exercising context, the towel having a thread or weave at least a portion of which comprises a plurality of substantially parallel threads configured so as to provide enhanced frictional contact with a textured surface upon which it may be located.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise mat having upper and lower surfaces, wherein at least the upper surface has a textured configuration designed to enhance frictional engagement with an object such as a towel which may be placed upon the upper surface of the mat.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise mat and towel combination, the exercise mat having upper and lower surfaces wherein the upper surface has a textured configuration, the towel having a thread or weave comprising at least in part a plurality of substantially parallel threads, wherein the textured configuration of the mat and the parallel threads formed on the towel together engage one another and provide an interface to reduce or eliminate any sliding or slippage between the towel and the mat.
A towel and mat combination in accordance with the invention, wherein there is increased frictional contact between the two, is also advantageous in that the sliding or slippage is likely to be reduced even more when the weight of a person is on the towel, since the textured surface of the mat and the weave of the towel will be forced into closer contact with each other, enhancing their ability to reduce or eliminate relative slippage to a greater extent due to the effect of the weight of the person.
In one form of the invention, the device or method comprises a mat and the use thereof which is of rubberized or cushioned material having an upper surface and a lower surface with side edges. At least one surface, preferably the upper surface, is not smooth, but is textured and, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of interlocking designs. These designs may be, for example, six sided figures so as to provide a honeycomb type effect. The size of these honeycomb designs may comprise anything between very small six sided figures to a much larger six sided figures, or combination thereof.
Preferably, both the upper and lower surfaces of the mat are textured in some way. In one form of the invention, the texture or designs giving rise thereto on the upper surface may be different or vary from that on the lower surface of the mat. Furthermore, it is also within the scope of the invention that any one surface, such as the upper or lower surface, may have more than one textured configuration or design thereon, and the different configurations may be strategically placed on either of the surfaces of the mat to enhance the ability of the mat to better engage a towel located thereon in order to prevent sliding or slippage.
In one embodiment of the invention, the mat is of ovoid shape. However, the mat may indeed be of any desired shape, and the shape may be tailored to the type of exercise or yoga movements for which it is used. Circular, square, rectangular and other shaped mats should all be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.
The towel of the invention is constructed so as to have, in one embodiment, a diamond shape weave with a series of parallel stitches which may be of varying lengths within the diamond shape. For example, there may be five or more substantially parallel stitches contained within the diamond ranging from longer stitches running through the center of the diamond to shorter stitches as these stitches approach the sides of the diamond. Preferably, the stitches are formed in a fairly tight weave.
In one aspect of the invention, portions of the towel may be woven such that the stitch is in one direction, while other portions of the towel may be woven such that the stitch is in another direction. A good combination of such stitches may be an appropriately placed selection of vertically oriented and horizontally oriented stitches. Such stitches would, as will be described in further detail, engage with a surface such as a mat so that the towel has reduced or eliminated slippage in two planes. In other words, such stitching would help reduce the movement of the towel in the forward and backward direction with one oriented stitch, and in the side to side or lateral direction with the other oriented stitch.
It is, however, within the scope of the present invention to configure a towel with stitches in a plurality of different orientations including those other than vertical and horizontal. Furthermore, the first and second surfaces, or opposite surfaces, of the towel may be differently woven to meet different objectives. For example, a first or lower surface of the towel may be woven having stitches as described above so as to provide an enhanced engagement with a mat on which it is mounted, while a second or upper surface may be woven with stitches which are designed to better respond to contact with body parts or clothing which the user might be wearing, and to reduce or eliminate sliding between the exerciser or yogi and the towel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a towel in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail showing the weave on the towel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail showing the weave on the towel in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a mat in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a mat in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a mat in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a mat in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a mat in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation showing a detail of the surface of the mat engaging the surface of the towel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which show various aspects and embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, it should be noted that the invention is for an exercise or yoga mat having a textured upper surface for improved gripping properties, a towel having a thread or weave which facilitates increased frictional engagement with another object in contact with the towel, as well as a combination of a mat and towel of the type described above whereby the towel has reduced slippage over the surface of the mat as a result of their respectively configured surfaces.
Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings which shows a towel 12 having an upper surface 14, a lower surface 16, and a peripheral edge 18. The towel 12 shown in this embodiment is generally of rectangular shape, but may be of any shape as best suited in the circumstances. The upper surface 14 of the towel 12 has a generally diamond shaped weave. A slightly elevated weave section 22 is bordered by channels or recesses 24, or even raised thread on the surface, which separate each weave section 22 from its adjacent weave section 22.
Each weave section 22 is comprised of a series of substantially parallel stitches 26 which are right up against each other. See FIG. 2 which shows a detail of this according to one embodiment of the invention. As will be seen in this figure, the stitches are longer in the center of the diamond shape, as they extend across the entire weave section, and are somewhat shorter as they approach the side or edge of the diamond shape. In one embodiment, the stitches are constructed so that they are generally adjacent each other and abut against each other. However, although fairly tightly woven, each stitch will have some limited flexibility in that it may move laterally to a small extent, and thereby create a small space between adjacent stitches.
FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, each weave section will not have a single stitch that stretches across the entire weave section, but comprises a series of smaller stitches. Each of the stitches, however, will be in the same general direction as other stitches within the weave section so that the overall effect of the plurality of stitches 26 is more or less the same as that described above, and wherein the flexibility of the stitch may allow a degree of lateral movement thereof. The import of this arrangement will be described in further detail below.
Even though the embodiments illustrated in this application show a weave section 22 which is a generally diamond shape, the invention is not limited thereto. The stitches 26 may be arranged so as to form weave sections 22 of other shapes, such as square, circular, hexagonal or rectangular, or they may be generally placed across the towel 12 without necessarily creating any specific weave section 22 at all.
FIGS. 4 to 8 in the drawings show various views of a yoga or exercise mat 40 in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows the upper surface 42 of the mat 40, while FIG. 5 shows the lower surface 44 of the mat 40. FIG. 6 is an end view (which would of course be substantially similar to a side view) in which can be seen both the upper 42 and lower 44 surfaces.
With reference to the upper surface 42 of the mat 40, this surface is textured so as to provide a non-smooth or somewhat rough feel. The upper surface 42 comprises a plurality of six sided projections 46 which extend out just slightly from the surface to provide a honeycomb type effect. The sides of the projections 46 are surrounded by a small channel or recess 48, so that running the finger over the surface reveals a somewhat roughened characteristic imparted by the textured construction of the upper surface 42.
The lower surface 44 has a slightly different configuration, but is also generally comprised of a series of interlocking projections 52, also six sided, surrounded by a channel or recess 54.
The configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood that a surface of many different types of configuration may be provided, as long as there is some type of texture formed as a result of surface components which are slightly elevated, and other surface components which are slightly recessed relative thereto. This creates the overall effect of the roughened textured surface, suitable in the context of the invention for providing a mat which is able to reduce or eliminate slippage, both with respect to a towel which may be placed on the mat, as well as with a person either directly in contact with the skin or through the medium of the clothing worn by the person.
When the towel 12 and mat 40 are used in combination, the selected woven surface of the towel 12 together with the roughened textured surface of the mat 14 combine together in a manner which helps create a nonslip work surface and prevents or reduces relative movement therebetween. Therefore, the advantage of using a towel, which can absorb sweat and be easily washed after each usage, is offered together with the comfort of the mat, which provides some cushioning and relief for the user against hard floor surfaces. In addition, it largely obviates the need to routinely clean the mat surface, and also does not expose the person to the mat surface which may have become slippery due to wetness from the sweat of the user. Many users may also feel more comfortable not directly exercising on a surface which has been used by many others.
The woven surface of the towel 12 and the textured surface of the mat 40 interengage with each other so that the stitches of the towel tend to gain some traction in the recesses or spaces between the projections on the upper surface of the mat. In practice, some of the individual stitches may at least become partially lodged within a channel or recess 48 on the upper surface of the mat. Further, some of the projections 46 on the upper surface of the mat may become at least partially lodged between two adjacent stitches on the towel, which may be forced slightly apart under the force and pressure thereof. Although any individual such connection or engagement between the stitches and the projections respectively do not necessarily provide much anti-slip effect, these engagements are occurring in a large number of areas and points so that the cumulative effect of all of these small connections is to provide multiple interengaging surfaces which are less likely to slide or move relative to each other.
It should also be appreciated that the downward force provided by the exerciser or person doing the yoga routine may enhance the connection since the weight of the person will tend to have the effect of not only increasing the number of connections, but also strengthen any connections which may be formed or already exist.
FIG. 9 of the drawings is a schematic representation which shows adjacent stitches which may be either parted slightly to receive at least some of a projection 46, or where the stitches 26 are received within the channel 48 of the upper surface of the mat.
Many different variations may be possible within the scope of the invention. Generally, the towel of the invention has a woven surface configured so that some resistance to movement of the surface is increased in certain directions. The woven surface may be such that these directions of increased resistance vary over the surface of the towel from one location to another.
The invention is also for a mat with a textured surface having slight elevations and recesses therebetween providing a roughened effect and some resistance.
The invention is also for the towel and mat combination whose woven surface and textured surface respectively are configured so as to interengage with one another when in contact so as to reduce or substantially eliminate sliding or movement between them.
The towel may be made of cotton, synthetic fiber or microfiber, and the material is preferably chosen so as to have good absorbent properties. Further, the towel may have pockets which may be closable for containing small objects, for the convenience of the user. The towel may also be thicker, harder or softer at different places, according to the nature of the usage and in order to provide optimal comfort to the user. The towel may also have a strap or other mechanism so that it may be rolled up and closed for easy storage and transportation. A dedicated bag for containing the towel when not in use may also be provided.
The mat itself may be comprised of any suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, foam, to provide some examples only. A mat may be comprised of more than one material, such as an inner cushion surrounded by a sleeve enclosure, or it may be a solid single material mat. The mat may also have straps or other devices by means of which it can be rolled, folded or otherwise collapsed in order that it may be conveniently transported and stored.
Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.
As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.

