Abstract:
An exercise mat with removable towel includes an elongated resilient yoga mat having a top surface and a plurality of sides. A plurality of connectors disposed along the top surface and/or sides of the mat, and are selectively engaged by complementary connectors located on the removable towel. The towel includes a complementary shape and dimension as the mat, and covers one or both of the top surfaces and the plurality of sides when the connectors and complementary connectors are engaged. A textured surface along the top of the mat increases friction between the mat and the towel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to an exercise mat having a removable towel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    Within the fitness industry, it is well known to utilize flexible mats that can be rolled out for use during yoga or Pilates, for example, and then rolled back up once the class is complete. Exercise mats are intended to protect the user from slipping on the floor or from otherwise touching or laying on the floor, which can be uncomfortable and unsanitary. Most major health clubs provide towels to their members, and also provide a number of “community” mats. As such, it is commonplace for users to lay one or more towels over their exercise mat during use, as the towel(s) help to absorb sweat and other such fluids from accumulating on and/or soaking into the mat itself. 
         [0004]    Fearing illness from contact with a community mat that was not properly cleaned, many users that regularly attend exercise classes will often purchase their own mat for their exclusive use. Unfortunately, studies have shown that many illnesses often contracted in health care facilities such as MRSA, staph and the like can be transmitted from contact with towels that have not been properly laundered. Additionally, because these towels are not physically secured to the exercise mat, many individuals suffer injuries caused by slipping on the towel when the same becomes unexpectedly separated from the mat during use. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there remains a need for a personal exercise mat having a towel that can be repeatedly and removably secured thereon, and that does not suffer from the drawbacks of the devices described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to an exercise mat with removable towel. One embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated resilient yoga mat having a top surface and a plurality of sides. Multiple connectors can be provided along the top surface and/or sides of the mat, and can receive complementary connectors located on the removable towel. In one embodiment, the towel includes a substantially identical shape and dimension as the mat, and functions to cover one or both of the top surfaces and the plurality of sides when the connectors and complementary connectors are engaged. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the present invention can include a textured surface along the top surface of the mat. The textured surface, along with the joined connectors can function to prevent the towel from slipping off of the mat during usage. 
         [0008]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the mat body of the exercise mat with removable towel, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the towel of the exercise mat with removable towel, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled exercise mat with removable towel, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the exercise mat with removable towel kit, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0015]    As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to or substantially identical to the shape and size of another component. 
         [0016]    Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one embodiment of an exercise mat with removable towel  10  that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
         [0018]    The mat body can function to provide a soft platform onto which a user can exercise. As shown in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the mat body  11  can be constructed from a generally resilient waterproof material having a substantially rectangular shape defined by a top surface  11   a , a bottom surface  11   b,  and an outer edge, such as a top end  11   c,  a bottom end  11   d  and a pair of sides  11   e  and  11   f.  The top surface l la can preferably be textured T, so as to provide increased grip between the mat and the towel  20  described below. 
         [0019]    Although dimensions are not critical, in the preferred embodiment, the mat  11  can include a length (i.e., measured from the top end  11   c  to the bottom end  11   d ) of approximately 6 feet, a width (i.e., measured between the sides  11   e  and  11   f ) of approximately two feet, and a thickness (i.e., measured between the top surface  11   a  and bottom surface  11   b ) of between approximately ⅛ inch and ¼ inch. Of course, the mat is not limited to these dimensions as any number of other sizes, large or small, are also contemplated. 
         [0020]    Although described above as including a particular shape, dimension and/or construction material, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the mat  11  can include any number of different shapes such as oval, round or cross, for example, and can be constructed from any number of different materials suitable for use as described herein. Several non-limiting examples include, but are not limited to, plastic, vinyl, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foam, latex, phthalates, polymer environmental resin (PER), woven fabrics or fibers, (such as hemp, wool, and so forth), or any other appropriate material. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the towel  20  can include a shape, length and width that is complementary to the shape length and width of the mat  11  to which it is intended to be secured, so as to cover one or both of the top surface  11   a,  and the outer edge  11   c - 11   f.  To this end, in the present embodiment the towel  20  can also include a substantially rectangular shape having a top surface  21   a,  a bottom surface  21   b,  a top end  21   c,  a bottom end  21   d  and a pair of opposing sides  21   e  and  21   f.  The towel body will preferably be constructed from a soft and absorbent material such as cotton, for example, however any number of other materials capable of being repeatedly sent through a conventional washing machine and dryer are also contemplated. 
         [0022]    A plurality of connectors  15   a  can be disposed along any portion  11   a,    11   b,    11   c,    11   d ,  11   e  and  11   f,  of the mat. Likewise, a plurality of complementary connectors  15   b  can be disposed along any portion  21   a,    21   b,    21   c,    21   d,    21   e  and  21   f,  of the towel. Each of the connectors  15   a  and  15   b  can be positioned so as to secure the towel  20  across one or both of the top surface  11   a  of the mat, and the edges  11   c - 11   f.  In the preferred embodiment, the joined connectors  15  (See  FIG. 3 ) will be flat in nature, so as to not create a bulge or other obstruction when the device is being utilized. As such, in one embodiment, the connectors  15   a  can be partially or wholly recessed within the material of the mat  11  for engagement by a complementary connector. 
         [0023]    As described herein, the terms “connector,” and “complementary connector” can include two halves of a device that can function to repeatedly secure two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), magnetic elements, and compression fittings such as snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector  15   a  and complementary connector  15   b  can be permanently secured to the mat  11  and towel  20 , respectively, via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example. 
         [0024]    Both the mat  11  and the towel  20  can include any type of decorative elements such as various colors, markings, words, shapes, symbols, logos and/or designs. Such elements can be incorporated within the respective elements in accordance with known techniques so as to be flush with the surface thereof, or can be raised/protruding outward therefrom so as to give a three dimensional effect. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the exercise mat with removable towel  10  in operation. As shown, the towel  20  can be placed over the mat  11 , so as to align ends  11   c,    11   d ,  11   e  and  11   f  with ends  21   c,    21   d,    21   e  and  21   f,  respectively. When so positioned, each of the connectors  15   a  can be engaged by a complementary connector  15   b,  as shown by arrow a. When completed, the joined connectors  15  will maintain the towel and mat together throughout the entirety of the users&#39; workout. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, the personal exercise mat with removably secured towel  10  advantageously eliminates the aforementioned problems associated with injuries caused by towels slipping off of mats. Additionally, utilization of the present invention will reduce the number of towels needed to be supplied by health club facilities, thereby reducing the spread of illnesses associated with the same. 
         [0027]    Finally, although described above as including a single mat and towel combination, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limited. As such,  FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a kit  40  that includes the assembled exercise mat with removable towel  10 , described above, along with a plurality of additional towels  20 ′ for use therewith. Each of the additional towels  20 ′ can be identical to the above described towel  20 , or can be different in shape, material and/or decorative elements. For example, towel  20 ′ can include a larger dimension than towel  20  and can function to engage the connectors  15   a  located along the sides or back surface of the mat  11 . In either instance, by providing multiple towels, the kit does not require a user to launder a single towel between each workout. 
         [0028]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0029]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0030]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.