MXPA02009100A - Improvements in mat for exercise and physical therapy. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to a novel and portable device, which is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of single cushions that are hingedly joined therebetween, in such a manner that the same can be stacked in order to form an easily manipulated device, having adequate means for transporting the same and to be used as a support for exercising the body.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO MATTRESS FOR EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to mats and devices for exercising the body, particularly it relates to a novel portable device that includes a plurality of individual cushions hingedly joined together so that they can be folded on themselves to form a comfortably manipulable device, itself which is provided with adequate means for transportation and means for its use as support or support to exercise the body. The mattress of the invention is characterized particularly by its novel construction that increases its comfort and versatility at a lower price than those previously known in the art.

BACKGROUND It is well known in the field the use of soft covers to make certain hard surfaces such as the floor of an enclosure, say a gym or office, are more comfortable for users who must make direct contact of some part of their body with such surface in the development of an exercise session for sports or therapeutic purposes.

A wide variety of cushions and mats are now known which comprise a single section or which, alternatively, comprise a plurality of individual cushions or mats joined or interconnected in a movable manner so that the assembly can be bent to occupy a relatively small volume.

In general, such cushions or mats comprise one or more cover sheets having the edges sewn together, thus enclosing a volume containing a filling material, which has conventionally been selected from the group consisting of cotton, felt, kapok, etc., see for example, patents US 717,703 (McCarty, 1903), US 2,834,970 (Nappe, 1958) and US 5,144,911 (oore, et al, 1992). The filling has been provided, of course, to give the cushion or mat a certain level of firmness and elasticity but in practice it is found that the repeated use of the cushion or mattress tends to compress the filling material and even more, after Having used it for a relatively short period of time, its elasticity or its ability to "bounce" is also lost. Additionally, it has been found that the cushions known hitherto, even when their covers comprise waterproof materials, have been constructed in such a way that they tend to leak water and / or air, particularly in the regions near the seams, therefore, it has been considered that its prolonged exposure to the weather is not convenient.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mattress with multiple individual cushions, which can be folded and stacked to form an easily portable block.

It is another object of the invention to provide a portable mat composed of a series of individual sections movably joined together, which can be configured to offer a variety of possible use alternatives for performing exercises.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable mat with fastening means that allows exercises of the type of correction of body postures in a variety of positions, from the standing position, to the completely horizontal position.

It is another object of this invention to provide a cushion of multiple cushions of adequate dimensions to offer adequate support to people with reduced mobility, such as elderly people or with muscular and skeletal problems.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a cushion of multiple cushions of dimensions and consistency suitable for the performance of low and high impact exercises.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion of multiple assembled cushions that is relatively simple and economical, but which at the same time is comfortable and easy to handle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the exercise mat with anti-slip surfaces on the faces of the cushions exposed to contact with the floor, in order to avoid the displacement of the set of cushions when a physical activity is being developed with the set, in order to avoid possible slips and falls to the user.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mat with improved utility by the incorporation of a number of characteristics that allow to expand its possibilities of use in the performance of therapeutic or gymnastic exercises.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an isometric view of the multiple cushion mat of the invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the main elements constituting the multi-cushion mattress of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a detail of a possible way of anchoring a support cane to a fixing element located at the base of the individual cushion closest to the floor.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the mat of the invention in its fully extended configuration.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the mat of the invention in its bench or bench configuration for high impact scale exercises.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the mat of the invention in its stool or bench configuration for - S i - low to high impact scale exercises.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the internal configuration of one of the individual cushions that constitute the mat of the invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the construction of the article of the invention from a single piece of textile material to form the lining of the individual cushions.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the multiple cushion mat of the invention, showing a geometric pattern formed by an anti-skid material applied to the outer surfaces of the textile that forms the lining of the cushions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to obviate the limitations observed in the devices found in the prior art described above, and in particular, refers to a portable device that includes a plurality of individual cushions hingedly joined together so that they can be bent over same to be used as a seat or chair, in addition to making its handling more comfortable, which is provided with adequate means for transport.

In Figure 1 is shown a view of the set of individual cushions (la), (Ib), (le) and (Id) joined alternately to each other along one of the common edges between two successive cushions, for example (the ) and (Ib), (Ib) and (le) or (le) and (Id), on the narrowest side of the individual cushion, by means of a connecting strip forming a hinged joint (2) throughout the entire length of the the length of the common edge between the two cushions, as shown in the figure for the two visible pairs; the alternation of the hinged joint (2) allows the cushions to be stacked one on top of the other to form a stool or bench (1) that can be used as a seat. In each individual cushion a line of union or "seam" is also indicated along the entire length of each side face. FIG. 1 also shows a clamping means in the form of a stick (4) which, on the one hand, maintains the plurality of individual cores in immovable relation with respect to each other in the stacked configuration, and which also allows it to be used as a handle or support to perform exercises in standing position of the user, for which the cane (4) is provided with handles (4a) and (4b).

