U.S. patent application number 13/488919 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for multi-function exercise mat with detachable implements and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Vaughan WILSON. Invention is credited to Daniel Vaughan WILSON.
Application Number | 20130324382 13/488919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49670970 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130324382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILSON; Daniel Vaughan |
December 5, 2013 |
MULTI-FUNCTION EXERCISE MAT WITH DETACHABLE IMPLEMENTS AND
METHOD
Abstract
A non-planar exercise mat is disclosed comprising a plurality of
detachable handheld implements, each handheld implement serving
utilitarian function independently of the mat. Various embodiments
of the present invention comprise permanently affixed or detachable
cushions for tail-bone support; lumbar support; neck support, and
the like. Various embodiments include handles for assisting a user
in performing a variety of exercises upon, or optionally using, the
mat.
Inventors: |
WILSON; Daniel Vaughan;
(Cedar Hills, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WILSON; Daniel Vaughan |
Cedar Hills |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49670970 |
Appl. No.: |
13/488919 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0211 20130101;
A63B 21/0726 20130101; A61H 2201/0103 20130101; A63B 22/20
20130101; A61H 2201/1284 20130101; A63B 2225/62 20130101; A63B
21/4039 20151001; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/4037 20151001;
A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B 26/00 20130101; A63B 69/0062 20200801;
A61H 7/007 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A61H 2203/0456
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise mat for supporting a user during exercise, the mat
comprising: a compressible elastomeric foam pad having a non-planar
top surface, for enduring compressive forces applied by the user
during exercise, the top surface defining a regular repeating
pattern of protrusions and indentations; a plurality of implements
for detachably engaging the top surface, each implement having a
non-planar bottom surface contoured to be reciprocate the top
surface of the pad, such that the bottom surface of each implement
abuts a portion of the top surface of the pad, the engagement
inhibiting lateral movement of the implement across the top surface
of the pad.
2. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern of
protrusions and indentations, as viewed from a cross-section, is
one of wavy, grooved, sawtooth, curved, castellated, corrugated,
sinusoidal, perforated, and washboard-like.
3. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein each detachable implement
from the plurality of implements comprises one of a handle, a
hemisphere, a roller, a dome, a cube, a block, a triangular prism,
a wedge, a second pad, and a second pad with a rigid base.
4. The multi-function exercise mat of claim 1, wherein one or more
of the plurality of detachable implements further comprise one of a
tail bone support cushion, a lumbar support cushion, a knee support
cushion, a hand-wrist support cushion; a cushion for assisting with
sit-ups; a hip support cushions; a neck support cushion; a
dome-shaped balance cushion; a cylindrical roller; and a pad having
bumps for massaging the body of the user when the body is moved
laterally across the pad.
5. The multi-function exercise mat of claim 1, wherein one or more
of the detachable implements further comprises one or more of a
molded polymer handle and one or more adjustable straps for
securing portions of the user's body during exercise.
6. The multi-function exercise implement of claim 1, wherein the
implement comprises one or more of: elastomeric foam; an inflatable
polymeric bladder; a gel-filled polymer core; elastomeric foam
having a polymer core defining a hollow interior recess;
elastomeric foam having a solid polymer core; and a durable
elastomeric exterior skin.
7. The exercise mat of claim 1, further comprising one or more
implements detachable affixed to the top surface, the one or more
implements from the group consisting of: a hemisphere, a hollow
dome, a cube, a block, a triangular wedge, and a roller.
8. An exercise implement for reducing wrist strain and absorbing
impact forces during exercise between the user's hand and a ground
surface, the implement comprising: a grasping handle; and an
elastomeric body formed to conform to a shape from the group
consisting of a dome, a hemisphere, a half-cylinder, a triangular
prism, and a block; wherein the exercise performed is one of
pushups, yoga, and Pilates.
9. The exercise implement of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of
the implement is contoured to reciprocally fit contouring on a top
surface on an exercise mat.
