Patent Application
20170333774
The present general inventive concept is directed to a method and apparatus directed to mounting a punching bag or related exercise equipment.
Punching bag mounts are used to mount a punching bag to a ceiling in a structure. One problem with such mounts is that due to the repeated blows on the bag when it is being used for exercise, such vibrations can cause trauma and ultimately damage to the structure.
What is needed is a mechanism which can enable a punching bag its full functionality but reduce the amount of trauma on the surrounding structure.
It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved mounting mechanism and apparatus.
These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The present inventive concept relates to a mount for a punching bag designed to reduce the vibrations and trauma on the structure the punching bag is mounted on. The mount serves to absorb energy thereby reducing the energy that is transferred to the structure that the mount is attached to.
A punching bag is connected to a ceiling by a mount 101. The mount 101 is attached to floor beams 102 (of the higher level) via screws (and optional washers) 103 screwed into the floor beams 102. As illustrated, the mount 101 is fixed onto the ceiling and a punching bag 100 is hung therefrom. The mount 101 allows full use of the punching bag (allowing the punching bag freedom of motion) but absorbs energy (blows) inflicted onto the punching bag thereby reducing vibration (and trauma) on the ceiling (and walls).
Note that in
The mount 101 comprises numerous parts including a frame. The frame can comprise a lower frame 215 that is attached to an upper frame 216.
An eye bolt 203 passes through a lower eye washer 204, a lower plate 201, an upper eye washer 205, and is screwed onto an eye nut 207. The eye bolt is configured to rotate when the mount is assembled. Instead of the eye bolt 203, any other connector can be used as well (e.g., hook, loop, etc.)
The mount 101 comprises four springs 211 and four strips 210, although it can be appreciated that other numbers of springs and/or strips can be used as well. Typically the springs and strips should alternate, but this is not required. While equal numbers of strips and springs are shown (four of each), in other embodiments equal numbers of strips and springs are not required (e.g., three strips and five springs, five strips and three springs, etc.)
A set of eight inner bolts 202 pass through respective holes in the lower plate 201. Four of these eight inner bolts 202 then pass through inner lower spacers 206, through a spring hook (for its respective spring), through inner upper spacers 208, through an upper plate 200 and through respective inner nuts 209 which are tightened (when assembled) against the upper plate 200. The other four of the eight inner bolts 202, after passing through respective holes in the lower plate 201, then pass through a hole in its respective strip, then through respective holes in the upper plate 200 and then through respective inner nuts 209 which are tightened (when assembled) against the upper plate 200. The lower spacers, spring hooks and upper spacers, are illustrated in
Mounting holes 300 are shown which enable screws 103 to pass through to attach into the floor beams 102. Shown are also the inner bolts 202 passing through the lower plate 201. Shown are also four strips 210 and four springs 211. Note that the springs 211 are typical springs (coil springs) as known in the art. The strips 210 can be made of bungee, plastic, nylon, or any flexible solid material which can flex (expand) but remain firm. The strips 210 can be made from EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), which is available from numerous sources including a company Universal Polymer & Rubber LTD (in Ohio), sold under the name Tarp Straps. In one embodiment, the strips can be 4 inches long (at rest) and can have a maximum expansion of 600%, or in a range of 300% to 900% (although in another embodiment other values outside of this range can be used) of its original length. The strips can be 0.75 inches wide (although they are not required to be this wide) and have a tensile strength of 500 to 2500 PSI (although in other embodiments strengths outside of this range can be used). The strips 210 (also be referred to as flexible strips) can flex (stretch) a little but still can support a solid weight due to the material they are constructed from.
Eight outer bolts 302 pass through the lower frame 215. Four of the eight outer bolts 302 then pass through a respective hole in a strip and then through the upper plate and then tightened with an outer nut (see
Eight outer nuts 400 are shown which are tightened against the upper frame 216.
Outer bolts 302 are shown. Four of the outer bolts 302 pass through the lower plate, then through a respective outer lower spacer 501, a hook 500 for a respective spring, a respective outer upper spacer 502, the upper plate, and then tightened on a respective outer nut 400. The other four outer bolts 302 pass through the lower plate, then through a hole on the respective strip and then through the upper plate and then tightened on a respective outer nut 400.
Note that the outer bolts 302 are all arranged radially around the connector (which can be the eye bolt 203). This means that that the outer bolts (and hence the outer connections of the springs and the flexible strips) are arranged in a configuration which surrounds the center (where the eye bolt 203 can be located). Note that the springs and flexible strips can be equally spaced apart, although this is not required.
From
In this manner, athletic use of the punching bag (e.g., punching it with repeated hard blows) would cause the springs and strips to absorb much of the energy thereby removing some of the trauma on the ceiling and surrounding structure. Overall vibrations and noise of the surrounding structure can also be reduced. In general, the load (weight) is supported by the springs (coil springs) and the motion is resisted by the strips. If only springs were used, then there would be too much up and down motion for a long duration. If only strips were used, then they would stretch, deform, and possibly fail over time.
Note that while
The inner nuts 200 and outer nuts 400 are typically identical. The inner bolts 202 and outer bolts 302 are typically identical. Each strip 210 has two holes, one on each end. Each hole is identical and thus
Note that while
The inner upper spacers 208 and outer upper spacers 502 are typically identical. The inner lower spacers 206 and the outer lower spacers 501 are typically identical. The hook 500 is wedged between the upper spacer (whether inner upper spacer or outer upper spacer) and the lower spacer (whether inner lower spacer or outer lower spacer). The hook 500 is hooked onto the bolt (whether it is an inner bolt or an outer bolt) and spring tension keeps the hook onto the bolt (because the spring is stretched in order to hook onto both the inner bolt and the outer bolt). All of the spacers can be made of any solid material, such as plastic, nylon, PVC, rubber, Styrofoam, etc. The spacers are tightly packed inside the upper plate and the lower plate thus securing the hook 500 therebetween.
Note that on the end of each strip 210 is a hole. The opposite side of the strip 210 (not shown in
On each end of the spring 211 is the spring hook.
In addition to being used to mount a punching bag, the apparatus as recited herein can also be used to mount any related exercise equipment (e.g., hanging mats, heavy bags, etc.)
The word “connected” or “attached” as used herein can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through additional pieces. All parts, in their assembled positions, should be connected appropriately (e.g., all nuts tightened around screws, etc.)
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