When the cane (4) is removed from the set of cushions (the) to (Id), these can be separated to reconfigure the mat of the invention, as shown in Figure 2 in which it is appreciable how the individual cushions are related by means of the hinged joint (2) between each pair of individual cushions. It should be noted that the use of materials such as hook and loop tapes ("hook and loop" or Sailboat fo similar) are not recommended due to the rigidity that said joining means offer, so it is recommended, for the construction of this hinged joint (2), the same material or one similar to that of the lining of each cushion, that is, a textile material of natural or synthetic fibers or mixtures thereof, preferably impermeable either by the nature of the material itself or by the application of some waterproofing means for textiles known in the market.

The cane (4) in Figure 2 shows a vertical tubular element (5) of circular section that when introduced through the various holes (6) made in the individual cushions (a) to (Id), allows the immobilization of the same, providing consistency so that the set (1) is used as a workbench, and in turn, the individual cushions immobilize the cane (4) that can serve as support to the user to perform their standing exercises, although this maintains the possibility of free rotation around the axis presented by the vertical tubular element (5) In an alternate embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the cane (4) may have fastening means, such as thread (7a) or torsionally secure (7b), or other means of anchoring commonly known, to be fixed to the "floor" (9) of the lowermost individual cushion (Id), thereby placing the cane (4) in place through the plurality of corresponding holes (6) of the set of cushions and anchored to the cushion (Id), a single solid body is formed from the set of cushions (1) and cane (4). The "floor" (9) of the cushion disposed in the lowest position of the stack, can be made of a rigid material, such as fiberglass, in which the most suitable fastening element corresponding to that present can "drown". at the end of the stick, such as a thread (8a) or twist counter-lock (8b) or any other suitable one.

The mattress of the invention can be configured in various ways thanks to the mobility provided by the hinged joint (2); Some of the possible configurations and their advantages are described below.

Figure 4 shows the mattress of the invention in its fully extended configuration, in which the four individual cushions (a) to (Id) are in linear relation and where the correlation between the orifices is observed (6) from each of the individual cushions (a) to (Id), - the hinged joint (2) is not exposed as it is protected by the cushions themselves. In this configuration, the height of the mat is the same as that of an individual cushion, approximately 10 cms. (4 inches), noticeably higher than the average height of soft mattresses on the market; The advantage of this measure is evident when it is considered that the main use recommended for a mattress of the type of the invention is in the exercise of people with postural, muscular or skeletal problems or elderly people with reduced mobility. The other dimensions of the individual cushions are the common measures of length and width of exercise mats, in the order of 40 to 60 cms. in order to offer a surface, when in the extended configuration, of at least 40 cm wide by up to 240 cm long, sufficient to accommodate the user's body in a lateral decubitus position, prone or supine (from side, face down or face up, respectively).

Figure 5 shows the configuration of the mattress of the invention to offer a workbench, with a height of approximately 20 cm, in this case, the effect is an exercise that requires greater effort achieved by the height of the bench or bench, or a bench or bench for leg work, postural correction for marking the pace when walking or strengthening leg muscles when going up and down the bench or bench.

For the user's sitting position, especially for foot and leg work or back correction, the configuration is modified by stacking three to four of the individual cushions.

As an alternative to the previous case, a low or moderate impact exercise is achieved when one of the upper individual cushions of the previous configuration is extended, to be as illustrated in Figure 6, offering two different heights, one of approximately 10 cms. in two of the cushions, and another of approximately 20 cms. , in another of the sections.

The mattress of the invention, as it has been described up to now, is useful for exercises on the floor, and, to offer a firm support when it is used in exercises of therapeutic type, as for example, for the correction of postures, to Unlike mattresses in the prior art, it is constructed of a material that is sufficiently rigid so that it does not lose its elasticity or "bounce" due to prolonged use, but soft enough so as not to cause damage or discomfort to the user.

In Figure 7 the internal construction of one of the individual cushions is illustrated schematically. The body of the cushion is constituted by a plurality of plates (10a), (10b), (10c) and (10d) of a material such as, for example, polyurethane foam (Unisel®) commercially available in plates of various thicknesses that they are cut to the desired dimensions of the cushion and adhered to each other with an appropriate adhesive (11). The material indicated above is preferred because it has a firm consistency, is resistant to compression to a large extent, so it does not deform easily, be relatively soft to the touch, have desirable thermal properties to avoid the cold sensation, and be economical, between Other features.

The assembly formed by the plates adhered (10a) to (10d) is covered with a lining (12) of a natural or synthetic textile material with impervious properties either by the nature of the fibers of which it is formed or by the application of a commercially available waterproofing means for textiles, in order to allow its cleaning and disinfection with common detergents and disinfectants, especially when the mattress of the invention is to be used by several users, such as in a gym.

