Patent Application
20200391091
The present invention relates generally to combat sports. More particularly, the present invention relates to combat sport training apparatuses.
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense, military and law enforcement applications, competition, for physical, mental and spiritual development; as well as for entertainment or the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage. Some authors have argued that “fighting arts” or “fighting systems” would be more appropriate nomenclature on the basis that many martial arts were never “martial” in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.
There are many types of martial arts in existence, and may be categorized using a variety of criteria, including: traditional/historical arts vs. contemporary styles: e.g., folk wrestling compared to modern hybrid martial arts; techniques taught: armed vs. unarmed, and within these categories by type of weapon (swordsmanship, stick fighting etc.) or by type of combat (grappling vs. striking, stand-up fighting vs. ground fighting); by application or intent: self-defense, combat sport, choreography or demonstration of forms, physical fitness, meditation, etc.
Unarmed martial arts can be broadly grouped into those focusing on strikes, those focusing on grappling, and those that cover both fields, often described as hybrid martial arts. Within disciplines focusing on strikes, punching is the main focus of martial arts such as boxing, Wing Chun, and Karate, while Taekwondo, Capoeira, and Savate, for example, focus more on kicking. Muay Thai, Kung Fu, and Pencak Silat also focus on striking.
Martial arts are often practiced in competitive situations as combat sports. A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport that generally involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent or by disabling the opponent. Common combat sports include mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing, wrestling, fencing, savate, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, HMB, Sambo, Kyokushin, and Kūdō, sometimes even Ninjutsu.
Since hand to hand combat situations often involve attempting to strike an opponent using one's arms, legs, or other body parts, it is desirable to train such maneuvers in a controlled setting in order to develop strength, speed, skill, and muscle memory in order to prepare oneself for various situations where such skills may be necessary to implement. Such situations may include sporting situations, such as boxing matches or MMA bouts, or real-life hand to hand combat situations, such as self-defense during an attempted robbery or other confrontation, or the like.
The most common training aid for striking is a punching bag, which is a sturdy bag designed to be repeatedly punched, kicked, or otherwise receive strikes. Punching bags are usually cylindrical and filled with various materials of corresponding hardness, such as grains, sand, rags, or other material, and typically hung from a ceiling or affixed to a stand. The design of a punching bag allows it to take repeated and constant physical abuse without breaking. The bag must also absorb the impact of blows without causing harm to the user.
Punching bags have been used in martial arts and swordplay for the entire written history of military training, but very little has changed about the general design. The typical cylindrical shape of a punching bag is adequate but does not accurately simulate striking a human opponent. Further, the cylindrical shape somewhat limits the relevant strikes one may adequately land on a punching bag to jabs, straight punches, wide hooks, and kicks. Strikes such as uppercuts, knees, and tight hooks cannot be simulated well by a typical punching bag, and a user may run the risk of injury by attempting such strikes.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a punching bag with one or more strike targets that are geometrically distinct from the main body of the punching bag, allowing a user to practice strikes in a manner that more closely simulates a human opponent than a typical punching bag.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.
The present invention is a modified punching bag for improved simulation of striking a human opponent. The preferred embodiment of the present invention has a general shape of a typical punching bag, with one or more striking zones that are geometrically distinct from the main body of the punching bag, providing cleaner landing points for strikes such as, but not limited to, hooks, uppercuts, and knee strikes compared to a typical punching bag. In some embodiments, the present invention may be referred to as “Punch King.”
Referring to
As previously mentioned, the present invention comprises at least one strike target. More particularly, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of strike targets 3 comprises an upper strike target 31 and a lower strike target 32. The upper strike target 31 is intended to simulate a human opponent's head, while the lower strike target 32 presents a target corresponding to an opponent's midsection. The upper strike target 31 and lower strike target 32 are positioned in vertical alignment with each other, so that a user facing the present invention is presented with both strike targets face on. In some embodiments, the strike targets may be considered to be situated on a front side of the main body. More particularly, the strike targets may be considered to be situated coincident with, or offset from, a frontal plane of the main body, wherein the strike targets are laterally bisected by a sagittal plane of the main body.
