GB2411845A

GB2411845A - Exercise mat in the form of a horizontal ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2411845A
Application number: GB0405436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wu Chun Yueh Chen
Original assignee: Ever Gym Enterprises Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ever Gym Enterprises Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-10
Filing date: 2004-03-10
Publication date: 2005-09-14
Also published as: GB0405436D0

Abstract

An exercise pad or mat comprises a slip-proof band 1 which can be rolled up e.g. for storage (see fig. 4) and, in use, forms a horizontal exercise ladder defined by apertures 13 and partitions 14. The slip-proof band may comprise a first face adapted to abut a supporting surface and a second face having friction-increasing pimples (11, fig. 2). The slip-proof band may also include a reinforcing fibre layer (12, fig. 2), and the exercise pad may be used for practicing steps, warming up etc.. In a second embodiment, the exercise pad has widened partitions (14A, fig. 6) which allow a user to stretch his/her vertebrae when lying down. In a third embodiment, the exercise pad has elongated apertures (13B, fig. 7) suitable for users having longer legs are requiring a greater step.

Description

241 1 845

FJXERCISE PAD

l. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise pad, and more particularly to an exercise pad that is easily rolled for being stored and slip-proof.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional step exerciser (8) in accordance with the prior art shown in Fig. 8 comprises a first strap (81) and a second strap (82) parallel to the first strap (81). Multiple partitions (83) are equally separately mounted to the first strap (81) and the second strap (82). Each partition (83) has two opposite ends lo respectively secured on the first strap (81) and the second strap (82) such that the multiple partitions (83) are parallel to one another.

The conventional step exerciser (8) is designed for runner to practice his/her steps and for outdoor use, especially used on a track. The conventional step exerciser (8) has no slid-proof structure such that the step exerciser (8) is unstable when being indoors used on the flooring. The user may slip and fall when step on the straps (81, 82) or the partitions (83). Furthermore, each partition (83) needs to be detached from the two straps (81, 82) and piled up a bracket before storing. It is very inconvenient.

However, a suitable auxiliary device is necessary to some indoor exercise, such as aerobic dance, for training the steps of the exerciser.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional step exerciser (8).

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise pad that is easily rolled for being stored and slip-proof.

To achieve the objective, the exercise pad in accordance with the ? present invention comprises a slip-proof band that is made of soft foamed material and can be rolled as a column. The slip-proof band includes a first face adapted to abut a supporting surface, such as flooring, and a second face having multiple protuberances, bumps or pimple-like structures, hereinafter referred to simply as "pimples", formed thereon for promoting a surface friction of the slip-proof band. A fiber layer is situated in the slip-proof band for promoting a toughness of the slipproof band. The slip-proof band includes a series of apertures defined therein along an axis of the slip-proof band and a partition formed between every two adjacent apertures for user to practice his/her steps.

lo Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Fig. I is a perspective view of an exercise pad in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view in partial cross-section of the exercise pad in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the exercise pad in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective operational view of the exercise pad in Fig. 1 for showing how to roll the exercise pad of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise pad in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a plan schematic view of the exercise pad in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercise pad in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a conventional step exerciser

in accordance with the prior art.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. I and 2, an exercise pad in accordance with the present invention comprises slip-proof band ( 1) that is made of soft foamed material, such as a foam EVA or a foam rubber, and can be rolled as a Cohen. The slip-proof band ( I) includes a first face adapted to abut a supporting surface, such as flooring, and a second face having multiple pimples ( 11) formed thereon for promoting a surface friction of the slip-proof band ( 1). A fiber layer ( 12) is situated in the slip-proof band ( I) for promoting a lo toughness ofthe slip-proof band ( I). The slip-proof band (I) includes a series of apertures (13) deemed therein along an axis of the slip-proofband (1) and a partition (14) formed between every two adjacent apertures (l3) for user to practice his/her steps.

With reference to Fig. 3, the exercise pad of the present invention is unfolded on the flooring and forms a certain friction between the slipproof band ( 1) and the flooring. The series of pimples (I 1) provides a suitable friction that can prevent the user from slipping and falling when stepping on the slip-proofband (1).

The series of apertures (13) are provided for user to step into the slipproof band (1) for training his/her steps during moving. Furthermore, the user can step on the partitions (14) to control his/ler step range in a fixed distance.

As described above, the slip-proof band ( I) of the present invention is provide for user to stably step thereon such that the slip-proof band ( I) can be 2s vised to train a runner and aerobic dance to make the user has a fixed step range.

The slip-proof band ( I) can further provide to warm up body before operating a violent sport.

With reference to F ig. 4, the slip-proof band ( I) is directly rolled as a column along the axis thereof before being stored because the slipproof band ( I) is made of soft foamed material. It is a convenient design for storing.

With reference to Fig. 5 that shows a second embodiment of the present invention, the partitions ( I 4A) of the present invention are widened, that is, the distance between every two adjacent apertures ( 1 3A) is widened. This embodiment of the present invention can be provided to a user who has a long lo leg or needs a great step range. With reference to Fig. 6, the user can stretch his/her vertebra when lie down on the slipproof band (1) and make his/her vertebra abut against one of the widened partitions ( I 4A).

With reference to Fig. 7 that shows a third embodiment of the present invention, the aperture (13B) is elongated, that is, the distance of every two adjacent partitions (1 4B) is elongated. This embodiment of the present invention can be provided to a user who has a long leg or needs a great step range when stepping on the partition (14B).

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

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(:LAIMS: l. An exercise pad comprising a slip-proof band that can be rolled as a column and includes a series of apertures defined therein along an axis of the slip-proofband and a partition fonned between every two adjacent apertures for user to practice his/her steps.
2. The exercise pad as claimed in claim I wherein the slip-proof band comprises a first face adapted to abut a supporting surface and a second face having multiple pimples formed thereon for promoting a surface friction of the slip-proof band.

lo
3. The exercise pad as claimed in claim I wherein the slip-proof band comprises a fiber layer situated therein for promoting a toughness of the slip-proof band.
4. The exercise pad as claimed in claim 2 wherein the slip-proof band comprises a fiber layer situated therein for promoting a toughness of the slip-proof band.
5. An exercise pad and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
6. An exercise pad as described herein and illustrated with reference to the drawings.