Retractable, self-securing support system

Abstract

A retractable exercise system having a longitudinal axis, an expanded configuration, and a retracted configuration. The system may include a plurality of support bodies and a retractor. The plurality of support bodies may have a top support surface forming a continuous layer, a bottom support surface forming a first segmented layer, and a middle support surface forming a second segmented layer between the top and bottom support surfaces, and a plurality of interconnect areas having respective channels. The retractor may be positionable through the respective channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractable exercise system having a longitudinal axis, an expanded configuration, and a retracted configuration, the retractable exercise system comprising:
 a plurality of support bodies having
 a top support surface forming a continuous layer, 
 a bottom support surface forming a first segmented layer, 
 a middle support surface forming a second segmented layer between the top and bottom support surfaces, 
 a plurality of interconnect areas having respective channels; and 
   a retractor positionable through the respective channels.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is arranged to move the plurality of support bodies to the retracted configuration in response to a pull force. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is arranged such that the plurality of support bodies move to the expanded configuration in response to release of a pull force. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor includes opposing ends with first and second carabiners. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the top support surface, bottom support surface, and middle support surface is arranged to form a plurality of gaps along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the respective channels is formed by a paracord looped through a D-ring configured to receive the retractor therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the respective channels is formed by a paracord having split ends embedded relative to at least one of the top support surface, bottom support surface, and middle support surface. 
     
     
         8 . A retractable mat having a longitudinal axis, an expanded configuration, and a retracted configuration, the retractable mat comprising:
 a plurality of support bodies having
 a top support surface forming a continuous layer, 
 a bottom support surface forming a first segmented layer, 
 a middle support surface forming a second segmented layer between the top and bottom support surfaces, and 
 a plurality of interconnect areas having respective channels. 
   
     
     
         9 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of support bodies is arranged to move to the retracted configuration in response to a pull force. 
     
     
         10 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of support bodies is arranged to move to the expanded configuration in response to release of a pull force. 
     
     
         11 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , further comprising a retractor that includes opposing ends with first and second carabiners. 
     
     
         12 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the top support surface, bottom support surface, and middle support surface is arranged to form a plurality of gaps along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the respective channels is formed by a paracord looped through a D-ring. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable mat of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the respective channels is formed by a paracord having split ends embedded relative to at least one of the top support surface, bottom support surface, and middle support surface. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 providing a plurality of support bodies having top, bottom, and middle support surfaces, and a plurality of channels;   providing a retractor positioned through the plurality of channels of the plurality of support bodies; and   moving the plurality of support bodies between an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration by way of the retractor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: applying a pull force to the retractor to move the plurality of support bodies to the retracted configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: releasing a pull force from the retractor to move the plurality of support bodies to the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the retractor includes opposing ends with first and second carabiners. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the top support surface, bottom support surface, and middle support surface is arranged to form a plurality of gaps. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of channels is formed by a paracord looped through a D-ring.