Patent Application
20240390774
This invention relates to a Special Fight Ring Center Structure for Hanging a Rope or Mechanism at a Pre-determined Hanging Point. This relates to construction system for the erection of a supporting structure for acrobatic suspension swinging/hanging structures. The structure relates to improvements in boxing rings, particularly of the knock-down portable type that are easily deployable in stadiums and arenas. The present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a system primarily developed for the purpose of allowing users to swing, jump and create new moves which are more athletic while enhancing the entertainment for viewers. The invention relates generally to martial arts, wrestling and kick boxing fight rings and an extension to potential moves for the fighters.
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As far as known, and with the benefit of completing a Novelty Search for similar devices, there are no other Special fight ring center structures for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point or the like. It is believed that this product is unique in its design and technologies.
This background as to wrestling and martial arts should be useful. Wrestling is a sport that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves different grappling-type techniques such as clinch techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins, and other grappling holds. Many different wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat sports, and military systems.
Professional wrestling is a term, and perhaps a misnomer, for wrestling matches that serve as sportive entertainment. Around the start of the 20th century, professional wrestlers discovered that by having staged matches, they could make their performances more entertaining than real competitive wrestling matches and thereby generate more money. By the 1920s, virtually all professional wrestling matches were fixed. Authentic wrestling is typically contested in an amateur context, however competitors on the Senior level circuit (which includes the Worlds and Olympics) are considered professionals in their sport.
Wrestling comes in different competitive forms such as freestyle, Greco-Roman, judo, sambo, folkstyle, catch submission, sumo, pehlwani, shuai jiao, and others. Wrestling first appeared in the ancient Olympic Games as an event during the 18th Olympiad in 708 BC. There are a wide range of styles with varying rules, with both traditional historic and modern styles. The term wrestling is attested in late Old English, as wræstlunge (glossing palestram).
Wrestling represents one of the oldest forms of combat sport. The origins of wrestling go back around 15,000 years through cave drawings in France. Babylonian and Egyptian reliefs show wrestlers using various holds known in the present-day sport. Literary references to wrestling occur as early as the Old Testament and the ancient Indian Vedas. In the Book of Genesis, the Patriarch Jacob is said to have wrestled with God or an angel. The Iliad, in which Homer recounts the Trojan War of the 13th or 12th century BC, also contains mentions of wrestling. Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata contain references to martial arts including wrestling. In Ancient Greece wrestling occupied a prominent place in legend, literature, and philosophy. Wrestling competition, brutal in many aspects, served as the focal sport of the ancient Olympic Games. Ancient Romans borrowed heavily from Greek wrestling but eliminated much of its brutality through implementing different rules. Wrestling is referenced throughout both Ancient Greek and Roman literature. Many philosophers and leaders practiced wrestling and/or referenced the sport frequently in their works, most notably Plato Socrates, Aristotle, Xenophon, Epictetus, Seneca, Plutarch, and Marcus Aurelius. Dicaearchus wrote that Plato wrestled at the Isthmian games. Many of Plato's dialogues are set in wrestling schools. Ancient Greek lyric poet Pindar wrote victory odes, grouped into four books named after the Olympian, Pythian, Isthmian, and Nemean Games—Panhellenic festivals held respectively at Olympia, Delphi, Corinth, and Nemea. These odes were composed to honor the men and youths who had enjoyed victories in wrestling, boxing, pankration, and other athletic contests.
During the Middle Ages (fifth century to fifteenth century) wrestling remained popular and enjoyed the patronage of many royal families, including those of France, Japan, and England. Early British settlers in America brought a strong wrestling tradition with them. The settlers also found wrestling to be popular among Native Americans.[3] Amateur wrestling flourished throughout the early years of the North American colonies and would later serve as a popular activity at county fairs, holiday celebrations, and in military exercises. The first organized national wrestling tournament in the United States took place in New York City in 1888. Wrestling has also been an event at every modern Olympic Games since the 1904 games in St. Louis, Missouri (Greco-Roman wrestling was contested at the at the first modern Olympics in 1896, but not at the 1900 games). The international governing body for the sport, United World Wrestling (UWW), was established in 1912 in Antwerp, Belgium as the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA). The first annual NCAA Wrestling Championships were held in 1928 in Ames, Iowa. USA Wrestling, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, became the national governing body of U.S. amateur wrestling in 1983.
