U.S. patent application number 10/166938 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for mat.
Invention is credited to Prinzmetal, Jan.
Application Number | 20030017915 10/166938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4169667 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030017915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prinzmetal, Jan |
January 23, 2003 |
Mat
Abstract
A mat, adaptable for floor exercises, comprises a pliable sheet
having a rectangular periphery. A first alignment strip extends
along the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the sheet, while a
second alignment strip extends along the transversal axis of
symmetry of the sheet. A hand reference zone is disposed at an
upper part of the mat, on each side of the first alignment strip
and a foot reference zone is disposed at a lower part of the mat,
on each side of the first alignment strip. A side reference zone is
disposed at the middle of the mat and comprises a vertical and
horizontal side strip. Hand and foot reference zones are made of
vertical and horizontal hand and foot strips. Above and beneath the
horizontal strips of each hand and foot reference zones several
parallel targets strips are used. To the left and right of the
vertical line of side reference zone several parallel target strips
are also used.
Inventors: |
Prinzmetal, Jan; (Vancouver,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FREDERICK KAUFMAN
SUITE 403
1937 PENDRILL STREET
VANCOUVER
BC
V6G 1T4
CA
|
Family ID: |
4169667 |
Appl. No.: |
10/166938 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 6/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/23 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2001 |
CA |
2354690 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Mat, adaptable for floor exercises and other exercises,
comprises a sheet to accommodate a person thereon, said sheet
having a generally rectangular periphery defined by two parallel
side edges and two parallel end edges, the former being longer than
and perpendicularly to the latter, one longitudinal and one
transversal axes of symmetry intersecting in a center of symmetry
of said sheet, to said sheet being added a pair of hand reference
means, each of said hand reference means being located at an upper
part of said sheet, on each side of said longitudinal axis of
symmetry, constitutes a mirror image of the other one; and a pair
of foot reference means, each of said pair of foot reference means
being located at a lower part of said sheet, on each side of said
transversal axis symmetry, constitutes a mirror image of the
other.
2. Mat, adaptable for floor exercises and other exercises,
comprises a sheet to accommodate a person thereon, said sheet
having a generally rectangular periphery defined by two parallel
side edges and two parallel end edges, the former being longer than
and perpendicularly to the latter, one longitudinal and one
transversal axes of symmetry intersecting in a center of symmetry
of said sheet, to said sheet being added a first alignment strip
extending substantially along said longitudinal axis of symmetry
toward said parallel end edges; and a second alignment strip
extending substantially along said transversal axis of symmetry
toward said parallel side edges a pair of hand reference means,
each of said hand reference means being located at an upper part of
said sheet, on each side of said longitudinal axis of symmetry,
constitutes a mirror image of the other one; and a pair of foot
reference means, each of said pair of foot reference means being
located at a lower part of said sheet, on each side of said
transversal axis of symmetry,
3. Mat, as defined in claim 1 or 2 farther comprising a pair of
side reference means, each of said side reference means having
generally a center situated on said transversal axis of symmetry,
between each one of said parallel side edges and said longitudinal
axis of symmetry.
4. Mat, adaptable for floor exercises and other exercises,
comprises a sheet to accommodate a person thereon, said sheet
having a generally rectangular periphery defined by two parallel
side edges and two parallel end edges, the former being longer than
and perpendicularly to the latter, one longitudinal and one
transversal axes of symmetry intersecting in a center of symmetry,
to said sheet being added a first alignment strip extending
substantially along said longitudinal axis of symmetry toward said
parallel end edges; and a second alignment strip extending
substantially along said transversal axis of symmetry toward said
parallel side edges; a pair of hand reference zones, each of said
hand reference zones being located at an upper part of said sheet,
on each side of said first alignment strip, constitutes a mirror
image of the other one; and formed by a vertical hand strip
parallel to said to said first alignment strip and, consequently,
to said longitudinal axis; and a horizontal hand strip parallel to
said alignment strip and, impliedly, to said transversal axis of
symmetry; a pair of foot reference zones, each of said pair of foot
reference zones being located at a lower part of said sheet, on
each side of said first alignment strip, constitutes a mirror image
of the other one; and formed by a vertical foot strip parallel to
said first alignment strip and, consequently, to said longitudinal
axis of symmetry; and a horizontal foot strip, parallel to said
second alignment strip and, impliedly, to said transversal axis of
symmetry.
5. Mat, as defined in clam 4, further comprising a pair of
reference zones, each of said reference zones having a center
situated on said second alignment strip, between each one of said
parallel said edges and said first alignment strip, and including a
vertical reference line perpendicular to a horizontal reference
line, the former and the latter reference lines intersecting in
said center, said vertical reference line being parallel to said
first alignment strip, while said horizontal reference line can be
identified with said second alignment strip.
6. Mat, as defined in claim 4, further comprising a first plurality
of target strips, at least two adjacent target strips of said
plurality of target strips being disposed above and beneath each of
said horizontal hand and foot strips, parallel to said horizontal
hand and foot strips and perpendicular to each said vertical hand
and foot strips.
