Yoga block with integrated mobile device retainer

Abstract

A yoga block that consists of a body having a plurality of surfaces. At least one surface includes a recess sized and shaped to removably, securely receive a handheld mobile device. The recess includes retention means for engaging the mobile device with the body, the engagement being such that a display of the mobile device can remain accessible for viewing or control. The recess may be configured such that the device does not obtrusively protrude above the general surface in which the recess is formed.

1 . A yoga block, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of surfaces, at least one surface including a recess sized and shaped to removably, securely receive a handheld mobile device, the recess including retention means for engaging the mobile device with the body, the engagement being such that a display of the mobile device can remain accessible for viewing or control, the recess being configured such that the device does not obtrusively protrude above the general surface in which the recess is formed.   
     
     
         2 . The yoga block of  claim 1  where in the recess is configured so that a selected mobile device is disposed flush with the general surface or is below the general surface. 
     
     
         3 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein the block has a maximum length of 24 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The yoga block of  claim 3  wherein the block has a maximum width of 16 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein the yoga block has a length of from 20 to 24 cm and a width of 14 to 18 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The yoga block of  claim 5  wherein the recess has a length of from 15 to 18 cm and a width from 8 to 10 cm and a depth of from 1 to 2 cm 
     
     
         7 . The yoga block of  claim 3  wherein the block has a rectangular shape and the recess is disposed on a longest and widest side of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The yoga block of  claim 3  wherein the recess has a generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein the recess is defined by three peripheral walls, including two side walls and a back wall, the recess being free of a peripheral wall on a side opposite a back wall to facilitate a sliding placement of the mobile device into the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The yoga block of  claim 9  wherein a plurality of retention elements are spaced apart and disposed along at least one of the peripheral walls, the retention elements comprising resiliently compressible, deflectable, or displaceable elements for engaging one or more sides of a mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The yoga block of  claim 10  wherein the retention elements are disposed along opposite long-side peripheral walls of the recess. 
     
     
         12 . The yoga block of  claim 11  wherein there are at least 4 elements along each long-side peripheral wall. 
     
     
         13 . The yoga block of  claim 11  wherein the retention elements comprise finger structures projecting from the base of the wall or walls. 
     
     
         14 . The yoga block of  claim 13  wherein the fingers include terminal ends oriented orthogonally or transverse to the fingers. 
     
     
         15 . The yoga block of  claim 10  wherein the retention elements are formed integral with the body of the block. 
     
     
         16 . The yoga block of  claim 15  wherein the retention elements are molded with the portion of the block body from which they project. 
     
     
         17 . The yoga block of  claim 16  wherein the portion of the block body and the fingers are molded from the same kind of material. 
     
     
         18 . The yoga block of  claim 6  wherein the body comprises a molded polymer foam material having a durometer of 50 to 70 ASKER C. 
     
     
         19 . The yoga block claim of  claim 1  wherein the block includes retention means adapted to secure a range of mobile device sizes. 
     
     
         20 . The yoga block of  claim 19  wherein the retention means comprise compressible or displaceable fingers disposed along the base of one or more peripheral walls of the recess. 
     
     
         21 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein the block has two or more layers of material with differing material properties, a first layer defining the recess for the mobile device. 
     
     
         22 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein mobile device retention means are disposed in a bottom surface of the recess. 
     
     
         23 . The yoga block of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent cover that overlies the mobile device when it is disposed in the recess. 
     
     
         24 . The yoga block of  claim 1  wherein the block further comprises an adjustable prop for propping up the mobile device from a surface of the block.