10. The exercise implement of claim 8, wherein the grasping handle
of the implement is detachable.
11. The exercise implement of claim 8 wherein the body defines a
recess for receiving fingers of a users hand.
12. The exercise implement of claim 8, wherein the exercise is
formed from one or more of silicone gel, elastomeric foam, and a
plurality of polymers of varying force indentation deflection (FID)
rating.
13. A cylindrical exercise implement for rolling across a ground
surface, the implement comprising: a first handle affixed to an
elongated cylindrical shaft; a second handle affixed to the
elongated cylindrical shaft; wherein the elongated cylindrical
shaft spans a distance between the first handle and the second
handle, the elongated shaft of sufficient durability to support a
user's body weight; and an elastomeric foam cylinder rotatably
affixed to the shaft, such that the foam cylinder rotates axially
around the shaft, wherein the foam cylinder is able to support a
user's weight as it rolls over a surface.
14. The exercise implement of claim 13, wherein an exterior surface
of the foam cylinder is contoured to reciprocally fit contouring on
a contoured top surface on an exercise mat as the implement rolls
across the exercise mat.
15. The exercise implement of claim 13, wherein the foam cylinder,
first handle, and second handle are all detachable from the
elongated cylindrical shaft.
16. The exercise implement of claim 13, wherein the shaft is
telescopic such that the first handle and second handle may be
adjustably extended laterally relative to the foam cylinder.
17. An exercise implement for cushioning a body of a user
performing sit-ups, the implement comprising: a compressible
polymeric pad for supporting a user's tailbone region and
lower-back, the pad having a top surface, a left sidewall, and a
right sidewall; and one or more of the following: one or more
straps affixed to the one or more of the left sidewall and the
right sidewall, the straps for securing the user's body to the
implement; and a plurality of molded polymeric handles affixed to
the implement.
18. The exercise implement of claim 17, wherein a bottom surface of
the exercise implement is contoured to reciprocally fit contouring
on a top surface on an exercise mat.
19. The exercise implement of claim 17, further comprising raised
cushions for supporting rear lumbar and front gluteus regions of a
user's body, wherein the cushions provide massaging effect during
exercise.
20. A non-inflated elastic foam exercise dome comprising one of: a
convex body; a rigid polymer base affixed to a bottom surface of
the convex body, wherein a width of the polymer base exceeds a
maximum width of the convex body; one or more handles affixed to a
top surface of the base, the handles disposed laterally to the
convex body.
21. The exercise implement of claim 20, wherein a bottom surface of
the exercise dome is contoured to reciprocally fit contouring on a
top surface on an exercise mat.
22. An elastomeric massage implement for supporting and massing a
user's back while performing sit-ups comprising: one or more of: a
generally planar polymeric pad of having a top surface and a
polymeric wedge having a top surface; and a series of upwardly
protruding foam bumps for massaging and supporting a user's body;
wherein a surface area of the top surface of the exercise implement
is less than 7 square feet.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein a bottom surface of the massage
implement is contoured to reciprocally fit contouring on a top
surface on an exercise mat.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to exercise equipment, and more
particularly relates to an elastomeric mat for supporting and
assisting a user in performing various exercises.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Various types of exercise mats are known in the art to help
cushion the body of users exercising on the mats, including yoga
and gymnastics. Although the thickness and indentation force
deflection (IFD) ratings of these mats vary, each generally
comprises an elastomeric foam mattress which, in some embodiments,
has a carpet or fiber top-surface for engaging a user's body or
pressure points on a user's body.
[0005] As users of these mats exercise, sweat from a user's body
can make the mats slippery. Sometimes incidental exercise tools do
not remain in place when force is exerted on them, such as
dumbbells. Pressure points on a user's body in contact with the mat
may become painful, including elbows, knees, hips and shoulders,
because of the lack of sufficient designating cushioning on the mat
for those areas. Users may also find themselves in need of a means
of securing themselves, or portions of their bodies, to the mat
while performing exercises for increasing core strength,
flexibility, and/or strengthening in the upper and lower body
muscles, such as sit ups.
