Programmable sparring partner
A sparring apparatus comprises a striking target attached to a rotating mechanism for rotating the striking target substantially about a substantially vertical axis. The striking target has sensors which detect a blow to the striking target.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTae Kwon Do has three main components: 1) Forms (patterns) 2) Self-defense and 3) Sparring (Olympic style). This present invention is intended to aid a Tae Kwon Do or martial arts practitioner in improving their sparring techniques. In a typical Tae Kwon Do class setting, students practice sparring by partnering up with a student. One student attacks by throwing various combinations of fakes and kicks, while the other student counters their movements.
In a class situation, safety always comes first. Thus, when one student is either attacking or counter attacking, the student cannot kick with full force. Restraining a student's kicking force significantly hinders the student's ability to improve his sparring skills for tournaments.
There are aids for improving the sparring techniques of a Tae Kwon Do or martial arts practitioner. Some of these aids are hanging punching bags and standing punching bags, which are either filled with water or sand to absorb the punches and kicks. Another sparring aid in the market is Century's BOB (Body Opponent Bag); this kicking and punching equipment has a torso that looks like a human torso, which gives the user a feeling of attacking an actual person. The draw back of BOB and hanging or standing punching bags is that they are static objects, which do not give the person using it the ability to work on their timing. U.S Pat. No. 5,048,822 is a sparring apparatus that is similar to a hanging punching bag, except for the punching bag is attached to a circular track, which allows the punching bag to move in a circle. The draw back to this sparring apparatus is the sparring apparatus is predictable, since the punching bag is moving on a circular track.
There yet remains a need for a sparring apparatus with movements that are random, as well as a need for the ability to program a random but specific sparring sequence.
All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn at least one embodiment of the present invention the sparring apparatus may comprise a striking target and a mechanism for rotating the striking target substantially about a substantially vertical axis.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the mechanism for rotating the target may comprise a motor.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention the mechanism for rotating the target may rest within a weighted base portion. In at least another embodiment of the present invention a rotating base portion may rotate.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the motor may be a stepping motor. The stepping motor may be of the types: variable reluctance, permanent magnet, or hybrid depending on the torque and step requirements. In at least one embodiment of the invention high torque requirements may not be necessary such as when the present invention is used for timing practice.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the stepping motor may have an angular resolution greater than 90 degrees per step. Each step may be less than 90 degrees.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the stepping motor may have an angular resolution less than 1.8 degrees per step. Each step may be greater than 1.8 degrees.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the stepping motor may have an angular resolution less than 0.72 degrees per step. Each step may be greater than 0.72 degrees.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the stepping motor may be controlled by a control unit.
In at least one embodiment the control unit may be a computer, PLC, CPU, chip prom, or single chip micro-processor. Throughout the application PLC may refer to any of the group including a control unit, a computer, a PLC, a CPU, a chip prom, or a single chip micro-processor.
In at least one embodiment the control unit may include a program to move the motor in pre-designed sequences of movements.
In at least one embodiment the control unit may include a program to move the motor in sequences of movements determined by a random number generator.
In at least one embodiment the random number generator may generate values for determining the direction of the movement, the degrees of rotation of the movement, and/or the time interval of the movement.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the control unit may run the motor in half-steps or in microsteps.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the control unit may be programmed to randomly execute specific sequences of moves.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the striking target may include a portion resembling a human torso and/or head.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention elongate members may extend from the striking target. While the elongate members may resemble the arms of a human being, they may also be merely elongate in shape with or without padding on their ends or along their length. The elongate members may stick straight out from the torso or they may be bent as at an elbow and/or wrist and/or shoulder. The elongate members may be made of a flexible material that flexes or moves upon impact.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the striking target includes specific targets for purposes of improving aim and accuracy. The specific targets may be integrally a part of the striking body and/or may be applied with coloring agent and/or may be affixed to the striking body.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the striking target flexes when struck.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the head portion is movably engaged to the torso portion.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the striking target can rotate over 360 degrees.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the sparring apparatus resembles a human torso and head and has a striking target and a programmably controlled mechanism for rotating the striking target about a substantially vertical axis.
