exercise mat

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise mat having improved functionality with respect to carrying items or materials. In particular, the disclosed exercise mat has a generally rectangular main body, the main body being bounded by a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side. The exercise mat has a first handle assembly attached to the main body along the first side of the main body; and a second handle assembly attached to the main body along the second side of the main body. The exercise mat provides a generally planar configuration when used during exercise and a substantially collapsed configuration when the ends are folded over the center region and the mat is lifted by the handles such that material deposited in the center region of the mat is substantially retained therein.

1 . An exercise mat, comprising:
 a generally rectangular main body, the main body comprising a center region, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side;   a first handle assembly coupled with the main body along the first side of the main body; and   a second handle assembly coupled with the main body along the second side of the main body; the mat having a generally planar configuration for use during exercise and a substantially collapsed configuration where the first and second ends are folded toward the center region of the mat and the handle assemblies are drawn upward such that material deposited in the center region of the mat is substantially retained therein.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle assembly and the second handle assembly are configured to allow a user to transport the main body in a configuration that retains one or more materials deposited in the center region of the mat. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises an exercise equipment item, towel, or article of clothing. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise mat of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second handle assemblies each include a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and a third strap portion. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise mat of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends;   the second strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends;   the third strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the first handle assembly are coupled with the main body;   the first strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends;   the second strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and   the third strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the second handle assembly are coupled with the main body.   
   
   
       7 . A method of using an exercise mat, comprising:
 providing an exercise mat, the exercise mat having a generally rectangular main body having center region, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side, the mat further comprising a first handle assembly coupled with the main body along the first side of the main body and a second handle assembly coupled with the main body along the second side of the main body; the mat having a generally planar configuration and a collapsed configuration;   placing the main body of the exercise mat into the generally planar configuration for use during exercise;   drawing the mat into the collapsed configuration comprising folding the first end and the second end toward the center region of the mat, and lifting the first and second handle assemblies upward such that materials deposited in the center region are substantially retained therein.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising transporting the exercise mat in the collapsed configuration. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising depositing material in the center region of the mat prior to folding the first or second ends. 
   
   
       10 . The method of manufacturing an exercise mat, comprising:
 fabricating a generally rectangular main body, the main body being bounded by a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side, the main body having generally planar configuration when the mat is used during exercise;   coupling a first handle assembly with the main body along the first side of the main body, and a second handle assembly with the main body along the second side of the main body; the handles configures such that the mat comprises a generally planar configuration and a collapsed configuration where the first and second ends are folded toward the center region of the mat and the handle assemblies are drawn upward.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second handle assemblies each include a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and a third strap portion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the coupling of the first handle assembly with the main body includes:
 coupling the first strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; 
 coupling the second strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and 
 coupling the third strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the first handle assembly are coupled with the main body; and 
   the coupling of the second handle assembly with the main body includes:
 coupling the first strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; 
 coupling the second strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and 
 coupling the third strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the second handle assembly are coupled with the main body.