US20180304114A1

US20180304114A1 - Magnetic Yoga Blocks

Info

Publication number: US20180304114A1
Application number: US15/954,978
Authority: US
Inventors: Amanda Feinstein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-17
Filing date: 2018-04-17
Publication date: 2018-10-25

Abstract

A system of stackable yoga blocks having flat top and bottom surfaces that includes magnets at the top and bottom surfaces. The magnets are positioned so that the poles of the magnets will be properly aligned so that the magnets will be attracted to each other when the yoga blocks are stacked. In the preferred embodiment, the yoga blocks are formed from foam in the shape of a cuboid having flat top and bottom surfaces. Disc magnets are placed at the flat top and bottom surfaces of the blocks with the proper polarity and positioning so that the blocks will adhere to each other when stacked.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to the earlier filed provisional application having Ser. No. 62/486,251 and a filing date of Apr. 17, 2017, and hereby incorporates the subject matter of the provisional application in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a yoga block and a system of stackable yoga blocks. More specifically, the present invention yoga block system includes blocks having flat top and bottom surfaces, and magnets of proper polarity situated at the top and bottom surfaces so that the yoga blocks can be stacked and adhere to each other magnetically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Yoga blocks come in a variety of styles, materials and colors and aid yoga practitioners in achieving and stabilizing their balance and holding positions. Yoga blocks are used as “props” and can be sat upon, placed under the small of the back or neck for support, and provide support for balance or to “shorten” the arm's reach to the floor for a practitioner who may not be flexible enough to extend lower to the floor.
Most types of yoga blocks without special joining features are stackable, and they are the most stable when they are stacked pancake style (flat) along their length and width. However, often practitioners cannot arrange them to achieve the “just right” stacked height for their need. This problem occurs because blocks usually are sold in pairs of equal dimensions: length, width and especially thickness. Therefore, in many cases they cannot be stacked to a “just right” height for support. Sometimes one standard block is not enough thickness for support and two blocks stacked flat are too much thickness or height. In other words, there are really no “half sizes.”
Standing the block on its side horizontally or its end vertically also may not provide the right height and stability needed. Further, blocks used on their ends can be less stable and are not safely stackable. Adding to the instability of stacking typical yoga blocks is the inability to attach one block to another in a manner that prevents movement or slippage of the blocks.
Unable to achieve the right support during a position, a practitioner may be uncomfortable using “too much or too little” block or they may abandon their intention for a position and lose some benefit of their practice.
Yoga block designs with a stacking or interlocking feature exist. Some designs are based on a feature that enables two or more blocks to be interlocked while stacked or joined in combinations of two or more blocks. However, some designs require alignment of a mechanism that interlock blocks while other designs have built-in clips or other interlocking devices.
Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide yoga blocks that are stackable. It is further an objective of the present invention to provide yoga stackable blocks that may readily be attached to one another for stability, yet easily detached from one another. Further, it is an objective of the present invention that the stackable and attachable yoga blocks may be employed in pairs, or alternatively as a stack of three or even more blocks. As such, three segments may be combined to equate to about the thickness of one typical block. As needed, a practitioner may add or subtract blocks to, in this example, form a stack of four or two. Thus they would achieve the most precise height possible for proper support or comfort. At their option, a practitioner may use single block segments or join segments in any combination to achieve their purpose.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art, upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claim or claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system of stackable yoga blocks having flat top and bottom surfaces. Each of the yoga blocks of the present system includes magnets at the top and bottom surfaces. The magnets are positioned so that the poles of the magnets will be properly aligned, north and south poles, so that the magnets and therefore the yoga blocks will be attracted to each other when the yoga blocks are stacked. In the preferred embodiment, the yoga blocks are formed from foam in the shape of a cuboid having flat top and bottom surfaces. Magnets are placed at the flat top and bottom surfaces of the blocks with the proper polarity and positioning so that the yoga blocks will adhere to each other when stacked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a stack of three yoga blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a stack of three yoga blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a stack of three yoga blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a three quarters view of a single yoga block of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a single yoga block of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a three quarters view of a single yoga block of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a three quarters view of a single yoga block of the present invention with the top partially revealed and showing the placement of the magnets.

