[0001] Not Applicable
[0002] Not Applicable
[0003] Not Applicable
[0004] This invention relates to a portable tumbling mat.
[0005] It is generally very difficult to teach young children to perform basic tumbling skills such as forward rolls, handstands, cartwheels and the like. Originally, the instruction of basic tumbling skills was restricted to time spent in a tumbling class with an instructor. There were no mats or instructional devices on the market which would enable home instruction and home practice of skills taught in class.
[0006] Therefore, inventors created several types of instructional mats to teach basic tumbling skills in gymnastics. Many of these mats can be used at home. One example is a cartwheel mat. This is a vinyl tumbling mat with hands and feet permanently painted or silk-screened onto its surface to illustrate the correct sequence of a cartwheel. Cartwheel mats are useful, however, they are restricted to teaching one skill. The hands and feet aren't moveable. Therefore, they can not illustrate any other tumbling skill sequence than that of a cartwheel.
[0007] Another example is rubber hand and feet cutouts that can be placed in any tumbling sequence onto the surface of a tumbling mat. The problem with the cutouts is that they have no way of sticking to the mat. When children try to follow them by standing on the feet and placing their hands on the hands, the rubber cutouts tend to move out of the desired formation.
[0008] Present mats do not usually come with an instruction handbook which gives both verbal directions and a visual hand and foot placement guide illustrating several basic tumbling skills that simplifies the tumbling skill for parents and enables parents to understand a tumbling skill and teach it to their children at home.
[0009] Finally, many of the mats on the market today are much too heavy and awkward which makes for difficult portability and storage.
[0010] The objects and advantages of my invention are:
[0011] (a) to provide a method of teaching basic tumbling skills to preschool and schoolage children at home.
[0012] (b) to provide a portable, lightweight tumbling kit that is quick and simple for children and adults to carry, set-up and store.
[0013] (c) to provide an all-inclusive tumbling kit contaning a tumbling mat, a handbook, a carrying case and moveable hands, feet and shapes that stick to the top surface of the tumbling mat.
[0014] (d) to provide adhesive hands, feet and shapes which can be stuck onto the mat and placed in several different tumbling skill formations allowing the instruction of many tumbling skills.
[0015] (e) to provide a handbook containing a verbal description and directions as well as a visual picture of the hand and foot placement of each tumbling skill.
[0016] (f) to provide parents the knowledge and opportunity to guide and teach their children basic tumbling skills at home.
[0017] (g) to enable the at-home practice and reinforcement of tumbling skills taught in a gymnastics class.
[0018] (h) to provide a carrying case which makes for easy transport
[0019] Another advantage is to provide a way for parents and children to spend quality time together while participating in a fun and productive activity.
[0020] This invention is directed to a portable, all-inclusive tumbling kit which provides parents and children with a method of teaching basic tumbling skills to preschool and schoolage children at home. It also allows children to practice at home the skills they learn in a gymnastics class. The hands, feet and shapes adhere to the mat's top surface which prevents them from slipping and sliding. The hands, feet and shapes can be pulled off and placed in several different tumbling formations to give the child a visual picture of each skill. The correct placement of the hands, feet and shapes is illustrated in the handbook for each skill. The handbook also provides written directions and teaching tips for each skill. This kit can be easily put away and stored by folding the mat in half and sliding it into the carrying case. The handbook, hands, feet and shapes are placed in the side pocket of the carrying case.
[0021] The above as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following descriptions of the drawings.
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[0046] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.