The connection (13) between the upper and lower sections of the lining (12) can be made by stitching, gluing, by means of snaps, by the use of metal or plastic closures, by fastening means such as "hook &loop" tapes. "(Sailboat ®) or any other means known in the art, allowing or not that the lining is removable for washing or even interchangeable, according to the preferences of the user.

In an alternative embodiment of the construction of the cushions of the present invention, it is possible that the hinge (2) shown in Figures 1 and 2 is not restricted to a single strip joining the common edges of two adjacent coes, but rather that it is formed by the lining (12) of the cushions, in a single piece, as shown in the scheme of Figure 8, where a continuous strip of textile material is configured to conform the larger faces and the adjacent sides of the four cushions, the closure being necessary by sewing, gluing, heat sealing or any other means known in the art and capable of being applied to the textile material in question, at the points indicated by arrows 14a, 14b, 14c, I4d, 14e and 14f , in order to ensure the adjustment of the textile material to the surfaces of the plates that conform to the body of the individual cushions and thus form the hinged joint (2) referred to in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a car The hinged joint may be exposed in the extended cushion configurations, forming a smooth surface between two adjacent cushions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lining (12) can be used to carry printed or fixed by any means known in the art, some personalizing, promotional, advertising or simply distinctive element in each individual cushion or in the set.

In another embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in Figure 9, the faces of the cushions that will be exposed to contact with the floor or that are likely to have it, are coated with non-skid material, such as foams, rubbers or texturized coatings. of surfaces, which can cover all of the faces or only sections thereof of sufficient area to prevent the sliding of the set of cushions when the article is being used by the user to perform exercises; said sections being able to take the form of geometrical or freckled patterns, as those shown in Figure 9, or any other form that hinders the sliding of the cushions with respect to the floor. The selection of the most suitable material for the purpose of anti-skid is a function of the textile material selected to cover the cushions, based on their adhesion properties to said material.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS Once the invention is described, it is considered as a novelty and property is claimed as contained in the following clauses:

1. An article for carrying out gymnastic or therapeutic exercises, of the type commonly known as a mat, characterized in that: a) said article for performing exercises is formed by a plurality of individual cushions, b) said individual cushions being hingedly joined together throughout of only one common edge between each pair of cushions, c) the hinged connection between each pair of cushions is alternated between contiguous pairs to allow to modify the configuration of the article, and d) the article has a rod-shaped element that when inserted into a plurality of corresponding holes in the individual cushions, offers the user a support for performing exercises in standing position, in addition to those that can be performed directly on the article. The article for exercising in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is formed by four individual cushions hinged together alternately. The article for exercising according to claim 2, characterized in that each pair of adjacent cushions is hingedly joined by a strip of flexible material running along the common edge between both individual cushions. The article for exercising according to claim 3, characterized in that the common edge on which the hinge joint is applied is alternately selected on opposite edges of each individual cushion to be joined to the next one, forming a "Z" between each three contiguous cushions. The article for exercises according to claim 1, characterized in that the support cane has the shape of a "T", with handles on each of the upper ends to be used as supports in the execution of exercises by the user, and wherein the vertical axis is inserted into a plurality of corresponding holes between each other, made in each individual cushion, thereby providing rigidity to the set of cushions that make up the article. The article for exercising according to claim 5, characterized in that the support cane is held in a vertical position by the sole effect of the set of individual stacked cushions and of the adjustment between the vertical axis of the cane and the walls of the corresponding holes. in each individual cushion. The article for exercises according to claim 6, characterized in that the support cane is held in vertical position by effect of its anchoring with a plate provided with fastening means, such as a nut or counter-lock, located at the base of the cushion individual that occupies the lowest position of the set of stacked cushions. The lower end of the cane, having corresponding means of clamping for this purpose. The article for exercising according to claim 7, characterized in that the individual cushion intended to occupy the lowest position of the stack, has a plate of rigid material, such as glass fiber or the like, on the face that will be in contact with the floor; said plate of rigid material is provided with fastening means, such as a nut or counter-lock for anchoring the support cane. The article for exercising in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the thickness or height of each individual cushion is approximately 10 cm, allowing users with difficulty of movement not to be forced to make additional efforts to achieve a position in decubitus or sitting. The article for exercising according to claim 1, characterized in that each individual cushion is constituted by one or a plurality of plates of semi-rigid material, selected from the group including the polyurethane foam, adhered to each other and wherein said set of plates are covered by a lining of textile material, which includes natural and synthetic materials, preferably with characteristics of impermeability, said lining being sealed by any method suitable to the type of material selected for its construction, such as thermal sealing, adhesion, sewing, fastening , etc. The article for exercising according to claim 10, characterized in that the lining of textile material is permanently sealed. The article for exercising according to claim 10, characterized in that the lining of textile material is removably sealed for cleaning or change. The article for exercising according to claim 10, characterized in that the lining of textile material has at least one of its faces