Abstract:
A wrist saver Yoga block includes a handle which decreases stress and strain of a user&#39;s wrist joint by lessening the degree of extension of a user&#39;s wrist so as to substantially prevent the user&#39;s wrist from being positioned at a 90 degree angle with respect to the user&#39;s hand when the user is performing Yoga, poses, Pilates, push-ups, hand stands, dips or other upper body weight bearing exercises.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/785,868, filed on Apr. 15, 2011. The entire contents of are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to sports accessories and exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a wrist saver block for Yoga poses, Pilates, push-ups, hand stands, dips, and other upper body weight bearing exercises. 
         [0003]    Lightweight foam blocks are known in the art of Yoga and Pilates and are used for several purposes. Such blocks or “bricks” are commonly used to achieve better form or flexibility while performing a Yoga pose, for example, to aid users unable to touch the ground with their hands during a particular pose. Blocks may also be placed between the legs during leg lifts in Pilates. Although commonly referred to as “Yoga blocks,” such blocks are not limited for use in Yoga or Pilates. 
         [0004]    When performing Yoga, Pilates, push-ups, or dips, users often experience pain in the wrist joint as a result of pressure applied to the wrist and hand by the user&#39;s body weight. For example, in a traditional push-up exercise, the user&#39;s hands are placed at a 90 degree angle relative to the arm. This position puts much stress on the wrist joint, resulting in pain and discomfort. 
         [0005]    When striving for the perfect push-up or plank, the most ideal position for a person with wrist discomfort is to have their wrist completely locked and straight. In orthopedic literature, 20-40 degrees of dorsiflexion of the wrist is considered an ideal position for grip strength and axial stresses. This wrist position is often observed in weight rooms with respect to exercisers using dumbbells. 
         [0006]    However, conventional Yoga or exercise blocks do not alleviate wrist pain experienced by users. It is therefore desirable to provide a wrist saver block, which overcomes the preceding disadvantages. Thus, the present invention seeks to combine a traditional Yoga block with a handle of a dumbbell to create a two-in-one product that provides the features and benefits of a traditional Yoga block for balance and support in addition to a wrist support during the performance of upper body weight bearing exercises. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A wrist saver block is provided for decreasing the amount of stress and strain of a user&#39;s wrist joint by lessening the dorsiflexion (extension) of a user&#39;s wrist so as to provide a healthier and more comfortable position. The wrist saver block decreases the amount and degree of extension of the user&#39;s wrist to comfort the wrist and substantially prevent the wrist from being positioned at an undesirable 90 degree angle and perpendicular to the user&#39;s forearm when performing Yoga poses, push-ups, Pilates, hand stands, standing push-ups against a wall, dips or other upper-body weight-bearing exercises. 
         [0008]    The wrist saver block is comfortable, economical, and effective to help prevent wrist injuries. The wrist saver block reduces the amount stress of weight-bearing exercises on the user&#39;s wrist when performing Yoga poses, Pilates poses, push-ups, etc. 
         [0009]    The wrist saver block incorporates a lightweight block with a handle disposed therein to enable proper positioning for the wrist to minimize wrist pain, while also serving as a Yoga block. In some embodiments, the wrist saver block may be generally rectangular can be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, foam, cork and wood. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a wrist saver block according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the wrist saver block of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a person using the wrist saver block of  FIG. 1  to perform a push-up exercise. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of another person using a stack of the wrist saver blocks of  FIG. 1  to perform a push-up exercise. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of another person using a stack of the wrist saver blocks of  FIG. 1  to perform a dip exercise. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a wrist saver block with interlocking mechanisms according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the handle according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wrist saver block. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8   b  is an alternative perspective view of the wrist saver block of  FIG. 8   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the above-described drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the wrist saver block  1  has a generally rectangular or cube-shaped body  10  with a center opening  20  (hand hole) generally in the middle of the top surface  11 . The center opening  20  is at least large enough to accommodate a fist or hand of the user (exerciser) therein. More specifically, the wrist saver block  1  includes a symmetrical cubical body  10  with surfaces comprising a top  11 , bottom  12 , front  13 , back  14 , left side  15 , and right side  16 . The body  10  can also be elongated or a different shape without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the wrist saver block  1  includes a manually grippable handle  30  extending through the middle of the opening  20  from one end of the body  10  to the opposite end of the body  10 . The center opening  20  permits the user&#39;s hand to grasp or grip the handle  30 . In  FIGS. 1-2 , the handle  30  extends from the front side  13  to the back side  14  of the body  10 . The handle  30  in the opening  20  may or may not be centered across and within the depth of the opening  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the handle  30  may include axial or longitudinal raised, finger-grippable protrusions  31  to facilitate gripping by the user&#39;s hand. The handle  30  can be solid or tubular and may be covered and cushioned with foam, rubber or other elastomeric material. 
