Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02633850 2008-06-11
INVENTION TITLE
Elastic Ring and Method of Proper Placement to perform series of Yoga Asanas
SPECIFICATIONS
[Para 1] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[Para 2] Field of the Invention
[Para 3] The present invention relates to an article made from an elastic
material and
methodology for a person to perform a series of movement associated to yoga
asanas
by following a proper placement of the ring in the appropriate body parts.
This present
invention is use to attain symmetry of the body to perform the yoga asanas. It
is also
use to alleviate and strengthen the lower back muscles when use while sitting
in a chair
following a method of proper placement of the ring in the appropriate body
parts. It
also acts to function as a yoga mat carrier with an assistance of 2 Velcro
straps.
[Para 4] Description of the Related Art
[Para 5] Yoga is an exercise originating from India and gaining popularity in
the western
world. This exercise comprises of thousands of postures and combination of
flow. The
postures are tied to breathe and mental concentration. To properly execute and
obtain
the full benefit of the postures, the person, especially a beginner needs to
be able to feel
what their body is doing while performing the postures or asanas. It is also
important to
achieve symmetry of the body while performing the asanas or poses. The person
has to
continuously practice and fine tune their body to attain and maintain the
proper postures
or asanas due to the difficulty in executing the postures.
[Para 6] The novice practitioner usually practices with the assistance of an
instructor.
Even then the practitioner cannot attain the proper posture without the proper
guidance
from the instructor on the placement of the arms, legs, torso and head. The
postures or
asanas can also be practiced alone but the practitioner may or may not have
the correct
and proper placement of body parts in place in order to achieve the full
benefit of the
posture. This is due to the complexity of combining of body, breathe and mind
synchronization to execute the yoga posture or asana. The final posture may
look
simple in the layman's eye but to execute and maintain it in order to achieve
the main
benefit of the posture for the practitioner is quite difficult.
[Para 7] For example, the mountain pose (Tadasana) requires the practitioner
to stand
up straight and strong like a mountain. The novice practitioner is not able to
fully
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perform this seemingly simple pose by just listening to the instructor's
guidance. This
present invention ring when attached to the appropriate areas of the body will
properly
guide the novice practitioner on how to adjust the body alignment to achieve
the proper
posture. Whereas the straps that are currently in use does not achieve this
purpose.
Another example is the Extended hand to big toe pose (Uttihita Hasta
Padangustasana).
This posture requires the practitioner to engage the quadriceps and adductor
muscles to
pull the femur towards the pelvis and stretching the bicep femoris muscle to
raise and
straighten the leg to a range from 90 to 120 degrees. For a novice
practitioner the
posture cannot be done properly without the assistance of the present
invention ring.
The elastic material of the ring promotes the feeling of pulling of the
quadriceps and the
feeling of the femur retracting toward the pelvic bone. By pulling and
releasing the
elastic ring the practitioner can train the body to perform this contraction
of the
quadriceps and the extension of the femoris muscles. In continuing to practice
using the
pulling and releasing the ring and the method, the practitioner gradually
develops body
intelligence and will eventually be able to do the yoga posture without the
aid of the
ring.
[Para 8] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Para 9] The first embodiment of the present invention is an article made from
elastic
materials and the different ridge configuration and spherical patterns for use
by a person
in conjunction with the proper method of placement and alignment to perform a
series
of movements and maintaining the postures or asanas associated to yoga asanas.
It is
used for training the practitioner to achieve the proper alignment, stretching
and
strength in performing and maintaining the proper postures or asanas through
proper
placement of the ring with the help of the different ridge configuration and
spherical
patterns and the tension created by the tensile strength exerted by the
elastic material.
For example, postures or asanas such as Tadasana ( Mountain Pose), Dandasana (
Staff
Pose), Paripurna Navasana ( Full Boat Pose), Krounchasana ( Heron Pose), Head
to Knee
Forward Bend, Uttihita Hasta Padangustasana ( Extended hand to big toe pose).
Due to
the elastic material's tensile strength and the different ridge configuration
and spherical
patterns of the present invention, it provides the practitioner guidance and
proper
tension to immediately adjust the body alignment and fine tune the adjustment
without
too much strap readjustment or equipment change. Using the proper method of
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alignment, it also trains the body to feel isometric forces that are needed to
be exerted
to properly perform the postures or asanas. The present invention also trains
the
practitioner to attain the proper symmetry required to perform the poses
through the
ridge configuration and spherical patterns. The present invention's elastic
properties and
tensile strength, ridge configuration and spherical patterns makes it
extremely versatile
in the performing the hundreds of asanas in a yoga practice.
[Para 10] The second embodiment of the present invention is an article made
from elastic
material's tensile strength, different ridge configuration and spherical
patterns when use,
the person can alleviate and strengthen low back lumbar muscles while sitting
in a chair.
As technology advances to improve our lives we became chained to our desk and
have
an increasing sedentary lifestyle. There is a very high incidence of low back
pain and
ailments and are caused by sitting for long periods of time. This present
invention ring
due to the elastic material's tensile strength, different ridge configuration
and spherical
patterns can be used while sitting and working in front of a computer or desk.