[0006] The prior art teaches mats lacking in this functionality.
The mats in the prior art are designed only to provide a support
cushion between the user and a hardened subgrade, and not to
provide a cushion with implements that play a role as a tool in the
exercises being performed upon the mats themselves.
[0007] Thus it would be highly beneficial to provide a exercise mat
that increases cushion to specific pressure point and comprises
implements to assist a user in targeting certain muscle areas for
development, conditioning, and/or physical therapy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a
need exists for an improved multi-function exercise mat.
Beneficially, such an exercise mat would overcome many of the
difficulties with prior art by providing a more functional
apparatus to consumers.
[0009] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available apparatii and methods. Accordingly, the
present invention has been developed to provide an exercise mat for
supporting a user during exercise, the mat comprising: a
compressible elastomeric foam pad having a non-planar top surface,
for enduring compressive forces applied by the user during
exercise, the top surface defining a regular repeating pattern of
protrusions and indentations; a plurality of implements for
detachably engaging the top surface, each implement having a
non-planar bottom surface contoured to be reciprocate the top
surface of the pad, such that the bottom surface of each implement
abuts a portion of the top surface of the pad, the engagement
inhibiting lateral movement of the implement across the top surface
of the pad.
[0010] The repeating pattern of protrusions and indentations, as
viewed from a cross-section, may be one of wavy, grooved, sawtooth,
curved, castellated, corrugated, sinusoidal, perforated, and
washboard-like.
[0011] Each detachable implement from the plurality of implements
may comprise one of a handle, a hemisphere, a roller, a dome, a
cube, a block, a triangular prism, a wedge, a second pad, and a
second pad with a rigid base.
[0012] One or more of the plurality of detachable implements may
further comprise one of a tail bone support cushion, a lumbar
support cushion, a knee support cushion, a hand-wrist support
cushion; a cushion for assisting with sit-ups; a hip support
cushions; a neck support cushion; a dome-shaped balance cushion; a
cylindrical roller; and a pad having bumps for massaging the body
of the user when the body is moved laterally across the pad.
[0013] One or more of the detachable implements may further
comprise one or more of a molded polymer handle and one or more
adjustable straps for securing portions of the user's body during
exercise.
[0014] The implement may comprise one or more of: elastomeric foam;
an inflatable polymeric bladder; a gel-filled polymer core;
elastomeric foam having a polymer core defining a hollow interior
recess; elastomeric foam having a solid polymer core; and a durable
elastomeric exterior skin.
[0015] The exercise mat may further comprise one or more implements
detachable affixed to the top surface, the one or more implements
from the group consisting of: a hemisphere, a hollow dome, a cube,
a block, a triangular wedge, and a roller.
[0016] An exercise implement for reducing wrist strain and
absorbing impact forces during exercise between the user's hand and
a ground surface is also disclosed, the implement comprising: a
grasping handle; and an elastomeric body formed to conform to a
shape from the group consisting of a dome, a hemisphere, a
half-cylinder, a triangular prism, and a block; wherein the
exercise performed is one of pushups, yoga, and Pilates.
[0017] A bottom surface of the implement may be contoured to
reciprocally fit contouring on a top surface on an exercise
mat.
[0018] In some embodiments, the grasping handle of the implement
may be detachable. In other embodiments, the body defines a recess
for receiving fingers of a users hand. In still further
embodiments, the implement is formed from one or more of silicone
gel, elastomeric foam, and a plurality of polymers of varying force
indentation deflection (FID) rating.
