CA1086789A - Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion - Google Patents

Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion

Info

Publication number
CA1086789A
CA1086789A CA287,728A CA287728A CA1086789A CA 1086789 A CA1086789 A CA 1086789A CA 287728 A CA287728 A CA 287728A CA 1086789 A CA1086789 A CA 1086789A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
mat
tumbling
user
hand
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA287,728A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Pritchard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PLAY-RITE PRODUCTS Ltd
Original Assignee
PLAY-RITE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PLAY-RITE PRODUCTS Ltd filed Critical PLAY-RITE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority to CA287,728A priority Critical patent/CA1086789A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1086789A publication Critical patent/CA1086789A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/00047Exercising devices not moving during use
    • A63B21/0005Exercising devices not moving during use specially adapted for head stands
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B21/00Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
    • A63B21/40Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
    • A63B21/4027Specific exercise interfaces
    • A63B21/4037Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B71/0619Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
    • A63B71/0622Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
    • A63B2071/0625Emitting sound, noise or music
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2208/00Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
    • A63B2208/02Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player posture
    • A63B2208/0242Lying down
    • A63B2208/0247Lying down with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The specification describes a portable exercising mat comprising a first portion and a second portion integral with one another. The second portion is constructed from a soft resilient material and is thickened relative to the first portion. The arrangement is such that when a person is lying in a supine position on the mat, with the person's head resting on the first portion, the person's back is supported by and arched over the second portion. The first portion is preferably provided with a pair of hand grips and may also be constructed from the same material as the second portion. This preferred arrangement is especially suitable for performing repeated tumbling exercises.

Description

~67~
1 Field of the Invention ~ his invention relates to a portable exercisin~J mat.
Background of the Invention It is ~enerally very dif~icult to teach children and S especially young children to perform exerci.sing maneuvers such as head stands, hand stands, tumbling and the like. The ~ounger children usually have a fear of injuring themselves by fallina on their backs. They can of course use conventional gymnastic mats, however, such mats are much too heavy and awkward for a ,,voung child to move and therefore, the child is restricted to the area in which he or she exercises.
~ ven the provision of a conventional tumbling mat may not totally rid the child of the fear of in~ury. Conventional mats can often be quite hard. They are flat wit.h the back landing area is at the same level as the head supportin~ area, so that should the child topple hackwards, the fall is not brok.en and the child will fall to a completely prone position absorbln~ the brunt o the fall in the small of the hack.
In order to perform repeated tumhling exercises in the past, it has heen necessar,v, to align a plurality of tumblinq mats.
As can be appreciated, it is very easy to loose one's orientat.on and to stray from that al.igned path of mats ~hen repeat.ing tumbling maneuvers. Due to spacial limitations, one is limited to certain areas where the aligned mats can he set up.
As anyone who exercises regularly will appreciate, con-tinued practice in performing headstands, handstands, nip-ups, repeated tumbling maneuvers and the lik.e can be very horing and monotonous. This is especiall,v true for younger children who generally have'a very limited span o attention. ' The present invention provides a portahle exercising ~at --2 - ~

.

1 comprising a first portion an~ a s~cond portion integral with one another. The first portion includes hand grips for performing repeated tumbling exercises. The second portion is constructed from a soft resilient material and is thickened relative to the first portion. The arrangement is such that when a person using the mat is lying in a supine position on the mat with the user's head resting on the first portion, the user's back is supported by and arched over the second portion. Therefore, when the person exercising on the mat tumble backwards, his or her fall will be broken before reaching the prostrate or prone position. This is not only comforting from a physical standpoint, but also provides a psychological inducement by helping to overcome the inherent fear of a young child in performing exercising maneuvers. The overcoming of this fear especially in ~oung children is the first step in acquiring basic gymnastic skills which are picked up quickly and easi~y through the use of the mat according to this invention. ~ -BRIEF DESCl~IPTION_ OF THE DRAWINGS : :
The above as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments according to this invention, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view looking down on a tumbling mat having a preferred configuration according to this invention;

