AN ARRANGEMENT IN A FLEXIBLE SLIDING MAT, IF DESIRED FOR USE WITH AN EXERCISER

Abstract: An arrangement in a flexible sliding mat (1) to be provided on a floor and, if desired, for use with an exerciser to simulate skating, snow skating, etc., where the user's feet slide from one end (1a) to the other end (1b) of the sliding surface (2) of sliding mat (1) to bear against transverse stop/kick-off edges (3a, 3b) at each end of sliding surface (2). Stop/kick-off edges (3a, 3b) are displaceable along sliding mat (1) for adjustment of the length of sliding surface (2), and each edge consists of a pair of profiles (3, 5) with upper profile placed above sliding mat (1), and lower profile (5) placed below sliding mat (1), one side having a flange (4) which extends beyond the longitudinal side of upper profile (3). Upper and lower profiles (3, 5) are connected by the aid of screw bolts (6) and nuts (7) extending through flush holes (8, 9) at each side of a pair of profiles (3, 5). By loosening nut (7), the pair of profiles (3, 5) can be displaced along the sliding mat (1) for adjustment to a desired length between stop/kick-off edges (3a, 3b) for various exercises, and dependent on the size of the user. Sliding mat (1) preferably has a lower surface showing good friction against the support, e.g. made of a rubber material.

