Patent Description:
<CIT> (considered closest prior art) relates to a modular dohyo board, where the dohyo board is constructed of modular pieces including a circular centre pice and trapezoidal shaped pieces. The centre plate includes with dove-tail joints around the perimeter and the trapezoidal pieces include dovetail joints on three edges. Each trapezoidal shaped piece connects to the centre piece along a curved inner edge and to adjacent trapezoidal boards along straight edges. The outer edge of the assembled trapezoidal pieces defines a continuous circular edge and the extent of the dohyo board.

The present invention provides a wrestling training mat system as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals can describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes can represent different instances of similar components.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention.

A traditional wrestling mat consists of a continuous surface with a large circle printed on it to represent the wrestling ring. During a wrestling match, the competitors utilize various wrestling moves in an attempt to pin one another or otherwise cause an opponent to submit. This is all done inside the ring outlined on the wrestling mat. During training the technical maneuvers can be performed inside and outside the ring.

The ring may be a standard size (i.e., diameter) depending on the style of wrestling. For example, for Greco Roman wrestling the diameter of the ring may be different than the diameter for freestyle wrestling. The diameter may also vary depending on the age of the competitors. For instance, the diameter for high school athletes may be smaller than the diameter for college athletes.

Disclosed herein is a wrestling training mat system for use in a training program for wrestling. The wrestling training mat system includes a plurality of mats. The mats are connected together and define a void. The void may have a circular shape. As part of the training program, wrestlers may practice throws and other techniques inside the circular-shaped void. The void may provide a boundary in which the wrestlers must stay. Should they step outside the void, they may be penalized with a point deduction or disqualification.

As disclosed herein, the training program may begin with athletes learning various wrestling techniques and utilizing weights and other training aids. For example, wrestlers may begin by learning proper motion and mechanics as well as proper hand placement and grips. After learning grips, wrestlers may progress to learning body motions and/or mechanics by moving appropriate weights, such as Bulgarian Bags, Suples Balls, wrestling dummies, as well as elastic bands, through a range of motions to improve specific throwing techniques. The range of motions may start small and progress to wider ranges of motion as the wrestlers learn proper techniques.

From weights, the training program may progress to weighted dummies. The dummies may closely resemble the human form. Using the dummies, the wrestlers may work on their grips and positioning their bodies to throw an opponent. For example, using a dummy, a wrestler may practice gripping an arm or other body part of the dummy. Once the grip is learned, the wrestler may throw the dummy to practice throwing techniques. The work with dummies may take place inside the void of the wrestling training mat system disclosed herein.

After practicing throws and other techniques with dummies, the wrestlers may spar with one another inside the void of the mat system disclosed herein. As disclosed herein, the diameter of the void may be smaller than that of an official wrestling ring. The smaller diameter will force the wrestlers to engage one another in close quarters. The result is that instead of avoiding one another, the wrestlers will be forced to engage one another and practice the various throws and techniques that were learned and practiced using the dummies. Thus, the wrestlers will learn how to be more offensive, but at the same time they will be forced to learn how to perform counter attacks if they allow the opponent to initiate technical action first. A benefit here is that both athletes will have the opportunity to learn something from each technical action performed by his or her opponent.

<FIG> shows a mat system <NUM> not forming part of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, mat system <NUM> may include a plurality of mats <NUM> (labeled individually as mat 102A, 102B, 102C,. When assembled, plurality of mats <NUM> may be located upon a wrestling mat <NUM>. Wrestling mat <NUM> may include a surface printing of a first ring <NUM> and a second ring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, plurality of mats <NUM> may have a thickness and may define a void <NUM>.

Void <NUM> may have any number of shapes. For example, as shown in <FIG>, void <NUM> may have a circular shape. Other shapes include, but are not limited to, squares, rectangles, ovals, etc. Void <NUM> may be used to restrict the movement of wrestlers, or other athletes, as part of training exercises as disclosed herein.

<FIG> shows a plan view of a wrestling training mat system <NUM> according to the invention. As shown in <FIG>, mat system <NUM> includes a plurality of mats <NUM> (labeled individually as mat 202A, 202B, 202C,. When assembled, plurality of mats <NUM> may be located upon a wrestling mat <NUM>. Wrestling mat <NUM> may include a surface printing of a first ring <NUM> and a second ring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, plurality of mats <NUM> defines a void <NUM>. Additionally, surface printings associated with reference numbers <NUM> and <NUM> may be of different shapes, such as squares, rectangles, etc..

