Abstract:
An anti-slip, multi-layer exercise mat is provided having an upper fabric layer, a lower pliable foam layer, and an intermediate adhesive such that during use the mat provides the athlete with safety and comfort and during transport or storage the rolled mat provides convenience.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 60/477,847 filed Jun. 11, 2003. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to athletic mats. More particularly, it relates to a mat used for yoga exercises.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Typical yoga mats have a single layer construction often made from foam. The safety and comfort of these mats is reduced when the athlete&#39;s perspiration wets the upper surface of the mat. The moisture acts as a lubricant, reducing the coefficient of friction between the athlete and the mat. This increases the likelihood the athlete will slip on the slippery upper surface of the mat. Moisture build-up also reduces the free circulation of air were the athlete touches the mat; this causes the athlete to experience an uncomfortable, sticky, wet sensation. What is needed is a yoga mat that provides the athlete with safety and comfort during different asanas even when the mat&#39;s upper surface is wetted by the athlete&#39;s perspiration.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention provides a multi-layer yoga mat able to be rolled for storage. A first fabric layer is laminated to a second foam layer by an intermediate adhesive. The fabric layer presents a comfortable, slip resistant surface for the athlete to rest on. The slip resistance of the fabric layer may be enhanced by application of a tacky polymer. A second foam layer provides a cushioning foundation and has an increased coefficient of friction with the floor for resisting slippage at this interface. 
       
    
    
       [0005]    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES  
         [0006]    The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit or digits of a reference number identify the figure in which the reference number first appears. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the yoga mat constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the yoga mat of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a surface pattern of the yoga mat of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an extended fabric layer of the yoga mat of FIG. 1.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of elastic bands of the yoga mat of FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of side straps of the yoga mat of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of shoulder straps of the yoga mat of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    Introduction  
         [0015]    The present invention provides a slip resistant, absorbent athletic mat suitable for use as a yoga exercise mat. Advantages of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0016]    Detailed Description  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a mat having a first layer  102 , an intermediate layer  104 , and a second layer  106 . First layer  102  is a fabric with a three-dimensional, patterned upper surface  108  and a substantially smooth lower surface  110 . The first layer may be double layered knitted fabric. The first layer  102  may be made from a synthetic material like polyester or from a natural material like cotton. When the fabric layer is made from synthetic material, it may be treated with hydrophilic chemicals to promote moisture wicking action and dispersion of moisture. The density of the fabric layer may increase from fabric surface upper surface  108  to fabric layer lower surface  110 . Increasing density by 5 to 40 percentage points promotes moisture transport and evaporation from the fabric layer upper surface.  
         [0018]    The slip resistance of the fabric first layer  102  may be enhanced by the application of a tacky polymer  118 . The tacky polymer may be applied to a portion of the fabric layer lower surface  110  and extruded through fabric layer upper surface pores  120 . Alternatively, the tacky polymer may be applied to a portion of the fabric layer upper surface  108 . The sticky polymer may be selectively applied to enhance particular types of exercise including yoga. In addition, sticky polymer may be applied in a pattern chosen to enhance moisture transport from the fabric layer to the foam layer upper surface channels  122 . The tacky polymer may be applied by printing, rolling, brushing, or by another appropriate application process.  
         [0019]    Referring still to FIG. 1, the second layer  106  is a pliable closed cell foam. The thickness of this layer may be in the range of 0.0625 inches to 0.5000 inches. The upper surface of the foam layer  106  may be substantially smooth or in another embodiment it may have channels  122  formed in a diamond pattern  302  (See FIG. 3) or in another pattern. Channels in the foam layer upper surface  112  provide receptacles adjacent to the fabric layer  102  for collecting and removing moisture. The lower surface of the foam layer  106  may be smooth or in another embodiment it have grooves  124  formed in a diamond pattern  302  or in another pattern. Grooves in the foam layer lower surface  114  provide pincers adjacent to the floor or support structure  126  that the mat rests on. These pincers flex and grip the floor as the athlete moves on the mat. This pincer action enhances the slip resistance of the mat at its interface with the floor. The foam layer may be a closed cell foam and may be made of polyester foam, polyurethane foam, or another suitable foam.  
