Punching bag assembly

Abstract

A punching bag assembly includes an inflatable bladder, a winding layer wound around the bladder, an intermediate resilient layer covering the winding layer, a mounting block, and a skin layer. The mounting block has an anchoring flange attached to the intermediate resilient layer, and a mounting projection projecting from the anchoring flange and formed with a mounting hole. The skin layer is formed over the intermediate resilient layer and the anchoring flange such that the anchoring flange is buried between the intermediate resilient layer and the skin layer and such that the mounting projection projects relative to the skin layer to permit access to the mounting hole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a punching bag assembly, more particularly to a punching bag assembly which is wear-resistant, which can be produced at a relatively low cost, and which has good rebounding characteristics.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Punching balls or punching bags are commonly used for practicing kicks and punches. Conventional punching bags/punching balls generally include an inflatable bladder of an elastic, air-impervious material, and panels of cover disposed over the bladder and bound together by sewing. The panels of cover are typically made of natural or synthetic leather. It is desirable to form the punching bag/balls with a multi-layered structure so that the punching bag/balls can be imparted with good rebounding characteristics and good wear-resistance. It is also desirable that the punching bag/balls be produced at a lower cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a punching bag assembly which is wear-resistant, which can be produced at a relatively low cost, and which has good rebounding characteristics.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a punching bag assembly includes an inflatable bladder, a winding layer, an intermediate resilient layer, a mounting block and a skin layer. The winding layer covers the bladder, and is formed from filament threads that are wound around the bladder. The intermediate resilient layer is formed over the winding layer. The mounting block has an anchoring flange attached to the intermediate resilient layer, and a mounting projection projecting from the anchoring flange and formed with a mounting hole. The skin layer is formed over the intermediate resilient layer and the anchoring flange of the mounting block such that the anchoring flange is buried between the intermediate resilient layer and the skin layer and such that the mounting projection projects relative to the skin layer to permit access to the mounting hole.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a punching bag assembly includes a spherical bag body having an outer surface formed with a pair of diametrically opposite, radially indenting recesses. The bag body includes an inflatable bladder, a winding layer covering the bladder and formed from filament threads that are wound around the bladder, an intermediate resilient layer covering the winding layer, a pair of anchoring pieces attached to the intermediate resilient layer and disposed respectively in the recesses, and a skin layer covering the intermediate resilient layer and the anchoring pieces. The punching bag assembly further includes a pair of mounting shafts, each of which is disposed in a respective one of the recesses in the bag body and extends in a respective chord direction of the bag body. Each of the mounting shafts has two opposite ends that extend through the skin layer and that are secured to a respective one of the anchoring pieces, and an intermediate portion that forms a clearance with a bottom of the respective one of the recesses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the punching bag assembly of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second embodiment of the punching bag assembly of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the punching bag assembly of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the punching bag assembly of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates how the punching bag assembly of a fifth embodiment is connected to a pair of hook members using connecting cords; and

[0015] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first embodiment of the punching bag assembly 30 of the present invention is shown to include an inflatable bladder 31, a winding layer 32 covering the bladder 31, an intermediate resilient layer 33 formed over the winding layer 32, a mounting block 34, and a skin layer 35.

[0018] The bladder 31 is formed from a resilient material, such as rubber, and is spherical in shape after being inflated.

[0019] The winding layer 32 is formed from filament threads that are wound around the bladder 31 by means of a known winding machine.

[0020] The intermediate resilient layer 33 is formed from rubber or plastic material, and covers the entire surface of the winding layer 32.

[0021] The mounting block 34 has an anchoring flange 341 attached to an outer surface of the intermediate resilient layer 33, and a mounting projection 342 projecting from the anchoring flange 341 in an upward and radially outward direction. In this embodiment, the mounting projection 342 is cylindrical in shape and is formed with a horizontally and diametrically extending mounting hole 343 with opposite open ends.

[0022] The skin layer 35 is formed from rubber or plastic material, and covers the intermediate resilient layer 33 and the anchoring flange 341 of the mounting block 34 such that the anchoring flange 341 is buried between the skin layer 35 and the intermediate resilient layer 33 and such that the mounting projection 342 is exposed from and projects relative to the skin layer 35 to permit access to the mounting hole 343.

[0023] A rubber or plastic valve member 36 extends through the skin layer 35, the intermediate resilient layer 33, the winding layer 32 and the bladder 31 to permit inflation of the bladder 31.

