MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A device is provided for martial arts training. The device includes a mount and a board holder configured to hold at least one training board. The board holder is adapted to removably connect to the mount at a plurality of different heights. The mount includes a ladder portion connected to a pair of upstanding legs and the mount is foldable between a stored position and a working position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a martial arts training and skill development device and, more particularly, to an adjustable and rotatable board holder and support for use during martial arts training.

BACKGROUND

Martial arts training requires substantial practice, including the breaking of boards by kicking or punching. Breaking boards is a common practice of martial artists throughout the world, especially in the fields of Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing and karate. It is a standard training exercise for both testing and recreation. In the past, in order to practice martial arts with boards, another person was required to manually hold the board. Not only does the requirement of another person eliminate the possibility of solo practice, but a manual holder does not allow for desired consistency, i.e., the holder could use more or less force while holding the board or unconsciously pull away from the expected strike.

To address the problems associated with manual board holding in martial arts training, there have been martial art training devices developed that hold a board for solo practice. While these training devices alleviate the need for a second person to train, they still suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, these devices typically either hold the board in a single position or height, which is disadvantageous for martial artists desiring to practice breaking boards with punches and kicks, which are typically at different striking heights. Furthermore, even for the devices that are adjustable, the adjustability of these devices is quite limited, cumbersome and time-consuming.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved martial arts training device in the form of an adjustable board holder and support that allows for solo board training that overcomes the disadvantages known in the art.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a martial arts training device is provided. The martial arts training device includes a mount and a board holder configured to hold at least one training board, wherein the board holder is adapted to removably connect to the mount.

In one possible embodiment, the mount includes a ladder portion connected to a pair of upstanding legs. Furthermore, the mount is foldable between a stored position and a working position. The board holder may include a plurality of hangers for connecting to the mount. The board holder may also include a plurality of gripping elements for securing the at least one training board. The plurality of gripping elements may include a top pair of teeth forming a plurality of grooves and a bottom pair of gripping teeth forming a plurality of corresponding grooves. The plurality of gripping elements are configured to secure two or more training boards. The board holder may include a plurality of rubber guards positioned on a front portion of the board holder.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a martial arts training apparatus for holding one or more training boards is provided. The apparatus includes a first part and a distinct second part. The first part is removably connected to the second part for positioning at a plurality of different heights.

In one possible embodiment, the first part is configured to hold the one or more training boards. The apparatus may include a camera for recording images and/or a sensor for sensing strike force applied to the one or more training boards. The sensor may be an accelerometer. The apparatus may also include a central processing unit connected to the sensor and/or the camera. The central processing unit is configured to provide real-time feedback.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a martial arts training device is provided. The device includes a support apparatus and a board holder adapted to rotate such that the board holder connects to the support apparatus in a first position and a second position.

In one possible embodiment, the board holder includes a substantially rectangular mount connected to a first upper arm, a second upper arm, a first lower arm and a second lower arm. The board holder may also include a first V-shaped arm connecting the first upper arm to the first lower arm and a second V-shaped arm connecting the second upper arm to the second lower arm. A first elongated hanger may be positioned on an upper portion of the substantially rectangular mount, while a second elongated hanger positioned on a side portion of the substantially rectangular mount. The board holder is rotatable from the first position wherein the first elongated hanger is removably attached to the support apparatus to the second position wherein the second elongated hanger is removably attached to the support apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of this disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a martial arts training device forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a board holder of the martial arts training device forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away front view of the board holder of the martial arts training device forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the martial arts training device forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a support or mount of the martial arts training device in an operating position forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a support or mount of the martial arts training device in a storage position forming one aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a board holder of the martial arts training device forming another aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a board holder of the martial arts training device forming another aspect of this disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a view of a central processing unit, force sensor and camera associated with the martial arts training device forming one aspect of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the disclosure, an improved martial arts training device or apparatus is hereinafter described.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-9, which are various views illustrating an improved martial arts training device 10. As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 1, the martial arts training device 10 may include two distinct parts. The first part is the board holder 20 configured to hold a board 200. The board may be an actual wooden board or a re-breakable training board. The second part is the support or mount 30 configured to receive the board holder at a plurality of different heights. The board holder 20 is typically made of wood or some other rigid material. The support or mount 30 may be made of a metal, such as steel or wood. Thus, the board holder 20 and support 30 may be made of the same material or a different material. The board holder 20 is configured to be removably connected to the support 30 for ease in changing heights and disassembly purposes. Alternatively, the device 10 may be used without the second part, wherein the board holder 20 may be removably connected to the wall. For example, the board holder 20 may utilize one or more hangers or hooks (discussed in more detail below) to a towel rack or the like.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the board holder 20 includes a front end 40 configured to hold the board and a rear end 50 configured to hang on the support 30. Specifically, the rear end 50 includes two upstanding legs 60, 70, which are connected by a pair of cross bars 80, 90, such that the rear end 50 has a rectangular shape. The upstanding legs 60, 70 are spaced apart and parallel to one another. These legs and cross bars are fastened together via nails or other fastening devices.