In at least another embodiment of the present invention the mechanism is controllably programmed to randomly execute specific sequences of moves.
In at least one embodiment the computer initiates a timer upon sending a movement command to the stepping motor. The timer may be designed to stop when the striking target is struck, and the time between the sending of the movement command and the striking of the striking target is capable of being recorded by the computer and printed.
In at least one embodiment the sensors communicating to the computer are disposed within the striking apparatus at certain locations in order to record the location struck on the striking target by a user.
In at least one embodiment the sensors communicate to the computer through wires or through a wireless system.
In at least one embodiment the sensors are disposed within the striking target, sparring gloves and sparring shoes, the sensors capable of being identified by the apparatus such that a record can be made of which portion of the target was struck and which foot or which hand struck the striking target.
These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.
For the purposes of this disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, identical reference numerals used in different figures refer to the same component.
The sparring apparatus 10 may have a weighted base 20 as illustrated in
It should also be noted here that a computer, PLC, or CPU may be in the weighted base in order to record the readings from the timer and sensors. These readings may be used to determine reaction time, the area of the striking target struck, and the hand or foot involved in the striking. A display or printer may also be contained in the base 20 in order to display or print these results. These sensors may be wired to the computer, PLC, or CPU or to a wireless system. It should also be noted that the CPU, PLC, or computer may be separated from the weighted base 20 and the striking target 55 (best seen in
The weighted base 20 may contain a cavity 25 sized to fit a motor 30. The motor 30 may provide the source rotation. The motor 30 may be a servo motor or a stepping motor which is capable of rotating in a variety of sequences and/or a specified number of degrees according to the commands programmed for the stepping motor. The motor allows the user/programmer to control the direction the striking target 55 rotates, how far the target rotates, the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of the rotation. The motor 30 also allows the user/programmer to control the hold time (pause between one rotation to the next). Having the ability to control all these variables allows the user/programmer to create a random yet specific sparring sequence which will allow the Tae Kwon Do or martial arts practitioner to work on their timing, which is critical for sparring. In addition, the user can kick the target with full force without worrying about injuring a sparring partner.
Though there are many ways in which one skilled in the art might chose to control the motion of the motor, in at least one embodiment the motion of the motor is controlled by a PLC which receives a signal from a switch that then sends a signal to the motor. In at least one embodiment the motion of the motor is controlled by a chip prom which sends a signal to the motor. The motor may be a servo motor which, upon receiving the signals, monitors the motor speed and location. In at least one other embodiment, the motor may be controlled by a microprocessor, PLC, computer, PIL, chip prom, or CPU.
The movements may be pre-programmed to command the motor (e.g. servo, stepping) toperform a sequence of movements. The program may come be a part of the servo motor. Upon writing the program, the program may be downloaded to the PLC. The PLC programs may be accessed by pushing a control switch. Chip proms may also be used as another way of controlling the motor.
An example of a program may be as follows:
- 1. Rotate 180 degrees CC (counter clockwise)
- 2. Rotate 180 degrees C (clockwise)
- 3. Rotate 45 degrees CC
- 4. Rotate 45 degrees C
- 5. Hold 2 seconds
- 6. Rotate 180 degrees C
- 7. Rotate 45 degrees C
- 8. Hold 1 second
- 9. Rotate 135 degrees C
- 10. Rotate 360 degrees C
- 11. Rotate 45 degrees CC
- 12. Rotate 45 degrees C
- 13. Hold 2.5 seconds
- 14. Rotate 720 degrees CC
- 15. End
The program/movement sequences may be pre-programmed into a PLC or burned onto a chip prom. There may also be different programs based on skill level: 1) beginner, 2) intermediate, 3) advanced. Within each of these level programs there may be 5-10 pre-determined subprograms that can be chosen. Thus, there may be a total of 15-30 programs a user can choose from.
