Attachment Mechanisms and Methods for an Absorbent Cover

Abstract

A system includes an exercise mat and an absorbent cover for the exercise mat. The absorbent cover is at least partially formed from a liquid absorbing material. Attachment mechanisms affixed to the absorbent cover engage with attachment mechanisms affixed to the exercise mat to attach the absorbent cover to the exercise mat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an absorbent cover including a liquid absorbing material; and   one or more attachment mechanisms formed from metal and coupled to the absorbent cover and configured to mate with corresponding magnets associated with a mat to releasably secure the absorbent cover to the mat.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more attachment mechanisms includes:
 a first portion including a first side having a substantially smooth surface and including a second side having a fastening mechanism; and   a second portion including a first side configured to engage the fastening mechanism to secure the attachment mechanism to the absorbent cover and including a second side including at least one of a recessed surface and a raised surface configured to engage a corresponding feature of at least one of the corresponding magnets.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion and the second portion form a rivet extending through the absorbent cover. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more attachment mechanisms includes at least one of steel and aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the mat formed from a flexible material and including the corresponding magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the absorbent cover includes length and width dimensions that are substantially equal to those of the mat. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent cover includes a microfiber material selected to have fibers configured to absorb moisture. 
     
     
         8 . A apparatus comprising:
 an absorbent cover;   a mat at least partially formed from a cushioning material, the mat including a first side and including a second side configured to engage a supporting surface during use; and   one or more first attachment mechanisms affixed to at least the first side of the mat, the one or more first attachment mechanisms configured to secure the absorbent cover to the mat.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms is riveted to the mat. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the absorbent cover includes one or more second attachment mechanisms configured to couple to the first attachment mechanisms to secure the absorbent cover to the mat. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms includes a magnetized material and is configured to couple magnetically to one of the one or more second attachment mechanisms. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 at least one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms includes a first material:   at least one of the one or more second attachment mechanisms includes a second material; and   the first material includes at least one of a hook material and a loop material, and the second material includes at least one of the loop material and the hook material.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 at least one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms includes a magnetized material; and   wherein the absorbent cover includes one or more second attachment mechanisms including a metal and configured to couple to the one or more first attachment mechanisms.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the at least one first attachment mechanism includes a slanted protrusion; and   the one or more second attachment mechanisms include a slanted recess configured to mate with the slanted protrusion of the at least one first attachment mechanism; and   a magnetic force of the at least one first attachment and the slanted recess cooperate to align a selected one of the one or more second attachment mechanisms to the at least one first attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 at least one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms includes a magnetized material and includes a slanted recess; and   the one or more second attachment mechanisms include a slanted protrusion configured to mate with the slanted recess of the at least one first attachment mechanism; and   a magnetic force of the at least one first attachment and the slanted recess cooperate to align a selected one of the one or more second attachment mechanisms to the at least one first attachment mechanism   
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching an absorbent cover to a mat, the method comprising:
 coupling one or more first attachment mechanisms to the absorbent cover, the one or more first attachment mechanisms including metal;   coupling one or more second attachment mechanisms to the mat, the one or more second attachment mechanism including a magnetic material; and   selectively aligning the one or more first attachment mechanisms with the one or more second attachment mechanisms to establish a magnetic coupling.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein before coupling the one or more first attachment mechanisms, the method further comprising forming the absorbent cover and the mat to have substantially equal length and width dimensions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the one or more first and second attachment mechanisms includes:
 coupling a rivet stem and a rivet cap of a first attachment rivet through the absorbent cover to form one of the one or more first attachment mechanisms; and   coupling a rivet stem and a rivet cap of a second attachment rivet through the mat to form one of the one or more second attachment mechanisms.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the one or more first attachment mechanisms to the absorbent cover includes:
 coupling a first portion and a second portions of a selected one of the first attachment mechanisms through a piece of material to form the first attachment mechanisms; and   coupling the piece of material to an absorbent layer to form the absorbent cover.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the piece of material to the absorbent cover includes sewing the piece of material to the absorbent cover.