The back edge of the rear end 50 has a plurality of hooks or hangers 100 positioned at or adjacent to each corner for attaching to the support 30. Each of the hangers 100 is made of a rigid material, such as metal and have an inverted substantially J-shaped configuration to removably attach to the support 30. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, there are four hangers 100 fastened or screwed to a respective corner of the rear end 50 and, in turn, firmly (yet removably) connect the board holder 20 to the support 30 such that the board holder stays in place when repeatedly kicked or punched during training sessions.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two elongated hangers are positioned on a top rear edge and side rear edge, respectively. Specifically, a first elongated hanger 100a extends substantially along the top rear edge of cross bar 90, while a second elongated hanger 100b extends substantially along the side rear edge of upstanding leg 60 or 70. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the board holder 20 may be positioned such that in a first mode the first elongated hanger 100a may be connected to the support 30. The board holder may be rotated approximately ninety degrees (90°) to a second mode, wherein the second elongated hanger 100b may be connected to the support 30. The purpose of rotating the board holder 20 is so that the re-breakable board may be broken in both the horizontal as well as the vertical direction. Typically, side kicks and round kicks require a horizontal position of the board, i.e., first mode, while front kicks require a vertical board orientation, i.e., second mode.

Turning to the front end 40 of the board holder (as perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 2), two pairs of spaced apart parallel arms 110, 120 extend horizontally from the rear end 50. Typically, each of these arms 110, 120 are bolted to an inside portion of the upstanding legs 60, 70. With respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of V-shaped arms 290 may be added to the board holder to provide further support and increased durability of the board holder. Specifically, a first V-shaped arm 290 connects the arms 110, 120 to the upstanding leg 60, while a second V-shaped arm 290 connects the other arms 110, 120 to the upstanding leg 70.

Turning back to FIGS. 2-4 (as well as FIGS. 7 and 8), at the front face of each of the spaced apart parallel arms 110, 120, a guard 130 is fastened to the elements via an adhesive or other suitable means. The guard 130 is typically made of rubber or some other pliable material that provides some cushion to protect the martial artist from serious injury in the event the board holder 20 rather than the training board is struck by the martial artist.

At the distal end of each of the lower spaced apart parallel arms 110, a gripping element or device 140 is attached to a top edge of the arms. At the distal end of each of the upper spaced apart parallel arms 120, a corresponding gripping element or device 150 is attached to a bottom edge of the arms such that a bottom gripping device 140 faces a corresponding top gripping device 150 on each arm 110, 120. The gripping device 140 positioned on the lower two arms includes a plurality of (three are shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3) spaced apart teeth or spikes 160 pointing upward (in the first mode, i.e., in a direction parallel to the board) forming grooves 170 between the upward facing spikes 160. Conversely, the gripping device 150 positioned on the upper two arms includes a plurality of (again, three are shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3) spaced apart teeth or spikes 180 pointing downward (in the first mode, i.e., in a direction parallel to the board) forming grooves 190 between the downward facing spikes 180. It should be appreciated that in the second mode, i.e., when the board holder is rotated, the spikes 160 would not be facing upward, but would be facing either to the left or right (depending on the direction of rotation) in a direction perpendicular to the board. Similarly, the spikes 180 would not be pointed downward, but would be facing either to the left or right (depending on the direction of rotation and opposite of the spikes 160) in a direction perpendicular to the board.

As discussed above, the board holder is capable of rotating, the spikes The gripping devices 140, 150 are fastened by a screw or other fastener to the arms and are designed to hold a training board 200 between the spikes 160, 180 (and within the grooves 170, 190). The gripping devices 140, 150 are substantially flush with the corresponding rubber guards 130.

The training board 200 may be natural wood and, thus, it is not reusable after it is broken during training. Alternatively, the training board 200 may be a re-breakable board that is designed to “break” in such a way that it may be re-used. The training board 200 fits within the grooves 170, 190 formed by the spikes 160, 180 in each corner of the arms. Accordingly, the training board 200 is firmly secured in four different spots of the board holder 20. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when three spikes are used, two training boards may be used with the board holder 20. Of course, it should be appreciated that additional grooves may be utilized to hold more than two training boards for more experienced martial artists.