[0024] A support frame 344 has an upper part formed as a hook portion 345, and a lower part formed with a pair downwardly extending legs 346, each of which has a pivot lobe 347 formed at its lower end. The pivot lobes 347 are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the mounting projection 342 of the mounting block 34, and are each formed with a pivot hole 348 aligned with a respective one of the open ends of the mounting hole 343 in the mounting block 34. A pivot shaft 37 extends through the pivot holes 348 and the mounting hole 343 for connecting the mounting block 34 pivotally to the support frame 344. In use, the hook portion 345 is attached to a hanger (not shown) for hanging the punching bag assembly 30 on the hanger to permit practicing of punches by a boxer.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, in a second embodiment, the legs 346′ of the support frame 344′ have distal ends 349 which are bent and which extend into the open ends of the mounting hole 343 for connecting the mounting block 34 pivotally to the support frame 344′.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, in a third embodiment of the present invention, the mounting projection 381 of the mounting block 38 is formed as a rectangular body. A hanger 40 has a hooked lower end 41 engaging the mounting hole 382 in the mounting block 38 for mounting the punching bag assembly thereon.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, in the fourth embodiment, the punching bag assembly 30′ is formed to be in the shape of a water drop.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fifth embodiment of the punching bag assembly 50 of the present invention is shown to include a spherical bag body having an outer surface formed with a pair of diametrically opposite, radially indenting recesses 58. The bag body includes an inflatable bladder 51 formed from rubber or plastic, a winding layer 52 formed from filament threads that are wound around the bladder 51, an intermediate resilient layer 53 formed from rubber or plastic and covering the winding layer 52, a pair of anchoring pieces 541 attached to an outer surface of the intermediate resilient layer 53 and disposed respectively in the recesses 58 so as to line the recesses 58, and a rubber or plastic skin layer 55 covering the intermediate resilient layer 53 and the anchoring pieces 541 such that the anchoring pieces 541 are sandwiched between the skin layer 55 and the intermediate resilient layer 53. A pair of metal mounting shafts 542 are disposed respectively in the recesses 58. Each of the mounting shafts 542 extends along a respective chord direction of the spherical bag body, and has two opposite ends 543 extending through the skin layer 55 and secured to the respective anchoring piece 541, and an intermediate portion 544 which forms a clearance with a bottom of the respective recess 58. A valve member 56 extends through the skin layer 55, the intermediate resilient layer 53, the winding layer 52 and the bladder 51 to permit inflation of the bladder 51.

[0029] In use, a pair of resilient connecting cords 60 and a pair of hook members 71 are used to mount the punching bag assembly 50 to top and bottom walls of a frame 70. Each of the connecting cords 60 has one end 61 tied to a respective one of the mounting shafts 542, and an opposite end 62 tied to a respective one of the hook members 71 on the top and bottom walls of the frame 70. At this time, the punching bag assembly 50 can be used for practicing punches by a boxer.

[0030] With a multi-layered structure, the punching bag assembly of the present invention is relatively durable to ensure long-term use, and has good rebounding characteristics. In the embodiments, the intermediate resilient layer and the skin layer are formed from rubber or plastic. The manufacturing and material costs can thus be reduced.

[0031] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A punching bag assembly comprising: an inflatable bladder; a winding layer covering said bladder, said winding layer being formed from filament threads that are wound around said bladder; an intermediate resilient layer formed over said winding layer; a mounting block having an anchoring flange attached to said intermediate resilient layer, and a mounting projection projecting from said anchoring flange and formed with a mounting hole; and a skin layer formed over said intermediate resilient layer and said anchoring flange of said mounting block such that said anchoring flange is buried between said intermediate resilient layer and said skin layer and such that said mounting projection projects relative to said skin layer to permit access to said mounting hole.

2. The punching bag assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting projection of said mounting block projects upwardly from said anchoring flange, said mounting hole in said mounting block extending horizontally and having two opposite open ends, said punching bag assembly further comprising a support frame having a pair of legs extending respectively into said opposite open ends of said mounting hole for mounting said mounting block pivotally on said support frame.

3. The punching bag assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting projection of said mounting block projects upwardly from said anchoring flange, said mounting hole in said mounting block extending horizontally and having two opposite open ends, said punching bag assembly further comprising a support frame having a pair of pivot lobes which are formed with pivot holes that are aligned respectively with said open ends of said mounting hole, and a pivot shaft extending through said mounting hole and said pivot holes for mounting said mounting block pivotally on said support frame.

4. A punching bag assembly comprising: a spherical bag body having an outer surface formed with a pair of diametrically opposite, radially indenting recesses, said bag body including: an inflatable bladder, a winding layer covering said bladder, and formed from filament threads that are wound around said bladder, an intermediate resilient layer covering said winding layer, a pair of anchoring pieces attached to said intermediate resilient layer and disposed respectively in said recesses, and a skin layer covering said intermediate resilient layer and said anchoring pieces; and a pair of mounting shafts, each of which is disposed in a respective one of said recesses in said bag body and extends in a respective chord direction of said bag body, each of said mounting shafts having two opposite ends that extend through said skin layer and that are secured to a respective one of said anchoring pieces, and an intermediate portion that forms a clearance with a bottom of the respective one of said recesses.