US20070219076A1

US20070219076A1 - Yoga Block

Info

Publication number: US20070219076A1
Application number: US11/276,955
Authority: US
Inventors: Helena Axelrod
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-18
Filing date: 2006-03-18
Publication date: 2007-09-20

Abstract

A yoga block is in two identical sections which disassemble to form two yoga wedges. The two yoga wedges are held together in block form by a cylinder passing through both wedges when the wedges are aligned into the yoga block form.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment, and more particularly to a yoga block that breaks down into two yoga wedges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Yoga blocks are blocks used to aid in the performance of a variety of poses by providing stability and support for proper alignment. Yoga blocks are used under the hands, feet, or seat to achieve proper alignment and deepen stretches safely. Yoga blocks are usually made of foam, but some blocks are made of wood or cork. Yoga blocks reduce the distance between the body and the floor, allowing one to modify poses to a specific level of flexibility.
Yoga wedges are also a great aid in performing a variety of poses. For example, wedges are placed under the heels when squatting or under the hips when performing seated bends. Wedges are usually made of foam, but can be made out of other materials such as wood or cork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, a yoga block is in two identical sections which disassemble to form two yoga wedges. The two yoga wedges are held together in block form by a cylinder passing through both wedges when aligned into the block form.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a yoga block includes first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size; first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes; wherein when the first and second yoga wedges are placed together with their diagonal faces touching and the first and second holes are axially aligned, the rod fits in the first and second holes to retain the first and second wedges together forming the yoga block.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for making a yoga block includes the steps of: (a) forming first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size; (b) forming first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and (c) forming a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes; wherein when the first and second yoga wedges are placed together with their diagonal faces touching and the first and second holes are axially aligned, the rod fits in the first and second holes to retain the first and second wedges together forming the yoga block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a yoga block according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a yoga wedge which makes up half of the yoga block of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a yoga block according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a yoga wedge which makes up half of the yoga block of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a rod used in connecting two yoga wedges together to make a yoga block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a yoga block 10 is shown which includes a first half 12, a second half 14, and a rod 16. First and second halves 12, 14 are preferably perfectly congruent and of the same size. Rod 16, along with the frictional engagement between first and second halves 12, 14, holds first and second halves 12, 14 together to form yoga block 10. First and second halves 12, 14 and rod 16 are preferably of hard foam, but are optionally of cork or wood. Although it is preferred that first and second halves 12, 14 and rod 16 are all of the same material, rod 16 is optionally of a different material than first and second halves 12, 14. Referring also to FIG. 5, a rod 16″ can also be of mixed materials, for example, with an end portion 18 and an end portion 20 being of hard foam with a middle portion being of plastic, cork, or wood. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, because yoga block 10 is preferably shaped as a rectangular solid, with a user touching or sitting on an upper face 24 or a lower face 26, it is also preferably to have rod 16 or end portions 18, 20 of rod 16″ being of the same material as first and second halves 12, 14. All the edges of first and second halves 12, 14 are optionally slightly rounded without affecting the integrity of yoga block 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, first half 12 is shown, the shape of which is known as a yoga wedge. Once rod 16 is removed from yoga block 10, either or both of first and second halves 12, 14 are usable as yoga wedges. The diameter of rod 16 is preferably about ⅝ inch to minimize a hole 28 in a diagonal large face 30 of first half 12 while still permitting rod 16 to be of sufficient size to bind first and second halves 12, 14 together when forming yoga block 10. First half 12 is shaped as a right triangular solid, with a base preferably being six inches by nine inches with a height of four inches. The diagonal of first half 12 opposite the right angle is therefore approximately 7.2 inches. The preferred dimensions of yoga block 10 are thus four inches by six inches by nine inches, thereby making the length of rod 16 about four inches. Other dimensions are of course possible as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring to FIG. 3, a yoga block 10′ is shown which includes a first half 12′, a second half 14′, and a rod 16′. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 is that rod 16′ is passed through first and second halves 12′, 14′ horizontally rather than vertically.
Referring to FIG. 4, first half 12′ of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is shown. A hole 28′ for rod 16′ passes horizontally through a diagonal large face 30′. Note that when first and second halves 12′, 14′ are assembled using rod 16′ into yoga block 10′, un upper face 24′ of yoga block 10′ has no hole or rod passing through it. With the user pressing or sitting on upper face 24′ or a lower face 26′, and thus avoiding rod 16′, rod 16′ can be of any material and not necessarily preferably of the same material as the remainder of yoga block 10′.
While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment and that various modifications and the like could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A yoga block, comprising:

first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size;

first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and

a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes;

wherein when the first and second yoga wedges are placed together with their diagonal faces touching and the first and second holes are axially aligned, the rod fits in the first and second holes to retain the first and second wedges together forming the yoga block.

2. A yoga block according to claim 1, wherein the yoga block is shaped as a rectangular solid with two parallel major faces and two parallel minor faces, and wherein the first and second holes penetrate the two major faces.

3. A yoga block according to claim 1, wherein the yoga block is shaped as a rectangular solid with two parallel major faces and two parallel minor faces, and wherein the first and second holes penetrate the two minor faces.

4. A yoga block according to claim 1, wherein the rod and the first and second yoga wedges are made of the same material.

5. A yoga block according to claim 1, wherein the rod and the first and second yoga wedges are not made of the same material.

6. A yoga block according to claim 5, wherein the rod includes first, second, and third sections, wherein the second section is between the first and third sections, and wherein the first and third sections are of the same material as the first and second yoga wedges.

7. A yoga block according to claim 6, wherein the second section is made of plastic.

8. A method for making a yoga block, comprising the steps of:

forming first and second yoga wedges, wherein the first and second yoga wedges are identical in shape and size;

forming first and second holes running entirely through the first and second yoga wedges, respectively, wherein the first and second holes have a same diameter; and

forming a rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first and second holes;

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the yoga block is shaped as a rectangular solid with two parallel major faces and two parallel minor faces, and wherein the first and second holes penetrate the two major faces.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the yoga block is shaped as a rectangular solid with two parallel major faces and two parallel minor faces, and wherein the first and second holes penetrate the two minor faces.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the rod and the first and second yoga wedges are made of the same material.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the rod and the first and second yoga wedges are not made of the same material.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the rod includes first, second, and third sections, wherein the second section is between the first and third sections, and wherein the first and third sections are of the same material as the first and second yoga wedges.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the second section is made of plastic.