With reference to the support or mount 30 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, it resembles a ladder-type apparatus that may be folded for easy storage when not in use. Specifically, the support 30 includes an optional base 210. The base 210 is substantially rectangular. A ladder portion 220 extends vertically from the base 210, wherein the ladder includes a plurality of steps 230. Advantageously, the board holder 20 may be positioned on any the steps 230 via the hangers 100 such that the training board 200 may be easily adjusted to a plurality of different heights. Near the top of the ladder portion 220, a pair of legs 240 extend down to the ground at approximately a forty-five (45) degree angle in a working or operating position as illustrated in FIG. 5. The legs 240 may be pinned or bolted around or near the top step 230^T of the ladder portion 220. Furthermore, a pair of cross arms 250 connect a middle portion of the ladder portion 220 to the legs 240 via a plurality of pins or other fasteners. As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of legs 240 may be folded so that the support may be easily transported and stored.

In certain embodiments, the martial arts training device 10 may include additional elements to allow the martial artist to obtain data regarding his/her training. For example, a camera 260 may be provided to capture still images, motion capture and video of the martial arts training. The camera may take any form, such as a stand-alone camera or video camera or a smart phone or tablet that is capable of taking photographs and/or video. In addition, a sensor 270 may be provided to sense the strike force being applied to the training board. The sensor may be any type of force sensor, such as an accelerometer. The sensor may be attached to the back of the rebreakable training board. The camera 260 and/or the sensor 270 may be connected (via a wired connection or wirelessly) to a central processing unit 280, such as a computer. The central processing unit 280 may be physically attached to the support 30 or remote therefrom. Advantageously, via the input from the camera 260 and the sensor 270, the central processing unit 280 may provide useful input to the individual, such as allowing the individual to watch a video of themselves breaking a board in slow motion to improve their form and technique. Additionally, the individual may be able to see a graph of the force exerted throughout the breaking of the board.

The martial arts training device 10 disclosed herein offers a number of advantages. First of all, it allows for solo practice in board breaking as a training partner is not needed for holding the training board. Furthermore, the martial arts training device is easily adjustable to a number of different heights such that the martial artist may practice both striking and kicking. The martial arts training device is also easily rotatable to allow the martial artist to practice different kicks, such as side and round kicks in a horizontal orientation of the board and front kicks in a vertical orientation of the board. Importantly, the martial arts training device may be easily folded for ease in storage and transportation. Finally, the camera, sensor and central processing unit allows the individual to obtain real-time feedback of their training session.

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the inventive principles and their practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A martial arts training device, comprising: a mount; anda board holder configured to hold at least one training board, wherein the board holder is adapted to removably connect to the mount.

2. The martial arts training device of claim 1, wherein the mount includes a ladder portion connected to a pair of upstanding legs.

3. The martial arts training device of claim 2, wherein the mount is foldable between a stored position and a working position.

4. The martial arts training device of claim 1, wherein the board holder includes a plurality of hangers for connecting to the mount.

5. The martial arts training device of claim 1, wherein the board holder includes a plurality of gripping elements for securing the at least one training board.

6. The martial arts training device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of gripping elements includes a top pair of teeth forming a plurality of grooves and a bottom pair of teeth forming a plurality of corresponding grooves.

7. The martial arts training device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of gripping elements is configured to secure two or more training boards.

8. The martial arts training device of claim 1, wherein the board holder includes a plurality of rubber guards positioned on a front portion of the board holder.

9. A martial arts training apparatus for holding one or more training boards, comprising: a first part; anda distinct second part,whereby the first part is removably connected to the second part for positioning at a plurality of different heights.

10. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first part is configured to hold the one or more training boards.

11. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 9, further including a camera for recording images.

12. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 11, further including a sensor for sensing strike force applied to the one or more training boards.

13. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.

14. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 12, further including a central processing unit connected to the sensor and/or the camera.

15. The martial arts training apparatus of claim 14, wherein the central processing unit is configured to provide real-time feedback.

16. A martial arts training device, comprising: a support apparatus; anda board holder adapted to rotate such that the board holder connects to the support apparatus in a first position and a second position.

17. The martial arts training device of claim 16, wherein the board holder includes a substantially rectangular mount connected to a first upper arm, a second upper arm, a first lower arm and a second lower arm.

18. The martial arts training device of claim 17, wherein board holder includes a first V-shaped arm connecting the first upper arm to the first lower arm and a second V-shaped arm connecting the second upper arm to the second lower arm.

19. The martial arts training device of claim 18, wherein a first elongated hanger is positioned on an upper portion of the substantially rectangular mount and a second elongated hanger positioned on a side portion of the substantially rectangular mount.

20. The martial arts training device of claim 19, wherein the board holder is rotatable from the first position wherein the first elongated hanger is removably attached to the support apparatus to the second position wherein the second elongated hanger is removably attached to the support apparatus.