In the preferred embodiment, the strike targets do not extend laterally beyond the boundaries of the main body, though this is not a requirement. To this end, preferably, each of the plurality of cutouts 2 traverses inward from the lateral wall 11 of the punching bag body 1 approximately between one third and one half of the overall diameter of the punching bag body 1, though this dimension is not of particular importance to specify. Furthermore, viewed from the side, the cutouts traverse inward and upward along a curve, continuing upward along a straight line. More particularly, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of cutouts 2 laterally traverses through the punching bag body 1, wherein each of the plurality of cutouts 2 comprises a specified lateral cross-section. In some embodiments, the specified lateral cross-section is delineated by a curved surface 28, a posterior surface 29, and an upper surface 30. The curved surface 28 traverses from the lateral wall 11 of the punching bag body 1 laterally inward and toward the upper end 12, where it meets the posterior surface 29. The posterior surface 29 traverses between the curved surface 28 and the upper end 12, and the upper surface 30 traverses between the posterior surface 29 and the lateral wall 11. Thus, in some embodiments, the specified lateral cross-section may resemble a rectangle with a large fillet or chamfer at one corner. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of cutouts 2 may have alternate geometries, so long as the cutouts provide sufficient access to the strike targets for landing strikes.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of strike targets 3 is connected to the posterior surface 29 of one of the plurality of cutouts 2 adjacent to its corresponding upper surface 30. Alternatively, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of strike targets 3 is connected to the upper surface 30 of one of the plurality of cutouts 2 adjacent to its corresponding posterior surface 29.
In some embodiments, the plurality of cutouts 2 comprises an upper cutout 21 and a lower cutout 22, while the plurality of strike targets 3 comprises an upper strike target 31 and a lower strike target 32. Thus, the upper strike target 31 is positioned within the upper cutout 21, while the lower strike target 32 is positioned within the lower cutout 22. The dimensions and proportions of the upper strike target 31 and the lower strike target 32 may vary in different embodiments. However, the upper strike target 31 preferably has a lesser lateral dimension, or width, than the lower strike target 32. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the upper strike target 31 has a width of eight inches, while the lower strike target 32 has a width of 15 inches. Continuing with the exemplary embodiment, the upper strike target 31 and the lower strike target 32 each have a depth of six inches, a height of four inches, and a fillet radius of 4 inches at a frontal lower edge; the upper cutout 21 and lower cutout 22 each have an overall height of 18 inches; an axial distance between the upper cutout 21 and lower cutout 22 is 2 inches; and the punching bag body 1 has an outer diameter of 15 inches. Furthermore, the overall height, or axial length, of the present invention may vary as desired. In some embodiments, the overall height of the present invention is 48 inches, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the strike targets take the form of protrusions extending outward from the maximum depth of the cutouts to the outer diameter of the punching bag body 1. In some embodiments, the strike targets do not extend from the maximum depth of the cutouts, and hang from the upper surface 30 of their corresponding cutouts.
It is contemplated herein that the punching bag body 1 of the present invention may be installed at a desired location through any suitable means. In some embodiments, the present invention is intended to be hung from a ceiling or other elevated mounting point. In some embodiments, the present invention is intended to stand on its own atop a surface such as a floor.
In some embodiments wherein the present invention is intended to be hung from an elevated mounting point, as shown in
The plurality of straps 4 may be terminally connected adjacent to the upper end 12 of the punching body at four points, for example, around the perimeter of the main body, equally spaced apart for proper weight distribution. Furthermore or alternatively, in some embodiments, a plurality of synthetic leather strips may be connected around the proximal ends 41 of the straps where they are connected to the punching bag body 1 for support, while a plurality of rows of stitching affix the leather strips adjacent to the top of the main body. The straps may then come together opposite the main body and meet at a central point coincident with a central axis of the main body so that the present invention hangs vertically, with its weight evenly distributed. The straps may be affixed together through one or more hooks, rings, or other structural elements configured to connect the straps to an elevated mounting point. Alternatively, the present invention may utilize two or more mounting points in different embodiments, or a different number of straps, or a different mounting means.
In some embodiments, the present invention is intended to support itself in an upright position while resting on a support surface such as a floor or the ground; these may be referred to as freestanding embodiments. To this end, in some freestanding embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the present invention may further comprise a plurality of anchor shackles 7 that is externally connected to the base 6. More particularly, each of the plurality of anchor shackles 7 is preferably also hingedly connected to the base 6. The anchor shackles 7 serve as attachment points for accessories such as resistance bands, enabling users to perform various exercises using the present invention aside from the primary purpose of striking training. The anchor shackles 7 are preferably able to hinge across a wide angular range, increasing flexibility in their potential use, in addition to being able to fold flat against the base 6 when not in use. Although anchor shackles 7 are preferred, similar types of fasteners or connecting entities may be utilized in their place in various embodiments.
