Abstract:
A slip-resistant extremity covering for a person practicing yoga dimensioned to fit snugly over a person&#39;s hand or foot and capable of allowing a person to execute asanas and other yoga techniques without being encumbered by the covering and without slipping during a yoga exercise as a result of perspiration buildup.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/696,154 filed Oct. 29, 2003 in the name of the Applicant, to which priority is claimed. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/851,749 filed May 20, 2004 in the name of the Applicant. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to yoga and, more specifically, to a slip-resistant extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around an extremity of a person in order to enable a person to effectively and accurately practice proper yoga techniques without the danger of slipping or sliding due to perspiration.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Yoga is both a physical discipline as well as a Hindu philosophy. Although yoga often involves meditation and breathing exercises, the practice of yoga in the United States is focused mostly around distinct physical postures called “asanas.” Yoga&#39;s physical benefits include: improved flexibility and muscle joint mobility; muscle building and toning; improved posture; relief of back pain; improvement of muscular-skeletal conditions; increased stamina; improved digestion and elimination; increased blood flow and circulation; and weight loss. Yoga also provides many non-physical benefits, such as improved spirituality and tranquility, stress-relief, and mental clarity.  
         [0004]     The popularity of yoga in the United States has more than tripled in the last decade. According to the Yoga Research and Education Center, more than 20 million people in America currently practice yoga. In order to achieve the many physical and non-physical benefits of yoga, one must accurately execute the distinct physical postures or “asanas.” The asanas require a person to manipulate his or her body in precise, and often physically demanding, postures. It is often the case that the exertion involved in practicing yoga leads to perspiration. In fact, some styles of yoga, known as “hot yoga” or “Bikram yoga”, are done in rooms that are heated to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to make muscles more flexible. “Hot yoga” as well as other forms of “extreme yoga” obviously result in an even greater amount of perspiration. The accumulation of perspiration on a person, on a yoga mat or on the floor can often cause a person to slip when trying to plant a hand, foot or other body part. Slipping not only prevents a person from effectively practicing the physical postures of yoga, but slippage can also result in injury.  
         [0005]     Several attempts have been made at creating slip-resistant footwear and handwear for various applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,585 issued to Fons et al. Discloses a rubber soled slipper sock cured with liquid latex rubber. However, this and other prior art slip-resistant wear are thick and bulky, preventing the full range of motion needed for one&#39;s hands and feet in order to effectively practice the complex and physically demanding postures of yoga.  
         [0006]     Other slip-resistant gloves and socks only have slip-resistant material on their palmer surfaces. Those gloves and socks do not provide sufficient grip for certain yoga positions that require a person to grab specific parts of their hands and/or feet.  
         [0007]     A need therefore existed for a slip-resistant extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly over hands and feet of a person and at the same time capable of allowing a person to execute asanas and other yoga techniques without being encumbered by the covering and without slipping as a result of perspiration.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide a slip-resistant extremity covering capable of fitting snugly around an extremity of a person while at the same time allowing a hand or foot a full range of movement.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for practicing yoga capable of providing a person with a slip-resistant extremity covering that also allows a person to execute asanas and other yoga techniques without being encumbered by the covering and without slipping as a result of perspiration build-up.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a slip-resistant extremity covering for a person practicing yoga is disclosed. The slip-resistant extremity covering preferably comprises an extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around an extremity of a person, the extremity covering having a palmer surface and a dorsal surface, the extremity covering being constructed of a sufficiently malleable material so as to allow an extremity a full range of movement, wherein the slip-resistant extremity covering defines at least one separate compartment for housing a specific digit. The slip-resistant extremity covering also preferably comprises a slip-resistant material being coupled to at least one of the palmer surface and the dorsal surface, and the slip-resistant material is coupled to side portions of the at least one separate compartment, the slip-resistant material having a high coefficient of friction while at the same time allowing the extremity a full range of movement while inside the extremity covering.  
         [0011]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of practicing yoga is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around an extremity of a person, the extremity covering having a palmer surface and a dorsal surface, wherein the slip-resistant extremity covering defines at least one separate compartment for housing a specific digit, providing a slip-resistant material being coupled to at least one of the palmer surface and the dorsal surface, and the slip-resistant material is coupled to side portions of the at least one separate compartment, inserting an extremity of a person into the extremity covering, and practicing a yoga technique.  
