U.S. patent application number 10/772117 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for yoga mat carry bag.
Invention is credited to Uretzky-Miller, Carly.
Application Number | 20050172402 10/772117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34826568 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050172402 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uretzky-Miller, Carly |
August 11, 2005 |
Yoga mat carry bag
Abstract
A carry bag for an inserted rolled yoga mat having an air
permeable end cap to ventilate the mat when placed within.
Inventors: |
Uretzky-Miller, Carly;
(Marlboro, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles I. Brodsky, Esq.
2 Bucks Lane
Marlboro
NJ
07746
US
|
Family ID: |
34826568 |
Appl. No.: |
10/772117 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/417 ;
5/420 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/02 20130101; A45C
13/1046 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101; A45C 2003/002 20130101; A63C
19/04 20130101; A45F 2003/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/417 ;
005/420 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/06 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. The combination comprising; a carry bag of substantially
cylindrical configuration having an open first end and a closed
opposite second end; and a rolled yoga mat inserted through said
first end into said carry bag; with said carry bag having a
diameter to enclose said yoga mat rolled with or without an
encircling band-in holding the mat furled; and with said closed
second end of said carry bag being air permeable to ventilate said
inserted yoga mat.
15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said yoga mat when unrolled
is of a length of 5'-6' and of a width of 3'-4'.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said yoga mat is of a
thickness of 1/8"-2".
17. The combination of claim 14, including a drawstring at such
first end for closing said bag in protecting said mat against such
environmental elements as rain, sleet and snow.
18. The combination of claim 14, including a shoulder strap on an
outside surface of said carry bag extending between top and bottom
portions thereof.
19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said carry bag is composed
of a non-synthetic fabric having a closed second end comprised of a
crocheted end cap.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said non-synthetic fabric
is selected from the group of cottons, velvets, velours, silks,
brocades and tapestries.
21. The combination of claim 20 wherein said non-synthetic fabric
is composed of one of a rich color and pattern display.
22. The combination of claim 20 wherein said non-synthetic fabric
is of a floral, batik, and nature scene display.
23. The combination of claim 20 wherein said carry bag is one of
substantially 9".times.29" and 11".times.33" diameter and length
dimensions, respectively.
24. A carry bag of substantially cylindrical configuration having
an open first end and a closed opposite second end to hold a rolled
yoga mat inserted through said first end, with said closed second
end being air permeable to ventilate said mat when placed within,
and with said carry bag having a diameter to enclose said yoga mat
rolled with or without an encircling band in holding the mat
furled.
25. The carry bag of claim 24 wherein said carry bag is composed of
a non-synthetic material.
26. The carry bag of claim 24 wherein said carry bag is composed of
a non-synthetic fabric having a closed second end comprised of a
crocheted end cap.
27. The carry bag of claim 24 wherein said carry bag is composed of
a non-synthetic fabric having a closed second end comprised of a
crocheted end cap, and including a shoulder strap on an outside
surface of said carry bag extending between top and bottom portions
thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NONE
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Research and development of this invention and Application
have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under
any Federal program.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] NOT APPLICABLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates to the practice of yoga, in general,
and to the veneration of yoga as an art form, in particular.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Yoga, as a steady practice, has burgeoned in recent years
from an estimated five Million practitioners to approximately ten
Million practitioners. As is known, in revitalizing and
rejuvenating the yoga practitioner to enhance overall health,
different disciplines have evolved. With Bikram yoga, for example,
some 26 poses always done in the same order, and always with the
same dialogue is one favored discipline, employing mirrors and
bright lights in a heated studio. Kripalu yoga, on the other hand,
preferred by its many adherents, is practiced with soft lights
attended by soft music, with very gentle, very slow stretching
movements followed by meditational periods. Other disciplines exist
between these two--with some, such as Iyengar yoga, employing props
as straps, blocks, etc.
[0008] As is well known, the mats utilized in the yoga experience
are of a size and thickness that depend on the type of yoga being
practiced. Typically 5-6 feet long and 3-4 feet wide, these mats
often range between 1/8 and 2 inch thick, with the thinner mats
being used as a "travel mat", and with the thicker mats being used
where a greater protection for the spine is desired, as when
rolling on a hardwood floor.
[0009] As will be understood and appreciated, serious devotees of
yoga recognize that yoga is something more than exercise. Because
yoga is a practice that cleanses the body, synthetic clothing is
often avoided when performing its movements. Many practitioners
believe in the yoga philosophy of "Ahimsa", or "Do no harm", and
therefore adhere to a vegetarian diet; leather products are also
avoided. The science of yoga also fosters introspection and respect
for ritual. For such reasons, many practitioners value their yoga
props including their mats, which they may carry to each class with
them under an arm, and then store in the back seat or trunk of
their automobile until returning to class again.