In some freestanding embodiments, as shown in
In some freestanding embodiments, the punching bag body 1 is restricted against angular motion, or spinning. Due to the violent nature of striking a punching bag, the punching bag body 1 may be susceptible to spinning away from its desired orientation with the strike targets facing the user. This may be an undesirable condition, as the user must re-adjust their body positioning in order to properly re-engage their striking activity. On the other hand, it may be a desirable condition to some users who may appreciate the added challenge of having to frequently reposition themselves, and as such, in some embodiments the punching bag body 1 may be allowed to spin freely atop the base 6.
In some embodiments wherein the angular motion of the punching bag body 1 is restricted, the present invention further comprises a swing stop 8 and at least one swing clip 9, as shown in
In some embodiments, the swing stop 8 and/or swing clip 9 may be configured so as to restrict as much angular motion as possible; in such embodiments, the desired angular range may be understood to be zero or very small.
In some embodiments, a small amount of angular rotation may be enabled by the configuration of the swing stop 8 and/or swing clip 9. This may result in some portion of the force of the user's strikes being absorbed and dissipated, thereby lessening the reaction forces experienced by the user's hands or other body parts as they come into contact with the punching bag body 1, decreasing the risk of injury.
In some embodiments, the swing stop 8 comprises an annular outer member 81 and at least one pair of stopping members 82. Each of the at least one pair of stopping members 82 is connected between the bag support member 61 and the annular outer member 81, and a clip receiving space is positioned between each pair of stopping members 82 to receive a swing clip 9. Each of the at least one swing clip 9 is positioned between one of the at least one pair of stopping members 82, wherein each pair of stopping members 82 is separated from each other by the specified angular range. For example, if the specified angular range in a particular embodiment is 10 degrees, the clip receiving space occupies a 10-degree arc between each of the pairs of stopping members 82. The pairs of stopping members 82 act as physical boundaries delineating the clip receiving space within which the swing clips 9 are free to rotate as the punching bag body 1 rotates about the bag support member 61.
In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one pair of stopping members 82 comprises a first pair of stopping members and a second pair of stopping members, while the at least one swing clip 9 comprises a first swing clip and a second swing clip. The first pair of stopping members and the second pair of stopping members are positioned opposite each other on the swing stop 8, 180 degrees apart. Similarly, the first swing clip and the second swing clip are positioned opposite each other, internal to the punching bag body 1, traversing into the central cavity 14, 180 degrees apart. The first swing clip is therefore positioned within the clip receiving space of the first pair of stopping members, and the second swing clip is positioned within the clip receiving space of the second pair of stopping members.
In some freestanding embodiments, in lieu of the previously described swing stop 8 arrangement, the present invention may comprise a flex bounce back feature, wherein the bag support member 61 comprises a flexible portion positioned adjacent to the base 6. The flexible portion allows the punching bag body 1 to flex away from the user when struck, but subsequently return to its upright position.
As seen in the foregoing disclosure, the present invention has multiple aspects that may each vary independently in different embodiments, and various combinations of the different embodiments of the multiple aspects may be realized. The first main varying aspect is the configuration of the plurality of strike targets 3, between one set of upper and lower strike targets positioned on one side of the present invention, and two sets of upper and lower strike targets positioned on opposing sides of the present invention. The second main varying aspect is the installation means of the present invention, between a hanging configuration and a freestanding configuration. Any combination of the first main varying aspect and the second main varying aspect may be realized; a single set of strike targets may be comprised in both hanging embodiments and freestanding embodiments, and two opposing sets of strike targets may be comprised in both hanging embodiments and freestanding embodiments.
The present invention may further comprise a wall-mounted embodiment, as shown in
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the punching bag body 1 may comprise an upper body portion 15 and a lower body portion 16, while the wall mount frame 10 comprises an upper mount portion 101 and a lower mount portion 102. The upper body portion 15 of the punching bag body 1 is connected to the upper mount portion 101, while the lower body portion 16 is connected to the lower mount portion 102. The upper cutout 21, and therefore the upper strike target 31, is positioned on the upper body portion 15, while the lower cutout 22, and therefore the lower strike target 32, is positioned on the lower body portion 16. The upper body portion 15 and the lower body portion 16 may be mounted to a wall or other vertical surface in any desired locations relative to each other through the upper mount portion 101 and the lower mount portion 102.
Furthermore, the present invention may comprise a handheld embodiment, as shown in
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/861,462 filed on Jun. 14, 2019.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62861462 | Jun 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29716288 | Dec 2019 | US |
| Child | 16804916 | US |