         [0012]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is a top, perspective view of one embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing an extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around a foot of a person. The extremity covering is shown as having five separate compartments dimensioned to house each of the corresponding five toes of a user. A portion of the dorsal surface is shown substantially covered with slip-resistant material. The slip-resistant material is also shown coupled to side portions of the separate compartments for the user&#39;s five toes.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1   b  is a bottom, perspective view of the slip-resistant extremity covering of  FIG. 1   a , showing the palmer surface substantially covered with slip-resistant material. The slip-resistant material is also shown coupled to side portions of the separate compartments for the user&#39;s five toes.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2   a  is a top, perspective view of another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing the extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around a foot of a person. The extremity covering is shown as having one separate compartment dimensioned to house the user&#39;s big toe. The entire dorsal surface is shown substantially covered with slip-resistant material. The slip-resistant material is shown coupled to side portions of the separate compartment for the user&#39;s big toe and is also shown coupled to a portion of the extremity covering that houses the user&#39;s remaining four toes.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2   b  is a bottom, perspective view of the slip-resistant extremity covering of  FIG. 2   a , showing the palmer surface substantially covered with slip-resistant material. The slip-resistant material is also shown coupled to side portions of the separate compartment for the user&#39;s big toe and is also shown coupled to a portion of the extremity covering that houses the user&#39;s remaining four toes.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing the extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around the hand of a person. The palmer surface is shown substantially covered with substantially dumbbell-shaped slip-resistant material.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing the extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around the hand of a person. The palmer surface and a finger surface are shown substantially covered with a substantially ball-shaped slip-resistant material. The slip-resistant material is also shown coupled to side portions of the five separate compartments for the user&#39;s five fingers.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing the extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around the hand of a person. The palmer surface and a finger surface are shown substantially covered with a substantially dumbbell-shaped slip-resistant material.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering of the present invention, showing the extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around the hand of a person with a palmer surface and a finger surface substantially covered with a substantially uniform slip-resistant material. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , reference numbers  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ,  10   e , and  10   f  refer to different embodiments of the slip-resistant extremity covering (referred to generically as the slip-resistant extremity covering  10 ) of the present invention. The slip-resistant extremity covering  10  is for a person practicing yoga and comprises generically an extremity covering  12  dimensioned to fit snugly around an extremity of a person. Although  FIGS. 1-6  show the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  in the form of a standardized glove or sock, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from an alternate configuration of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  so long as the extremity covering  12  fits snugly around the person&#39;s extremity.  
         [0022]     The extremity covering  12  has a palmer surface  14  and a dorsal surface  16  and is constructed of a sufficiently malleable material so as to allow an extremity a full range of movement. A slip-resistant material (referred to generically as slip-resistant material  18 ) is coupled to at least one of the palmer surface  14  and the dorsal surface  16 . The slip-resistant material  18  has a high coefficient of friction while at the same time allows the extremity a full range of movement while inside the extremity covering  12 . The slip-resistant material  18  may be made of rubber, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acetyl, acrylic, ethylene vinyl acetate, fluoropolymer, nylon, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, sand, leather, vinyl, vinyl chloride homopolymer, polychloroethane, or any combination thereof.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the extremity covering  12  is comprised of a breathable cotton-spandex type fabric that is made of an absorbent material capable of absorbing perspiration, although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the extremity covering  12  in which an alternative material is used, such as some other type of breathable material, or a non-breathable material with ventilation apertures, so long as the extremity covering  12  comprises a slip-resistant material  18 . For example, the extremity covering  12  may be made of cotton, wool, silk, linen, hemp, ramie, jute, leather, suede, acetate, acrylic, Lastex®, nylon, polyester, rayon, viscose rayon, spandex, elastane, velvet, modacrylic, olefin, vinyon, saran, metallic, spandex, aramid, polybenzimidazole, sulfar, polypropylene, vinyl chloride homopolymer, polychloroethane, Lycra®, or any combination thereof.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   b , reference number  10   a  refers to one embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  for a person practicing yoga of the present invention. The slip-resistant extremity covering  10   a  comprises an extremity covering  12   a  dimensioned to fit snugly around a foot  13  of a person. A slip-resistant material  18   a , having a high coefficient of friction, is coupled to the palmer surface  14  (shown in  FIG. 1   b ) and a portion of the dorsal surface  16  (shown in  FIG. 1   a ) of the extremity covering  12   a . Having slip-resistant material  18   a  on a portion of the dorsal surface  16  allows for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab or balance on a side of his/her foot  13 .  
         [0025]     The slip-resistant material  18   a , while preventing slippage, also allows the foot  13  a full range of movement to practice yoga techniques. The slip-resistant material  18   a  of the extremity covering  12   a  is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart raised surfaces.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   b  also show the extremity covering  10  as having five separate compartments  20  dimensioned to house the corresponding five toes of a user. Having separate compartments  20  for each digit (or toe) and having slip-resistant material  18   a  on the side portions  22  of the separate compartments  20 , i.e. in the areas between the toes, help to provide sufficient grip for certain yoga positions that require a person to grab specific toes of his/her feet  13 .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b , reference number  10   b  refers to another embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  for a person practicing yoga of the present invention. The slip-resistant extremity covering  10   b  comprises an extremity covering  12   b  dimensioned to fit snugly around a foot  13  of a person. A slip-resistant material  18   b , having a high coefficient of friction, is coupled to the palmer surface  14  and the entire dorsal surface  16  of the extremity covering  12   b . Having slip-resistant material  18   b  on the entire dorsal surface  16  allows for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab the top of his/her foot  13 .  
