U.S. patent application number 10/420609 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for grid on an exercise product and exercise system therewith.
Invention is credited to Koenig, Marion Ruth H..
Application Number | 20040214692 10/420609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33298527 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040214692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koenig, Marion Ruth H. |
October 28, 2004 |
Grid on an exercise product and exercise system therewith
Abstract
An exercise product and an exercise system using it has a grid
of at least first marks on a surface of the exercise product. The
first marks incorporate or are associated with indicia. Preferably,
the first marks are first straight lines, the grid further
comprises second straight lines orthogonal to and intersecting the
first straight lines and the indicia are incorporated into the
second straight lines by the second straight lines comprising
dashes.
Inventors: |
Koenig, Marion Ruth H.;
(Lindenhurst, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ladas & Parry
26 West 61st Street
New York
NY
10023
US
|
Family ID: |
33298527 |
Appl. No.: |
10/420609 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/23 ;
482/909 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0694 20130101;
A63B 21/4037 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/023 ;
482/909 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
1. In an exercise product, the improvement comprising: a grid of at
least first marks on a surface of the exercise product, the marks
incorporating or being associated with indicia.
2. The exercise product claim 1, wherein the first marks are first
straight lines, the grid further comprises second straight lines
orthogonal to and intersecting the first straight lines and the
indicia are incorporated into the second straight lines by the
second straight lines comprising dashes.
3. The exercise product of claim 2, and further comprising
sequential indicia associated with at least one of the first and
second straight lines.
4. The exercise product of claim 3, wherein the sequential indicia
are at opposite ends of the first and second straight lines.
5. The exercise product of claim 2, and further comprising
graduations along at least one of the lines.
6. The exercise product of claim 4, and further comprising
graduations along at least one of the lines.
7. The exercise product of claim 2, wherein the exercise product is
a mat.
8. The exercise product of claim 4, wherein the exercise product is
a mat.
9. The exercise product of claim 6, wherein the exercise product is
a mat.
10. The exercise product of claim 6, wherein the dashes and
graduations are of the same interval.
11. The exercise product claim 1, wherein the first marks are first
straight lines, the grid further comprises second straight lines
orthogonal to and intersecting the first straight lines, the lines
having convex or concave projection from the surface of the
exercise product.
12. The exercise product of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
first and second straight lines has convex or concave projection
from the surface of the exercise product.
13. The exercise product according to claim 12, wherein there are
an even number of at least one of the first and second straight
lines in the grid.
14. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 1.
15. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 2.
16. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 4.
17. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 6.
18. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 1.
19. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 10.
20. An exercise system comprising exercising on an exercise product
according to claim 12.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a grid of marks, preferably
straight lines intersecting orthogonally and incorporating or
associated with indicia, for use on an exercise product such as a
mat, dumbbell, power band, cushion or pillow and a system of
exercise therewith to orient the exercise such as weight
training/strength training, pilates, posture improvement, dance
movement, physical therapy and sports programs.
[0002] The lineless mats used widely by individuals for exercises
in homes and gyms offer no guides for orienting the exercises
relative to the individuals' bodies. Only an individuals'
perceptions indicate the relative alignment of body parts, for
example. As a result, exercise may be inefficient, because one
cannot be certain when one's feet, hips, and/or hands are
equidistant apart from each other in comparison with one's knees,
hips and shoulders. Nor can one be certain that one's feet, hips,
and/or hands remain in an aligned, safe-for-joints position, and
not a misaligned position that can cause discomfort in a knee, hip
or shoulder joint, for example. Such misalignment can lead to
serious injuries requiring surgery.
[0003] A grid of orthogonal lines on a mat is disclosed in Marquez
U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,013 of May 14, 2002, for example, which is
incorporated by reference to avoid having to repeat its disclosures
for use in yoga, for example. Using the mat for other exercises is
not substantially described.
[0004] Moreover, these known grid lines are all solid lines and not
associated with indicia, let alone sequential indicia. Therefore,
it is difficult to know whether one has oriented one's hands behind
them one line or two lines apart, for example, because one line
looks like another. Further, because the lines are neither
identified in sequence, nor with graduations therebetween, it is
not as easy to gauge improvement in exercise from time to time as,
for example, reaching last week to a line at indicia B and reaching
next week in the same exercise to a line at indicia C or,
preferably, C plus two graduations. Graduations between lines would
also permit the grid lines to be farther apart for orienting and/or
aligning larger body parts and/or movements while at the same time
providing a measure of the smaller incremental improvements in an
improvement that may provide an incentive for continuation.