When
this present invention is attached to the appropriate body parts it create
slight pressure
on the lower lumbar back muscles to alleviate low back fatigue and pain due to
long
periods of sitting this is assisted by the different ridge configuration and
spherical
patterns. The pressure exerted by the present invention from the tensile
strength of the
elastic material and the pressure point that the different ridge configuration
and
spherical patterns attempts to strengthen the low back lumbar muscles and to
prevent
low back pain.
[Para 11 ] The present invention exerts slight pressure to the lower back to
alleviate and
strengthen the low back muscles while the user sits in a chair working on a
computer,
writing or any activities that needs the user to sit for long periods of time.
The present
invention is tied around the feet and looped around the low lumbar muscles.
The
pressure exerted from the contraction and extension of the legs will tighten
and loosen
the pressure on the low lumbar muscles. The pressure acts like a lumbar
support for
the low back lumbar muscles to reduce fatigue and also gradually strengthens
the lower
back muscles. This in the long term will alleviate lower back pain and
ailments.
[Para 12] The third embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction; it
acts as a
yoga mat carrier secured by 2 Velcro straps. The practitioner of yoga
generally practices
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on a mat and instead of carrying bags and other contraption; the present
invention is a
multifunction product that can function as a yoga mat carrier.
[Para 13] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
o FIG 1.-2 Illustrates the Elastic ring according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
o FIG 3-6. Illustrates the inside pattern of the elastic ring according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
o FIG 7. Illustrates the exterior view with a sample print of the elastic ring
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
o FIG 8-11A. Illustrates the perspective view of the elastic ring inside
profile according to an embodiment of the present invention.
o FIG 12. Illustrates the perspective view of the user using the elastic ring
of FIG 1 to perform Paripurna Navasana (Full Boat Pose).
o FIG 13 Illustrates the perspective view of the user using the elastic ring
of FIG 1 to perform Krounchasana (Heron Pose).
o FIG 14. Illustrates the perspective view of the user using the elastic ring
of FIG 1 to perform Tadasana (Mountain Pose).
o FIG 15 Illustrates the perspective view of the user using the elastic ring
of
FIG 1 to perform Uttihita Hasta Padangustasana (Extended hand to big
toe pose).
o FIG 16. Illustrates the perspective view of the front of the user using the
elastic ring of FIG 1 to alleviate low back pain and pressure and
strengthen the low back muscles.
o FIG 17. Illustrates the perspective view of the side of the user using the
elastic ring of FIG 1 to alleviate low back pain and pressure and
strengthens the low back muscles.
o FIG 18 A, B Illustrates the perspective view of the Velcro strap to attach
the elastic ring FIG.1 to hold the yoga mat.
o FIG 19-20. Illustrates the series of steps for arranging the elastic ring of
FIG 1. around the mat to hold the mat
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[Para 14] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Para 15]The following descriptions are reference to the various numbered
drawing
illustrations of the present invention. It is to be understood that other
embodiment of
the present invention may be utilized and structural changes may be made
without
negating from the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[Para 16] FIG. 1 Illustrates the perspective view the first embodiment of the
present
invention. The first embodiment consists of a ring made from an elastic
material. The
elastic ring can be in one continuous ring or a flat strap connected together
to make a
ring. The elastic ring can have the inside and the outside surface to be flat.
The elastic
ring can have the inside surface flat and the outside surface with ridges FIG
3-4 that run
the length of the elastic ring. The elastic ring can have the inside surface
with ridges
FIG 5-6 that run the width of the ring and the outside surface flat. The
elastic ring can
have the inside and outside surface both having ridges FIG. 2-4 running the
length of
the elastic ring. The elastic ring can have ridges FIG 5-6 on the inside of
the elastic ring
running the width of the elastic ring. The elastic ring can have ridges FIG 3-
6 on both
the inside and outside of the elastic ring running the width of the elastic
ring. The ridges
FIG 7-10 can be in angular, spherical or flat. The inside pattern can be of
any designs
from stamped illustrations of geometric patterns or artistic patterns. The
elastic material
can be made from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, EPDM, neoprene,
latex,
polyester, polyurethane. The outside of the elastic ring can be flat as in FIG
10 or with
ridges as in FIG 7-9. The outside of the elastic ring FIG 7 can have letters,
numerals,
and logos, illustrations, printed, stamped, embossed and debossed. The
distance
between the ridges for the inside and or outside of the elastic ring is
between the ranges
of .5 mm to 30mm wide. The height of the ridges for the inside and or outside
of the
elastic ring is between the ranges from .010mm to 30 mm high. The height of
the
stamped or embossed or debossed designs and or illustrations ranges from .01mm
to
30mm high. Along the inside of the elastic ring, are ridges placed crosswise
along the
length of the elastic ring. The height of the ridges ranges from .02mm to
40mm. The
width of the ridges ranges from .050mm to 30mm.
[Para 17] FIG 1 Illustrate the dimensions of the elastic ring (1). The
circumference (2) of
the elastic ring ranges from 12 inches to 88 inches. The wall thickness (4)
ranges from
1/16th to 1 inch and the width of the elastic ring ranges from 1/2 to 4
inches.
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Component A illustrates the outside surface of the elastic ring. Component B
illustrates
the series of incremental raised ridges spaced symmetrically along the length
of the
elastic ring. The number of raised ridges ranges from 2-30. The ridges FIG. 11
shows
spacing distance ranges from .05mm to 100mm for component 8, 9, 11, 12. The
thickness of the ridges FIG, 8-10 ranges from 1 mm to 300 mm for component 13.
The
shape of the ridges FIG 8-10 can be of angular, spherical or flat
characteristic. FIG. 11A
shows a different configuration with ridges and spherical patterns. The height
of the
ridge can range from .05mm to 30mm and the width of the ridge can range from
.010mm to 100mm and the height of the ridge can range from .010mm to 100mm.
The
height of the spherical patterns range from .05mm to 30mm the distance between
the
half spheres can range from .050mm to 100mm. The diameter of the spheres can
range
form .005mm to 30mm.
[Para 18] FIG 12 Illustrates the usage of the elastic ring (1) in the
Paripurna Navasana
(Full Boat Pose). The elastic ring (1) is used by the user (14) to perform
this pose by
placing the elastic ring (1) at the soles of the feet and using both hands to
grab hold of
the elastic ring. The elasticity and grip of the elastic ring due to the
ridges Component B
FIG 8-10 and Cross Ridges Component C and the material that is used to
construct it
enables the user to move into a"V" shaped position.
[Para 19] FIG 13 Illustrates the usage of the elastic ring (1) in the
Krounchasana (Heron
Pose). The elastic ring (1) is used by the user (15) to raise the leg that is
not bent to
perform this pose. Due to the tight hamstrings this present invention elastic
ring (1)
can assist the user to safely perform this pose without risk to injury due to
the elastic
characteristics of the ring, different ridge configuration and spherical
patterns enables
the ring to possess the ability to grip FIG 1-6 Component B, Component C, FIG
8-10,
FIG 11-11A to grip the soles of the feet of the user.
[Para 20] FIG. 14 Illustrate the usage of the elastic ring (1) in the Mountain
Pose
(Tadasana). The elastic ring is used by the user (16) to perform this pose by
placing the
elastic ring (1) in the space between the neck and shoulders and anchored on
the feet
located in same side of the shoulder. The tensile strength of the elastic ring
(1)
,different ridge and spherical patterns FIG 11-11A enable the practitioner to
adjusts the
body of the user to achieve the proper alignment of the body and thereby
attaining
proper symmetry to perform the pose. The elastic nature of the ring creates
tension to
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produce isometric force to enable the user to condition the body to recreate
the pose
eventually without the assistance of the elastic ring. The elastic
characteristics and
different ridge configuration and spherical pattern FIG 8-10, FIG 1-6
Component B and
Component C, FIG 11A and the elastic material that is used to construct it
enable the
user (16) to feel the pose without the ring slipping.
[Para 21] FIG 15 Illustrates the usage of the elastic ring (1) in the Uttihita
Hasta
Padangustasana (Extended hand to big toe pose). The elastic ring is used by
the user
(17) to perform this pose by placing the elastic ring (1) in the non standing
leg and
raising it to 90 degrees. The elasticity of the ring allows the user (17) to
adjust how far
the user's (17) hands should go in order for the user (17) to raise the non
standing leg.
The ridges FIG 8-10, FIG 1-6 Component B and Component C and the elastic
material
that is used to construct it enable the user (17) and the different
configuration and
spherical pattern FIG 11, FIG 11A to safely execute the pose without injury
and also
achieve balance.
[Para 22] FIG 16-17. Illustrates the usage of the elastic ring (1) for the
purpose of
alleviating low back pressure and pain. The user (18) is sitting on a chair.
The pressure
and weight of the user's (18) head, shoulders, spine is all on the lower back.
This
causes a lot of pain in the long run. The user (18) uses the elastic ring (1)
to alleviate
the low back pain by looping one part of the elastic ring (1) to the lower
back area (19)
and the other part of the elastic ring (1) to the soles of the feet (20). The
elasticity of
the elastic ring creates tension and isometric forces to assist the user (18)
to push the
lower back forward to strengthen the lower back. The continuous usage of this
elastic
ring (1) in this manner will eventually strengthens the lower back muscles and
this
alleviating back pain and pressure. There will be minimal slippage due to the
ridges FIG
1-6 Component B and Component C, FIG 8-10. and the different ridge
configuration and
spherical patterns FIG 11, FIG 11A.
[Para 23] FIG 18-19. Illustrates the usage of the elastic ring (1) as a mat
holder. A
Velcro strap (21) is used to loop around the ring to form a loop (22). The mat
is
wrapped around the loops and tied with a Velcro straps. While the present
invention
has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood
that the
invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
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embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of
illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and
will fully
convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed,
many
modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of
those skilled
in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and
are covered
by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims. It should be understood
that it is
within the scope of this invention to cover the base claim (i.e., claim 1)
plus one or more
of the various optional limitations added in the dependent claims, which
either directly
or indirectly depend from claim 1."
