Abstract:
Yoga mat storage racks are disclosed. The storage racks are used to store mats used for practicing yoga.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to the field of storage racks. In particular, the present invention is directed to storage racks adapted for yoga mats. Yoga mats are used by persons engaged in yoga in either a home, a gym or a studio setting. Currently, there are no available storage racks particularly adapted for yoga mats. Consequently, yoga mats are generally left in a disorganized, cluttered fashion whereby the mats are thrown into crates, piled around the floor of a gym or rolled up and placed in a corner. The primary object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use yoga mat storage rack. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The objectives of the present invention are to provide space saving and convenient storage for yoga mats. In addition, it is an objective to provide visually appealing storage devices consistent with a yogic lifestyle. A further objective is to provide a yoga mat storage device that is clean and hygienic by providing air flow for the mats. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 1C  is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention will now be described in connection with the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0010]    The first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The yoga mat holder  10  comprises a plurality of vertically disposed tubular mat holders  11 ,  12  and  13 . The tubular mat holders  11 ,  12  and  13  are joined at collar  14  which can also serve as a tray for holding various items. The diameter of the tubular mat holders is in the approximate range of 7 to 10 inches while the height is in the approximate range of 18 to 25 inches. In this embodiment, the yoga mats are first rolled up into a tubular configuration and then inserted into the tubular mat holders  11 ,  12  and  13 . It is presently contemplated that in this embodiment the yoga mat holder  10  will be a free-standing device that can be easily moved within the area of use. Although the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  comprises three tubes, the number of tubes could be less than three or greater than three. 
         [0011]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  further comprises a plurality of small feet  15  to slightly elevate the yoga mat holder  10  off the floor. In addition, each of the tubular mat holders  11 ,  12  &amp;  13  comprise a plurality of slots  16  on the bottom of each of the tubes as shown in  FIG. 1B . The slots  16  allow for air flow through the mat holders to keep the yoga mats dry and sanitary.  FIG. 1   c  illustrates an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1  where a plurality of slots  19  are provided on the side of the tubular holders  11 ,  12 ,  13  rather than on the bottom. 
         [0012]    The second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The yoga mat holder  20  in  FIG. 2  is adapted to be permanently affixed to the studs in a wall. In this embodiment, the yoga mat holder  20  comprises a generally rectangular frame  21 . It is contemplated that the frame  21  will be fabricated from wood although the scope of the invention should not be so limited. The frame will be provided with a plurality of through holes  22 . The through holes  22  are adapted to receive screws  23  or other fastening devices to connect the frame  21  to a wall or other structure. 
         [0013]    The yoga mat holder  20  further comprises a plurality of shelves  24 . The shelves  24  will be supported by a plurality of brackets  25 . It is contemplated that the shelves  24  will be able to fold up or down to accommodate storage of the yoga mats. The sizes of the shelves  24  can be adapted to accommodate the size of the yoga mats to be stored thereon. 
         [0014]    The third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The yoga mat holder  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises a frame  31 . The frame  31  comprises a top rectangular frame  32  and four legs  33 . The top rectangular frame  32  is adapted to receive a removable storage tray  34 . The front of the frame  31  comprises a plurality of generally cylindrical mat holders  35 . The mat holders  31  are perforated to allow for air flow in and around the yoga mats and provide for hygienic storage of the mats. The mat holders  31  are sized to fit the particular size of the yoga mat to be stored in the mat holder  31 . The yoga mat holder  30  is generally adapted to be free-standing and movable. It may be optionally provided with wheels to facilitate easy movement. 
         [0015]    The fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The yoga mat holder  40  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is adapted to be mounted on a wall. The yoga mat holder  40  comprises a back  41 . The mat holders  42  are welded to the back  41 . The mat holders  42  are each supported by two stiffening brackets  43 . The mat holders  42  comprise a plurality of perforations  46  to provide for air flow and are sized to accommodate the yoga mats to be stored. The back  41  comprises an optional cut-out  45 . The cut-out  45  is adapted to receive ornamental inserts  47  as illustrated in  FIG. 4   d.    
         [0016]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing embodiments are merely illustrations of the present invention and many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.