7. Mat, as defined in claim 5, further comprising a first plurality
of target strips, at least two adjacent target strips of said first
plurality of target strips being disposed above and beneath each of
said horizontal hand and foot strips, parallel to said horizontal
hand and foot strips and perpendicular to each said vertical hand
and foot strips; and a second plurality of target strips used
substantially as said first plurality of target strips, but
disposed in conjunction with said reference zones and perpendicular
to said horizontal reference strips.
8. Mat, as defined in claim 4, wherein said first and second
alignment strips and said vertical and horizontal hand and foot
strips are permanently attached to said sheet.
9. Mat, as defined claim 4, wherein said first and second alignment
strips and said vertical and horizontal hand and foot strips are
imprinted.
10. Mat, as defined in claim 4, wherein said vertical and
horizontal hand and foot strips are removable so they can be
repositioned.
11. Mat, as defined in claim 5, wherein said vertical and
horizontal reference lines are permanently attached to said
sheet.
12. Mat, as defined in claim 5, wherein said vertical and
horizontal reference lines are imprinted.
13. Mat, as defined in claim 5, wherein said vertical and
horizontal reference lines are removable so they can be
repositioned.
14. Mat, as defined in claim 6, wherein said first plurality of
target strips is permanently attached to said sheet.
15. Mat, as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of target
strips is imprinted.
16. Mat, as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of target
strips attached to said sheet are removable so they can be
repositioned.
17. Mat, as defined in claim 7, wherein said first and second
pluralities of target strips are permanently attached to said
sheet.
18. Mat, as defined in claim 7, wherein said first and second
pluralities of target strips are imprinted.
19. Mat, as defined in claim 7, wherein said first and second
pluralities of target strips are removable so they can be
repositioned.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a teaching,
training and practice mat and, more particularly, to a mat intended
to assist users in developing proper stances, especially during
floor exercises or other exercises performed with the mat.
[0003] Visually and conveniently alignments, relative to the center
of the body, hands and feet, in order to obtain correct stances,
are the most important physical condition for stretching and
exercising. Furthermore, muscle alignment is designated to
integrate consciously and subconsciously the alignment perception
and, thus, to develop a memory for correct and reproducible
positions. It is evident that the later cannot possibly develop if
the alignment is not correct.
[0004] There are prior art mats that purport to obtain the results
achieved by the mat of the present invention. All things
considered, the existing knowledge in the field does not provide
the specific advantages of the present invention, nor does it
properly address the objectives sought to obtain by this
invention.
[0005] 2. Summary of the Invention
[0006] It is, thus, one objective of the present invention to
provide an improved mat, which allows proper and comfortable
alignments. It is another objective of the present invention to
provide an easy to use mat, so that the user may orient
himself/herself in any manner on the mat while performing
exercises. Yet another objective of the present invention is to
provide a mat with removable, adjustable strips, so that various
users car readily accommodate to the mat.
[0007] In general, the mat, which is adaptable for floor and other
exercises, comprises a sheet to accommodate a person thereon. The
sheet has a generally rectangular periphery defined by two parallel
side edges and two parallel end edges, the former being longer than
and perpendicularly to the latter. To the sheet are added a first
alignment strip extending substantially along the longitudinal axis
of symmetry toward the parallel end edges and a second alignment
strip extending substantially along the transversal axis of
symmetry toward the parallel side edges. A pair of hand reference
zones is used. Each of the hand reference zones is located at an
upper part of the mat, on each side of the first alignment strip
and constitutes a mirror image of the other one.
[0008] A hand reference zone is formed by a vertical hand strip
parallel to the first alignment strip and, consequently, to the
longitudinal axis and a horizontal hand strip parallel to the
second alignment strip and, impliedly, to the transversal axis of
symmetry. A pair of foot reference zones is used. Each of said pair
of foot reference zones is located at a lower part of the mat, on
each side of the first alignment strip. It constitutes a mirror
image of the other one, and is formed by a vertical foot strip
parallel to the first alignment strip and, consequently, to the
longitudinal axis of symmetry; and a horizontal foot strip,
parallel to the second alignment strip and, impliedly, to the
transversal axis of symmetry. In one aspect of this invention, a
pair of reference zones is used. Each of the reference zones has a
center situated on the second alignment strip and includes a
vertical reference line perpendicular to a horizontal reference
line, the former and the latter reference lines intersecting in a
center. The vertical reference line is parallel to the first
alignment strip, while the horizontal reference line can be
identified with the second alignment strip. In another aspect of
the invention, a first plurality of target strips is used. At least
two adjacent target strips of the plurality of target strips are
disposed above and beneath each of the horizontal hand and foot
strips, parallel to the horizontal hand and foot strips and
perpendicular to the vertical hand and foot strips.