. .. .
Figure 2 is a sec-tional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the user's hand in an optimal position on the tumbling mat;
Eigure 3 is an enlarged view of the whistle shown in the extreme right hand side of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view looking down on an alter-native preferred construction for the tumbling mat according to ~ 3 ~

j71~
1 this invention;
Figures 5 through 7 are perspective views looking down on a`child using -the tumbling mat of E'igure ~ in performing repeated tumbling exercises;
Figure 8 is a perspective view looking down on s-till another preferred construction of a tumbling mat according to this invention, showing the user in a supine position with his head resting on the first section and his back arched over the second section;
Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the hand grips of the tumbling mat shown in Figure 8.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a tumbling mat generally indicated at 1, comprising first section 3 and second section 5. As becomes apparent from Figure 2, the second section is considerably thicker than the first section. In addition, it is constructed ; from a soft foam rubber material or the like. The first section, which is integral with the second section, may haVe a similar construction.
The tumbling mat shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with a pair o~ hand grips 7. These hand grips are especially useful in performing repeated tumbling maneuvers as will be explained hereinafter. Weighted portion 9, provided in second section 5, i9 also of assistance in performing repeated tumbling maneuvers.
The second section can either be solid foam rubber mat-erial, or hollowed as shown in Figure 2. The hollow area 13 may be provided with one or more supporting partitions 14 to provide ; additional support in the hollowed area beneath the user's back when performing various exercises.
Tumbling mat 1 is additlonally provided with a reed or :, .., , . ; , , . . :
.: ., . . : ~
. . .: : :: : . . :

6~8~
1 whistle 11 as shown in Fi~ure 3. Whistle 11 :is located in a passage extending through -the second section to the hollow area so that upon partial collapse of -the second sec-tion, air is expelled from hollow area 13 through whistle 11 provlded in passage 15 to produce a noise from the whistle. The whistle is constructed to permit the return of air to hollowed area 13. It will be appreciated that whistle 11 can be replaced by any type of noise-making device.
Figure 4 shows a tumbling mat 21, having a somewhat different configuration. This mat includes first section 23 and second section 25. The first section is provided with a pair of :
ball hand grips 27, hand grip markings 29 and head position marking 31. Second section 25 is provided with weighted portion 35.
Figure 8 shows a tumbling mat 31 construc-ted from a single piece of foam rubber rolled back upon itself to provide a first section 33 and a second section 35. Again, second section 35 may be provided with supporting partitions. It will be noted from ~:j . . . .
figure 8 that the second section of mat 31 is considerably thicker than first section 33.
Hand grips 37 including cut away portions 39 for clamping engagement with the user's hands during repeated tumbling exercises, are best shown in Figure 9.
Tumbling mat 1, shown in Figure 1 is especially suited for production by injection molding. All three of the mats shown in Figures 1, 4 and 8 are preferably provided with a tough outer skin which does not detract from the cushioning of -the mat, but does add to the mat's durability.
A11 of the mats shown in the drawings are used in 30 essentially the same manner. The user positions his or her head .~ . ' "~.

:, : : .- , l over the ~irst sec-tlon of the mat. If -the user is performlng head stands or hand stands, the hands may be placed on -the floor at the sides of the first section, or directly on the first section so that the hand grips need not necessarily be provided on the mat. When the user locates his or her head over the first section, the user's back immediately assumes the position where it will be cushioned b~ the second section, should the user topple backwards to a supine position. As can be seen in Figure 4, first section 23 of mat 21 is flat to assist in performing head stands. If the first section were inclined from the horizo~tal, it would tend to tilt the head at an angle, and topple the person performing the head stand.
The tumbling mat shown in Figures 4 through 7 is adapted for use by very young children. Hand grip markings 29 indicate that the.palm of the hand should be placed over the ball grips 27 for holding on to the ball grips during repeated tumbling maneuvers. In addition, head marking 31 indicates to the child the optimal posi-tion for the top of the head.
Figures 5 through 7 show the use of the mat for repeated tumbling maneuvers. The user assumes the proper positioning by grasping the hand grips and locating his or her head over the first section of the mat~ Thereafter he or she simply rolls forward to a supine position where the second section of the mat cushions the fall of the back before the user assumes a completely prone or prostrate position. The user maintains a grasp on the hand grips so that the mat moves with the user for further tumbles.
As becomes apparent from Figure 8, the back is arched over the second section with the user's legs curled around until his or her feet contact the ground. This arching of the back and curl- :
ing of the legs significan.ly enhances the user's ahility to , : . . . . ~ -~313G~

