Patent Application
20230119244
The present invention relates generally to martial arts and martial arts kick training devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to impact-absorbing, kicking targets for conditioning student shins during vigorous work-out sessions, especially for training in the art of “muay thai.”
It has long been recognized by those skilled in the martial arts that extensive training and practice sessions are necessary for mastering the many moves and maneuvers required for success in the martial arts. In the mixed martial arts arena, for example, a variety of both punching and wrestling-like arm and first movements are commonly employed. But concurrently, numerous kicking maneuvers and strikes are repetitively practiced. In the sport of muay thai, many rapid, powerful kicks are executed by participants. Often the combatants shin bones (i.e., the lower part of the leg) impacts the target. As is well known, sudden powerful hits against ones shin bones can be a painful experience. Proper kick targeting and placement are important skills that require substantial practice to master. Further, without first conditioning and training the legs, and especially the shin regions, normal martial arts kicking and targeting can be very painful.
This is particularly poignant when a beginner is starting out in the field and learning the various recommended training techniques. However, practitioners at all stages of development can benefit for adequate repetitive training, and the use of modern training devices and targets.
Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,191 issued Jan. 25, 1994 discloses a “striking dummy” that is attached to a punching bag and used as a target. The invention is a life-like striking dummy adapted to be attached to a punching bag for training in boxing, martial arts, and other sports. The striking dummy is sculptured three-dimensionally and comprises a first portion configured to anatomically resemble a human head, and is connected by a neck to a second portion configured to anatomically resemble a human torso. A cellular foam core is homogeneously distributed throughout the entire inner structure, and is human-like in density, providing a realistic feel of striking an opponent. The striking dummy is configured with mounting straps for the purpose of attachment to a punching bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,319 issued Sep. 1, 1998 discloses a sparring device comprising a belt which is fastened upon a vertical columnar member like a punching bag. The sparing device includes at least one outwardly projecting arm portion which is normally disposed in a somewhat horizontal orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,217 issued May 11, 1999 discloses a martial arts and boxing accessory for physical training, such as in martial arts, boxing and similar disciplines that involve punching, kicking, and the like. A training accessory that mounts to a heavy training bag and which provides targets or wing chun type blocking arms which the trainee can punch, kick, or block, for example. The training accessory has a frame that mounts to the heavy bag by use of cinch straps. Accessory arms selectively mount to depending bars and carry or define punching, kicking, or striking targets or blocking arms. Straps are secured to the heavy bag to prevent its twisting undesirably in response to torque generated by impacts and blocking movements of the trainee.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,011 issued May 16, 2000 discloses a portable martial arts training device adapted to be removably attached to a punching bag or other vertical support. The device main body, absorbs kicks and punches. A plurality of cylindrical targets, extend from and are horizontally supported by the main body, for simulating human arms and legs. These targets can be unmounted, then wrapped within the base, and the entire device fastened by straps thus allowing the device to be transported by the practitioner as would a duffle bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,831 issued Oct. 16, 2001 discloses a martial arts training device for attachment to a punching bag by one or more connectors. One or more arms are connected in a rigid fashion, so that when a martial arts blow is delivered to the arm, the arm does not move with respect to the punching bag. Rather, the force of the blow is transferred from the arm to the punching bag causing the punching bag to move, as would a martial arts opponent.
U. S. Patent Publication 20140080681 published Mar. 20, 2014 discloses a martial arts training device includes a target for attachment to a punching bag. The target is a hollow shell containing a filler material. The shell is fixed to a strap that includes a mechanism for securing the strap around a punching bag.
U. S. Patent Publication 20140128226 published May 8, 2014 discloses a freestanding mixed martial arts training device comprising vertically connected first and second posts, a base stand connected to a lower end of the first post, a water containable pedestal assembly, and primary and secondary striking pads as well as kick training plates that are adjustable in height. The first post is also connected to the base stand via a plurality of screws, so that striking forces applied to the first and second posts can be evenly distributed to the screws without causing a broken and leaking pedestal assembly due to stress concentration.