[0005] The grid of orthogonal lines disclosed in the Marquez US
Patent includes orthogonal center lines. Having center lines tends
to orient exercises to the center of the mat, which wastes the
space on the mat opposite the direction of the exercise in contrast
to an even number of grid lines providing an interstice or space
between grid lines in the center of the mat, whereby to tend to
shift forward exercises back on the mat and vice versa without
giving the impression of using the edge of the mat and, thereby,
use of the area of the mat more efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, a grid of marks, preferably straight lines
intersecting orthogonally and incorporating and/or associated with
indicia that are preferably sequential, is provided on a surface of
an exercise product as described above or other equivalents
thereof. The indicia of the marks include width, solid versus
dashed, straight versus wavy, color and convex or concave
protrusion relative to the surface of the exercise product and
other equivalent means of differentiating one mark or group of
marks from another, as well as sequential indicia like letters
and/or numbers associated with the marks.
[0007] The exercise system with the grid applies to weight
training/strength training, pilates, posture improvement, dance
movement, physical therapy and sports programs is a fitness tool to
convert the exercise into a posture improvement secession that
helps one look leaner, stand taller, and glow. More specifically,
using the easy alignment of the exercise system helps avoid joint
and lower back injuries by constantly coaching alignment of feet
and joints.
[0008] The exercise system preferably relates to a workout mat
specifically designed to improve the value of one's exercise
regimen. It provides a scientifically designed grid to assist
correct alignment for each exercise. The discipline provided by
this grid improves the effectiveness of each exercise, thereby
providing the user greater value from the user's exercise routine,
regardless of what the routine is.
[0009] The exercise system is suitable for all exercises, whether
standing, sitting, prone, supine or on a side. When starting a
standing exercise, for example, one place one's toes on a dashed
line of a preferred embodiment of the grid with outsides of the
feet on solid lines about shoulder width apart. A squat can then be
performed while making sure one's knees do not project beyond one's
toes and, by doing so, one gently pushes one's pelvis back as
though going into a seat. Alternatively, a lunge can be directed
along the solid line at one foot out to a dashed line of selected,
for example, associated sequential numerical indicia further out
than the dashed line on which the toes were placed. A plank can be
performed by kneeling on intersections of dashed line and solid
lines, placing palms on a dashed line forward along the solid lines
the knees are on and assuming a push-up position by raising the
knees with the toes rearward along the solid lines the knees were
on. Alternate legs are then raised and the toes returned to the
same solid lines they were raised from. Of course, a push-up could
also have been performed from the push-up position, the alignment
of the lines between hands and knees or toes helping to develop
opposite sides of the body evenly. These core exercises of the
lower back and abs are of prime importance.
[0010] For lateral movements, the outsides of the feet can be
placed along dashed lines of the preferred embodiment and one then
moved along a solid line to a farther dashed line in a side lunge.
By noting a sequential, e.g. numerical indicia associated with the
farther dashed line, repetitions can be kept uniform to the same
farther dashed line can be kept uniform and improvement in
performance (longer side lung to a farther dashed line of a
succeeding indicia) over time can noted for encouragement.
[0011] For side leg raises, a lower side of the body can be aligned
along a solid line of the preferred embodiment and a forearm
aligned with an orthogonal dashed line under a shoulder to raise
the shoulder with the upper arm. The upper leg can then be raised
parallel to the solid line the body is along.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] A preferred embodiment of the grid on a surface of a mat and
exercises therewith that illustrate but do not limit the invention
is shown in the drawing, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is top/front/left-side perspective view of a grid on
a surface of a mat;
[0014] FIG. 2 is top/right-side photographic view of lunge exercise
on the mat;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top/front photographic view of a cobra position
on the mat;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top/front/right-side photographic view of a
ballet stretch using the mat;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top/front photographic view of core elasticity
evaluation session using the mat;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top/left-side photographic view of a weighted
plie squat using the mat;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a photographic view of the mat in a rolled,
portable condition;
[0020] FIGS. 8a and 8b are photographic views of use of the mat and
other like mats in a class;
[0021] FIG. 9a is a top/front/right-side photographic view of a
push-up on the mat; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top/front/right-side photographic view of a leg
lift on the mat and a like mat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] In the FIGS., a mat 100 (all reference characters are shown
in FIG. 1) is preferably a sheet of rubber-like, soft,
water-resistant, resilient material 6 feet long by 2 feet wide by
1/4 inch thick. One 6 foot by 2 foot surface of the mat that will
be the top for exercise use has a grid of straight, orthogonal
lengthwise lines 12 and widthwise lines 14. Although the mat and
the grid are substantially co-extensive in the preferred
embodiment, in other embodiments (not shown) the grid may be
non-orthogonal or substantially less extensive than the surface of
mat or other exercise product it is on.
