HEAVY BAG WORKOUT MONITOR SYSTEMS
A heavy bag workout monitor system for receiving and analyzing quantity, location, and magnitude of physical contact and transmitting the information to a user interface, comprising a plurality of impact detection sensors, an impact detector sensor support, and a workout processor for transmitting workout information during a timed period. The heavy bag of the present invention may comprise a first embodiment where the heavy bag measures approximately 5 feet and is ideal for boxers. The boxing bag of this embodiment may comprise a first and second target zone representing an adversary's head and body respectively. A second embodiment may comprise a heavy bag measuring approximately 7 feet comprising a first, second, and third target zone representing an opponent's head, mid-section, and legs respectively. The heavy bag workout monitor system may be used to record, track, and monitor workout activity over a period of time and is compatible with a multitude of mobile devices comprising LCD technology.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/378,849, filed Aug. 31, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of punching and kicking bags and more specifically relates to a heavy workout bag comprising sensors and a processor for detecting and wirelessly transmitting information pertaining to the quantity, magnitude, and location of the physical blows received from a user during a timed period.
2. Description of the Related Art
Punching and kicking bags serve an important function in exercise and fight training. For example, amateur and professional boxers alike utilize heavy bags for practicing their punching technique. Frequently, a workout for a boxer will include several rounds of sparring with a hanging heavy bag to improve punching ability. The heavy bag will sway in response to the force of the boxer's punches necessitating the boxer to move his feet in rhythm with the motion of the bag.
Furthermore, mixed martial artists may use punching and kicking bags in order to train for upcoming fights. Martial artists may use both their hands and their feet when striking the heavy bag. The durability and resiliency of the heavy bag provides a safe and consistent adversary to endure physical blows of the martial artist.
Boxers and martial artists may want to track the number of kicks and punches that are thrown, as well as the magnitude of force of the kicks and punches. This may be difficult to do manually because athletes may be too focused on achieving proper technique to count and memorize the magnitude and quantity. This may prevent fighters from being able to see tangible evidence of progress or declines in performance. Conventional punching and kicking bags simply provide a workout tool and fail to provide any feedback to the user. The boxer or the martial artist may wish to know how many punches and kicks have been landed in different target areas. Further, it may be desirable to know the magnitude of the force of the physical blows in order to facilitate training and to gauge improvement over a period of time. A more effective solution is needed.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,749 to Sheedy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,336 to Gaoiran et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,380 to Reinbold et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,877 to Franey, U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,079 to Luedke et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,485 to Luigi, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,853 to Marciano. This prior art is representative of electronic heavy bags. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a heavy bag workout monitor system should require a heavy bag comprising a plurality of impact detection sensors, an impact detector sensor support for analyzing and relaying physical contact received by the heavy bag, and an impact processor for wirelessly communicating the data to a user interface comprising a LCD display, and, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable heavy bag workout monitor system to receive, analyze, and track the physical blows delivered by a user and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known electronic heavy bag art, the present invention provides a novel heavy bag workout monitor system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a heavy bag comprising a plurality of impact detection sensors, an impact detector sensor support for analyzing and relaying physical contact received by the heavy bag, and an impact processor for wirelessly communicating the data to a user interface.
The present invention may provide a training tool for boxers and martial artists and may track the quantity and magnitude of strikes thrown during a period of time (ie. round). Heavy bag workout monitor system may comprise two main embodiments, a first embodiment comprising a boxer's punching bag and a second embodiment comprising a mixed martial artist's contact bag. The boxer's punching bag may be sectioned to track head and body strikes, while the martial artist's contact bag may be sectioned to track head, body, and leg strikes. Boxers and martial artists may utilize heavy bag workout monitor systems to chart and evaluate trends and progress during training.
Heavy bag workout monitor systems may generally comprise a plurality of impact detection sensors which may be installed to an impact detector sensor support located within the center of the heavy bag. During use, a boxer or martial artist may activate and strike the bag causing the impact detection sensors to relay strike information to a workout processor unit located atop the heavy bag via a sensor communication cable. The impact detector sensor support may register and analyze the strike and communicate the data to the workout processor unit. The workout processor unit may transmit the quantity and magnitude of the physical blows to a LCD display or a user interface comprising a mobile electronic device (such as a smart phone, tablet, or the like) so that workout information may be displayed to the user. The results may be graphed, tracked, stored within a user profile, and accessed via an internet database.
