U.S. patent application number 14/206741 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for yoga brick assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Kampinski. Invention is credited to David Kampinski.
Application Number | 20150258363 14/206741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54067850 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150258363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kampinski; David |
September 17, 2015 |
Yoga Brick Assembly
Abstract
A yoga brick assembly which provides a secured internal storage
area and improved grip system which also functions to secure the
yoga brick assembly. The yoga brick assembly includes a top section
and a bottom section each containing parallel recessed grooves for
accommodating the grip system. The sections are joined together
along a planar face and are releasably attached via the grip
system. Preferably, the bottom section includes a cavity which can
be used to store a user's personal items. The grip system includes
two straps which are placed in the parallel recessed grooves and
surround the sections and are secured at each end.
Inventors: |
Kampinski; David; (Moreland
Hills, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kampinski; David |
Moreland Hills |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54067850 |
Appl. No.: |
14/206741 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4037 20151001;
A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; B65D 25/2897
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; B65D 25/28 20060101 B65D025/28 |
Claims
1. A yoga brick assembly comprising: a top section having a bottom
face and a bottom section having a top face wherein said bottom
surface of said top section and said top face of said bottom
section are releasably coupled; a cavity formed in the interior of
the bottom section for storing personal items; and a frictional
grip assembly positioned in a plurality of grooves along the outer
surfaces of said top and bottom sections.
2. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said top section
includes an extending lip portion that is frictionally fit inside
said cavity and said top face of said bottom section.
3. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said cavity contains
an interior stabilization means for stably storing personal
items.
4. The yoga brick assembly of claim 2, wherein said lip portion
includes a soft foam layer that compresses against said interior
stabilization means to stably secure personal items.
5. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said frictional grip
assembly includes a plurality of straps having a frictional surface
to provide a frictional grip to a user.
6. The yoga brick assembly of claim 4, wherein the straps are
securely fit inside said grooves.
7. The yoga brick assembly of claim 4, wherein the straps have a
first end and a second end which are releasably attached providing
a secure and stable fit of said top and bottom sections.
8. A yoga brick assembly comprising: a top section having a bottom
face and a bottom section having a top face wherein said bottom
surface of said top section and said top face of said bottom
section are releasably coupled; a cavity formed in the interior of
the bottom section for storing personal items.
9. The yoga brick assembly of claim 8, wherein the top and bottom
sections are releasably coupled by a friction fit means.
10. The yoga brick assembly of claim 8, wherein the top and bottom
sections are releasably coupled by a magnetic means.
11. A yoga brick assembly comprising: a top section having a bottom
face and a bottom section having a top face wherein said bottom
surface of said top section and said top face of said bottom
section are releasably coupled; a cavity formed in the interior of
the bottom section for storing personal items; and a frictional
grip assembly positioned in a plurality of grooves along the outer
surfaces of said top and bottom sections.
12. The yoga brick assembly of claim 11, wherein said cavity
contains an interior stabilization means for stably storing
personal items.
13. The yoga brick assembly of claim 11, wherein said frictional
grip assembly includes a plurality of straps having a frictional
surface to provide a frictional grip to a user.
14. The yoga brick assembly of claim 13, wherein the straps are
securely fit inside said grooves.
15. The yoga brick assembly of claim 13, wherein the straps have a
first end and a second end which are releasably attached providing
a secure and stable fit of said top and bottom sections.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to the field of exercise, sports and
training equipment, and more particularly to a yoga brick assembly
for yoga poses and exercise routines. Yoga bricks are known in the
art of yoga and have multiple uses. Such bricks or blocks are
typically used to achieve better form or stability while performing
a yoga stance or routine.
[0002] Common yoga bricks are typically made of a foam material,
bamboo or cork. The bricks are used in yoga classes which often
enroll 20 or more students. The majority of yoga facilities do not
provide secure locker or storage areas. in most instances, open
cubby holes are all that is provided to students to store their
valuables. Expectedly, some valuables end up being stolen or
mistakenly taken by other yoga patrons. It is thus desirable to
provide a yoga brick that can securely store a user's personal
items.
[0003] In addition, with the advent of "Hot" yoga, the majority of
yoga facilities raise the interior temperature of the yoga exercise
studio to intensify the workout experience. This understandably
causes yoga students to profusely sweat during a yoga session
making the handling of a yoga brick with one hand, while supporting
a person's entire body weight, a slippery and potentially injurious
endeavor.