         [0020]    Referring still to FIG. 1, the intermediate layer  104  is an adhesive joining the first fabric layer and the second foam layer. The adhesive layer may be a heat activated film adhesive. Alternatively, another appropriate adhesive may be sprayed, brushed, rolled, or otherwise applied onto either the fabric layer lower surface  110  or the foam layer upper surface  112  or to both surfaces.  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the cross-sectional view of the laminated structure is illustrated. The athlete comes into contact with the fabric layer upper surface  108 . The foam layer  106  provides cushioning. The foam layer lower surface  114  contacts the floor or support surface  126 .  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the first fasteners  406  may be located on an upper surface  108  near a shorter edge of the mat  404 . Mating second fasteners  408  may be located on the foam layer lower surface  114  near the midsection of the mat&#39;s longest dimension. When the mat is rolled, starting from the end opposite that of the first fasteners, one or more fasteners  406  are positioned adjacent to the mating second fasteners  408  and may be engaged to secure the roll for transport and storage. A Velcro fastening system may be used to form a continuous or semi-continuous (as shown in FIG. 4) closure. Other fasteners like buttons, snaps, and zippers may also be used. Fasteners may be sewn, glued, or mechanically attached to the mat.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 5, in another embodiment the mat  202  may be secured by endless elastic bands  506  when rolled. The mat may have a plurality of through holes  508  near a shorter edge of the mat  504 . The endless elastic bands pass through the holes  508 . When the mat is rolled, the elastic bands may be pulled over the ends of the roll to secure the mat for transport and storage.  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 6, mat  202  may have two opposing tabs  604  located on the long edges  606  and near one end  404  of the mat. The tab projections  608  provide third fasteners  604  where the shoulder straps  706 ,  718  (See FIG. 7) with their mating fourth fasteners  704  may be attached (only one fastener  704  is shown). The third and fourth fasteners may include rotatable mechanical couplings providing for rotation between tabs and shoulder straps. Rotable fasteners are self-aligning, improving shoulder strap alignment and comfort while transporting the mat using the shoulder straps. Alternatively, fasteners may be Velcro, magnetic, or another suitable fastener.  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 7, the mat assembly  700  is shown including the rolled mat  202  with the shoulder straps  706  and  718  attached. The first shoulder strap  706  has a buckle or similar fastener  710  at one end, a fastener  704  at the opposite end, and a slidably engaged (as shown) or sewn-on pouch  708  between the ends. The second shoulder strap  718  has a mating buckle or similar fastener  712  at one end, a fastener  704  (not shown) at the opposite end, and a sidably engaged collar with rectangular cross-section  714  between the ends. To provide adjustable strap length, the second shoulder strap  718  is looped through the buckle  712  and has a free end  716 . The free end  716  is secured by a sidable collar  714 .  
         [0026]    During Operation  
         [0027]    When the mat  202  is in use, the athlete is cushioned and supported by the mat. The fabric layer upper surface  108  presents a cushioned and absorbent interface where the athlete encounters the mat. Forces exerted on the mat by the athlete are transferred through the intermediate adhesive layer  104  into the foam layer  106 . Because perspiration that wets the fabric layer  102  is wicked away from the fabric layer upper surface by capillary action of the fabric layer, the athlete experiences a comfortable slip-resistant resting place.  
         [0028]    The foam layer  106  provides cushioning and a slip resistant interface with the floor  126  that can be enhanced by the use of foam layer underside grooves  114 . Foam layer upper surface channels  122  may also be used to collect and disperse moisture from the fabric layer  102 . Both the wicking action and the channel dispersion spread the moisture over a larger surface area of the mat  202  and promote evaporation and drying of the mat.  
         [0029]    The mat is designed for ease of use, care, and eventual disposal. Mat materials and construction allow for easy rolling and storage. Mat materials and construction also allow for washing in a conventional washing machine and drying flat in ambient air. In the case that only recyclable materials are used, the mat may be recycled when its useful life has ended.  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0030]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.