[0019] A cylindrical exercise implement for rolling across a ground
surface is disclosed, the implement comprising: a first handle
affixed to an elongated cylindrical shaft; a second handle affixed
to the elongated cylindrical shaft; wherein the elongated
cylindrical shaft spans a distance between the first handle and the
second handle, the elongated shaft of sufficient durability to
support a user's body weight; and an elastomeric foam cylinder
rotatably affixed to the shaft, such that the foam cylinder rotates
axially around the shaft, wherein the foam cylinder is able to
support a user's weight as it rolls over a surface.
[0020] An exterior surface of the foam cylinder may be contoured to
reciprocally fit contouring on a contoured top surface on an
exercise mat as the implement rolls across the exercise mat.
[0021] The foam cylinder, first handle, and second handle may all
be detachable from the elongated cylindrical shaft. The shaft may
be telescopic such that the first handle and second handle may be
adjustably extended laterally relative to the foam cylinder.
[0022] An exercise implement for cushioning a body of a user
performing sit-ups is also disclosed, the implement comprising: a
compressible polymeric pad for supporting a user's tailbone region
and lower-back, the pad having a top surface, a left sidewall, and
a right sidewall; and one or more of the following: one or more
straps affixed to the one or more of the left sidewall and the
right sidewall, the straps for securing the user's body to the
implement; and a plurality of molded polymeric handles affixed to
the implement.
[0023] A bottom surface of the exercise implement may be contoured
to reciprocally fit contouring on a top surface on an exercise
mat.
[0024] The exercise implement may further comprise raised cushions
for supporting rear lumbar and front gluteus regions of a user's
body, wherein the cushions provide massaging effect during
exercise.
[0025] A non-inflated elastic foam exercise dome is also disclosed
comprising one of: a convex body; a rigid polymer base affixed to a
bottom surface of the convex body, wherein a width of the polymer
base exceeds a maximum width of the convex body; one or more
handles affixed to a top surface of the base, the handles disposed
laterally to the convex body.
[0026] A bottom surface of the exercise dome may be contoured to
reciprocally fit contouring on a top surface on an exercise
mat.
[0027] An elastomeric massage implement for supporting and massing
a user's back while performing sit-ups is disclosed comprising: one
or more of: a generally planar polymeric pad of having a top
surface and a polymeric wedge having a top surface; and a series of
upwardly protruding foam bumps for massaging and supporting a
user's body; wherein a surface area of the top surface of the
exercise implement is less than 7 square feet.
[0028] A bottom surface of the massage implement may be contoured
to reciprocally fit contouring on a top surface on an exercise
mat.
[0029] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a multifunction exercise
mat and bottom perspective view of a detachable implement in
accordance with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a detachable handle in
accordance with the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of a detachable
dome-shaped handle in accordance with the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of a detachable
parallelette in accordance with the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2D is a top perspective view of a second detachable
handle in accordance with the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2E is a side perspective view of a roller in accordance
with the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of gripping a dome-shaped
detachable handle in accordance with the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a multifunction special
purpose cushion implement in accordance with the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a multifunction
detachable special purpose cushion implement in accordance with the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a multifunction special
purpose cushion implement in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0041] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view a detachable dome with
molded handles in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout
this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the
same embodiment.
[0043] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description,
numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be
practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with
other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the
invention.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a section of a
multifunction exercise mat 100 and bottom perspective view of a
detachable implement in accordance with the present invention. The
exercise mat 100 comprises a pad 102, a washboard top surface 104,
an implement 106, and a bottom surface 108.
[0045] The pad 102 comprises is a soft but durable exercise/yoga
pad to provide extra body support during exercises such as Pilates,
yoga, push-ups, sit-ups and the like. The object of the present
invention is to facilitate the optional use of a series of novel
small-to-medium size movable-detachable implements 106 which
themselves comprise soft compressible foam implements for
supporting the tail bone, gluteus region, lumbar region, upper
back, wrists, hips, legs, arms, head and neck. These implements 106
stay in place on the pad 102 by interlocking a contoured bottom
surface 108 with a reciprocally contoured top surface 104. These
surface 104, 108 may comprise bumps and dimples, washboard-like
surfaces, or any other regularly repeating pattern or protrusions
and indentations, including a series of small polymer pins
insertable into a system of bores or holes on a grid covering a
surface 104, 108.
