US20150258363A1

US20150258363A1 - Yoga Brick Assembly

Info

Publication number: US20150258363A1
Application number: US14/206,741
Authority: US
Inventors: David Kampinski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-12
Filing date: 2014-03-12
Publication date: 2015-09-17

Abstract

A yoga brick assembly which provides a secured internal storage area and improved grip system which also functions to secure the yoga brick assembly. The yoga brick assembly includes a top section and a bottom section each containing parallel recessed grooves for accommodating the grip system. The sections are joined together along a planar face and are releasably attached via the grip system. Preferably, the bottom section includes a cavity which can be used to store a user's personal items. The grip system includes two straps which are placed in the parallel recessed grooves and surround the sections and are secured at each end.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to the field of exercise, sports and training equipment, and more particularly to a yoga brick assembly for yoga poses and exercise routines. Yoga bricks are known in the art of yoga and have multiple uses. Such bricks or blocks are typically used to achieve better form or stability while performing a yoga stance or routine.
Common yoga bricks are typically made of a foam material, bamboo or cork. The bricks are used in yoga classes which often enroll 20 or more students. The majority of yoga facilities do not provide secure locker or storage areas. in most instances, open cubby holes are all that is provided to students to store their valuables. Expectedly, some valuables end up being stolen or mistakenly taken by other yoga patrons. It is thus desirable to provide a yoga brick that can securely store a user's personal items.
In addition, with the advent of “Hot” yoga, the majority of yoga facilities raise the interior temperature of the yoga exercise studio to intensify the workout experience. This understandably causes yoga students to profusely sweat during a yoga session making the handling of a yoga brick with one hand, while supporting a person's entire body weight, a slippery and potentially injurious endeavor.
It is thus desirable to provide a yoga brick which overcomes the preceding disadvantages. As such, the present invention seeks to provide a yoga brick with an improved grip system that provides a frictional surface portion. The present invention also seeks to provide a yoga brick with an internal cavity for storing a student's personal belongings. The top and bottom sections of the present invention are secured together by the two straps forming the grip system. These and further objects will be more readily appreciated when considering the following disclosure and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A yoga brick assembly is provided for improving the frictional grip when used by a student. The assembly contains a top and bottom section which are releasably and planarly attached. Both the top and bottom sections include corresponding and parallel recessed grooves which encircle the outer surfaces of the yoga brick assembly. The straps comprising the frictional grip assembly are positioned inside the grooves, wrapped around the entire block and fastened on the front side of the block so as to maintain a flush interaction with the yoga brick assembly.
Additionally, the yoga brick assembly can be used to securely store a student's personal belongings. In the preferred embodiment, the yoga brick assembly comprises a top section and a bottom section each having a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. The bottom face of the top section is in planar relationship to the top face of the bottom section. The bottom section has a deeper configuration in relation to the top section and contains a cavity for storing personal items. The top and bottom sections are releaseably joined by the frictional grip assembly. The grip assembly is secured to the recessed grooves in the top and bottom sections. The grip assembly is releaseably joined on one side of the yoga brick assembly to allow separation of the top and bottom sections while providing a hinged connection for the opposite side of the yoga brick assembly.
The cavity of the bottom section can be configured in one of multiple configurations to allow the securing of personal items. The cavity may comprise a foam insert which can receive and conform around personal items such as cell phones, car keys, and sunglasses and prevent the movement of the stored personal items during rigorous use of the yoga brick assembly. The personal items placed in the foam of the bottom section would be further secured by a lip portion extending from the bottom of the top section and compresses the personal items when positioned into the top of the bottom section upon closing the yoga brick assembly. The cavity may also comprise an enclosed storage container which can be completely removed from the cavity, filled with personal items, and re-inserted into the cavity for secure storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an exemplary yoga brick assembly of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the separated top and bottom blocks of the yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the separated top and bottom blocks of the yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the closed top and bottom blocks with emphasis on the grooves of the yoga brick assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown a view of an exemplary yoga brick assembly 10 of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a front isometric view, FIG. 2 being a side view, FIG. 3 being a top view of an opened yoga brick assembly, FIG. 4 being a rear view of the yoga brick assembly 10 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 being a cross sectional view of the interior of the of the present invention. The yoga brick assembly 10 has a top section 12, a bottom section 14, a front 16, left and right sides 18 and 20, a top surface 22, a bottom surface 24 and a back surface 26. The top and bottom sections, 12 and 14, respectively also include two recessed grooves 28 which are positioned parallel along the outer surfaces of the top and bottom sections, 12 and 14. In the preferred embodiment, the top section 12 includes a bottom face 13 and the bottom section 14 includes a top face 15 which surrounds a cavity 46 as seen in FIG. 3. The top section 12 and bottom section 14 each have a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. The bottom face 13 of the top section 12 is in planar relationship to the top face 15 of the bottom section 14. The bottom section 14 has a deeper configuration in relation to the top section 12 and contains a cavity 46 for storing personal items. The top and bottom sections 12, 14 are releasably coupled by a frictional grip assembly 32.
