| Impact absorbing gymnastic mat -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Impact absorbing gymnastic matRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, GymnasticImpact absorbing gymnastic mat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070173379, Impact absorbing gymnastic mat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT/JP2004/009824, filed on Jul. 9, 2004. The entire disclosure of the application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application claims the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 of the filing date of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2004/009824, filed on Jul. 9, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an impact absorbing gymnastic mat preferably used for gymnastic practices of, e.g., tumbling, a horizontal bar, floor exercise, a vaulting horse, rings, a pummel horse, parallel bars, uneven parallel bars, a balance beam, or skipping rope, and also used for school gymnastic activities. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] The following description sets forth the inventor's knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art. [0006] At the time of performing gymnastic activities, in order to absorb the impact due to, e.g., landing, or unexpected falling or dropping of a gymnast, an impact absorbing gymnastic mat is laid on a floor. In recent gymnastics, especially in the case of a horizontal bar, etc., the impact of landing, etc., tends to increase with the advance of skills. In order to enhance the safety of gymnasts by sufficiently absorbing the impact in a balanced manner, technology of an impact absorbing gymnastic mat is being currently developed. [0007] In an impact absorbing gymnastic mat used at the time of practicing tumbling or skipping rope, in order to absorb the impact to a body of a gymnast, it is required that the impact resilience is higher than that of the aforementioned landing impact absorbing mat. [0008] As a conventional impact absorbing gymnastic mat, a mat in which shock absorbing material of foamed synthetic resin is filled in a cover seat of tarpaulin or canvas is generally used (For example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2595468, Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. H11-76452, Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No. H11-244412). [0009] In such a conventional impact absorbing gymnastic mat, although the impact absorbing material is foamed synthetic resin, it is still heavy because of its large size having an area that can safely receives a body of a gymnast. This requires assistance in carrying and disposing it on a floor. Furthermore, since the restoring force against the folding is high, the mat cannot be folded at the time of the storage, thereby requiring a large storage space. [0010] Furthermore, in practicing tumbling, if a mat is insufficient in impact resilience, a large burden/fatigue will be imposed on the gymnast. As a result, the gymnast has no other choice to limit the amount of practice. [0011] Furthermore, proper impact resilience of a gymnastic mat differs depending on the user's age and/or the activities. In a conventional mat, however, the impact resilience cannot be adjusted and that the elastic force can be inevitably deteriorated by the aged deterioration of the impact absorbing material. [0012] The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in other publications is in no way intended to limit the present invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been developed in view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in the related art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or apparatuses. [0014] Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide an impact absorbing gymnastic mat having sufficient impact absorption to decrease a burden to a body of a gymnast. [0015] Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide an impact absorbing gymnastic mat which is light in weight, easy in storage, and adjustable in impact resilience. [0016] According to a first aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an impact absorbing gymnastic mat, comprising: [0017] a mat body having an air-tight space therein; and [0018] an openable and closable air supply and discharge port for supplying and discharging air into and from the air-tight space of the mat body, the air supply and discharge port being provided at a prescribed portion of the mat body, [0019] wherein the mat body includes a joined member and an air impermeable external sheet encasing the joined member so as form the air-tight space; and [0020] wherein the joined member includes a pair of internal sheets opposed at a prescribed distance and a plurality of connecting threads connecting opposed surfaces of the internal sheets. [0021] With this impact absorbing gymnastic mat, the impact resilience can be controlled by adjusting the air pressure within the mat body, so that impact resilience suitable for the user's age and the content of the sport can be obtained and that desired impact resilience can be reproduced any number of times. Furthermore, since the mat is light in weight and can be freely fold up by discharging the air to dissipate the impact resilience, the mat can be easily carried and stored in a small space. [0022] In the aforementioned impact absorbing gymnastic mat, the internal sheet is preferably a woven fabric. In this case, the stretch of the external sheet can be controlled to thereby maintain the flatness of the mat, and weaving of the connecting threads into the internal sheets can be advantageously performed. [0023] In the aforementioned impact absorbing gymnastic mat, the connecting threads are preferably weaved into the fabric. In this case, strong connecting strength can be attained. [0024] In the aforementioned impact absorbing gymnastic mat, it is preferable that a density of the connecting threads is 1 to 5 pieces/cm.sup.2. In this case, suitable strength can be secured. [0025] The external sheet is preferably made of urethane series resin. In this case, it becomes possible to obtain a mat excellent in various characteristics, such as, e.g., elastic modulus, load bearing, mechanical strength, oil resistance, chemical resistance, and wear-resistant. Continue reading about Impact absorbing gymnastic mat... Full patent description for Impact absorbing gymnastic mat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Impact absorbing gymnastic mat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Impact absorbing gymnastic mat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for calibration of step length and arrangement utilizing the method Next Patent Application: Exercise, rehabilitation and mobilization device for paraplegic and motorically handicapped persons Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Impact absorbing gymnastic mat patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.1536 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