[0046] The pad 102, plus the complimentary detachable implements,
not only provides comfort and support during exercises but some
also enables the body to be raised sufficiently high off the ground
as to increase the range of motion of the body of a user during
exercises, as well as to make exercises such as long leg and back
raises more bearable. In addition to all this some pads have a
distinctive massaging effect when the body rolls over them during
exercise. Many pads have their own novel design/use as further
described below.
[0047] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a detachable handle 200
in accordance with the present invention. The handle 200 comprises
a bottom surface 108, a handle 202 and an oblong bumper 204.
[0048] The handle 202 comprises an elongated semi-rigid tube,
staff, pipe, dowel, or the like. The handle 200, formed by all of
its components 108, 202, 204, may comprise one integrated piece
formed during manufacture. The handle 202 may also be formed, in
other embodiments, separately from the bumpers 204. The handle 202
may comprise a more rigid, harder components than the bumpers
204.
[0049] In the shown embodiment, the handle 200 comprises bumpers
204 at both ends of the handle 200 for preventing the hands from
slipping off the handle 200.
[0050] The handle 200 may be formed from elastomeric or polymeric
materials, as well as wood, metal alloys, or with other materials
known to those of skill in the art.
[0051] FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of a detachable
dome-shaped handle 210 in accordance with the present invention.
The detachable handle 210 comprises a dome 212, a base 202, and a
detachable secondary handle and flexible strap 214.
[0052] The dome 212 comprises a hemisphere affixed to the bottom
surface 108 with a recessed cylindrical member whose diameter does
not exceed that of the dome 212. The dome 212 serves as a handle or
pivot point for a user in contact with the mat 100.
[0053] The detachable secondary handle and flexible strap 214 which
is rotatably affixed to the base 218 for optional positioning over
the dome as a secondary handle.
[0054] FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of a detachable
parallelette 220 in accordance with the present invention. The
parallelette 220 comprises two cubes 222a-b (both having a bottom
surface 108), and a handle 202.
[0055] The cubes 222a-b are formed from a flexible elastomeric
material in the shown embodiment. The detachable parrallelette 220
may serve as dumbbell with weighted cubes 222a-b.
[0056] The shown detachable parallelette 220 comprises an implement
with twin cubes 222a-b. Other embodiments may alternatively
comprise spheres, cylinders, or other geometric-shaped objects. The
shown parallelette 220 may also serve as a handle for push ups, and
the like.
[0057] FIG. 2D is a top perspective view of a second detachable
handle 230 in accordance with the present invention. The detachable
handle 230 comprises a block 232 and a handle 202.
[0058] In the block 232 comprises a triangular block in the shown
embodiment, but may comprise other block-type geometric shapes in
other embodiments, and is fabricated as one integrated piece with
the handle 202.
[0059] FIG. 2E is a side perspective view of a roller 240 in
accordance with the present invention. The roller 240 comprises a
dowel 242 and a roller 244. In some embodiments, the roller 244 is
contoured as the bottom surface 108 to reciprocate the countouring
of the top surface 104 as the roller 242 is rolled across the pad
102.
[0060] The roller 240 comprises an ergonomic polymer exercise
roller 244 designed with a rigid handle bar, or dowel 242, running
through the roller 244 for grasping in order to do exercises such
as push-ups with one hand on each side of the central pad holding
on the bar. The roller 240 may optionally function as an exercise
abdominal roller with a rotatable rigid handle on each side of a
cylindrical exercise roll. The dowel 242 may optionally include
handle affixed laterally. The dowel 242 may also comprises a series
of retractable telescoping cylinders.
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 of gripping a dome-shaped
detachable handle in accordance with the present invention. In the
shown embodiment, a method 300 of gripping the dome-shaped handle
210 is demonstrated.