The frictional grip assembly 32 includes at least two straps 34 having a rough finish to provide a frictional grip to the user. The straps 34 are preferably secured in the grooves 28 and include a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first ends 36 are secured within the grooves 28 on the front surface 16 of the bottom section 14. The first ends 36 include a connections means 40 and are releasably attached to the second end 38 which includes the corresponding connection means 42 as seen in FIG. 2. The connection means 40 and 42 can include, but are not limited to, such Velcro type hook and loop fasteners, snap buttons, magnets or such complementary joining sides, to securely interlock the top 12 and bottom 14 sections.
The straps 34 originate at a first end 36 which include a connection means 40 and encircle the bottom section 14 along the front surface 16, the bottom surface 24, the back surface 26 and along the top surface 22. The straps 34 are secured to the grooves 28 by means which may include glue, rivets or such fastening means to secure the straps 34 within the grooves 28. The straps 34 include second ends 38 of the straps 34 which are releasably attached to the connection means 40 of the first end 36. The second ends 38 are left unsecured to the grooves 28 and include overlapping portions 44. The overlapping portions 44 include corresponding connection means 42 which are releasably attached to the connection means 40 of the first end 36 of the straps 34. As viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the grip assembly 32 is also slightly detached on the back surface 26 of the yoga brick assembly 10 for providing a hinged connection 45 for the back surface 26 of the yoga brick assembly 10 to facilitate the opening and closing of the top and bottom sections 12, 14.
When straps 34 are securely attached at the first end 36 and second ends 38, the yoga brick assembly 10 is ready for use by a student. As referenced above, the straps 34 may be made of a variety of materials and configurations such as, by way of example, braided canvas, cotton or hemp to provide a frictional grip to the user. The recessed grooves 28 permit the straps 34 to remain flush along the front 16, bottom 24, back 26 and top 22 surfaces of the yoga brick 10.
In general, yoga bricks undergo a tremendous amount of abuse by a user. The bricks are not only used to support the entire body weight of the user, but are also routinely repositioned, dropped or moved for other various reasons. It is thus inherent that the two section yoga brick assembly 10 of the present invention function in as stable a fashion as a solid yoga block known in the art.
As such and in a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bottom section 14 of the yoga brick 10 includes a cavity 46 for securely storing personal items. The top section 12 of the yoga brick 10 includes an extended lip portion 48. The lip portion 48 extends into the cavity 46 and provides a secured frictional fit between the top section 12 and the top face 15 of the bottom section 14. The lip portion 48 also extends into the bottom section 14 so as to maintain the personal items stored in the cavity 46 from moving within the yoga brick 10 during exercise. Thus, the frictional fit between the lip portion 48 of the top section 12 and the interior of the top face 15 and cavity 46 of the bottom section 12, in combination with the straps 34 encircling the outer surfaces of the yoga brick 10 and securely fastened at the first end 36 and second end 38, provide a stable and secure yoga brick assembly 10.
It is also contemplated in an alternative embodiment of the present invention seen in FIG. 6, that a frictional fit between the lip portion 48 of the top section 12 and the top face 15 and cavity 46 of the bottom section 14 will securely fasten the top and bottom sections, 12, 14 of the yoga brick assembly 10 notwithstanding the straps 34.
As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom section 14 of the yoga brick assembly 10 further includes interior stabilization means 50 positioned within the area of the cavity 46. The interior stabilization means 50 may be secured to the surfaces of the cavity 46 by glue, rivets or other securing methods know to one skilled in the art. The interior stabilization means 50 can include such foam type materials which conform to the shape of the personal items stored in the cavity 46. The foam type materials can include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, urethane, evlon, high resilience, supreem, or memory foam.
The personal items placed in the interior stabilization means 50 of the cavity 46 are further held in place by the lip portion 48 of the top section 12. The Hp portion 48 may further include a soft foam layer 52 which upon closing of the top section 12 and the bottom section 14, the foam layer 52 will further secure and stabilize the personal items placed in the interior stabilization means 50 of the cavity 46.
As viewed in FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a removable container 54 positioned in the cavity 46. The container 54 would have dimensions providing a tight and stable fit inside cavity 46. The container 54 includes a hinged lid 56 which can be opened to store personal items. The lip portion 48 and the foam layer 52 of the top section 12 is positioned atop the container 54 stably securing the container 54 inside cavity 46.
The yoga brick assembly 10 is preferably constructed of a weight-bearing, shape sustaining materials. The yoga brick 10 can be made from closed-cell EVA foam or similar lightweight, dense, and supportive substances or materials including, but not limited to, bamboo, cork and wood, impact resilient plastics or composites. The yoga brick 10 preferably is nine inches long, six inches wide and four inches high. However dimensions ranging from eight to ten inches long, four to seven inches wide, and three to six inches high are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
Although embodiment of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications, substitutions, and rearrangements of parts and components, as well as other uses, shapes and sizes of yoga bricks, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A yoga brick assembly comprising:

a top section having a bottom face and a bottom section having a top face wherein said bottom surface of said top section and said top face of said bottom section are releasably coupled;

a cavity formed in the interior of the bottom section for storing personal items; and

a frictional grip assembly positioned in a plurality of grooves along the outer surfaces of said top and bottom sections.

2. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said top section includes an extending lip portion that is frictionally fit inside said cavity and said top face of said bottom section.

3. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said cavity contains an interior stabilization means for stably storing personal items.

4. The yoga brick assembly of claim 2, wherein said lip portion includes a soft foam layer that compresses against said interior stabilization means to stably secure personal items.

5. The yoga brick assembly of claim 1, wherein said frictional grip assembly includes a plurality of straps having a frictional surface to provide a frictional grip to a user.

6. The yoga brick assembly of claim 4, wherein the straps are securely fit inside said grooves.

7. The yoga brick assembly of claim 4, wherein the straps have a first end and a second end which are releasably attached providing a secure and stable fit of said top and bottom sections.

8. A yoga brick assembly comprising:

a cavity formed in the interior of the bottom section for storing personal items.

9. The yoga brick assembly of claim 8, wherein the top and bottom sections are releasably coupled by a friction fit means.

10. The yoga brick assembly of claim 8, wherein the top and bottom sections are releasably coupled by a magnetic means.

11. A yoga brick assembly comprising:

12. The yoga brick assembly of claim 11, wherein said cavity contains an interior stabilization means for stably storing personal items.

13. The yoga brick assembly of claim 11, wherein said frictional grip assembly includes a plurality of straps having a frictional surface to provide a frictional grip to a user.

14. The yoga brick assembly of claim 13, wherein the straps are securely fit inside said grooves.

15. The yoga brick assembly of claim 13, wherein the straps have a first end and a second end which are releasably attached providing a secure and stable fit of said top and bottom sections.