Martial arts may be considered one of the most popular participation sports in the United States and abroad. According to statistics from the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, an association for martial arts instructors and schools in the United States, there are over 28,000 martial arts schools in the United States, 72 American-based martial arts associations, 53 martial arts publications, 88 martial arts equipment and supply companies, 3 million martial arts websites, and over 600 martial arts tournaments in the United States each year. Estimates of persons participating in martial arts in the recent past vary between 18 and 25 million individuals. According to these estimates, 528 of persons participating in martial arts in the recent past may be over 18 years of age, and 48% may be under 18 years of age. In addition to being a popular participation sport, martial arts are also an important source of entertainment. For example, nearly ninety-four million adults saw martial arts-related movies in the United States in 2003. Six of the top grossing films of 2003 included martial arts themes. For nearly three decades martial arts themes have consistently drawn viewers to movies on the big screen and television. Martial arts related television programming has been similarly popular in the form of series television programs and sports specials. Strong cable television ratings for the annual U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships, the world's largest martial arts tournament, and other televised martial arts competitions indicate that many individuals watching television want to see martial arts competitions on television.
There are several ring configurations, among them is one of the most traditional and popular these days, known as octagon. The octagon is used to practice mixed martial arts, from the English Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), this type of fight includes both standing contact punches and ground fighting techniques. The known measurements, applied to this octagonal ring, consist of a floor that should measure at least 45.72 centimeters when measured from the side fences. The base of the floor must be made of multilaminate material, measuring 25 millimeters, and the floor of the ring must still be padded with a layer of at least 2.54 centimeters of foam. The padding must extend from the fences beyond the edge of the platform and must be covered by a canvas or similar material fully stretched and tied to the ring platform. Materials that tend to gather in lumps or produce protrusions should not be used.
The decades and centuries of wrestling and various fighting forms show that the sport continues to evolve. The added ability to have a rope to swing and jump from will provide much to enliven and expand the sport. The Opportunities and expansion of the rope support structure addresses: A system that is fast and simple to install; the ease of design has most components that are readily available for this new combination of the typical/traditional fight ring structure; the designs are universal designs for attachment to fit different dimensions and style of fighter rings-square, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, and the like; the materials can be strong, lightweight trusses to make assemble simple for a two-person crew with simple tools; the rope system can be an after-market add-on to existing fighter rings or as a new option with original/new equipment installations; this offers new movements for the wrestler to add to their athleticism and the viewers entertainment; and the system has an optional tie-back to building structure. One can even install more than one rope for added users, each wrestler can swing and jump!
As far as known, there are no Special fight ring center structures for securing a hanging a rope or assist mechanism or the like. It is believed that this product is unique in its design and technologies. A novelty search revealed:
As can be observed, none of the prior art has anticipated or caused one skilled in the art of fight arenas and match venues to see this new invention by Baugh as obvious to a person skilled in the ordinary art of the industry. The fight ring with a central rope provides an answer to a need for more options for fighters to have with the advent of a swingable rope. The new invention provides options unavailable with a standard or typical fight ring.
This invention is a Special fight ring center structure for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point. Taught here are the ways to add moves and features to normal wrestling, kickboxing, and martial arts to stimulate and increase the fun and athleticism for the players as well as entertainment for the viewers.
The preferred embodiment of a special fight ring center structure for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point, in conjunction with a traditional fighter ring, comprising: (a) at least three essentially vertical columns removably connected to one end of each of at least three converging and essentially horizontal beams or trusses; (b) a convergence plate connected to the three horizontal beams at the ends opposite the columns; (c) a rope connected to the convergence plate and sized to a length to hang at a predetermined height above a mat of the traditional fighter ring; and (d) an optional connection from the convergence ring to a nearby building structure if desired. The newly invented Special fight ring center structure for securing a hanging a rope or assist mechanism may be manufactured at low volumes by remarkably simple means and in high volume production by more complex and controlled systems.
