Fabric yoga straps

• US 20070066467A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Edwards
• Original Assignee: Richard Edwards
• Inventors: Edwards, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/148
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2260/048 Natural or synthetic rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0276 Polyester fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/062 Cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/065 Lignocellulosic fibres, e.g. jute, sisal, hemp, flax, bamboo
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0207 Materials belonging to B32B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0221 Vinyl resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/726 Permeability to liquids, absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/728 Hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/744 Non-slip, anti-slip
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/00 Layered products comprising a layer of natural or synthetic rubber fibrous or filamentary layer made of a natural or synthetic rubber B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a natural or synthetic rubber B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a natural or synthetic rubber B32B5/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/20 comprising silicone rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/02 comprising animal or vegetable substances , e.g. cork, bamboo, starch
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 2209/106 Roughness, anti-slip, abrasiveness
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 2209/123 : Breathable
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 2211/066 : Floor coverings
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 2213/045 : the coating layer does not completely close the openings between the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 2213/061 : Non-continuous back coating or pre-coat
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 7/0007 : characterised by their relief structure
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 7/0071 : characterised by their backing, e.g. pre-coat, back coating, secondary backing, cushion backing
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 7/0092 : Non-continuous polymer coating on the fibrous substrate, e.g. plastic dots on fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 : Stretching

Abstract

This invention provides composite yoga mats and straps comprising a fabric sheet and loop holes and/or filament loops functioning as hand grips or appendage supports useful in the practice of yoga positions. The yoga straps or mats can to provide support, a stable surface, and moisture absorption for the practice of yoga.

Claims

1. A yoga strap for aiding a practitioner of yoga in a variety of yoga positions, the strap comprising:

a fabric sheet comprising a peripheral edge, which comprises a first pair of opposite peripheral edge sections, a second pair of opposite peripheral edge sections between the first pair, a first face, and a second face; and

,

a flexible filament attached to the first pair of peripheral edges, and forming a first loop extending beyond a first of the second peripheral edges and forming a second loop extending beyond a second of the second peripheral edges.

2. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the fabric sheet comprises:

terry cloth, chamois, synthetic chamois, fibers with a hydrophilic coating, a combination of absorbent and nonabsorbent fibers, plant fibers, or cotton.

3. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the fabric sheet comprises a width less than about 18 inches and a length less than about 3 feet thereby providing a structure with dimensions functional as a yoga strap.

4. The yoga strap of claim 3, wherein the fabric sheet comprises a length and width more than 12 inches and the flexible filament is not substantially elastic.

5. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the fabric sheet can be laid out flat with the peripheral edges extended outward in a plane without substantial amounts of excess loose material outside the plane of the edges.

6. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the yoga strap is without a larger fabric sheet attached to any of the peripheral edges.

7. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein extending loops each comprise internal circumferences of more than about 6 inches, thus providing a structure capable of functioning as hand grip.

8. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the flexible filament of the extending loops is continuous from the first loop to the second loop.

9. The yoga strap of claim 1, further comprising one or more yoga mats removably attached to a peripheral edge of the yoga strap.

10. The yoga strap of claim 1, wherein the flexible filament has a tensile strength adequate to hold 150 pounds or more without breaking, thus having the structure to function in support of a yoga practitioner in the practice of a variety of yoga exercises.

11. The yoga strap of claim 1, wrapped around a rolled up yoga mat.

12. A method of practicing yoga positions with support from the yoga strap of claim 1.

13. A yoga mat comprising:

a fabric sheet comprising a first face, a second face, and a peripheral edge; and

,

two or more opposing loop holes adjacent and internal to the peripheral edge, the loop holes comprising an internal circumference of more than about 6 inches;

whereby a variety of yoga positions can be practiced by insertion of yoga practitioner body appendages into the loop holes or constrictable loops formed therefrom.

14. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the fabric sheet comprises a moisture absorbent material selected from the group consisting of:

terry cloth, chamois, synthetic chamois, hydrophilic fibers, fibers with a hydrophilic coating, a combination of absorbent and nonabsorbent fibers, plant fibers, cellulose, polyester, hemp, or cotton.

15. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the fabric sheet comprises a length more than about 3 feet and a width about 18 inches or less.

16. The yoga mat of claim 13, further comprising a frictional material disposed on the fabric sheet second face.

17. The yoga mat of claim 16, wherein the frictional material comprises:

a rubber, a foam rubber, a resilient polymer, a polyvinyl foam, a sponge, cork, or silicone rubber.

18. The yoga mat of claim 13, wherein the peripheral edge or loop hole internal circumferences comprise reinforcing material.

19. The yoga mat of claim 13, further comprising one or more connectors to:

maintain rolled configuration, bind two or more mats together, or to fix a constrictable loop in a desired position.

20. The yoga mat of claim 13, further comprising one or more intermediate loop holes in the fabric between the opposing perforations.