[0009] In yet another aspect of this invention, a first plurality
of target strips is used. At least two adjacent target strips of
the first plurality of target strips are disposed above and beneath
each of the horizontal hand and foot strips, parallel to said
horizontal hand and foot strips and perpendicular to each of the
vertical hand and foot strips. A second plurality of target strips
is used substantially as the first plurality of target strips, but
disposed in conjunction with the reference zones and perpendicular
to the horizontal reference zones.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first variant of the
mat;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second variant of the
mat;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third variant of the mat;
and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a forth variant of the
mat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an
exercise mat 10, formed from a pliable sheet 11 and having a size
to comfortably accommodate a person thereon. Sheet 11 is formed of
any lightweight, cushioning and insulating material, which provides
a smooth, unbroken top surface, and has a basically rectangular
periphery. The latter is defined by two parallel side edges 12 and
two parallel end edges 14, the former being longer than and
perpendicular to the latter. One longitudinal and one transversal
axes of symmetry 16 and 18, respectively, which intersect in a
center of symmetry 20, define geometrically mat 10. In a first
variant of the present invention (see FIG. 1), to sheet 11 is added
a first alignment strip 22 extending substantially along
longitudinal axis of symmetry 16 toward parallel end edges 14 and a
second alignment strip 24 extending substantially along transversal
axis of symmetry 18 toward parallel side edges 12.
[0015] First and second alignment strips 22 and 24 are intended as
a basic reference to allow a user to generally position his/her
body with respect to the surface of mat 10. It is obvious, that
first and second alignment strips 22 and 24 do not need to be
repositioned depending on the size of a user's body, therefore they
are not adjustable or removable and, hence, they are permanently
secured to or imprinted on sheet 11.
[0016] For proper positioning of hands during floor exercises or
other type of exercises using mat 10, for example when a user lies
face down with his/her hands on mat 10 in front of and to the sides
of the shoulders, mat 10 includes a pair of hand reference zones
26. Each hand reference zone 26 is located at an upper part of mat
10, on each side of first alignment strip 22, and constitutes a
mirror image of the other one. A hand reference zone 26, which is
used as an alignment reference to the hands, is formed by two
perpendicularly intersecting strips: a vertical hand strip 28
parallel to first alignment strip 22 and, consequently, to
longitudinal axis of symmetry 16 and a horizontal hand strip 30
parallel to second alignment strip 24 and, impliedly, to
transversal axis of symmetry 18 of mat 10. For proper positioning
of feet during floor exercises and other type of exercises using
mat 10, for example, a forward bend posture when the user sits with
one or both legs stretched straight out in front of him/her, mat 10
comprises a pair of foot reference zones 32. Each foot reference
zone 32 is located at a lower part of mat 10, on each side of first
alignment strip 22, so that one foot reference zone 32 constitutes
a mirror image of the other one.
[0017] Each foot reference zone 32 is formed from two
perpendicularly intersecting strips: a vertical foot strip 34,
parallel to first alignment strip 22 and, consequently, to
longitudinal axis of symmetry 16 and a horizontal foot strip 36,
parallel to second alignment strip 24 and, impliedly, to
transversal axis of symmetry 18 of mat 10.
[0018] Alternatively, first variant comprises only hand and foot
reverence zones 26 and 32, respectively. No first and second
alignment strips 22 and 24 are used.
[0019] A second variant, (see FIG. 2), is formed from the first
variant, to which is added a pair of side reference zones 38
intended for spacing options, such as, for example, kneeling
posture, arms resting to the sides or the user lying sideways. Each
side reference zone 38 has a center 40 situated on second alignment
strip 24 and includes a vertical reference line 42 perpendicular to
a horizontal reference line 44, the former and the latter
intersecting in center 40. Vertical reference line 42 is parallel
to first alignment strip 22, while horizontal reference line 44 can
be identified with second alignment strip 24.
[0020] In a third variant of this invention (see FIG. 3), the first
described variant further comprises a plurality of target strips
46. Thus, above and beneath each horizontal hand or foot strips 30
and 36 respectively, at least two adjacent target strips 46 are
used. Each target strip 46 is located parallel to horizontal hand
and foot strips 30 and 36 and perpendicular to each vertical hand
and foot strips 28 and 34.
[0021] The utility of target strips 46 resides in the fact that
during practice they serve to measure incremental achievements or
proposed goals.
[0022] A fourth variant, (see FIG. 4), incorporates, firstly,
second variant, wherein a plurality of target strips 46 is used in
conjunction with hand and foot reference zones 26 and 32, and,
secondly, another plurality of target strips 46 used similarly, but
in conjunction with side reference zones 38 and perpendicularly to
horizontal reference line 44.
[0023] First and second alignment strips 22 and 24, vertical and
horizontal hand strips 28 and 30, vertical and horizontal foot
strips 34 and 36, and target strips 46 are substantially identical
to each other and, preferably, have a rectangular top view. The
above-mentioned strips are formed of any suitable material,
preferably of a different color than sheet 11, and can be attached
to the latter by sewing, bonding using suitable adhesives, Velcro
fastenings or other conventional fabrication technique.
[0024] In order to enable the user of mat 10 to meet specific needs
of bodywork, the strips belonging to hand reference zones 26, foot
reference zones 32 and side reference zones 38 are so attached,
that they can be readily removed and repositioned numerous times.
Thus, teaching, training and practice, using mat 10 described and
claimed in the present invention, become efficient and
comfortable.
[0025] Alternatively, instead of using permanently attached or
removable strips, use can be made of strips imprinted on the upper
surface of mat 10.
* * * * *