1 return to the standing position for performing urther tumbles.
The light construc-tion of the mat, makes it easy to flip up and over the head of the user. The weighted portion at the end of the second section is also made from a soft material which is heavier than the rest of the mat. This additional weight at the free end of the mat provides a hinging effect at the juncture between the first and second sections which also assists in flipping the mat.
When a child uses a mat such as that shown in Figure 4, 10 he or she will be rewarded by the noise made rom the noise- ~-making device each time a proper tumble is performed. This, as is the case with any other-noise-making device, maintains -the intrigue of the child so that he or she will continue to practice and quickly acquire basic ~ymnastic skills.
The elevation of the second section relative to the first section, fulfills two functions. Physically it cushions and arches the user's back prior to reaching a prostrate position.
Mentally lt provides the impetus required to persuade a child to perform exercises in which the child can possibly fall onto his or her back. Furthermore, in performing repeated tumbling exercises, the user is not restricted to a predetermined path, nor does the user miss the mat by losing his or her orientation because the mat moves with the user.
~ Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ~-of the appended claims.

;~

,

Claims (11)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A portable tumbling mat comprising a first portion and a second portion integral with one another, said portions being constructed from a soft, resilient material, said first portion being provided with a pair of hand grips, said second portion being thickened relative to said first portion, the arrangement being such that when a person is lying in a supine position on said mat with the user's hands engaging- said hand grips and with the user's head resting on said first portion, the user's back is supported by and arched over said second portion, thereby enhancing the user's ability to perform repeated tumbling exercises.
2. A tumbling mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hand grips have a ball configuration.
3. A tumbling mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion includes a hollow area and a passage extending through said second portion to said hollow area, said passage being provided with a noise-making device so that with each tumble on said mat said hollow area is deflated, thereby expelling air through said passage to produce a noise from said noise-making device, said hollow area being reinflatable between each tumble.
4. A tumbling mat as defined in claim 3, wherein said hollow area is provided with at least one supporting partition to provide additional support in said second portion.
5. A tumbling mat as defined in Claim 1 wherein said mat is additionally weighted at the free end of said second portion to assist in throwing said mat over the user's head when performing repeated tumbling exercises.
6. A tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said noise-making device is a reed or whistle.
7. A tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said mat is one piece injection molded foam rubber and is provided with a tough outer skin.
8. A tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said first portion is essentially flat and said mat is used for performing head stands and hand stands.
9. A tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said first portion is provided with a marking for indicating the optimal head position for performing repeated tumbling maneuvers.
10. A tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said hand grips comprise cut-away indentations in said first portion for clamping engagement with the user's hands for performing repeated tumbling exercises.
11. A portable tumbling mat as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said hand grips are provided with hand-grip markings for indicating the optimal hand positions for performing repeated tumbling maneuvers.
CA287,728A 1977-09-28 1977-09-28 Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion Expired CA1086789A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA287,728A CA1086789A (en) 1977-09-28 1977-09-28 Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA287,728A CA1086789A (en) 1977-09-28 1977-09-28 Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1086789A true CA1086789A (en) 1980-09-30

Family

ID=4109660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA287,728A Expired CA1086789A (en) 1977-09-28 1977-09-28 Resilient tumbling mat with thickened portion

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1086789A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0085196A1 (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-08-10 JANSSEN & FRITSEN B.V. Couplable mat
EP0717649A1 (en) * 1994-07-07 1996-06-26 Precise Exercise Equipment, Inc. An abdominal exerciser device

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0085196A1 (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-08-10 JANSSEN & FRITSEN B.V. Couplable mat
EP0717649A1 (en) * 1994-07-07 1996-06-26 Precise Exercise Equipment, Inc. An abdominal exerciser device
EP0717649A4 (en) * 1994-07-07 1996-08-14 Donald Brown An abdominal exerciser device

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