The various embodiments of heavy bag workout monitor systems for enduring and monitoring physical blows by a user may comprise a heavy bag comprising an outer bag shell having an inner volume. The bag shell may comprise target zones which may be visually distinguishable. The impact detector sensor support may be divided into impact zones which may match the target zones of the bag shell. The heavy bag may comprise a plurality of impact detection sensors which may further comprise acceleration sensors. The impact detection sensors may relay information pertaining to a quantity, location, and magnitude of physical blows that have been received by the heavy bag during a timed period to the workout processor unit.
The heavy bag workout monitor systems may further comprise a processor unit comprising a wireless communication interface. The workout processor unit may comprise a wireless communication signal with a user interface. The workout processor unit may further comprise at least one power supplier comprising battery pack having a DC power source. The workout processor unit may serve to analyze, store, and track workout information relating to the quantity, location, and magnitude of the physical blows delivered by the user during a data collection period.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a heavy bag workout monitor system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, heavy bag workout monitor system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONAs discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a heavy bag workout device and more particularly to heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 as used to improve the ability to track and monitor progress for fighters.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise boxer's punching bag 110 for enduring, monitoring, and analyzing physical blows by boxer 145. Boxer's punching bag 110 of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise bag shell 115 having inner volume. Bag shell 115 may further comprise first target zone 220, and second target zone 224, wherein first target zone 220 and second target zone 224 is bifurcated. First target zone 220 and second target zone 224 may be of different colors or shades, thereby visually distinguishing first target zone 220 from second target zone 224.
Heavy weight workout monitor systems 100 may further comprise impact detector sensor support 300 having first impact zone 330 and second impact zone 335, wherein first impact zone 330 represents an opponent's head, and second impact zone 335 represents the opponent's body. Preferably, first impact zone 330 corresponds to first target zone 220, and second impact zone 335 corresponds to second target zone 224 Impact detector sensor support 300 comprises impact detector sensor support cover 310 comprising a protective enclosure within bag shell 115. In addition, heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise plurality of impact detection sensors 350 Impact detection sensors 350 may comprise acceleration sensors, wherein impact detection sensors 350 relay information pertaining to a quantity and a magnitude of physical blows to impact detector sensor support 300, and wherein impact detection sensors 350 are capable of compensating for motion of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 resulting from physical blows by user 140 when analyzing the magnitude of the punches.
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It should be appreciated that heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate user 145 desiring to practice alternative fighting styles. Furthermore, first target zone 220, second target zone 224, and third target zone 228 may comprise different lengths for accommodating various fighting styles. In addition, first target zone 220, second target zone 224, and third target zone 228 may comprise a variety of colors and designs.
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It should be noted that workout processor unit 125 of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 is designed to compensate for the swinging motion of the heavy bag and will deduct the force of the swing from the actual magnitude of the strike received. In such a manner, user 140 will receive reliable and accurate information pertaining to the exact force of the strike. This data may be transferred from impact detection sensor 350 to workout processor unit 125 via sensor communication cable 360. Workout processor unit 125 may then wirelessly transmit workout information utilizing Bluetooth technology via wireless communication signal 180.
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Heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise martial artist contact bag 210 for enduring and monitoring physical blows by martial artist 545. This embodiment may comprise martial artist contact bag 210 comprising bag shell 115 having inner volume, wherein bag shell 115 may comprise first target zone 220, second target zone 224, and third target zone 228. First target zone 220, second target zone 224, and third target zone 228 may be trifurcated, and each zone may be a different color, thereby visually distinguishing first target zone 220, second target zone 224, and third target zone 228.
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In a method of using heavy bag workout monitor systems 100, user 140 may configure the settings of the menu via user interface 600 or via LCD display 160. User 140 may configure the amount of rounds and the time in each round. In such a manner, user 140 may customize his or her workout and training accordingly.
Although not illustrated in the accompanying figures, Heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise a speaker for emitting a buzzer sound. The buzzer sound of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may provide an alert to signify the beginning and end of a round, as well as provide an indication when 10 seconds are remaining in a round. The buzzer may sound for 3 seconds at each interval. In such a manner, user 140 will know when impact detection sensors 350 are active and inactive and when to begin winding down a workout. This is similar to the warning professional fighters receive when a round is about to end. It should be appreciated that the buzzer sound produced by heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may provide a more interactive and complete workout experience.
In referring to the different embodiments of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100, demonstration mode 730 may be provided. In a preferred embodiment, demonstration mode 730 may comprise one round and one workout limited to 10 seconds. In other embodiments, demonstration mode 730 may be shorter or longer. Demonstration mode 730 is ideal for exposing a new user 140 to heavy bag workout monitor systems 100.
