| Sparring apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Sparring apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, StrikingSparring apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080020910, Sparring apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to sporting goods that are set in motion or struck by a user during a workout and more particularly to an exercise apparatus that is especially useful in boxing or other martial arts to practice striking, timing, and evasion skills. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Many martial art "targets" of various types (e.g., timing pads, punching bags, fight dummies, etc.) exist that enable a user to spar (practice striking skills associated with martial arts) or may simply be used as part of an exercise routine to expend energy. Among these, speed bags and body bags are especially well known. [0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,746 by Brunier and U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,403 by Kuo both disclose punching devices that include a bag-like target area mounted to a tube and spring. The main advantage of these and similar inventions is to provide portability and adjustability to the basic punching bag. In that respect, both inventions do provide a convenient apparatus for striking. However, neither provides much opportunity to a user to anticipate counter movements or to practice evasion skills. Indeed, the return movement provided by each of these devices simply shortens the distance between the user and the target area without any simulation of a return blow. [0006] More elaborate embodiments of the classic punching bag have evolved into "training dummies" and similar devices that feature anthropomorphic forms with specialized hitting surfaces and "arms" for simulating the delivery of a punch or the location of an opponent's hands. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,069 by Snowden, Jr. et al. discloses a boxing dummy apparatus featuring a torso, head, and appendages that are hit by a user. However, the torso and appendages of Snowden, Jr. et al.'s apparatus are static such that a user receives little if any stimulus to practice upper body evasion movements or footwork. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,683 by Wang et al. discloses a boxing training device with electronically controlled extendable arms. [0007] While Wang et al.'s device may be suitable for its particular purpose, it is also relatively complicated, expensive, does not move toward an user to simulate a "charging counterattack," and does not respond to the force of a user's blow, but, rather, punches in a predetermined sequence according to a program stored in the device's memory. In the inventor's experience, a training device that "punches" according to a programmed sequence may not provide a good simulation for the typical "action and reaction" experienced when a blow is landed during a fight between human opponents. [0008] Thus, there remains a need in the art for an exercise device and sparring apparatus that mimics the "reaction punch" and counter movement of a sparring opponent, and that is less complex and economical compared with typical boxing dummies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The invention relates in general to an exercise and sparring apparatus that allows a user to practice punching and kicking movements, evasion techniques, and footwork. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a base, a biasing means (such as a spring) that is coupled to, and supported vertically above, the base, a shaft attached to the biasing means and extending upwardly therefrom, and an arm member disposed in substantially perpendicular arrangement with the shaft, with the arm member including a cushion disposed upon a punching end of the arm member. By pushing or pulling the shaft in a direction opposite to that of the punching end of the arm member, the user may focus upon footwork and upper body evasion techniques by avoiding being struck by the cushion. [0010] In another embodiment, the invention further includes a striking area disposed below the arm member and upon the shaft of the invention. The striking area faces in the same direction as the punching end of the arm member so that the user must anticipate a "return blow" in reaction to hitting or kicking the striking area, thereby allowing the integration of timing, footwork, accuracy, and anticipation and evasion of body movement and counter blows into one exercise or training routine with a single apparatus. [0011] In a third embodiment, the striking area is disposed at an angle of between 10-60 degrees relative to the shaft so that the striking force of a user is partially dissipated, resulting in a less pronounced, and, therefore, more realistic return jab or punch by the apparatus of the invention. The angled striking area also provides a target of varying distance such that the user may adjust distance and timing accordingly. [0012] A fourth embodiment of the invention includes a shaft that is perpendicularly attached to a base, a striking area, and an arm member, with the shaft coupled to a biasing means disposed along the shaft beneath the striking area such that delivering a blow to the striking area results in the displacement of the shaft above the biasing means, which further results in the arm member providing a return blow as urged by the biasing means. [0013] Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a first embodiment of the invention in elevational side view. [0015] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in elevational side view and depicts in phantom line an example of motion of the invention in reaction to force applied by a user. [0016] FIG. 3 depicts a third embodiment of the invention in perspective view. [0017] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention in elevational side view. [0018] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention in elevational side view. [0019] FIG. 6 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 5 in elevational front view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] The invention generally relates to an exercise device that includes a supporting base, a biasing means coupled to, and supported vertically above, the base, a shaft attached to the biasing means and extending upwardly therefrom, and an arm member disposed in substantially perpendicular arrangement with the shaft, with the arm member further including a cushion disposed upon a "punching end" of the arm member. Continue reading about Sparring apparatus... Full patent description for Sparring apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sparring apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sparring apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mechanism using a single power source to provide two exercising functions for a physical exerciser Next Patent Application: Squatting apparatus without spinal column compression Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sparring apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.33601 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