         [0022]    A handle receiving portion  21  is formed in the front side  13  and back side  14  of the body  10  to receive the handle  30  therein. The handle receiving portions  21  extend from the outer surface of the body  10  to the hole  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle receiving portions  21  may have a size and shape substantially similar to that of the handle  30 , so that the handle  30  may fit snugly inside the handle receiving portion  21 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the wrist saver block  1  may be generally rectangular and may have a plurality of unique sides that allow the user to place the block at different heights according to the user&#39;s needs (three unique sides if the block is rectangular). When the handle  30  is not specifically being used, then the block  1  may be used in the traditional manner of a Yoga block. In this manner, the block  1  can rest on any of its sides  11 - 16  creating different heights from the floor. Thus, if a user cannot reach the floor with their hands, the floor may be “elevated” by the block  1 . The block  1  may also be used as a balancing prop if the user needs to hold onto something for more support while performing exercises or poses. Alternatively, the block  1  could be placed under various body parts to assist the user with alignment or comfort. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, the broad, flat sides  11 ,  12  of the block  1  may be placed on the ground to position the block at its lowest height ( FIG. 1 ); the sides  15 ,  16  may be placed on the ground to position the block at its intermediate height; and the sides  13 ,  14  may be placed on the ground to position the block at its greatest height ( FIG. 2 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the wrist saver block is nine inches long, seven inches wide and four inches high. 
         [0025]    The wrist saver block  1  and handle  30  are preferably constructed from weight-bearing, shape-sustaining materials. The wrist saver block  1  and handle  30  can be made from a closed-cell EVA foam or similar lightweight, dense, and supportive substances or materials including, but not limited to, cork, wood, bamboo, impact-resistant plastic, composites, or metals such as, but not limited to, aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , two or more wrist saver blocks can be stacked at a time, such as a stack of three, four, etc. The lower wrist saver block  2  in a stack can be placed forwardly, sideways, or upright so as to be longitudinal, lateral, transverse or vertical with respect to the upper wrist saver block  3 . The user will generally grip the handle  30  of the upper wrist saver block  3 . A taller person would generally use a taller stack of wrist saver blocks  1  compared to a shorter person. The wrist saver blocks  1  are made of a sufficiently strong material and have enough surface contact and friction so that the wrist saver blocks  1  provide a stable, weight-bearing, shape-sustaining structure when stacked. The elevation of the handle  30  above the floor or mat (especially from the stackable nature of the wrist saver blocks) facilitates a greater range of motion, enabling the user to perform deeper push-ups and deeper dips for a fuller muscle extension. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the wrist saver block  1  may include interlocking mechanisms  40  to better secure the blocks  1  when stacked or nested. The interlocking mechanisms  40  can include, but are not limited to, one or more textured surfaces, wavy edges, pegs, protrusions, buttons, snaps, indentions, joints, Velcro-type hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or such complementary joining sides, to securely interlock adjoining wrist saver blocks as well as to facilitate stability when two or more wrist saver blocks  1  are stacked. 
         [0028]    An alternative embodiment of the wrist saver block is shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b . The wrist saver block  100  is similar structurally to the wrist saver block  1  described above, and includes a body  110 , hand hole  120 , and internal handle  130 . However, instead of a substantially flat bottom surface, the block  100  includes a convex bottom surface  112 . The convex bottom surface  112  provides a destabilizing surface during push ups and/or planks that requires the exerciser to use more of their core muscles. 
         [0029]    During use of the wrist saver block  1 ,  100  while performing an upper body weight bearing exercise, the user&#39;s hand grips the handle  30  in the opening  20  of the body  10  as one would normally grip a dumbbell. The handle  30  is positioned high enough above the ground to keep user&#39;s knuckles and hand from touching the ground or mat (Yoga mat or exercise mat) when performing push-ups, dips, other Yoga poses or exercises. The block  1 ,  100  is generally used in a traditional push up or plank type of position, but may also be used in other positions or poses, such as a standing push-up against a wall. 
         [0030]    The wrist saver block  1 ,  100  combines the usefulness of a Yoga block with traditional wrist and hand comfort of a handle. The wrist saver block  1 ,  100  is designed to decrease the discomfort of weight bearing exercises on the user&#39;s wrist when performing Yoga poses, Pilates, push-ups, and triceps dips. The wrist saver block  1 ,  100  with the internal handle  30 ,  130  keeps the user&#39;s wrist joint at a more comfortable position while exercising by decreasing the stress on the user&#39;s wrist joint. This enables the user to maximize the effectiveness of the strength building exercise by allowing more repetitions or longer posing. 
         [0031]    Wrist saver blocks help with body alignment, form, and balance when performing Yoga poses, Pilates, and other exercises. The wrist saver block  1 ,  100  incorporates optimal wrist positioning with the benefits of a Yoga block. In particular, the wrist saver block  1 ,  100  adds the benefits of a wrist protecting device with the benefits of a traditional Yoga block enabling the user to also shorten the distance between the user&#39;s hands and the floor and or Yoga exercise mat when stretching or exercising. This helps with body alignment, form and balance. 
         [0032]    The wrist saver block  1 ,  100  is also designed to support the body in poses where flexibility issues may interfere with holding proper alignment. The block  1 ,  100  may act as an arm extension in forward bends and support the weight of the user&#39;s body in splits. Users can also deepen a pose by effectively raising themselves from the floor level through use of the block  1 ,  100 . 
         [0033]    Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and rearrangements of parts and components, as well as other uses, shapes and sizes of the wrist saver blocks, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.