Abstract:
An exercise mat that provides cushioning and support to a participant, the mat having a relatively large main body, a substantially triangularly-shaped recess positioned on the underside of the mat, the recess not passing through the upper surface of the mat, and a substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member retained within the recess.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/276,166, filed Sep. 9, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of supportive or cushioning mats or pads, and in particular relates to exercise mats designed for use during the performance of sit-ups, crunches or similar exercises. 
         [0003]    Padded or cushioned mats for exercise are well known and are typically composed of an expanded foam polymer material. The mats provide support and cushioning during exercise sessions. Preferably the mats also provide a readily cleanable surface that is impervious to perspiration. 
         [0004]    When performing large numbers of sit-ups, crunches or similar exercises for the abdomen, it is not uncommon for the participant to develop abrasions or bruises in the area of the buttocks and the tailbone due to repetitive contact with the mat. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved exercise mat that addresses this problem by providing a removable insert member having a generally triangular shape, whereby the insert member may be removed during the performance of the abdominal exercises such that the recess in the underside of the mat defines a thinner region that exerts less pressure against the buttocks and tailbone. It is a further object to provide such a device wherein the removable insert member is disposed on the underside of the mat and does not form a portion of the upper surface of the mat, such that upon removal of the insert member a continuous upper surface is presented to the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is in general an exercise mat that provides cushioning and support to a participant, the mat comprising a relatively large main body, a substantially triangularly-shaped recess preferably positioned on the underside of the mat, and a substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member retained within the recess. Preferably the mat is composed of a polymer foam material that is impervious to perspiration. The thickness of the recess and the thickness of the insert member are each less than the overall thickness of the mat, such that the recess has a closed top surface, and preferably the recess thickness and insert member thickness are each approximately ⅔ of the thickness of the mat. In this manner a continuous, uninterrupted upper surface is presented to the user, such that no edges or corners are in direct contact with the user, and further such that no crevices or recesses are presented to trap perspiration. The insert member may be attached to the mat by a tether member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shown with the insert member removed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional taken along line of  FIG. 1 , showing the insert member positioned in the mat. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 , showing the mat recess with the insert member removed. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the bottom of the mat showing the insert member and the mat recess. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and preferred embodiment. In general, the invention is an exercise mat providing cushioning and support to a participant, and is structured whereby a portion of the mat is removable on the underside of the mat during the performance of abdominal exercises such as sit-ups or crunches in order to reduce pressure against the buttocks and tailbone, thereby reducing the likelihood of abrasive injury or bruising. 
         [0012]    In the embodiment as shown  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mat  10  preferably has a generally rectangular shape and comprises an upper surface  11  and a lower surface  12 . At least the upper surface  11  preferably is impervious to liquids such as perspiration and water. The upper surface  11  presents a continuous, uninterrupted surface in contact with the user. Preferably the mat  10  is formed of a polymer foam material that is compressible and resilient, and suitable materials are well known in the art for this purpose. 
         [0013]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , a substantially triangularly-shaped recess  13  is positioned on the underside of the mat  10 . The recess  13  does not pass completely through the mat  10 , such that the recess  10  possesses a closed top surface  15 . A suitable thickness for the recess  13  is approximately ⅔ the overall thickness of mat  10 , although it is to be understood that these dimensions may vary. A substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member  14  is disposed within the recess  13 , the insert member  14  and the recess member being preferably correspondingly shaped and sized such that the insert member  14  is retained within the recess  13  by a friction or compression fit. Alternatively or in addition, retaining means  17  for temporarily securing the insert member  14  within the recess  13  may be provided, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably the insert member  14  is made from the same material as mat  10 . A tether member  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may also be provided such that the insert member  14  remains attached to the mat  10  when removed from the recess  13 . 
         [0014]    The sides of the insert member  14  and the recess  13  may be linear or non-linear, or a combination thereof, such that for example the insert member  14  and recess  13  may posses a configuration more similar to the shape of a bicycle seat. The dimensions of the insert member  14  and recess  13  may also vary to accommodate participants of different size. Also, the sides of the recess  13  and insert member  14  need not be perpendicular to the mat surfaces  11  and  12 . 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the characteristics of the mat  10  are altered by removal of the insert member  14 . With the insert member positioned in the recess  13  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the overall thickness of the mat  10  in the area of the recess  13  is unchanged, such that continuous support is provided with the same amount of cushioning. In this manner, a substantially level surface is presented to the user and the overall density of the mat  10  is uniform. Upon removal of the insert member  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the mat  10  now has a much thinner cross-section at this location, such that in the area above the recess  13  there is less support and cushioning, and the area of the mat  10  above the recess  13  is able to sag under pressure. When abdominal exercises are being performed, the participant removes the insert member  14  from the underside of the mat  10 . With the buttocks and tailbone positioned above the recess  13 , there is now less pressure against the buttocks and tailbone during performance of the exercises, resulting in less irritation, abrasion and bruising. 
         [0016]    Recess  13  does not extend completely through the upper surface  11  of mat  10 , as this presents a discontinuity in the upper surface  11  through which water and perspiration can pass, thereby making clean-up of the mat  10  more difficult and possibly allowing the liquid to damage the floor surface underneath the mat  10 . 
         [0017]    The exercise mat  10  may be formed as the combination of an upper layer  21  and a lower layer  22 , such that the insert member  14  may first be cut from the lower layer  22 . The lower layer  22  and upper layer  21  are then bonded, glued or otherwise joined together in known manner, preferably in a continuous and co-extensive manner. The use of two layers  21  and  22  allows for the use of differing materials, differing thicknesses and/or differing densities for the layers, such that the characteristics of the mat  10  can be altered to produce mats  10  having differing supportive and cushioning properties as desired. Additional layers may also be present in the mat  10 , including additional cushioning layers, non-skid layers for the underside of the mat  10 , decorative or protective layers on the upper side of the mat  10 , etc. 
         [0018]    It is understood that equivalents and substitutions to certain elements described in the embodiments above may be obvious to those of skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.