A device for yoga

Abstract

An adjustable exercise support device 10, comprising a first body portion 22 having a base 26 and an upright column 28 and a second body portion 24 slidably mounted on the column to provide selectable

Description

The present invention relates to a device for yoga and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an exercise block for helping users engaged in yoga and other similar activities to achieve different positions. A yoga block is a tool designed to assist individuals engaged in yoga. The block helps people, especially beginners who may have limited flexibility, in achieving and maintaining various yoga poses. It provides a stable support and can be used under the hands, feet, or hips to help bridge the gap between the body and the floor. The block can be rotated onto different faces to offer height options, allowing users to adjust the level of support as needed. Many blocks are made from rigid materials such as cork which can be uncomfortable against the skin during prolonged use. Additionally, their fixed dimensions limit customisation, potentially making them less suitable for individuals with unique body proportions or specific needs. While the multiple height options provide some adaptability, the shape of the block and size may not accommodate every pose comfortably. Furthermore, the solid form of the block can be difficult to grip securely during dynamic poses, increasing the risk of slipping or instability. Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for use during yoga, the device comprising: a first body portion having a base and a column extending therefrom; a second body portion having a first recess for extending over the column towards the base, the first and second body portions together forming a block shape, wherein the column slides within the first recess; and a locking mechanism for fixing a position of the second body portion along the column. By including two portions the device can be adjusted in length enabling it to be utilised by a wider range of users regardless of their height, flexibility, strength, or experience level. This adjustment provides a greater variety of lengths compared to a traditional fixed-size block. It enables users to modify, by extending or retracting the height of the block to suit their specific needs for various poses. The inclusion of a locking mechanism ensures that once the required height is set for a particular pose, the block remains securely in place. Additionally, it provides a stable support to help individuals with limited flexibility achieve and maintain various yoga poses. Furthermore, the base enhances balance and alignment by providing a reliable surface for weight distribution and stabilisation. The two-part structure not only increases usability but also reduces the need for multiple blocks of different sizes, offering a more space-efficient and portable solution for yoga practitioners. This also improves the versatility of the block, as it can be adapted to support different postures and exercises, making it more practical for a variety of yoga practices. Additionally, it has applications in physiotherapy exercises, can provide extra support during pregnancy, and is beneficial for those recovering from illness or injury. Lastly, by offering a variety of tailored heights helps improve correct alignment in poses, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring that practitioners gain the maximum benefit from their practice. In a preferred embodiment the column comprises at least one second recess and the locking mechanism engages with the second recess to fix the position of the second body portion. In another preferred embodiment the second body portion further comprises a first aperture and the locking mechanism extends therethrough. In a further preferred embodiment the locking mechanism further comprises a peg extending through the first aperture and engages the second recess. In an additional preferred embodiment the locking mechanism further comprises a biasing member for biasing the peg towards the second body portion. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism further comprises a first and a second cam surface and the peg comprises at least one stud wherein movement of the peg causes the stud to engage with the cam surfaces wherein when the stud moves between the surfaces the locking mechanism changes to a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In another preferred embodiment the first cam surface is located above the second cam surface and the surfaces comprise at least one trough and at least one peak wherein the trough of the first cam surface does not align with the trough of the second cam surface and the peak of the first cam surface does not align with the peak of the second cam surface. In a further preferred embodiment the column comprises a substantially I-shaped cross-section. In a preferred embodiment the first body portion further comprises a first reinforcing plate having at least one third recess formed therein wherein the third recess extends into the second recess of the column. By including a first reinforcing plate the overall stability and strength of the device is increased. This addition provides increased rigidity, ensuring the device can withstand the forces applied during use. In another preferred embodiment the second body portion further comprises a second reinforcing plate having a second aperture that aligns with the first aperture and the locking mechanism extends therethrough. Including a second reinforcing plate further improves the structural stability and strength of the device. In a further preferred embodiment the second reinforcing plate comprises a first half and a second half wherein the first and second halves are positioned on opposing sides of the first recess and edges of the first and second halves do not engage each other. In a preferred embodiment the column comprises a plurality of second recesses. In a further preferred embodiment the column comprises five second recesses. In another preferred embodiment the device further comprises a second locking mechanism wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the device . By providing a double locking mechanism, both locks must be engaged for the device to extend or retract in height. This offers an added layer of safety ensuring that if one of the locking mechanisms is accidentally triggered during use, such as during a yoga session, the device will remain securely in place and not unexpectedly extend or retract. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device of the present invention; Figure 2 is another perspective view of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the device of figure 1; Figure 5 is divided into 5a and 5b in which 5a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device of figure 1 at a first position and 5b is a perspective view of a peg in that first position; Figure 6 is divided into 6a and 6b in which 6a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device of figure 1 at a second position and 6b is a perspective view of a peg in that second position; Figure 7 is divided into 7a and 7b in which 7a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device of figure 1 at a third position and 7b is a perspective view of a peg in that third position; Figure 8 is divided into 8a and 8b in which 8a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device of figure 1 at the second position and 8b is a perspective view of a peg in that second position; and Figure 9 is divided into 9a and 9b in which 9a is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the device of figure 1 at the first position and 9b is a perspective view of a peg in that first position. Initially referring to figures 1 and 2, a device 10 is used to help a user perform and maintain poses during yoga. The device 10 is cuboidal in shape including six faces in the form of a block. The six faces include a top face 12, a bottom face 14, a front face 16, a back face 18, and two side faces 20. The device 10 and its components (as described below) are formed from a strong yet lightweight thermoplastic, examples including, but not limited to, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polypropylene (PP) and a combination of plastics. Ideally, and as shown in the embodiments disclosed herein, the device 10 could be covered in a foam-like or soft material if intended for use in supporting the neck or head of the user to provide additional comfort during poses. The device 10 includes a first body portion 22 and a second body portion 24 that come together to form the block shape. The first body portion 22 includes a base 26 and a column 28 extending therefrom. The bottom of the base 16 forms the bottom face 24 of the device 10, whilst the sides of the base partially form the front, back and side faces 16, 18 and 20 respectively. The second body portion 24 includes a first recess 25 that receives the column 28 towards the base 26. The second body portion 24 moves vertically along column 28, such that it is either moving towards or away from the base 26. The device 10 also includes a first locking mechanism 30 for fixing the position of the second body portion 24 relative to the column 28. A second locking mechanism 31, mirroring the first locking mechanism 30 functions in substantially the same manner as the first locking mechanism. Therefore, all references to the locking mechanism 30 apply equally to both the first and second locking mechanisms unless otherwise specified. The locking mechanism 30 includes a button 32 located on the front face 16 adjacent the bottom of the first body portion 22. The button 32 can be pressed by the user to either lock the locking mechanism 30 or release. When a user wants to extend the height or length of the device 10 they move the second body portion 24 in the direction away from the base 26. Once the user is satisfied with the height of the device 10 the user presses the button 32 to engage the locking mechanism 30 and fix the second body portion 24. Referring now to figures 3, 4 and 5 the column 28, extending from the base 26, includes a first and second series of five second recesses 34. The second recesses 34 are located at a front portion 36 and a back portion 38 of the column 28, with both the front and the back portions having five recesses each. Located along the sides of the column are a pair of flanges 40 and 42 that form an I-shaped cross-section along with the front and back portion of the column 28. Located in between the first and second flanges 40 and 42 are a pair of first reinforcing plates 44 and 45. Each of the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45 includes a series of five third recesses 46. These third recesses 46 are aligned such that they extend into the second recesses 34 of the column 28. To secure and hold the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45 in place each plate includes a pair of rims 48 located along each edge. The rims 48 correspond in shape to inner edges 50 of the first and second flanges 40 and 42 providing a friction fit for the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45 when pressed into the second recesses 34 of the column 24. Also located on the outside face of the reinforcing plates are a series of height markers 52. These height markers 52 provide a visual guide (along with the third recesses 46) for the user. When the user is extending the height of the device 10, the user can use the markers 52 as a reference to know when to press the button 32 and enable the locking mechanism 30 to fix the position of the second body portion 24. Referring specifically to figure 5, the locking mechanism 30 also includes a peg 52 and a biasing member in the form of a spring 54. The peg 52 is formed from the button 32, a head 56 and a tail 58 extending from the head. The head 56 is rotatably attached to the button 32 such that rotation of the head and tail 58 does not rotate the first head portion. The button 32 is attached to the head 56 by two clasping members 60, with one extending from the button and the other from the head. Each clasping member 60 has a small projection 62. When the clasping member 60 from the button 32 is slightly bent and positioned over the clasping member 60 from the head 56, the projections 62 abut against each other. This prevents the button 32 from detaching from the head 56, while still allowing it to rotate around. The tail 60 of the peg 52 has a reduced diameter compared to the head 56. The spring 54 is coiled around the tail 60, and, due to the smaller diameter of the tail, the spring can engage the underside of the head 56. Additionally, the diameter of the tail 60 closely corresponds to both the diameter and length of the third recess 46 in the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45. As a result, the third recess 46 is dimensioned to accommodate only the tail 60, excluding the spring 54 and the head 56 of the peg 52. This arrangement enables the spring 54 to exert a biasing force on the peg 52, directing it toward the second body portion 24. Also connected to the head 56 is a stud 64. Within the locking mechanism 30, the stud 64 is positioned and secured between two cam surfaces, 66 and 68, both including a series of peaks 70 and troughs 72. The peaks 70 and troughs 72 of the first and second cam surfaces 66 and 68 are offset, such that the peaks of the second cam surface are adjacent to the sides of the peaks on the first cam surface, and similarly, the troughs of the second cam surface align adjacent to the troughs of the first. This arrangement ensures that as the stud 64 moves along the peak 70 of the second cam surface 68 and reaches its apex, it is guided upward toward the first cam surface 66, engaging the descending side of the peak on the first cam surface. This design prevents the stud 64 from becoming lodged in the troughs 72 while transitioning between the cam surfaces 66 and 68. The button 32 and peg 52 can be described as occupying three distinct positions. In the first position, when the button 32 is at rest, the locking mechanism 30 is fully engaged with both the second recess 34 of the column 28 and the third recess 46 of the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45. In this position, the tail of the peg 52 is partially inserted into the third recess 46, while the spring 54 remains in an intermediate state, neither fully compressed nor fully extended. Additionally, in this position, the stud 64 is located at the peak 70 of the first cam surface 66. The second body portion 24 is immobilized, preventing movement along the column 28 and securing the device in place. In the second position, the button 32 is fully depressed by the user, resulting in the complete insertion of the tail 58 into the third recess 46. As this happens, the stud 64 moves along the descending portion of the peak 70 of the second cam surface 68, settling into the adjacent trough 72 of the second cam surface. This action is performed by the user to either engage or disengage the locking mechanism 30. If the user is engaging the lock, the button 32 and peg 52 will return to the first position. Conversely, if the user is disengaging the lock, the button 32 and peg 52 transition to the third position. During this movement, the biasing action of the spring 54 causes the head 56 to rise, pulling the stud 64 along the ascending edge of the trough 72 of the second cam surface 68, guiding it upwards toward the first cam surface 66. The stud 64 then engages the trough 72 of the first cam surface. In the third position, the second body portion 24 can move freely along the column 28, allowing the user to adjust the height of the device to their desired position. Referring again now to figures 2 and 3 the locking mechanism 30 extends through a first aperture 74 of the second body portion such that the button 32 is the only visible part. The locking mechanism 30 is further housed within a second aperture 76 of a second reinforcing plate 78. The second reinforcing plate 74 is composed of a first half and a second half, 80 and 82, respectively. These two halves 80 and 82 are identical and are located on the inner surfaces of the first recess 25. Each half has one third and fourth flange 84 and 86 and a vertical section 88. The first and second halves, 80 and 82, engage and slide over the first reinforcing plates 44 and 45, ensuring that the first and second apertures 74 and 76 align with the second recesses 34. Additionally, edges 90 of the first and second halves 80 and 82 are arranged such that they do not engage with each other. The gap 92 between the edges 90 is present to enable assembly of the device 10. With additional references to figures 6 to 9 the method of using the device 10 will now be described. During a yoga session the device 10 can be used in the contracted condition as a normal yoga block and rotated such that any one of the six faces can engage the floor. In this condition, the smaller the surface area of the face in contact with the floor the larger the height of the uppermost surface of the block above the floor. However, if the block 10 is sitting on the bottom face 14 and is still not tall enough to offer the support required to the user, then the first and second body portions can be moved away from one another into any of the five expanded conditions. In its initial contracted state, the device is in position one (figure 5), where the buttons 32 and pegs 52 are at rest, and the locking mechanisms 30 and 31 are fully engaged. The tail of the pegs 52 are partially inserted into the third recesses 46 of the first reinforcing plates 44, and the springs 54 are in an intermediate state (partially compressed) . In this position, the studs 64 are situated at the peaks 70 of the first cam surfaces 66, and the second body portion 24 of the device is locked in place, preventing movement along the column 28. When the user wants to change the height of the yoga block, they press both buttons 32 (Figure 6). As the buttons are fully depressed, the tails 58 of the pegs 52 fully insert into the third recesses 46, and the studs 64 move along the descending portions of the peaks 70 of the second cam surfaces 68, settling into their adjacent troughs 72. Upon releasing the buttons, the springs 54 push the buttons and pegs into position three (Figure 7), fully withdrawing the tails 58 from the third recesses 46. During this transition, the biasing action of the springs 54 pull the studs 64 along the ascending edge of the troughs 72 of the second cam surfaces 68 and up toward the first cam surfaces 66, where they engages with the troughs 72 of the first cam surfaces. At this point, the device is in an unlocked state, and the second body portion 24 can move freely along the column 28. The user can now adjust the height of the block to their desired level by sliding the second body portion 24 along the column 28. Once the correct height is reached, the user presses both buttons 32 again (Figure 8), putting the device back into position two. The studs 64 once again move along their cam surfaces, and the tails 58 of the pegs 52 fully inserts into the third recesses 46. Releasing the buttons returns the pegs and buttons to position one (Figure 9), with the studs 64 back in the peaks 70 of the first cam surfaces 66, thus re-engaging the locking mechanism. The device 10 is now securely locked in place at the new height. Lastly, if the user wishes to separate the second body portion 24 from the first, a release mechanism (not shown) can be activated to release the two parts from each other. The preceding examples are a non-exhaustive list of suitable techniques and others are available which may be selected at the discretion of the person skilled in the art. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the protection which is defined by the appended claims. In particular, where various embodiments and aspects of the invention have been described above, features and steps of the apparatus and method are interchangeable between the embodiments and aspects of the invention. For example, where dimensions are indicated in the examples set out above these are examples of ideal measurements but should not be taken as being indicative of being essential to the performance of the invention. For example, the first and second reinforcing plates are used for adding support and strength to the device when it is being used. However, the reinforcing plates are not essential, and the device would be able to function without them. The example of the device and the figures illustrate that the buttons are round and positioned on the front and back of the second body portion. However, it is important to note that the buttons are not limited to this configuration. They could also take on different shapes, such as square, and the internal mechanism could be rotated by 90 degrees. In such a case, the buttons could be relocated to the sides of the second body portion, offering flexibility in the design while maintaining the functionality of the device. Another example is that the recesses within the device could be implemented as apertures extending completely through the first body portion and the first reinforcing plate, given that the peg only requires an abutment surface to function effectively.

Claims

1. A device for use during yoga, the device comprising:a first body portion having a base and a column extending therefrom;a second body portion having a first recess for extending over said column towards said base, said first and second body portions together forming a block shape, wherein said column slides within said first recess; anda locking mechanism for fixing a position of said second body portion along said column.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said column comprises at least one second recess and said locking mechanism engages with said second recess to fix said position of said second body portion.

3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said second body portion further comprises a first aperture and said locking mechanism extends therethrough.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a peg extending through said first aperture and engages said second recess.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a biasing member for biasing said peg towards said second body portion.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a first and a second cam surface and said peg comprises at least one stud wherein movement of said peg causes said stud to engage with said cam surfaces wherein when said stud moves between said surfaces said locking mechanism changes to a locked condition or an unlocked condition.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein said first and second cam surfaces comprise at least one trough and at least one peak wherein said trough of said first cam surface is offset with said trough of said second cam surface and said peak of said first cam surface is offset with said peak of said second cam surface .

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said column comprises a substantially I-shaped cross-section.

9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said first body portion further comprises a first reinforcing plate having at least one third recess formed therein wherein said third recess extends into said second recess of said column.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said second body portion further comprises a second reinforcing plate having a second aperture that aligns with said first aperture and said locking mechanism extends therethrough.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said second reinforcing plate comprises a first half and a second half wherein said first, and second halves are positioned on opposing sides of said second recess and edges of said first and second halves do not engage each other.

12. A device according to claim wherein a gap between said first half and said second half is substantially equal to a first distance of said second aperture minus a second distance of a flange edge.

13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said column comprises a plurality of second recesses.

14. A device according to any preceding claim wherein said column comprises five second recesses.

15. A device according to any preceding claims further comprising a second locking mechanism wherein said first andsecond locking mechanisms are located on opposing sides of saiddevice .w

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