Yoga blocks

Abstract

A collapsible block comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel coupled with the first top side and the first bottom side; a second side panel coupled with the second top side and the second bottom side, wherein the first and second side panels are configured to be collapsible, the first and second side panels are moveable between: a first position where a first distance exists between the top and bottom panels; and a second position where a second distance exists between the top and bottom panels, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and a support mechanism located between the top and bottom panels, wherein the support mechanism is configured to withhold a force applied on the top panel or the bottom panel and prevent the first and second side panels from collapsing under the force and move to the second position.

1 . A collapsible block comprising:
 a top panel having a first top side and a second top side opposite to each other;   a bottom panel having a first bottom side and a second bottom side opposite to each other;   a first side panel coupled with the first top side and the first bottom side;   a second side panel coupled with the second top side and the second bottom side, wherein the first and second side panels are configured to be collapsible,   the first and second side panels are moveable between:
 a first position where a first distance exists between the top and bottom panels; and 
 a second position where a second distance exists between the top and bottom panels, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and 
   a support mechanism located between the top and bottom panels, wherein the support mechanism is configured to withhold a force applied on the top panel or the bottom panel and prevent the first and second side panels from collapsing under the force and move to the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible block of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel includes:
 a first section rotatably coupled with the first top side; and   a second section rotatably coupled with the first bottom side, wherein the first section and the second section are rotatably coupled to form a hinge structure moveable toward and away from a center of the collapsible block.   
     
     
         3 . The collapsible block of  claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism includes:
 an internal support rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and located between the top panel and the bottom panel, the internal support is moveable between:
 an upright position where the internal support prevents the first and second side panels from collapsing and moving to the second position; and 
 a flat position where the internal support is laid substantially flat and does not prevent the first and second side panels from collapsing and moving to the second position; and 
   a third side panel rotatably coupled with the bottom panel, the third side panel is moveable between:
 the upright position where the third side panel is perpendicular to the top and bottom panels; and 
 the flat position where the third side panel is parallel with the bottom panel; 
   a connector and an internal rod moveably coupled with the internal support and the third side panel, wherein a user can use the third side panel and the connector to move the internal support between the upright position and the flat position.   
     
     
         4 . The collapsible block of  claim 3 , wherein the support mechanism further includes a fourth side panel rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and the connector, the user can use the third side panel and the connector to move the fourth side panel between:
 the upright position wherein the fourth panel is perpendicular to the top and bottom panels;   the flat position where the fourth panel is parallel with the bottom panel and within the block.   
     
     
         5 . The collapsible block of  claim 4 , wherein the fourth side panel includes a catch configured to increase a height of the fourth side panel in the upright position for the top panel to prevent the fourth side panel from being moveable to the flat position; wherein the third side panel includes a cam configured to keep the support mechanism in the upright position in tension. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible block of  claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism includes:
 an internal support rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and located between the top panel and the bottom panel; and   a latch coupled with the internal support, wherein a user can use the latch to move the internal support between:
 an upright position where the internal support withholds a force applied on the top panel or the bottom panel; and 
 a flat position where the internal support is laid flat and does not prevent the first and second side panels from collapsing. 
   
     
     
         7 . The collapsible block of  claim 6 , wherein the support mechanism includes:
 a third side panel rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and configured to move between:
 an upright position where the third side panel is perpendicular to the bottom panels; and 
 a flat position where the third side panel is parallel with the bottom panel, wherein the third side panel includes a first catch configured to releasably couple with the bottom panel in the flat position and couple with the top panel in the upright position. 
   
     
     
         8 . The collapsible block of  claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism includes:
 a third side panel rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and configured to move between:
 an upright position where the third side panel is perpendicular to the bottom panels; and 
 a flat position where the third side panel is parallel with the bottom panel, wherein the third side panel includes a first catch configured to releasably couple with the bottom panel in the flat position and couple with the top panel in the upright position. 
   
     
     
         9 . The collapsible block of  claim 8 , wherein the support mechanism includes:
 a fourth side panel rotatably coupled with the bottom panel and configured to move between:   an upright position where the fourth side panel is perpendicular to the bottom panels; and   a flat position where the fourth side panel is parallel with the bottom panel, wherein the fourth side panel includes a second catch configured to releasably couple with the bottom panel in the flat position and couple with the top panel in the upright position.   
     
     
         10 . A block comprising:
 a top panel;   a first side panel and a second side panel rotatably coupled with two opposite sides of the top panel;   a bottom panel;   a third side panel and a fourth side panel rotatably coupled with two opposite sides of the bottom panel; and   an internal support located between the top and bottom panels and configured to withhold a force applied on the top panel or the bottom panel;   wherein the first and second side panels are coupled with two opposite sides of the bottom panel, the third and fourth side panels are coupled with two opposite sides of the top panel, the each of the first and second side panels are adjacent to the third and fourth side panels, wherein   the top panel, the bottom panel, and four side panels form a rectangular block.   
     
     
         11 . The block of  claim 10 , wherein the internal support includes:
 a first support member having a first finger and a second finger; and   a second support member having a third finger and a fourth finger and configured to couple with the first support member; wherein   the first side panel has a first cut configured to accommodate the first finger, the second side panel has a second cut configured to accommodate the second finger, the third side panel has a third cut configured to accommodate the second finger, the fourth side panel has a fourth cut configured to accommodate the second finger.   
     
     
         12 . A method of expanding a collapsible yoga block including the steps of:
 a) pulling a side panel outward;   b) engaging a latch panel; and   c) securing the collapsible yoga block in place.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of pulling and pushing a support structure to lock into position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of collapsing and folding the collapsible yoga block by releasing a latch mechanism and pressing a lock. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further including the step of folding a side panel inward to fold and collapse the collapsible yoga block.