Claims

1. A yoga mat and towel exercising combination comprising:

a towel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a textured weave over at least a part thereof;

a yoga mat having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a textured pattern thereon over at least a part thereof; and

the textured weave on the lower surface of the towel and the textured pattern on the upper surface of the yoga mat engaging with each other in a manner such that slippage or movement of the towel relative to the yoga mat is reduced.

2. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the towel have a textured weave.

3. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the textured weave on the lower surface is configured so as to reduce slippage with the yoga mat on which it is mounted, and the textured weave of the upper surface is configured to reduce slippage with the user on the towel.

4. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the textured weave on the lower surface of the towel comprises a plurality of shaped areas, each shaped area having a series of substantially parallel stitches extending across the shaped area.

5. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein the shaped areas are generally diamond shaped areas.

6. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the parallel stitches extend across the diamond shaped areas with the longest stitches being approximately in the middle of the diamond shaped area and increasingly shorter stitches laterally thereof as the edge of the diamond shaped area is approached.

7. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the parallel stitches comprise a series of stitches in the diamond shaped area approximately the same length arranged into end with each other along the length of the diamond shaped area.

8. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein different diamond shaped areas or patches of diamond shaped areas have parallel stitches extending in different orientations.

9. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein selected diamond shaped areas have stitches extending in a first direction, while other selected diamond shaped areas stitches extending in a second direction which is approximately normal to the first direction.

10. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the textured pattern on the yoga mat comprises a plurality of interlocking designs.

11. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the interlocking designs each define a recessed portion and a protruding portion to impart to the surface a slightly roughened textured configuration.

12. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the interlocking designs are of a honeycomb configuration each being a six sided figure.

13. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein interlocking designs may be of larger and smaller honeycomb configuration.

14. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein the textured weave on the towel frictionally engages the textured pattern on the mat to reduce slippage therebetween, the frictional engagement being increased by a weight such as the body of a user.

15. A yoga mat and towel combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the textured weave on the towel comprises substantially parallel threads which have some flexibility to move relative to each other to thereby engage with the textured pattern on the yoga mat.

16. A yoga towel for use on a yoga mat, the yoga towel comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a textured weave over at least a part thereof, the textured weave comprising small repeating areas of substantially parallel threads which are able to frictionally engage with a surface on the yoga mat.

17. A method for reducing relative movement between a yoga mat and towel exercising combination, the method comprising:

mounting on a surface a yoga mat having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having formed thereon a textured pattern thereon over at least a part thereof;

placing a towel on the yoga mat, the towel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having formed thereon a textured weave over at least a part thereof; and

allowing the textured weave on the lower surface of the towel and the textured pattern on the upper surface of the yoga mat to engage with each other in a manner such that slippage or movement of the towel relative to the yoga mat is reduced.