Inflatable punching bag

Abstract

An inflatable punching bag includes an inflatable bag, at least one sensor device, a control box and a base. At least one impact area is formed on the inflatable bag. A single sensor device is attached behind each impact area. Each sensor device preferably includes a sensor case, at least one light source and an impact sensor. A control box preferably includes a power source, a sound transducer and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit receives input from at least one impact sensor. The electrical circuit provides a light output through the at least one light source, an audible output through the sound transducer and a video output through a video display. The base preferably includes a weighted portion and intermediate portion. The weighted portion is filled with a dense solid or liquid to provide radial support for the inflatable punching bag. The intermediate portion is disposed between the base and the inflatable bag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to exercise and more specifically to an inflatable punching bag, which includes a plurality of impact areas that provide feedback when struck.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Patent application number 2004/0097347 to Ghim discloses a sports training device. The Ghim application includes a body having at least one hitting surface sized and shaped so as to receive a punch or kick delivered by a user. A sound generator is carried by the body for generating an audible sound and includes a switch carried by the body for causing the generator to generate the sound in response to an impact created by the punch or kick. However, the Ghim device is not inflatable.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for an inflatable punching bag, which may be deflated for transportation in a small enclosure and includes a plurality of impact areas that provide feedback when struck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an inflatable punching bag, which includes a plurality of impact areas that provide feedback when struck. The inflatable punching bag preferably includes an inflatable bag, at least one sensor device, a control box and a base. The inflatable bag is preferably fabricated from a PVC plastic material. An air valve is preferably formed on a top of the inflatable bag for filling thereof with air. At least one impact area is formed on a front of the inflatable bag. A single sensor device is formed behind each one of the at least one impact area. The sensor device preferably includes a sensor case, at least one light source and an impact sensor. The wires from each sensor device are run through a rear of the inflatable bag. The wire opening is sealed to prevent the loss of air pressure.

The control box includes a power source, a sound transducer and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit receives input from the at least one impact sensor. The electrical circuit may be programmed to provide a light output through the at least one light source and/or an audible output through the sound transducer. The electrical circuit may also be programmed to provide a video output through a video display as a response or feedback to input from the at least one impact sensor. The base preferably includes a weighted portion and intermediate portion. The weighted portion includes a fill cap. The weighted portion is filled with a dense solid or a liquid to prevent the inflatable bag punching bag from being knocked over during use. The intermediate portion includes an air nozzle for filling thereof with air. A bottom of the intermediate portion is secured to a top of the weighted portion and a top of the intermediate portion is secured to a bottom of the inflatable bag.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable punching bag, which may be deflated for transportation in a small enclosure.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide an inflatable punching bag, which includes a plurality of impact areas that provide feedback when struck.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the inflatable punching bag in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inflatable punching bag disclosing a cross sectional side view of two sensor devices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional side view of a sensor device of an inflatable punching bag in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a control box of an inflatable punching bag in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a control box of an inflatable punching bag in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of an inflatable punching bag 1. With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the inflatable punching bag 1 preferably includes an inflatable bag 10, at least one sensor device 11, a control box 12, and a base 14. The inflatable bag 10 is preferably fabricated from a PVC plastic material, but other suitable materials may also be used. An air valve 16 is preferably formed on a top of the inflatable bag for filling thereof with air. At least one impact area 18 is formed on a front of the inflatable bag 10. The at least one impact area 18 may have any suitable shape. A single sensor device 11 is formed behind each one of the at least one impact area 18.

The sensor device 11 preferably includes a sensor case 22, at least one light source 24 and an impact sensor 26. The impact sensor 26 and at least one light source 24 are preferably retained on a circuit board 28. The at least one light source 24 may be a light emitting diode, a light bulb, an EL panel or any other suitable light source for providing an illuminating output. The impact sensor 26 may be a tact switch, a pressure sensor or any other suitable type of sensor. The circuit board 28 is retained in the sensor case 22. A plurality of sensor wires 30 extend from the circuit board 28, through a wire bundle opening 34 in a rear of the sensor case 22. The sensor case 22 is preferably fabricated from a PVC plastic material, but other suitable materials may also be used. A perimeter of the sensor case 22 is attached to an inside wall of the inflatable bag 10 with adhesive, high frequency welding or any other suitable attachment method. The sensor wires 30 from the at least one sensor device 11 are grouped together to form a wire bundle 32 and run through the wire bundle opening 35 in a rear of the inflatable bag 10. The wire bundle opening 35 is sealed to prevent the loss of air pressure from the inflatable bag 10.

The control box 12 includes a control case 36, a power source, a sound transducer 38 and an electrical circuit 40. The power source may be at least one battery 42, a battery adapter plugged into a wall outlet of a dwelling or any other suitable power source. The power source provides electrical power to the electrical circuit 40. The electrical circuit 40 could be a microprocessor based board, a microcontroller based board or any other suitable electrical circuit board. The electrical circuit 40 receives input from the at least one impact sensor 26. The electrical circuit 40 may be programmed to provide a light output through the at least one light source 24 and/or an audible output through the sound transducer 38. At least two box light sources 44 are disposed in the control box 12 and are indicators of a program setting selection. The at least two box light sources 44 may be a light emitting diode, a light bulb, an EL panel or any other suitable light source for providing a visual output. The electrical circuit 40 may also be programmed to power a video output to a video display 45 as a response or feedback for striking the at least one impact area 18. At least one button 46 may be used to select a preprogrammed setting in the electrical circuit 40.