[0004] It is thus desirable to provide a yoga brick which overcomes
the preceding disadvantages. As such, the present invention seeks
to provide a yoga brick with an improved grip system that provides
a frictional surface portion. The present invention also seeks to
provide a yoga brick with an internal cavity for storing a
student's personal belongings. The top and bottom sections of the
present invention are secured together by the two straps forming
the grip system. These and further objects will be more readily
appreciated when considering the following disclosure and
claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A yoga brick assembly is provided for improving the
frictional grip when used by a student. The assembly contains a top
and bottom section which are releasably and planarly attached. Both
the top and bottom sections include corresponding and parallel
recessed grooves which encircle the outer surfaces of the yoga
brick assembly. The straps comprising the frictional grip assembly
are positioned inside the grooves, wrapped around the entire block
and fastened on the front side of the block so as to maintain a
flush interaction with the yoga brick assembly.
[0006] Additionally, the yoga brick assembly can be used to
securely store a student's personal belongings. In the preferred
embodiment, the yoga brick assembly comprises a top section and a
bottom section each having a generally rectangular shape with
rounded corners. The bottom face of the top section is in planar
relationship to the top face of the bottom section. The bottom
section has a deeper configuration in relation to the top section
and contains a cavity for storing personal items. The top and
bottom sections are releaseably joined by the frictional grip
assembly. The grip assembly is secured to the recessed grooves in
the top and bottom sections. The grip assembly is releaseably
joined on one side of the yoga brick assembly to allow separation
of the top and bottom sections while providing a hinged connection
for the opposite side of the yoga brick assembly.
[0007] The cavity of the bottom section can be configured in one of
multiple configurations to allow the securing of personal items.
The cavity may comprise a foam insert which can receive and conform
around personal items such as cell phones, car keys, and sunglasses
and prevent the movement of the stored personal items during
rigorous use of the yoga brick assembly. The personal items placed
in the foam of the bottom section would be further secured by a lip
portion extending from the bottom of the top section and compresses
the personal items when positioned into the top of the bottom
section upon closing the yoga brick assembly. The cavity may also
comprise an enclosed storage container which can be completely
removed from the cavity, filled with personal items, and
re-inserted into the cavity for secure storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an exemplary yoga brick
assembly of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary yoga brick assembly
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the separated top and bottom blocks
of the yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a back view of the separated top and bottom blocks
of the yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary yoga brick
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the closed top and bottom blocks
with emphasis on the grooves of the yoga brick assembly of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Turning to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown a view of an
exemplary yoga brick assembly 10 of the present invention, with
FIG. 1 being a front isometric view, FIG. 2 being a side view, FIG.
3 being a top view of an opened yoga brick assembly, FIG. 4 being a
rear view of the yoga brick assembly 10 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 being
a cross sectional view of the interior of the of the present
invention. The yoga brick assembly 10 has a top section 12, a
bottom section 14, a front 16, left and right sides 18 and 20, a
top surface 22, a bottom surface 24 and a back surface 26. The top
and bottom sections, 12 and 14, respectively also include two
recessed grooves 28 which are positioned parallel along the outer
surfaces of the top and bottom sections, 12 and 14. In the
preferred embodiment, the top section 12 includes a bottom face 13
and the bottom section 14 includes a top face 15 which surrounds a
cavity 46 as seen in FIG. 3. The top section 12 and bottom section
14 each have a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners.
The bottom face 13 of the top section 12 is in planar relationship
to the top face 15 of the bottom section 14. The bottom section 14
has a deeper configuration in relation to the top section 12 and
contains a cavity 46 for storing personal items. The top and bottom
sections 12, 14 are releasably coupled by a frictional grip
assembly 32.
[0016] The frictional grip assembly 32 includes at least two straps
34 having a rough finish to provide a frictional grip to the user.
The straps 34 are preferably secured in the grooves 28 and include
a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first ends 36 are secured
within the grooves 28 on the front surface 16 of the bottom section
14. The first ends 36 include a connections means 40 and are
releasably attached to the second end 38 which includes the
corresponding connection means 42 as seen in FIG. 2. The connection
means 40 and 42 can include, but are not limited to, such Velcro
type hook and loop fasteners, snap buttons, magnets or such
complementary joining sides, to securely interlock the top 12 and
bottom 14 sections.