Wrestling training mat system <NUM> may also include a second plurality of mats <NUM> (labeled individually as mat 212A, 212B,. Second plurality of mats <NUM> may be the same or different thickness than plurality of mats <NUM>. Second plurality of mats <NUM> may provide additional cushion and/or safety should athletes fall or otherwise be thrown beyond an area covered by plurality of mats <NUM>. Each of plurality of mats <NUM> may have the same shape and/or size as each other or each of plurality of mats <NUM> may have different sizes and/or shapes.

Plurality of mats <NUM> may have one or more subsections of mats that have the same size and/or shapes. For example, mat 202A and mat 202E may have the same shape and size. Mat 202C and mat <NUM> may have the same shape and size. Mats 202B and 202F may have the same size and shape. Mats 202D and <NUM> may have the same size.

As shown in <FIG>, plurality of mats <NUM> defines void <NUM>. Void <NUM> can have a radius of R<NUM>. Ring <NUM> may have a radius of R<NUM>, which may be a regulation-sized ring used in wrestling. R<NUM> may be less than R<NUM>. The smaller radius may create a more confined space in which athletes, such as wrestlers or judo athletes, can train. By creating the more confined space, the athletes are forced to be more aggressive and engage one another due to a reduction in the area upon which they can move. Stated another way, because the athletes are forced into closer proximity to one another, they are forced to engage each other instead of evading each other.

The diameter of void <NUM>, sometimes referred to as a combat area, may vary based on the age of the wrestlers. The diameter may also vary on the style of wrestling that the wrestlers are practicing. Other factors that may affect the diameter may be the wishes of a coach and a style and/or training regimen the wrestlers are following.

As part of the training program, if an athlete steps outside of void <NUM>, such as upon a top surface of any of plurality of mats <NUM>, the athlete may be assessed a penalty. For example, a single foot stepping outside of void <NUM> may result in a one-point penalty. Two feet stepping outside of void <NUM> or excessively stepping one foot outside of void <NUM> may result in disqualification.

The size and/or shape of void <NUM> may be adjustable using an insert <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, insert <NUM> may result in void <NUM> having a radius R<NUM>, which is less than R<NUM>. Insert <NUM> can be a single piece of mat material or may be constructed of a plurality of segments as illustrated in <FIG>. The use of insert <NUM> can allow the size and shape of void <NUM> to be altered for different training exercises as well as different size and/or experience levels of the athletes. For example, for younger, and hence smaller athletes, insert <NUM> can be used to create a void with a smaller radius. For more skilled athletes, a smaller radius may require improved techniques due to a limited space in which to perform maneuvers.

To aid in assembling mat system <NUM>, each mat of plurality of mats <NUM> may have reference labels <NUM> (labeled individually as reference label 214A, 214B,. Each of reference labels <NUM> may be unique or various reference labels <NUM> may be the same as shown in <FIG>. For example, each of reference labels <NUM> may be unique, such as numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. <NUM>, to correspond to each mat. During assembly of mat system <NUM> the numbers can be used or orient and place plurality of mats <NUM> in the proper position and/or orientation. As shown in <FIG>, mats that have the same size and shape can have the same reference label. For instance, since mats 202A and 202E have the same size and shape, reference labels 214A and 214E can be the same reference label. In some aspects, the reference labels <NUM> may be placed on a side or a bottom surface of plurality of mats <NUM> so that reference labels <NUM> are not visible when plurality of mats <NUM> are arranged and form the void <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a detail of a portion of void <NUM> consistent with embodiments of the invention. As shown in <FIG>, each mat of plurality of mats <NUM>, such as mat <NUM>, includes a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM>, and a curved surface <NUM> that extends from first surface <NUM> to second surface <NUM>. Upon assembly of wrestling training mat system <NUM>, the curved surfaces <NUM> of each of plurality of mats <NUM> define void <NUM> in a center region of wrestling training mat system <NUM>.

During assembly of wrestling training mat system <NUM>, first surface <NUM> and second surface <NUM>, which include connectors as disclosed herein, contact first and second surfaces of adjacent mats According to the invention, as shown in <FIG>, first surface <NUM> of mat <NUM> engages a first surface <NUM> of mat <NUM> and second surface <NUM> of mat <NUM> engages a second surface <NUM> of mat 202F. Note the spacing between mats 202F, <NUM>, and <NUM> is exaggerated in <FIG> for clarity.