The program may be looped for as long as the user wants to work out (e.g. 2-5 minutes). The speed of the rotation may also be programmed. The sequence of movements may be base on a timer which is initiated when a user hits a start switch. In other embodiments the timer restarts when the striking apparatus is struck and a new movement sequence begins. A random number generator may be used to make the movements more random. Some variables that may use the random number generator are the speed of the movement, the direction of the movement, the degrees of rotation of the movement, and the time interval of the movement.
The rotating base 35 of
It should be noted that a liquid or gel lubricant may also be utilized between the upper surface of weighted base 20 and the lower surface of rotating base 35 with or without rolling action. Graphite like materials can also be used to reduce the friction between the surfaces.
A striking target 55 is shown in
Shock sensor portions 80 may also be utilized in order to send a signal that can then be recorded in a memory device. These sensors 80 are used in determining the reaction time of the user as well as for recording the area struck. Sensors with a radio frequency identifier may also be placed in sparring gloves and shoes in order to record which foot or hand is making the strike.
As shown in
A block diagram of the communication relationship of at least one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
As illustrated in the program flowchart of
The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims, each claim depending directly from claim 2 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims, etc.). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below (e.g. claim 4 may be taken as alternatively dependent from claim 2; claim 5 may be taken as alternatively dependent from claim 1, 2 or 3, claim 6 may be taken as alternatively dependent from claims 2-4; etc.).
Claims
1. A sparring apparatus comprising a striking target attached to a rotating mechanism for rotating the striking target substantially about a substantially vertical axis, the striking target having sensors which detect a blow to the striking target.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a motor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the motor is a servo motor.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the servo motor is selected from the group consisting of: variable reluctance stepping motors, permanent magnet stepping motors, and hybrid stepping motors.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor has an angular resolution of greater than 90 degrees per step.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor has an angular resolution of less than 0.72 degrees per step.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor is controlled by a control unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit is selected from the group consisting of computer, PLC, CPU, chip prom, and single chip micro-processor.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit includes a program to move the motor in pre-designed sequences of movements.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control unit includes a program to move the motor in sequences of movements determined by a random number generator.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the random number generator generates values for determining the direction of the movement, the degrees of rotation of the movement, the time interval of the movement.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target includes a portion resembling at least a portion of a human form.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one elongate member extends from the striking target.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target includes specific targets.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target can rotate over 360 degrees.
16. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein sensors are disposed within sparring gloves and sparring shoes, the sensors capable of being identified by the control unit such that a record can be made of which foot or which hand struck the striking target.
17. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control unit initiates a timer upon sending a movement command to the motor, the timer designed to stop when the striking target is struck, the time between the sending of the movement command and the striking of the striking target capable of being recorded by the control unit or printed.
18. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein sensors communicating to the control unit are disposed within the striking apparatus at certain locations in order to record the location struck on the striking target by a user.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sensors communicate to the control unit through wires or through a wireless system.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sensors communicate to the control unit through wires or through a wireless system.
21. A sparring apparatus resembling a human torso and head comprising a striking target and a programmably controlled mechanism for rotating the striking target about a substantially vertical axis.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the mechanism is a stepping motor.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the stepping motor is controlled to run in half-steps or microsteps.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the mechanism is controllably programmed to randomly execute specific sequences of moves.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein sensors are disposed within the striking target, sparring gloves and sparring shoes, the sensors capable of being identified by the apparatus such that a record can be made of which portion of the target was struck and which foot or which hand struck the striking target.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the striking target is programmed to speak.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the striking target is affixed to a rotating base.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the rotating base has a friction reducing portion.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the friction reducing portion is selected from the group consisting of rolling units, coasters, ball bearings, balls, wheels, liquid lubricant, gel lubricant, or graphite.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventors: Pao Vang (Brooklyn Park, MN), Tom Fruchey (Plymouth, MN)
Application Number: 10/780,170