However, the known prior art appears to have overlooked the specific training goal of shin conditioning and training. It would therefore seem desirable to provide a martial arts training device, specifically designed for martial arts training in muay thai techniques, that forms a viable and practicable target for kick training, but which at the same time is adapted to absorb impacts from the shin area of a trainees' legs so that the shins of the kicker are gradually toughed up and conditioned for several stresses encountered in vigorous martial arts fights and exhibitions.
This invention provides a portable and deployable kicking target for training in the martial arts. The target is adapted to be temporarily attached to a conventional training punching bag, or similar vertical columnar member, to provide preferred impact target areas for practice kicking. The target areas are impacted by the trainee's shins, and over time the shins are conditioned and strengthened.
The device comprises a portable, foldable blanket-like body whose ends are equipped with Velcro®-brand connecting strips, enabling the target to be fastened to a conventional punching bag by first being wrapped around it, and then being appropriately tensioned with the strips making secure contact. The body comprises at least one, and preferably two, impact pockets adapted to be forcibly contacted by the users shins or feet. Each impact pocket houses a plurality of elongated, generally parallel, plastic impact tubes. One impact pocket may include a plurality of relative soft tubes, and the other may house a similar plurality of harder tubes. The tubes are made of plastic, such as polyethylene.
The kicker's shins are gradually strengthened by repeated contact with the impact pockets. Initial training for shin conditioning starts with the softer plastic impact tubes. The softer tubes preferably have a Shore A hardness of 70 and the harder impact tubes preferably have a Shore A hardness of 9-0. After a trainee's shins strengthen and “toughen up” over time from repeated contact with the impact pocket containing the softer impact tubers, the trainee may gradually increase impacting force by aiming at the pocket containing the harder impact tubes. If desired, the impact tubes in the impact pockets may be changed as desired to other strengths or hardnesses. If at the beginning of training the student kicker finds the impact pockets too hard for comfort, the impact tubes within a given impact pocket may be replaced with much softer tubes, decreasing potential pain and discomfort for beginners.
Thus a basic object is to effectively train martial arts students and practitioners in the art of kicking and the proper forms of related maneuvers.
A more specific object is to train and condition the shins of a martial arts practitioner.
Another important object is to provide a portable training device that is easily attached to or detached from a standard conventional punching bag used in martial arts training.
Another fundamental object is to provide a kick training device for muay thai training.
Yet another important object is to provide a training device of the character described that provides kicking targets of varying hardnesses so trainees can gradually work their way up from softer, less painful targets to harder targets preferred by more experienced martial arts practitioners.
A related object is to provide a kicking target for muay thai training, that allows various impact harnesses to be varied.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.
In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
My new martial arts kick training target is especially adapted for shin conditioning and it is especially useful for muay thai kick training. With initial reference directed jointly now to
The target 10 comprises a flexible, generally rectangular, blanket-like body 14 that is equipped with at least a pair of complimentary connecting strips enabling rapid mounting to a conventional punching bag 12 (
Importantly, the body 10 comprises at least one, and preferably two or more spaced-apart impact pockets 22 and 24 that are positioned to be forcibly contacted by the users shins or feet. Each impact pocket 22, 24 houses a plurality of elongated impact tubes 26, 28. In the best mode, the impact tubes are oriented parallel with one another, and generally perpendicular relative to the ground. In the best mode there are four impact tubes in each pocket, but of course more or less impact tubes could be employed. The impact tubes 26 normally disposed in pocket 22 may be made of relatively soft polyethylene to more gently impact the kickers shins. On the other hand, the spaced-apart impact pocket 24 may house a similar plurality of harder or stiffer plastic impact tubes 28 to be targeted as the student kicker progresses. Although the impact tubes are preferably made of a relatively flexible plastic material such as polyethylene, they may be made from fabric materials, rubber, rubber hose materials, or the like.
The impact tubes can have a shore A hardness of between 50 and 80. In the best mode known at this time, the “softer” impact tubes 26 have a Shore A hardness of 70, and the harder impact tubes 28 have a Shore A hardness of 90. The impact tubes are available in many colors, but in the best mode they are colored blue and red. Repeated kicking of the softer impact tubes 26 is recommended for the start of conditioning. Over time during regular training sessions, the kicker's shin area, including the outer skin, toughen. After suitable conditioning, graduation to the harder impact tubes 28 eventually produces micro-fractures in the shin bone region for maximal eventual toughening.
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From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