<FIG> shows a joint <NUM> between two mats consistent with embodiments of the invention. For example, joint <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be the joint between mats 202F and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, first surface <NUM> includes a first connector <NUM> and second surface <NUM> includes a second connector <NUM>. Examples of connectors <NUM> and <NUM> include a hook and loop connector commonly referred to as Velcro®. During assembly of mat system <NUM>, plurality of mats <NUM> are brought into contact with one another and connectors join plurality of mats <NUM> to form void <NUM>.

Each mat of plurality of mats <NUM> may include a flap that can cover joints, such as joint <NUM>. For example, and as shown in <FIG>, a first flap <NUM> may extend from a top surface <NUM> of mat 202F across joint <NUM> and engage a top surface <NUM> of mat <NUM>. A second flap <NUM> may extend from a bottom surface <NUM> of mat 202F and engage a bottom surface <NUM> of mat <NUM>. While <FIG> shows first and second flaps <NUM> and <NUM> extending from mat 202F, each mat may have a respective flap. For example, first flap <NUM> may extend from mat 202F to engage mat <NUM> and second flap <NUM> may extend from mat <NUM> to engage mat 202F.

To engage an adjacent mat, first and second flaps <NUM> and <NUM> may each have a connector that engages a corresponding connector of the adjacent mat. For example, first and second flaps <NUM> and <NUM> may each include a first component of a hook and loop fastener and mats 202F and <NUM> may have a second component of the hook and loop fastener to allow first and second flaps <NUM> and <NUM> to engage adjacent mats.

Bottom surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may include a non-slip coating. The non-slip coating may allow mat system <NUM> to rest on wrestling surface <NUM> without moving as athletes train. Bottom surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> also may include strips or patches of hook and loop fasteners and/or a non-slip material, such as rubber, that may act to anchor mat system <NUM> into position.

<FIG> shows a wrestling training mat system <NUM> consistent with embodiments of this invention. Wrestling training mat system <NUM> includes a plurality of mats <NUM> (labeled individually as mat 502A, 502B, 502C, and 502D). As shown in <FIG>, each of plurality of mats <NUM> can have the same shape and size. Thus, each mat of plurality of mats <NUM> can are interchangeable with one another. Each mat of plurality of mats <NUM> can include reference labels <NUM> (labeled individually as 504A, 504B, 504C, and 504D).

While <FIG> shows reference labels <NUM> having numbers <NUM>-<NUM>, reference labels <NUM> can be the same number. For example, in different wrestling training mat systems, reference labels <NUM> can be used to identify the size of a void <NUM> form by wrestling training mat system <NUM>. For example, a reference label of "<NUM>" may be indicated that void <NUM> has a radius (in the case void <NUM> is circular) or a length and width (in the case void <NUM> is a square) of <NUM> metres (<NUM> feet).

The above-detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. " Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described as long as they fall within the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
A wrestling training mat system (<NUM>) comprising: a first plurality of mats (202A to <NUM>) including a plurality of first mats (202A, C, E, G) and a plurality of second mats (202B, D, F, H);
wherein each of the first mats (202A, C, E, G) includes:
a first surface (<NUM>) including a first connector (<NUM>),
a second surface (<NUM>) including a second connector (<NUM>), wherein the second surface (<NUM>) is arranged normal to the first surface (<NUM>), and
a first curved surface (<NUM>) extending from the first surface (<NUM>) to the second surface (<NUM>); and
each of the second mats (202B, D, F, H), includes:
a second mat first surface (<NUM>) including a second mat first connector (<NUM>),
a second mat second surface (<NUM>) including a second mat second connector (<NUM>), wherein the second mat second surface (<NUM>) is arranged normal to the second mat first surface (<NUM>), and
a second mat curved surface extending from the second mat first surface (<NUM>) to the second mat second surface (<NUM>),
wherein upon assembly of the training mat system (<NUM>), first and second mats are adjacent and the first and second connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>) of each first and second mat (202A- <NUM>) of the plurality of mats engage corresponding first and second connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a corresponding first and second adjacent mat (202A- <NUM>), and
the curved surfaces of the assembled plurality of mats (202A- <NUM>) form a continuous curved portion of a first void (<NUM>) in a center region of the mat system (<NUM>), the first void having a first size.