There are several objects and advantages of the Special fight ring center structure for securing a hanging a rope or assist mechanism. There are currently no known Special Rope systems like this that are effective at providing the objects of this invention. The various advantages and benefits are:
Finally, other advantages and additional features of the present Special fight ring center structure for securing a hanging a rope or assist mechanism will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the full description of the device. For one skilled in the art of simple re-useable and re-deployable structures, it is readily understood that the features shown in the examples with this product are readily adapted to other types of structures and optional deployments for fighter rings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special fight ring center structure. It is understood, however, that the Special system is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The following list refers to the drawings:
The present development is a Special fight ring center structure for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point. This relates to construction system for the erection of a supporting structure for acrobatic suspension swinging/hanging structures. The structure relates to improvements in boxing rings, particularly of the knock-down portable type that are easily deployable in stadiums and arenas. The present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a system primarily developed for the purpose of allowing users to swing, jump and create new moves which are more athletic while enhancing the entertainment for viewers. The invention relates generally to martial arts, wrestling and kick boxing fight rings and an extension to potential moves for the fighters.
The advantages for the Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device:
The preferred embodiment of a special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point, in conjunction with a traditional fighter ring 200, comprising: (a) at least three essentially vertical columns 60 removably connected to one end of each of at least three converging and essentially horizontal beams 40 or trusses; (b) a convergence plate 50 connected to the three horizontal beams 40 at the ends opposite the columns; (c) a means for hanging 150 such as a rope or line connected to the convergence plate 50 and sized to a length to hang at a predetermined height above a mat 280 of the traditional fighter ring 200; and (d) an optional connection 80 from the convergence ring 50 to a nearby building structure 290 if desired.
There is shown in
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Special fight ring center structure 30 that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point. It is understood, however, that the Special system 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of removable and re-usable structural systems and devices are still understood by one skilled in the art of re-deployable structural systems and devices to be within the scope and spirit shown here.
The materials anticipated for the Special fight ring center structure for securing a hanging a rope or assist mechanism include metals and polymers. Metals can include steel, alloy steel, titanium and potentially even aluminum with the right design of trusses. Polymers include composite materials, nylon and reinforced nylons, and reinforced urethanes. The increase in stronger, lighter composites continues in the material science arena so a light, strong material characterizes the desired materials for the Special fight ring center structure. The ropes will likely be from standard hemp strands and polyester. They are developed and well known to persons skilled in the ordinary art of rope, cordage, cables, and twine. Metal cables or chains could also substitute for rope or line 150 if desired for effect on “strength”/capacity of rope or line 150 for free supporting an aggressive wrestler 100.
The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of re-usable and re-deployable structural systems and devices and their uses well appreciates.
The Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Special fight ring center structure 30. The preferred embodiment of a special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point, in conjunction with a traditional fighter ring 200, comprising: (a) at least three essentially vertical columns 60 removably connected to one end of each of at least three converging and essentially horizontal beams 40 or trusses; (b) a convergence plate 50 connected to the three horizontal beams 40 at the ends opposite the columns; (c) a means for hanging 150 can be a rope or cable connected to the convergence plate 50 and sized to a length to hang at a predetermined height above a mat 280 of the traditional fighter ring 200; and (d) an optional connection 80 from the convergence ring 50 to a nearby building structure 290 if desired.
The Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope 150 or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point is installed as an after-market system with existing fight rings 200 or provided with a new ring as an optional added system with unique components and features. The essentially vertical columns 60 would be placed first on plates 61 and fastened to the traditional corners 210 with the means to secure 65. Next the essentially horizontal beams can be connected to the columns 60 with the means for securing 42 and at the same time all the horizontal structures 40 converging to the center piece 50 and connected by the securing means 51. Next the system columns should be leveled with any inconsistent variances caused by unlevel floor or ground surfaces with the levelers 62. Finally, if desired the optional securing with cables or ropes 80 to the building structure 290 would be completed with the securing fasteners 85.
Many users and uses are anticipated for the Special fight ring center structure 30 Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Tables.
With this description it is to be understood that the Special fight ring center structure 30 for safely and securely hanging a rope or assist mechanism at a pre-determined hanging point is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the Special system 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.
Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.
This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 63/468,174 filed May 22, 2023, by Ronald K. Baugh. The application is entitled “Special Fight Ring Center Structure for Safely and Securely Hanging a Rope or Assist Mechanism at a Pre-determined Hanging Point.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63468174 | May 2023 | US |
