Portable Training Stand

Abstract

A training device is provided comprising a collapsible stand having a central support and a plurality of legs. In a first position, the legs and central support fold into a compact package. In a second position, the legs and central support extend perpendicular to each other into a self-supporting stand having the central support in a substantially vertical position. The training device may further include a plurality of striking pads attachable to the central support. The collapsible stand may include one or more telescoping shafts that slide into and out of the central support to a desired height. The training device may further comprise a horizontal support bar attachable to the central support, wherein horizontal support bar serves to couple additional striking pads. At least one striking pad may be shaped as a human head and attached to the upper portion of the central support.

Description

FIELD

Various features pertain to stands used for self-defense training, in particular to portable devices for practicing punching and kicking offensive and defensive techniques by hitting various pads or targets.

BACKGROUND

In the realm of exercise equipment, punching and/or kicking bags and targets are commonplace. Existing stands are designed to withstand punching and kicks and as a result tend to be bulky and/or permanent fixtures. As such, existing stands are not easy to move to different locations and are not easy to store away when not in use.

Additionally, users tend to be of different heights and have different exercise needs (e.g., punching versus kicking exercises, martial arts versus boxing, etc.). However, many existing punching and kicking exercise equipment are not adjustable to accommodate these needs.

One type of prior art portable exercise device for training self defense includes a large hollow base that is filled with water or sand to make it stable when kicking or punching the pads or targets. Such devices are typically very heavy after filled with water and sand and as a result they are difficult to store or move from one location to another.

Another type of prior art portable exercise device for training self-defense includes a human torso and head shape for practicing punching or kicking techniques. Such devices are not adjustable in the height or position of the head and torso, and as a result may not be appropriately sized for very tall or short people, or practicing techniques for a variety of human sizes.

Consequently, a portable stand for training self defense is needed that is easily stored, moved around and adjustable over a range of heights and positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates the training stand in its upright and usable configuration.

FIG. 2 shows the training stand in its collapsed configuration for storage.

FIG. 3 illustrates how different training pads or targets may be coupled to the training stand.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how training pads or targets may be mounted or coupled to the training stand.

SUMMARY

A training device is provided comprising a collapsible stand having a central support and a plurality of legs. In a first position, the legs and central support fold into a compact package. In a second position, the legs and central support extend perpendicular to each other into a self-supporting stand having the central support in a substantially vertical position. The training device may further include a plurality of striking pads attachable to the central support. The collapsible stand may include one or more telescoping shafts that slide into and out of the central support to a desired height. The training device may further comprise a horizontal support bar attachable to the central support, wherein horizontal support bar serves to couple additional striking pads. At least one striking pad may be shaped as a human head and attached to the upper portion of the central support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.

One aspect of the present invention provides a training device for hitting and kicking exercises, where the device comprises a training stand and a plurality of horizontally adjustable and vertically adjustable targets (e.g., punching/kicking targets).

The training stand may be collapsible for storage. For example, the collapsible training stand may comprise square tubing that is connected with a variety of linkages that allow the training stand to be locked rigidly with a vertical square tube held securely in place. The training stand can easily be unlocked and folded down to a compact set of tubes that are easy to store.

Conventional training stands are either bolted to a wall or floor for permanent installation or have bulky hollow bases that must be filled with water or sand to keep them from moving. As a result they are not easily moved or stored. By contrast, the present portable training stand is fast to set up and fast to collapse for easy moving or storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates the training stand 100 in its upright and usable configuration. The training stand 100 includes a central support shaft 102 having one or more telescoping pieces 104 that allow adjusting the height of the stand 100. That is, the one or more telescoping pieces 104 can be extended or retracted to a desired height for exercising or mounting striking/kicking pads or targets. A locking mechanism 105, such as a pin, screw, or clamp, may serve to lock the one or more telescoping pieces 104 at a particular height. The training stand 100 may be adjustable in height by having a locking clamp 105 that allows the telescoping pieces 104 to telescope in or out of the central support shaft 102.