[0010] As will become clear from the following description, the
present invention affords an easier and more protective way of
carrying the mat than under one's arm, either rolled up or
unravelled. But, moreover, as the mat is where the spirit of yoga
begins, the teachings of the invention recognize the mat as being
something which is functional, beautiful and personal to the
devotee's ritual of yoga practice--something to be treated with
respect. And, as the present invention serves to protect and to
treat the mat with a respect that can enhance the practice itself,
the teachings of the invention will be understood to allow for its
use for all the yoga disciplines and for all the types of mats
employed, no matter their size or composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] As will become clear from the description below, a carry bag
is provided to allow ventilation of the mat when the mat is placed
within. Being of substantially cylindrical configuration, the carry
bag holds a rolled yoga mat without an encircling band, and permits
its protection against such environmental elements as rain, sleet
and snow. Employed with a shoulder strap on the bag extending on an
outside surface between its top and bottom portions, the bag can
easily be carried about--with a drawstring closure being provided,
furthermore, in closing the bag against precipitating ambient
conditions.
[0012] As will be seen, a preferable construction of the carry bag
is one in which a crocheted end cap is provided to hold the rolled
mat, with air permeable openings to ventilate the mat no matter the
stitching or thread diameters employed. Whether loops, puff or
popcorn stitches are employed, or whether the crochet be from chain
stitch or triple crochet and long stitches, the interlocking
crocheted needlework formed with the thread and hooked needle will
be appreciated to allow a "breathing" for the mat whether composed
of rubber or otherwise.
[0013] As practitioners in the yoga community comport themselves in
treating their mat as their own special space, the carry bag of the
invention will be appreciated to be an emolument to the caring for,
and respecting of, this space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features of the present invention will be
more clearly understood from a consideration of the following
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0015] FIGS. 1a-2c are top, bottom and side views of one form of
carry bag constructed in accordance with the invention; and
[0016] FIGS. 2a-2d are top, bottom, side and rear views of a second
carry bag construction embodying the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to the Drawings, the carry bag of the invention 10
is composed of a non-synthetic material--preferably a non-synthetic
fabric selected from the group of cottons, velvets, velours, silks,
brocades and tapestries. (Synthetic materials such as nylon are
noted to be given a chemical coating when manufactured in helping
to keep the fabric clean; which, over time, leaches off as a
toxic-considered gas disfavored by the yoga community.) Exceedingly
simple to manufacture when made of cotton, the carry bag 10 has an
open first end 12 and a closed opposite second end 14, in giving
the bag a substantially cylindrical configuration. With a rolled
yoga mat 16 inserted within the bag 10 via the end 12, the mat 16
is held in place--but with the end 14 being yet selected to be air
permeable in allowing ventilation of the mat in allowing it to
breathe. In a preferred construction of the invention in optimizing
this feature while providing an attractive cosmetic appearance, the
second end 14 of the bag 10 is in the nature of a crocheted end
cap. In particular, the crocheted interlocking of its looped
stitches formed with a hooked needle and thread provides this
degree of permeability no matter the type of stitch style being
utilized.
[0018] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, as yoga
mats are typically 5-6' long and 3-4' wide, with a thickness
typically 1/8"-2", the dimensions selected for the carry bag 10
would be selected to receive and accommodate these types of mats.
For a "small" mat, a substantially cylindrically configured carry
bag 10 according to the invention may be of a 9" diameter and 29"
length, whereas an 11".times.33" dimension bag would suffice for a
"large" size mat. When non-synthetic fabrics are employed for the
non-synthetic material of the carry bag 10, they can be composed of
rich colors or of a patterned display in providing an attractive
look. Such patterns found to receive great acceptance include
florals, batiks, and nature scene displays, whether composed of a
one-piece fabric (as in the carry bag of FIGS. 1a-1c), or of a
multi-piece fabric (as at 50, 60 in the carry bag of FIGS.
2a-2d).
[0019] As many yoga practitioners view their mats as their "sacred
space", and "where yoga begins", the carry bag of the present
invention also may include a drawstring 18 at the open first end 12
for closing and tieing the bag in protecting the mat within against
such environmental elements as rain, sleet and snow. Composed of
cord, string, or interwoven threads in any well-known manner, such
"ties" pass around the bag at an upper portion 26 adjacent its open
end 12, through any type of channel 20 formed by a folding-over of
the fabric material. In the configuration of FIGS. 2a-2d, such
drawstring 18 (of sections 18a, 18b) continues in extension
downward toward a join 28 at a bottom portion 22 of the bag 10 in
forming a two-strand shoulder strap 24 to allow for easy carrying
of the mat, in manner far more convenient and far less cumbersome
than trying to carry the mat--rolled or unrolled--under one's arm.
(Storage between usage, will also be seen easier and cleaner, in
manner consistent with the overall honoring of the place that the
mat forms in the yoga practitioners lifestyle.) In FIGS. 1a-1c, on
the other hand, the shoulder strap 24 forms a component separate
from the drawstring 18, in extending on the outside surface of the
bag upwardly from its bottom portion 22 toward its top portion
26.
[0020] As FIGS. 1b and 2b illustrate, different forms and designs
of crochet are available according to the invention. Types of
threads and yarns employed, diameters utilized, finishes, colors
and dyes will be appreciated to be within the scope of the
invention, as they all will be seen to provide the air permeability
in ventilating the mat and allowing it to breathe. Such feature
will be understood to be particularly important for those yoga
disciplines comporting active movements producing perspiration. The
air permeability thus fosters the drying of the mat and the
dispensation of otherwise accumulated odors.
[0021] While there have been described what are considered to be
preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be
made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. For
at least such reason, therefore, resort should be had to the claims
appended hereto for a true understanding of the invention.
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