The base 14 preferably includes a weighted portion 48 and intermediate portion 50. The weighted portion 48 includes a fill cap 52. The weighted portion 48 may be fabricated from a rigid or flexible material. The weighted portion 48 is preferably fabricated from PVC, when fabricated from a flexible material, but other materials may also be used. The weighted portion 48 may be folded into a small volume when empty. The weighted portion 48 is filled with a dense solid or a liquid, such as sand or water to provide support to prevent the inflatable bag 1 from being knocked over during use.

The intermediate portion 50 includes an air nozzle 54 for filling thereof with air. A bottom of the intermediate portion 50 is secured to a top of the weighted portion and a top of the intermediate portion 50 is secured to a bottom of the inflatable bag 10. The air in the intermediate portion 50 provides flexibility and elasticity for the swinging motion of the inflatable punching bag 1. The inflatable punching bag 1 is collapsed by deflating the inflatable bag 10 and the intermediate portion 50 and emptying the weighted portion 40 of the dense solid or liquid. The inflatable bag 10 and the intermediate portion 50 may be inflated with human breathing or an air pump.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An inflatable punching bag comprising:

an inflatable bag having means for filling thereof with air;

at least one impact sensor being disposed on an inside wall of said inflatable bag, at least one of at least one light source and a sound transducer being activated when said impact sensor is struck, said sound transducer being disposed inside said inflatable bag adjacent said impact sensor; and

a base being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag, said base providing support for said inflatable bag.

2. The inflatable punching bag of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical circuit receiving input from said at least one impact sensor, said electrical circuit activating said at least one of at least one light source and a sound transducer.

3 (canceled)

4. The inflatable punching bag of claim 1, further comprising:

said base including a weighted portion and an intermediate portion, a bottom of said intermediate portion being attached to a top of said base, a top of said intermediate portion being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag.

5. The inflatable punching bag of claim 4, wherein:

said intermediate portion including means for filling thereof with air.

6. The inflatable punching bag of claim 2, further comprising:

a power source for supplying electrical power to said electrical circuit.

7. The inflatable punching bag of claim 6, further comprising:

said electrical circuit being programmed to provide a video output through a video display as a response or feedback to an input from said at least one impact sensor.

8. The inflatable punching bag of claim 4, further comprising:

said weighted portion being filled with a dense material or a liquid.

9. An inflatable punching bag comprising:

an inflatable bag having means for filling thereof with air;

at least one impact sensor being disposed on an inside wall of said inflatable bag;

an electrical circuit receiving input from said at least one impact sensor, said electrical circuit activating at least one of at least one light source and a sound transducer, said sound transducer being disposed inside said inflatable bag adjacent said impact sensor; and

a base being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag, a portion of said base being filled with a dense material or a liquid.

10-11. (canceled)

12. The inflatable punching bag of claim 9, further comprising:

said base including a weighted portion and an intermediate portion, a bottom of said intermediate portion being attached to a top of said base, a top of said intermediate portion being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag.

13. The inflatable punching bag of claim 12, wherein:

said intermediate portion including means for filling thereof with air.

14. The inflatable punching bag of claim 9, further comprising:

said electrical circuit being programmed to provide a video output through a video display as a response or feedback to an input from said at least one impact sensor.

15. An inflatable punching bag comprising:

an inflatable bag having means for filling thereof with air;

at least one impact sensor being disposed on an inside wall of said inflatable bag, at least one of at least one light source and a sound transducer being activated when said impact sensor is struck, said sound transducer being disposed inside said inflatable bag adjacent said impact sensor;

a base being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag, said base including a weighted portion and an intermediate portion, a bottom of said intermediate portion being attached to a top of said weighted portion, a top of said intermediate portion being attached to a bottom of said inflatable bag, said intermediate portion having being filled with air, said weighted portion being filled with a dense material or a liquid, the air of said intermediate portion not mixing with the dense material or liquid of said weighted portion.

16. The inflatable punching bag of claim 15, further comprising:

at least one of said at least one light source being positioned adjacent each one of said at least one impact sensor.

17. (canceled)

18. The inflatable punching bag of claim 17, wherein:

said intermediate portion including means for filling thereof with air.

19. The inflatable punching bag of claim 15, further comprising:

a power source for supplying electrical power to said electrical circuit.

20. The inflatable punching bag of claim 19, further comprising:

said electrical circuit being programmed to provide a video output through a video display as a response or feedback to an input from said at least one impact sensor.

21. The inflatable punching bag of claim 15, further comprising:

an electrical circuit receiving input from said at least one impact sensor, said electrical circuit activating said at least one of at least one light source and a sound transducer.