Abstract:
A yoga block is in two identical sections which disassemble to form two yoga wedges. The two yoga wedges are held together in block form by a cylinder passing through both wedges when the wedges are aligned into the yoga block form.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment, and more particularly to a yoga block that breaks down into two yoga wedges.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Yoga blocks are blocks used to aid in the performance of a variety of poses by providing stability and support for proper alignment. Yoga blocks are used under the hands, feet, or seat to achieve proper alignment and deepen stretches safely. Yoga blocks are usually made of foam, but some blocks are made of wood or cork. Yoga blocks reduce the distance between the body and the floor, allowing one to modify poses to a specific level of flexibility.  
         [0003]     Yoga wedges are also a great aid in performing a variety of poses. For example, wedges are placed under the heels when squatting or under the hips when performing seated bends. Wedges are usually made of foam, but can be made out of other materials such as wood or cork.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Briefly stated, a yoga block is in two identical sections which disassemble to form two yoga wedges. The two yoga wedges are held together in block form by a cylinder passing through both wedges when aligned into the block form.  
         [0005]     According to an embodiment of the invention, a yoga block includes first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size; first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes; wherein when the first and second yoga wedges are placed together with their diagonal faces touching and the first and second holes are axially aligned, the rod fits in the first and second holes to retain the first and second wedges together forming the yoga block.  
         [0006]     According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for making a yoga block includes the steps of: (a) forming first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size; (b) forming first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and (c) forming a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes; wherein when the first and second yoga wedges are placed together with their diagonal faces touching and the first and second holes are axially aligned, the rod fits in the first and second holes to retain the first and second wedges together forming the yoga block. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a yoga block according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a yoga wedge which makes up half of the yoga block of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a yoga block according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a yoga wedge which makes up half of the yoga block of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a rod used in connecting two yoga wedges together to make a yoga block. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a yoga block  10  is shown which includes a first half  12 , a second half  14 , and a rod  16 . First and second halves  12 ,  14  are preferably perfectly congruent and of the same size. Rod  16 , along with the frictional engagement between first and second halves  12 ,  14 , holds first and second halves  12 ,  14  together to form yoga block  10 . First and second halves  12 ,  14  and rod  16  are preferably of hard foam, but are optionally of cork or wood. Although it is preferred that first and second halves  12 ,  14  and rod  16  are all of the same material, rod  16  is optionally of a different material than first and second halves  12 ,  14 . Referring also to  FIG. 5 , a rod  16 ″ can also be of mixed materials, for example, with an end portion  18  and an end portion  20  being of hard foam with a middle portion being of plastic, cork, or wood. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , because yoga block  10  is preferably shaped as a rectangular solid, with a user touching or sitting on an upper face  24  or a lower face  26 , it is also preferably to have rod  16  or end portions  18 ,  20  of rod  16 ″ being of the same material as first and second halves  12 ,  14 . All the edges of first and second halves  12 ,  14  are optionally slightly rounded without affecting the integrity of yoga block  10 .  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , first half  12  is shown, the shape of which is known as a yoga wedge. Once rod  16  is removed from yoga block  10 , either or both of first and second halves  12 ,  14  are usable as yoga wedges. The diameter of rod  16  is preferably about ⅝ inch to minimize a hole  28  in a diagonal large face  30  of first half  12  while still permitting rod  16  to be of sufficient size to bind first and second halves  12 ,  14  together when forming yoga block  10 . First half  12  is shaped as a right triangular solid, with a base preferably being six inches by nine inches with a height of four inches. The diagonal of first half  12  opposite the right angle is therefore approximately 7.2 inches. The preferred dimensions of yoga block  10  are thus four inches by six inches by nine inches, thereby making the length of rod  16  about four inches. Other dimensions are of course possible as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a yoga block  10 ′ is shown which includes a first half  12 ′, a second half  14 ′, and a rod  16 ′. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2  is that rod  16 ′ is passed through first and second halves  12 ′,  14 ′ horizontally rather than vertically.  
         [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , first half  12 ′ of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  is shown. A hole  28 ′ for rod  16 ′ passes horizontally through a diagonal large face  30 ′. Note that when first and second halves  12 ′,  14 ′ are assembled using rod  16 ′ into yoga block  10 ′, un upper face  24 ′ of yoga block  10 ′ has no hole or rod passing through it. With the user pressing or sitting on upper face  24 ′ or a lower face  26 ′, and thus avoiding rod  16 ′, rod  16 ′ can be of any material and not necessarily preferably of the same material as the remainder of yoga block  10 ′.  
         [0016]     While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that various modifications and the like could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.