[0024] The widthwise lines 14 are dashed so as to incorporate an
indicia distinguishing them from the lengthwise lines 12. In other
embodiments (not shown) the incorporated indicia may be respective
colors or widths of the orthogonal lines or, preferably,
convexities or concavities relative to the surface of the exercise
product the grid is on for non-visual, tactile distinction.
[0025] The lines are 1/4 inch wide, except a center line 12a of the
lengthwise lines 12, which is 1/2 inch wide. The center line has
graduation marks 16 along one side at the same repetition rate as
the dashes of the widthwise lines, whereby both the lengthwise and
widthwise lines are graduated. In other embodiments (not shown)
only one or none of the lines may be graduated.
[0026] In addition, there are pairs of sequential indicia A, B, C,
D and E at and defining opposite ends of the lengthwise lines 12
and pairs of sequential indicia 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 at
and defining opposite ends of the widthwise lines 14 to be
associated therewith. The indicia at the opposite ends are
oppositely oriented longitudinally. The combination of the
graduations and sequential indicia, particularly, makes it possible
to evaluate (mark) the success of an exercise on the mat, e.g.
stretching from line 5 to line 7 and incremental improvement
therein, e.g. next stretching from line 5 to line 7 and two
graduations on centerline 12a.
[0027] Although there are an odd number of lengthwise lines,
whereby to have the centerline 12a, there are an even number of ten
widthwise lines 14, whereby to have an interstice or space in the
lengthwise center of the grid and, in this case where the grid
extends substantially all over the mat, the mat. Because the lines
may be used to orient and/or align the starting point of an
exercise, this tends to shift or bias the starting point towards
the rearward end of the mat relative to a forward exercise, whereby
to use the rest of the mat more efficiently. Other embodiments (not
shown) may have the center interstice lengthwise as well.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a lunge exercise to 10D from a position that
should be 2B on the grid, but has shifted, thereby showing that
alignment should be corrected on the next repetition, whereby to
balance the exercise between opposite sides of the body more
exactly.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a cobra position exercise wherein line C is
used for pelvic positioning, lines 2B and 2D are used for feet
positions and lines 10A and 10E are used for hand positioning to
achieve balancing of the exercise between opposite sides of the
body.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a ballet stretch exercise using grid coordinate
lines 6B toward 6C.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a core (lower back and abs) elasticity exercise
from sitting centerline C and bending forward to slide the hands
with outsides along lines B and D as many graduations along
centerline C as comfortably possible, whereby increasing
graduations after repetitions over time may be noted.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a weighted plie squat using line D in
combination with lines 2 and 9 to fix the posture of the
exercise.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows the portability of a mat with the grid, the mat
being rolled up.
[0034] FIGS. 8a and 8b show examples of use of such mats in a class
or group setting. Due to differences in heights of members of the
class or group, each member can readily find coordinates on his/her
mat for his/her individual ability and comfort, because the lines
of the grid have distinct, discrete and sequential incorporated and
associated indicia. Thereby, the class can perform exercises in
unison, as shown, even though each member's exercise is sized to
fit that member. The grids on the respective mats for the members
allow the grids to be positioned so that an instructor (trainer)
can see each member of the class or group.
[0035] FIG. 9a shows a push-up exercise using lines 1A and 1E for
feet and space 10 E/D and space 10 A/B for the hands. The indicia
associated with the grid permit the person to return to these exact
coordinates every time a push-up work out is repeated, as is also
the case with other exercises.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows side leg raises as described above.
[0037] Still other embodiments (not shown) may have other grid
arrangements, e.g. adding or substituting diagonal or wavy lines,
and orientations, e.g. diagonally relative to the mat and/or on
only one widthwise side of it. Still other equivalent variations
and combinations as may occur to those in the art are considered as
within the scope of the following claims.
[0038] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention and, as numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *