Mat having padded portion

Abstract

Mats having an additional padded or cushioned portion are disclosed herein. An exercise mat with additional padding in appropriate locations may enhance user comfort, protect against injury, and/or ease strain on body parts that support substantial weight. The exercise mats herein described comprise a substantially planar body portion combined with one or more portions with additional padding. The size, shape, number, and placement of the padded portions may be tailored to the intended use of the exercise mat. The padded portion may be integrated into the exercise mat between layers of the body portion or alternatively, the padded portion may be attached to an exterior planar surface of the exercise mat.

1 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a body portion of a first thickness; and   a padded portion of a second thickness that is integral with the body portion,
 wherein a combination of the body portion and the padded portion is thicker than the body portion or the padded portion alone. 
   
   
   
       2 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises two or more layers. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise mat of  claim 2 , wherein the padded portion is disposed in between the two or more layers of the body portion. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion is fixably attached to a planar surface of the body portion. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise mat of  claim 4 , wherein the padded portion gradually slopes toward the planar surface to which the padded portion is attached. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion and the body portion are formed as a monolithic construction. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion comprises multiple portions of padding integrated with the exercise mat. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion extends across a width the exercise mat. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion extends along a length of the exercise mat. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion and the body portion are formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
   
   
       11 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the padded portion and the body portion are formed of different materials. 
   
   
       12 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the padded portion is formed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
   
   
       13 . An exercise mat comprising:
 a body portion;   a bladder disposed within a section of the body portion adapted to be filled with fluid to provide a padded portion of the exercise mat.   
   
   
       14 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is filled with a gel. 
   
   
       15 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is filled with air. 
   
   
       16 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is filled with water. 
   
   
       17 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is defined as a cavity within the body portion. 
   
   
       18 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is filled with the fluid and is hermetically sealed. 
   
   
       19 . The exercise mat of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the hollow bladder and extending outside of the body portion; and   a sealing member that selectively seals the fluid conduit.   
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing an exercise mat comprising:
 forming a first planar mat layer;   forming a second planar mat layer;   forming a padded portion;   placing the padded portion at a desired location upon a first surface of the first planar mat layer;   placing the second planar mat layer immediately over the first planar mat layer with the padded portion in between the first and second planar mat layers; and   laminating the first and second planar mat layers of the exercise mat together with the padded portion between the first and second planar mat layers at the desired location.   
   
   
       21 . The exercise mat of  claim 20 , wherein the padded portion is enveloped on all sides by the first and second planar mat layers of the exercise mat. 
   
   
       22 . The exercise mat of  claim 20 , wherein the padded portion and the first and second planar mat layers are formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
   
   
       23 . The exercise mat of  claim 20 , wherein the padded portion and the first and second planar mat layers are formed of different materials. 
   
   
       24 . The exercise mat of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second planar mat layers are formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the padded portion is formed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
   
   
       25 . A method of using an exercise mat having a padded portion integrated with a body portion comprising:
 placing the exercise mat on a floor with a padded portion of the exercise mat extending upwardly;   placing a portion of a user's body in contact with the padded portion of the exercise mat; and   transferring a substantial portion of the user's body weight onto the portion of the user's body in contact with the padded portion of the exercise mat.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein a portion of the user's body is selected from a group comprising: a knee, elbow, hand, shoulder, buttocks, hip, pelvis, foot, and head.