[0062] The purpose of the handle 210 is to reduce stress on the
wrists/hands of a user. The handle 210 absorbs body weight and
motion much better than regular push-up stand models which are
rigid and do bounce when force is suddenly applied to them.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a multifunction
detachable cushion implement 400 in accordance with the present
invention. The detachable implement 400 comprises a pad 102 with a
rigid base, a top surface 104, cushions 402a-b, a strap 404, a
handle 406, and a buttocks support area 408.
[0064] The detachable cushion implement 400 comprises ergonomically
shaped pad 102 used for sit-ups/crunches. The cushions 402 supports
not only tailbone area, but also the lumbar, back and glutes. The
cushions 402 also raise the body off the ground up to six inches to
give a user increased comfort and wider range of motion (e.g. a
body arc--slightly hyper-extended--instead of flat when extended)
while doing sit-ups. The detachable cushion implement 400 also
makes leg raises and back raises more challenging, as just holding
a body still in place works abdominal muscles isometrically.
[0065] The detachable cushion implement 400 may comprise a
plurality of handles 406 molded into the pad 102 with rigid base to
allow a user to grasp and pull up a body for easier modified
crunches/sit-ups, as well as the option of an adjustable body
belt/strap 404 attached to the pad 102 with a rigid base to help
keep the waist anchored and legs from lifting up during exercise,
which the body is especially prone to do when using weights while
while doing the sit-ups.
[0066] The pad 102 with a rigid base in the shown embodiment is two
feet wide, but the pad's 102 rigid base dimensions may vary from
less than a foot in width and/or length to more than sux feet in
width and/or length.
[0067] The pad 102 may also comprise additional optional
buttocks-support area 408 near the center of the pad 102 for
engaging each side of spine as it comes down. Other cushions 402 on
the pad 102 may serve to secure a user's glutes/buttocks in place
while exercising (since force against lumbar will naturally push
body forward) as well as for engaging each side of the user's spine
as it comes down. A user's glutes can be slightly wedged in between
these two front and back support cushions
[0068] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a multifunction exercise
mat 500 in accordance with the present invention. The mat 500
comprises a pad 102 having a plurality of apertures 502, a cushion
402, and a plurality of domes 212 having pins 502 having pins 504.
The pins 504 are detachably inserted into the apertures on the pad
102.
[0069] The ergonomic polymer exercise massage pad 102, when
combined with the detachable domes 212, has a top surface with a
series of protruding foam bumps or ridges that act to massage and
support the body of a user when moved against such during sit-up
and yoga-like exercises; an also be in a wedge shape of a top
surface of a series of polymer protruding bumps that act to massage
and support the body when moved against such as during sit-up and
yoga-like exercises.
[0070] FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a detachable cushion
implement 600 in accordance with the present invention. In the
shown embodiment, the domes 212 are permanently affixed to the pad
102, and the pad 102 comprises pins 504 such that the pad 102 may
be detachably affixed to a mat 500. The bottom surface, in some
embodiments, may be contoured to reciprocate and conform to the top
surface of the mat 500. In other embodiments, the bottom surface is
planar for use on the floor or a subgrade.
[0071] The term "block" for the purposes of this invention consists
of any bulky three-dimensional object comprising flat faceted
surfaces.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view a detachable implement 700
with molded handles 406 in accordance with the present invention.
The detachable implement 700 comprises a dome 212, a base member
702, handles 406, and pins 504.
[0073] The handles 406 are designed to be used for balance and
strength exercises.
[0074] The implement 700 is designed to be used for balance and
strength exercises. The implement 700 may be used on the mat 500,
with the optional pins 504 insertable into the apertures 502, or
used as an independent device.
[0075] Cushions on any of the shown mats, pads or implements may be
used to cushion portions of a user's body, including the hand-wrist
portion, which is the portion of the user's body comprising both
the hand and the wrist.
[0076] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention 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.
* * * * *