FIG. 8 is a three quarters view of a single yoga block of the present invention with the top partially revealed and showing the placement of the magnets.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a single yoga block of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a stack of three yoga blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of a stack of three yoga blocks of the present invention and showing the magnets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system of stackable identical yoga blocks. Each of the yoga blocks of the present system includes magnets at the top and bottom surfaces. The magnets are positioned and oriented so that the poles of the magnets will be properly aligned, north and south poles, so that the magnets will be attracted to each other when the yoga blocks are stacked.
Looking at the figures, a plurality of identical yoga blocks is provided. Each of the yoga blocks of the present invention of the preferred embodiment as shown includes a flat, rectangular cuboid block member 10. (A cuboid is a box-shaped object. It has six flat faces and all angles are right angles.) It will be noted that the yoga block of the present invention could include a three-dimensional block member that is disc shaped, square, or 110 be cube shaped, and all such shapes will be considered within the scope of this disclosure. As such, the specific shape of the three dimensional object is not critical, so long as each block includes a substantially flat top surface 12 and a substantially flat bottom surface 14. Also, as shown in the figures, the cuboid of the present invention includes beveled corners.
In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the cuboid is formed from foam and has a non-slip surface. It may be covered in fabric. However, also contemplated are cuboids formed from other materials such as cork, bamboo or the like, and will be within the scope of this disclosure if they employ the means of attachment shown. Any material chosen should be soft, or padded or present a cushioned top and bottom surface.
The yoga block of the present invention includes upward facing top surface magnets 16 positioned on or near the top surface of the block. Downward facing bottom surface magnets 18 are positioned on or near the bottom surface of the yoga block. As shown in the figures both the top surface and bottom surface magnets are either sheet 125 magnets or disc magnets, although bar magnets or other magnets preferably having flat surfaces could be utilized. One larger sheet magnet can be utilized, or a multiple of smaller disc or other shaped magnets can be used. It is important however, that the poles of the magnets be properly aligned so that the magnets attract each other rather than repel. Therefore, the magnets at the top surfaces of the yoga blocks should be chosen of a particular polarity, whereas the magnets at the bottom surfaces of the yoga blocks need to be of the opposite polarity. For clarity, the upward facing top surface magnets have an exterior face of a chosen polarity whereas the interior face of the top surface magnets has the opposite polarity. The opposite polarity orientation is true for the downward facing bottom surface magnets. Furthermore, the top surface magnets and the bottom surface magnets need to be properly positioned so that top surface of one yoga block will be attracted to the bottom surface of the adjacent yoga block when the blocks are stacked. Therefore, when the yoga blocks are stacked one upon the other, the yoga blocks will magnetically adhere to each other allowing a yoga practitioner to select the appropriate height of yoga block for the exercise.
There are several similar embodiments and methods of manufacture that all encompass the claimed inventive structure of this invention. In one embodiment, the top surface and bottom surface magnets are molded into the foam blocks of the present invention. Alternatively, the yoga blocks can be manufactured through the following steps. First, blocks are cut to size and then the edges are beveled, if beveled edges are desired. Then, holes are bored in the appropriate locations and in the appropriate depth for disc magnet placement. Finally, stamped foam plugs are glued over the magnets thereby filling the bores and presenting a soft foam surface. Any of these versions of the yoga block are contemplated so long as the magnets are on or flush with, or embedded slightly below the top and bottom surfaces of the blocks.
To use the present invention, a yoga practitioner chooses the appropriate number of blocks to achieve the height desired. Thereupon, the blocks are arranged so that the magnets are aligned with the opposite polarity. In other words, the magnets are arranged top surface of one block adjacent to the bottom surface of the next block so that the north pole of one magnet attracts the south pole of the adjacent magnet. A stack of as few as two blocks can be employed, or as many as desired to achieve the height of the stack of blocks wanted. Therefore, when the yoga blocks are stacked one upon the other, the yoga blocks will magnetically adhere to each other allowing a yoga practitioner to select the appropriate height of yoga block for the exercise.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles and preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, operation and embodiment shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A yoga block system of multiple identical stackable yoga blocks each of which comprising:

a cuboid member having a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, said top surface and bottom surface formed from a soft material;

a plurality of upward facing top surface magnets located at the top surface of said cuboid member, said top surface magnets having a chosen polarity;

a plurality of downward facing bottom surface magnets located at the bottom surface of said cuboid member, said bottom surface magnets having a chosen polarity that is opposite to said top surface magnets;

whereby said stackable yoga blocks are stacked one upon another so that the top surface of a first block is stacked adjacent to the bottom surface of a second block so that said top surface magnets of said first block and said bottom surface magnets of said second block are situated so that they align with and are attracted to each other.

2. A yoga block system of multiple stackable yoga blocks each of which comprising:

a three dimensional block having a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface, said top surface and bottom surface formed from a soft material;

at least one upward facing top surface magnet located at the top surface of said cuboid member, said top surface magnet having a chosen polarity;

at least one downward facing bottom surface magnet located at the bottom surface of said block member, said bottom surface magnet having a chosen polarity that is opposite to said top surface magnet;

whereby said stackable yoga blocks are stacked one upon another so that the top surface of a first block is stacked adjacent to the bottom surface of a second block so that said at least one top surface magnet of said first block and said at least one bottom surface magnet of said second block are situated so that they align with and are attracted to each other.

3. A yoga block comprising:

a three dimensional block having a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface;

at least one upward facing top surface magnet located at the top surface of said block, said at least one top surface magnet having a chosen polarity;

at least one downward facing bottom surface magnet located at the bottom surface of said block, said bottom surface magnet having a chosen polarity that is opposite to said at least on top surface magnet.