Additionally, folding legs 106 and 108 may be pivotally coupled to one end 110 of the central support shaft 102. Side linkages 112 and 114 serve to couple the central support shaft 102 and legs 106 and 108 in a fixed position. In one example, a first end of the linkages 112 and 114 may be pivotally coupled to the legs 106 and 108 and a second end of the linkages may be pivotally coupled to a sliding collar 116. The sliding collar 116 slides along the central support shaft 102 and locks to maintain the legs 106 and 108 substantially perpendicular to the central support shaft 102.

In another example, collar 116 is rigidly attached to the central support shaft 102 and the linkages 114 and 112 may be disconnected from the collar 116 by removing some pin or threaded nut or bolt. Then the linkages 114 and 112 may be pivotally rotated around their connections with legs 106 and 108 to collapse the training stand for storage.

FIG. 2 shows the training stand 100 in its collapsed configuration for storage. As illustrated, the legs 106 and 108 may be folded against the central support shaft 102 while the telescoping pieces 104 may be retracted into the central support shaft 102.

The stand 100 may have square tubing or it might have some other tubing shape such as round or rectangular, for example. Additionally, the length of the legs 106 and 108 of the support stand 100 may be selected to provide stability to the stand 100 when it is used for punching or kicking training.

The training stand 100 may include a plurality of connectors for attaching different training pads and targets. Each of the connectors may be adjustable anywhere along the length of the central support shaft 102 and telescoping pieces 104 and locked rigidly to thereto.

FIG. 3 illustrates how different training pads or targets 302 and 304 may be coupled to the training stand 100. A first target 302 may be in the form of a human head; the second target 304 may be in the form of a human torso. Each pad or target 302 and 304 may be adjusted up or down along the length of the vertical supports 102 and 104 and coupled to the vertical supports 102 and 104 using sliding collars and/or locks 306 and 308. This helps accommodate users of different heights as well as to simulate a person of different heights for whom the user wishes to defend himself or herself against.

There may be many additional types of targets that attach to the training stand 100 using the same or different connectors. In other examples, there may be pads or targets in the shape of an arm, leg, hand or foot that attach to the training stand. Each of these may be adjusted along any position of the training stand.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how training pads or targets may be mounted or coupled to the training stand 100. In this example, a substantially horizontal support bar 402 has been coupled to the vertical support. Additional striking pads or targets 404 and 406 are coupled to the horizontal bar 402. These pads 404 and 406 may mimic an attacker's hands for example. The pads 404 and 406 may be positioned along the length of the horizontal bar 402 using sliding locking collars 408 and 410. Additionally, the pads 404 and 406 may be coupled to rotating supports 416 that allow adjusting the angle and/or position of the pads 404 and 406.

In some implementations, weight bags (e.g., sand bags) 412 and 414 may be placed to over the legs 106 and 108 to help keep the stand 100 in place when the pads or targets are struck.

In alternative implementations, the training stand 100 may be kept in place by using weights that are normally used for weight lifting exercises.

There can be other types of attachments for the stand that can hold a fake gun or knife, for example, to further practice self-defense techniques.

One advantage of this training device is that each pad, target and connector is easily removed from the stand 100 for storage through the use of quick release connectors or other easy to actuate clamping or pin mechanisms.

In some implementations, parts of the support stand, e.g., vertical supports 102 and 104, may have additional padding to protect a user from accidentally hitting the stand 100.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A training device comprising:

a collapsible stand having a central support and a plurality of legs, wherein a position the legs and central support fold into a compact package and in a second position the legs and central support extend perpendicular to each other into a self-supporting stand having the central support in a substantially vertical position; and

a plurality of striking pads attachable to the central support.

2. The training device of claim 1 wherein the collapsible stand including one or more telescoping shafts that slide into and out of the central support to a desired height.

3. The training device of claim 1 further comprising a horizontal support bar attachable to the central support, wherein horizontal support bar serves to couple additional striking pads.

4. The training device of claim 1 wherein at least one striking pad is shaped as a human head and attached to the upper portion of the central support.