Abstract:
A yoga block system which includes a first block and a second block which can either be rectangularly shaped or triangularly shaped. These blocks are capable of joining with one another, releaseably, along either a common face when the blocks are rectangular or along the hypotenuses when the blocks are triangularly shaped. At least one of these blocks is preferably hollow enabling a user to gain access to its interior. Notwithstanding the elements used to join them, each block presents to a user faces which remain substantially planar.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention deals, generally, with yoga blocks which are extensively used by those engaged in yoga. The blocks of the present invention provide an extremely convenient structural arrangement making such blocks much easier to use and to transport than those which have previously existed. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Those who practice yoga employ blocks in order to support a number of established positions. Without such blocks, it would be very difficult to take full advantage of the benefits that yoga exercise can provide. These blocks are generally rectangular or brick shaped or, alternatively, triangularly shaped. 
   Yoga blocks are generally used in pairs as they are employed by each hand or by each foot of a user. The blocks can be of equal size or can be of different sizes depending upon the yoga exercise being performed and the yoga position being maintained. 
   When traveling to and from an exercise class, a participant generally must transport a number of items, some of which are difficult to secure during exercise. For example, two blocks are carried together with such items as a Pilate strap, clothing items, keys, watches and other personal items which, again, must be stored during exercise. The present invention is intended to simplify this matter and provide yoga blocks which are much easier to carry and significantly more user friendly than those currently available. 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to provide yoga blocks which are improved over those currently being employed. 
   These and further objects will be more readily appreciated when considering the following disclosure and appended claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention involves a yoga block system. In a first embodiment, the yoga block system comprises a first block and a second block each of which being of a rectangular shape having a number of planar faces wherein a first face of said first block and a first face of said second block are releaseably joined to one another wherein further said first face of said first block and said first face of said second block remain substantially planar notwithstanding their being provided with joining means configured therein. 
   In a second embodiment, the yoga block system comprises a first block and second block, each of which having a triangular cross section with two perpendicular edges and a hypotenuse wherein the hypotenuse of the first block and the hypotenuse of the second block are releaseably joined to one another wherein, further, said hypotenuse of said first block and said hypotenuse of said second block remain substantially planar notwithstanding their being provided with joining means configured therein. 
   Ideally, at least one of the blocks is hollow and selective access is provided to its interior to enable one to store items which otherwise would be difficult to secure during exercise. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  represent perspective views of two embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side partial view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a side plan view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 2C  is a side partial view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2D  is a side plan view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2C . 
       FIG. 2E  is a side partial view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view yet a further embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention wherein the blocks are shown as being triangularly shaped rather than rectangularly shaped as was the case with  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As noted previously, the present invention involves a yoga block system. In this regard, reference is first made to  FIG. 1A  showing a first block  11  and a second block  12  each of which being of rectangular shape and having a number of planar faces. Said planar faces can comprise faces  23 - 24  ( FIG. 2A ) or  33 - 34  ( FIG. 2C ). These planar faces, when rectangular blocks  11  and  12  are joined, abut one another at seam  13 . 
   The embodiment of  FIG. 1A  shows blocks  11  and  12  being of the same size and dimension. This is most convenient for when blocks  11  and  12  are released from contact with one another, these blocks will present the same dimension to a yoga participant. However, there are times when one would wish to have blocks of differing dimension. In this regard, reference is made to  FIG. 1B  wherein yoga block system  15  is shown comprised of smaller block  17  and larger block  16  joined at common seam  18 . 
   Regardless of whether one employs yoga block system  10  or  15 , it is the intent of the present invention to enable one to selectively and releaseably join blocks. In doing so, a yoga participant can travel to a participating location with a single block system comprised of two joined blocks rather than to juggle separate blocks in transit. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a first embodiment for releaseably joining blocks to one another. Turning first to  FIG. 2A , first face  23  of first block  21  is releaseably joined to first face  24  of block  22 . In this embodiment, first face  23  is configured with a hollowed portion  26  housing springs  27  which support tongue  25 . First face  24  of second block  22  is provided with key portion  28 . In use, tongue  25  is inserted within key portion  28  and, thereupon, block  21  is rotated 90 degrees with respect to block  22 . Blocks  21  and  22  are thus in a releasably joined condition. Blocks  21  and  22  will not disengage until they are rotated 90 degrees with respect to one another enabling tongue  25  to release from keyhole slot  28 . 
   The combination of hollowed portion  26  housing springs  27  supporting tongue  24  and key portion  28  enables the first face of first block  21  and first face of second block  22  to remain planar to one another notwithstanding them being joined. 
   Noting that it is an important element of the present invention to enable the various blocks to be used during exercise, it is necessary for tongue  25  to withdraw within the body of block  21  in order to present a planar surface  23  to, for example, a supporting floor employed during exercise. In this regard, reference is made to  FIG. 2E  showing that when block  21  is placed upon floor  5 , tongue  25  is pressed within cut out portion  26  by compression of springs  27 . Thus, although block  21  is provided with a means of engaging and releaseably joining with a companion block, in use, the expedient use for joining does not represent an impediment in the use of block  21  for exercise. 
   Yet a second embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . In this regard, rail  35  is provided upon planar surface  33  of block  31  and a suitable channel  36  is provided within planar surface  34  of block  32 . In use, block  31  would simply slide upon block  32  whereby rails  35  would releaseably engage channel  36 . When disengagement is sought, blocks  31  and  32  would merely be slid away from one another disengaging rails  35  from channel  36 . When used for exercise, rails  35  would again present a substantially planar surface thus not interfering with a yoga exercise program employing this block. The combination of rail  35  upon surface  33  of block  31  and channel  36  within surface  34  of block  32  enables surfaces  33  and  34  to remain planar to one another notwithstanding their being joined. 
   As a further expedient, reference is made to  FIG. 3  wherein at least one of the first or second blocks  40  is depicted as having a hollow interior  41  noting that at least one of the planar faces  42  is removable to provide access to interior  41 . As noted previously, those engaging in yoga exercise often find the need to store valuable items such as Pilate straps, yoga belts, keys, wallets, shoes and other articles of clothing and finding a secure and safe place to park such items as proven problematic. The yoga block system of the present invention by providing at least one of the blocks as a hollow member addresses this issue. 
   Although the discussion as provided above has focused upon a yoga block system in which the first and second blocks are rectangularly shaped, recognizing that yoga enthusiasts also oftentimes have need for triangular or wedge-shaped blocks, reference is made to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  depicts a yoga block system  50  comprising a first block  55  and a second block  58 , each of which having a triangular cross section with two perpendicular edges  51  and  52  and a hypotenuse  53 . As noted in  FIG. 4 , the hypotenuse of first block  55  and the hypotenuse of second block  58  are joined to one another to provide an overall rectangular shaped block. Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , each of blocks  55  and  58  can be releaseably joined to one another employing the various expedients shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2E  herein. In doing so, blocks  55  and  58  are releaseably joined and, when released from one another, each hypotenuse remains substantially planar notwithstanding that they are provided with joining means configured therein. Again, this was well discussed previously with regard to  FIG. 2  and the physical configuration disclosed therein is most applicable to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . Further, one of blocks  55  and/or  58  can have a hollow interior enabling one to use one or both blocks for storage during exercise.