         [0028]     The slip-resistant material  18   b , while preventing slippage, also allows the foot  13  a full range of movement to practice yoga techniques. While, in the preferred embodiment, the slip-resistant material  18   b  of the extremity covering  12   b  and the slip resistant material  18   a  of the extremity covering  12   a  is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart raised surfaces, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the slip-resistant extremity coverings  10   a  and  10   b  in which the slip-resistant materials  18   a  and  18   b  comprise a slip-resistant material  18  having another configuration, such as dumbbell-shaped, uniformly shaped, or some other configuration, so long as the slip-resistant material prevents slippage when a person is executing a yoga technique, while at the same time the slip-resistant material allows a person&#39;s foot  13  a full range of movement.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  also show the extremity covering  10  as having one separate compartment  20  dimensioned to house the big toe of a user. Having the separate compartment  20  for the big toe and having slip-resistant material  18   b  on the side portions  22  of the separate compartment  20 , i.e. in the area between the big toe and the other grouped toes, help to provide sufficient grip for certain yoga positions that require a person to grab his/her big toe. It should be clearly understood that in this embodiment, there may also be slip-resistant material  18   b  on the side portion  22  of the area of the extremity covering  10   b  that houses the other remaining four toes.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , reference number  10   c  refers to one embodiment of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  for a person practicing yoga of the present invention. The slip-resistant extremity covering  10   c  comprises an extremity covering  12   c  dimensioned to fit snugly around a hand  15  of a person. A slip-resistant material  18   c , having a high coefficient of friction, is coupled preferably to the palmer surface  14  (and in one embodiment also to a portion of the dorsal surface  16  [not shown] of the extremity covering  12   c ). Having slip-resistant material  18   c  on a portion of the dorsal surface  16  would allow for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab or balance on a side of his/her hand  15 . It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the slip-resistant material  18   c  being coupled to the entire dorsal surface  16  as well. Having slip-resistant material  18  on the entire dorsal surface  16  would allow for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab the top of his/her own hand  15  or the top of a partner&#39;s hand  15 .  
         [0031]     The slip-resistant material  18   c , while preventing slippage, also allows the hand  15  a full range of movement to practice yoga techniques. The extremity covering  12   c  shown in  FIG. 3  shows a slip-resistant material  18   c  that is substantially dumbbell-shaped and concentrated only on a palm area of the hand  15 , and not the fingers. However, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10   c  in which the slip-resistant material  18   c  is comprised of an alternative shape or configuration and/or covers the fingers area as well so long as the slip-resistant material prevents slippage when a person is executing a yoga technique, while at the same time the slip-resistant material allows a person&#39;s hand  15  a full range of movement.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , reference numbers  10   d ,  10   e  and  10   f  refer to three similar embodiments of the slip-resistant extremity covering  10  for a person practicing yoga of the present invention. The slip-resistant extremity coverings  10   d ,  10   e  and  10   f  all comprise an extremity covering dimensioned to fit snugly around a hand  15  of a person. A slip-resistant material  18 , having a high coefficient of friction, is coupled preferably to the palmer surface  14  (and in one embodiment also to a portion of the dorsal surface  16  [not shown] of the extremity covering  12 ). Having slip-resistant material  18  on a portion of the dorsal surface  16  would allow for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab or balance on a side of his/her hand  15 . It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the slip-resistant material  18  being coupled to the entire dorsal surface  16  as well. Having slip-resistant material  18  on the entire dorsal surface  16  would allow for better grip when the user is performing certain yoga positions that require the user to grab the top of his/her own hand  15  or the top of a partner&#39;s hand  15 .  
         [0033]     The slip-resistant material  18 , while preventing slippage, also allows the hand  15  a full range of movement to practice yoga techniques. The extremity covering  12   d  shown in  FIG. 4  shows a slip-resistant material  18   d  that is substantially ball-shaped, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart raised surfaces, and is concentrated both on a palm area of the hand  15  as well as the fingers.  FIG. 4  also shows the extremity covering  10   d  as having slip-resistant material  18   d  on the side portions  22  of the separate compartments  20 , i.e. in the areas between each digit (or finger). This would help to provide sufficient grip for certain yoga positions that require a person to interlock his/her own fingers or interlock his/her fingers with those of a partner.  
         [0034]     The extremity covering  12   e  shown in  FIG. 5  shows a slip-resistant material  18   e  that is substantially dumbbell-shaped, and is also concentrated both on a palm area of the hand  15  as well as the fingers. The extremity covering  12   f  shown in  FIG. 6  shows a slip-resistant material  18   f  that is substantially uniform in shape, and is also concentrated both on a palm area of the hand  15  as well as the fingers. However, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the slip-resistant extremity coverings  10   d ,  10   e  and  10   f  in which the slip-resistant material is comprised of an alternative shape or configuration and/or covers only the palm area and not the area of the fingers.  
         [0035]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.