Description: An arrangement in a flexible sliding mat, if desired for use with an exerciser The present invention relates to an arrangement in a flexible sliding mat to be placed on a floor and, if desired, for use with an exerciser, to simulate skating, snow skating, etc., of the kind as stated in the preamble of the following independent claim 1. A known and used sliding mat consists of a piece of linoleum with a friction coating glued to the underside to make the mat lie firmly on a floor, and provided with transverse stop/kick off edges in the shape of, e.g. cover strips glued onto the mat. Such a sliding mat may be rolled up to show minimum bulk for storage or transport, but it has the disadvantage that the sliding mat, when rolled out, will become a little bumpy after beeing rolled up. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding mat which has considerably improved properties in use as compared with the known sliding mat, both as regards its capability of lying firmly in a flat state on its support when rolled out, and the possibility of adjusting the distance between stop/kick-off edges which consist of transverse strips. Also, it is an object to eliminate a disadvantage of the present strip-shaped stop/kick-off edges, i.e. the tendency to tilt or twist outwards when the user's foot hits the stop edge during sliding motion, resulting in the foot sliding across the stop edge. According to the invention the above objects are achieved by the characterizing features appearing from the characterizing part of the following independent claim 1, and from following dependent claims. An embodiment of the invention will be disclosed in more detail below, with reference to the drawing, where Figure 1 shows a sliding mat from above, Figure 2 shows a detail of said map on an enlarged scale in a side elevation, and Figure 3 shows the sliding mat in use with an exerciser. Sliding mat 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a sliding surface 2 with transverse stop/kick-off edges 3a, 3b at opposite ends la, lb of sliding surface 2. At least one of stop/kick-off edges 3a, 3b is displaceable along the sliding mat 1 for adjustment of the length/extension of sliding surface 2 to be adapted to the exercise of interest and the size of the user. Each stop/kick-off edge 3a, 3b has a longitudinal flange 4 with flanges 4 facing each other, i.e. inwards to sliding surface 2. Flanges 4 are provided below sliding mat 1 to prevent them from tilting across the stop/kick-off edges 3a,3b, when the user's foot or feet hit them laterally at the same time as the foot exerts a vertical load on flange 4. Stop/kick-off edges 3a,3b, which are preferably identical, consist of two aluminium profiles 3,5, although the profiles may obviously be manufactured from any suitable material. Profile 3 which forms the stop/kick-off edge 3a,3b proper, bears against the upper side of the sliding mat, i.e. sliding surface 2, whereas the other profile 5 which is substantially flat, bears against the lower side of sliding mat 1, straight below upper profile 3. Upper and lower profiles 3,5 are connected by releasable connecting members 6,7,8,9 at each end and the latter are secured to sliding mat 1. Lower profile 5 comprises a flange 4 extending outwards beyond one longitudinal side of upper profile 3. The releasable connecting members consist of screw bolts 6 and nuts 7 for cooperation with flush holes 8,9 in the end portions of upper and lower profiles 3,5. Underside, and upper side of upper and lower profile 3,5, respectively, having complementary cross sectional shapes 10, 11, e.g. a concave cross sectional shape 10, and a convex cross sectional shape 11, the sliding mat can be clamped firmly between profiles 3, 5 so that the latter will not slide due to lateral loads when the user does exercises on the sliding mat. As shown in Figure 2, upper profile 3 may be hollow with at least one oblique face forming an obtuse angle with sliding surface 2 to form stop/kick-off edge 3a, 3b. Sliding mat 1 may advantageously consist of a, preferably, transparent plastic mat la, comprising sliding surface 2, and an underlying rubber mat lb to achieve non-slip contact on the underlying floor. A legend, a drawing etc., e.g. an illustration showing various exercises that may be carried out with sliding mat 1, if desired in combination with an exerciser, may be provided between the transparent plastic mat la, and rubber mat lb. A combination of sliding mat 1 and an exerciser is shown in perspective in Figure 3. The exerciser in this case comprises two resistance reels 12 which are attached to the door frame 13 adjacent to the top of a door opening 14. Resistance reels 14, furthermore, comprise extractive ropes 15 which may, e.g. be pulled out against an adjustable frictional resistance. By arranging sliding mat 1 in front of said door opening 14, the user can practise snow skating with sticks, as shown in Figure 3. The lateral edge 3a, 3b of upper profile 3 may have lon¬ gitudinal grooves 3c preventing the foot from sliding on outwards after hitting the stop edges 3a, 3b. One pair of profiles 3, 5 is suitably provided at one end of sliding mat 1, whereas the second pair of profiles 3,5 is diεplaceable forwards and backwards at the other end portion of sliding mat 1 to be adjusted to the correct distance between stop/kick-opp edges 3a, 3b. When profiles 3,5 have been adjusted, nuts 7 are tightened on screw bolts 6. Profiles 3,5 are thus urged towards each other and will simultaneously firmly clamp sliding mat 1 between each other.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS: 1. An arrangement in a flexible sliding mat to be placed on a floor and, if desired, for use in combination with an exerciser, to simulate skating, snow skating, etc., where the user's feet slide from one end (la) to the other end (lb) of the sliding face (2) of sliding mat (1) to stop against transverse stop/kick-off edges (3a, 3b) at each end of the sliding surface (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least one stop/kick-off edge (3a,3b) is displaceable along the sliding mat (1) to adjust the length of sliding surface (2). 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that each stop/kick-off edge (3a,3b) has a longitudinal flange (4) with said flanges facing each other, i.e. inwards to slide surface (2), and which are provided under the sliding mat (1) to prevent the stop/kick-off edges (3a,3b) from tilting up when the user's foot or feet hit them laterally at the same time as the foot exerts a vertical load on said flange (4). 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e i n that the stop/kick-off edge consists of two Al-profiles (3,5), or profiles of another suitable material, the upper (3) of which, forming the stop/kick-off edge (3a,3b) proper, bears against the upper side of sliding mat (1), i.e. sliding surface (2), whereas the lower (5), being substantially flat), bears against the underside of sliding mat (1), said upper and lower profile (3,5) being connected by releasable connecting members (6,7,8,9) at each end which are attached to sliding mat (1), lower profile (5) comprising flanges (4) which extend beyond one longitudinal side of upper profile (3). 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e i n that the lower, and upper side, resp. of upper and lower profile (3,5) have complementary cross sectional shapes (10,11) in order to clamp sliding mat (1) firmly between them. 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that the lower side of upper profile (3) has a concave cross sectional shape (10) and that upper side of lower profile (5) has a convex cross sectional shape (11). 6. An arrangement according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that said connecting members consist of screw bolts (6) and nuts (7) for cooperation with flush holes (8,9) in the end portions of upper and lower profiles (3,5). 7. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that upper profile (3) is hollow with at least one oblique lateral face extending at an obtuse angle with sliding surface (2) and forming stop/kick- off edge (3a,3b). 8. An arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i that sliding mat (1) comprises a preferably transparent plastic mat (la) comprising sliding surface (2), and an underlying mat (lb) of rubber or a similar material providing good friction against a support. 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d i n that a legend, drawings, etc., e.g. an illustration showing various exercises that may be carried out by the aid of sliding mat (1), if desired in combination with an exerciser, are provided between said transparent plastic mat (la) and rubber mat (lb).

Inventors: BRAATHEN THOR FROELICH, BRAATHEN, THOR, FROELICH
Applicants: BRAATHEN THOR F, BRAATHEN, THOR, FROELICH
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A63B69
IPC codes: A63B6, A63B22, A63B23, A63B69, A63C19