[0017] The straps 34 originate at a first end 36 which include a
connection means 40 and encircle the bottom section 14 along the
front surface 16, the bottom surface 24, the back surface 26 and
along the top surface 22. The straps 34 are secured to the grooves
28 by means which may include glue, rivets or such fastening means
to secure the straps 34 within the grooves 28. The straps 34
include second ends 38 of the straps 34 which are releasably
attached to the connection means 40 of the first end 36. The second
ends 38 are left unsecured to the grooves 28 and include
overlapping portions 44. The overlapping portions 44 include
corresponding connection means 42 which are releasably attached to
the connection means 40 of the first end 36 of the straps 34. As
viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the grip assembly 32 is also slightly
detached on the back surface 26 of the yoga brick assembly 10 for
providing a hinged connection 45 for the back surface 26 of the
yoga brick assembly 10 to facilitate the opening and closing of the
top and bottom sections 12, 14.
[0018] When straps 34 are securely attached at the first end 36 and
second ends 38, the yoga brick assembly 10 is ready for use by a
student. As referenced above, the straps 34 may be made of a
variety of materials and configurations such as, by way of example,
braided canvas, cotton or hemp to provide a frictional grip to the
user. The recessed grooves 28 permit the straps 34 to remain flush
along the front 16, bottom 24, back 26 and top 22 surfaces of the
yoga brick 10.
[0019] In general, yoga bricks undergo a tremendous amount of abuse
by a user. The bricks are not only used to support the entire body
weight of the user, but are also routinely repositioned, dropped or
moved for other various reasons. It is thus inherent that the two
section yoga brick assembly 10 of the present invention function in
as stable a fashion as a solid yoga block known in the art.
[0020] As such and in a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
bottom section 14 of the yoga brick 10 includes a cavity 46 for
securely storing personal items. The top section 12 of the yoga
brick 10 includes an extended lip portion 48. The lip portion 48
extends into the cavity 46 and provides a secured frictional fit
between the top section 12 and the top face 15 of the bottom
section 14. The lip portion 48 also extends into the bottom section
14 so as to maintain the personal items stored in the cavity 46
from moving within the yoga brick 10 during exercise. Thus, the
frictional fit between the lip portion 48 of the top section 12 and
the interior of the top face 15 and cavity 46 of the bottom section
12, in combination with the straps 34 encircling the outer surfaces
of the yoga brick 10 and securely fastened at the first end 36 and
second end 38, provide a stable and secure yoga brick assembly
10.
[0021] It is also contemplated in an alternative embodiment of the
present invention seen in FIG. 6, that a frictional fit between the
lip portion 48 of the top section 12 and the top face 15 and cavity
46 of the bottom section 14 will securely fasten the top and bottom
sections, 12, 14 of the yoga brick assembly 10 notwithstanding the
straps 34.
[0022] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom section 14 of the yoga
brick assembly 10 further includes interior stabilization means 50
positioned within the area of the cavity 46. The interior
stabilization means 50 may be secured to the surfaces of the cavity
46 by glue, rivets or other securing methods know to one skilled in
the art. The interior stabilization means 50 can include such foam
type materials which conform to the shape of the personal items
stored in the cavity 46. The foam type materials can include, but
are not limited to, polyurethane, urethane, evlon, high resilience,
supreem, or memory foam.
[0023] The personal items placed in the interior stabilization
means 50 of the cavity 46 are further held in place by the lip
portion 48 of the top section 12. The Hp portion 48 may further
include a soft foam layer 52 which upon closing of the top section
12 and the bottom section 14, the foam layer 52 will further secure
and stabilize the personal items placed in the interior
stabilization means 50 of the cavity 46.
[0024] As viewed in FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the
present invention includes a removable container 54 positioned in
the cavity 46. The container 54 would have dimensions providing a
tight and stable fit inside cavity 46. The container 54 includes a
hinged lid 56 which can be opened to store personal items. The lip
portion 48 and the foam layer 52 of the top section 12 is
positioned atop the container 54 stably securing the container 54
inside cavity 46.
[0025] The yoga brick assembly 10 is preferably constructed of a
weight-bearing, shape sustaining materials. The yoga brick 10 can
be made from closed-cell EVA foam or similar lightweight, dense,
and supportive substances or materials including, but not limited
to, bamboo, cork and wood, impact resilient plastics or composites.
The yoga brick 10 preferably is nine inches long, six inches wide
and four inches high. However dimensions ranging from eight to ten
inches long, four to seven inches wide, and three to six inches
high are contemplated within the scope of the present
invention.
[0026] Although embodiment of the invention have been shown and
described, it is to be understood that various modifications,
substitutions, and rearrangements of parts and components, as well
as other uses, shapes and sizes of yoga bricks, can be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as
described.
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