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It should be noted that step six 906 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all covers. Optional steps of method 900 of heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 are illustrated using dotted lines in
Heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may comprise the following parts: at least one heavy bag comprising boxers punching bag 110 or martial artist contact bag 210; at least one bag shell 115; at least one workout processor unit 125; at least one heavy bag installation assembly 130 for hanging heavy bag from structural member 105; at least one impact detector sensor support 300; at least one impact detector sensor support cover 310 for securably retaining impact detector sensor support 300; at least one connector 320 for connecting impact detector sensor support 300 to workout processor unit 125; at least one power supplier comprising battery pack 415; at least one workout processor attacher 425 for attaching workout processor unit 125 to heavy bag; and at least one set of user instructions.
Heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present invention, heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may be sold with LCD display 160. This may be ideal for fitness centers and gyms where heavy bag workout monitor systems 100 may be used by a number of fighters. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
Claims
1. A heavy bag workout monitor system for enduring and monitoring physical blows by a user comprising:
- at least one heavy bag comprising an outer shell having an inner volume;
- at least one impact detector sensor support device;
- at least one impact detector sensor support cover;
- a plurality of impact detection sensors;
- at least one workout processor unit;
- at least one power supplier; and
- at least one heavy bag installation assembly;
- wherein said impact detector sensor support cover is located within said inner volume of said outer shell of said heavy bag;
- wherein said at least one impact detector sensor support device is contained within said impact detector sensor support cover;
- wherein said inner volume of said heavy bag is filled with impact resilient stuffing surrounding said impact detector sensor support cover;
- wherein said plurality of impact detection sensors are securely attachable to an outer surface of at least one impact detector sensor support device;
- wherein said at least one workout processor unit is located at a top of said heavy bag;
- wherein said plurality of impact detection sensors are in electrical communication with said at least one workout processor unit and said power supplier;
- wherein said at least one workout processor unit analyzes, stores, and tracks workout information relating to a quantity of said physical blows and a magnitude of said physical blows delivered by said user;
- wherein said heavy bag is hanged from a structural member via said bag installation assembly; and
- wherein said heavy bag workout monitor system retains said workout information delivered by said user during at least one data collection period.
2. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 1, further comprising at least one LCD display screen for visually displaying output data and for inputting input data by said user.
3. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 2, wherein said impact detector sensor support comprises a first target section and a second target section, said first target section representing an opponent's head, and said second target section representing said opponent's body.
4. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 3, wherein said outer shell of said heavy bag is bifurcated via different colors, thereby visually distinguishing said first target section from said second target section.
5. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 4, wherein said heavy bag comprising said first target section and said second target section comprises a boxer's punching bag.
6. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 2, wherein said impact detector sensor support comprises a first target zone, a second target zone, and a third target zone, said first target zone representing an opponent's head, said second target zone representing said opponent's body, and said third target zone representing said opponent's legs.
7. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 6, wherein said outer shell of said heavy bag is trifurcated via different colors, thereby visually distinguishing said first target zone, said second target zone, and said third target zone.
8. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 7, wherein said heavy bag comprising said first target zone, said second target zone, and said third target zone comprises a martial artist's punching bag.
9. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 1, wherein said impact detection sensors comprises acceleration sensors.
10. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 9, wherein said acceleration sensors relay information pertaining to a quantity and a magnitude of said physical blows to said at least one impact detector sensor support device.
11. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 10, wherein said acceleration sensors are capable of compensating for motion of said heavy bag resulting from said physical blows by said user when analyzing the magnitude of the punches.
12. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 1, wherein said workout processor unit comprises a wireless communication interface.
13. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 12, wherein said wireless communication interface comprises Bluetooth.
14. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 13, wherein said workout processor unit is in wireless communication with a mobile electronic device comprising a user interface.
15. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 14, wherein said mobile electronic device comprises a smart phone.
16. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 14, wherein said mobile electronic device comprises a tablet.
17. The heavy bag workout monitor system of claim 14, wherein said mobile electronic device comprises a computer.
18. A martial artist's punching bag for enduring and monitoring physical blows by a martial artist comprising:
- at least one heavy bag comprising an outer shell having an inner volume, said outer shell comprising a first target zone, a second target zone, and a third target zone, wherein said outer shell of said heavy bag is trifurcated via different colors, thereby visually distinguishing said first target zone, said second target zone, and said third target zone;
- at least one impact detector sensor support device said impact detector sensor support comprising a first impact zone, a second impact zone, and a third impact zone, said first impact zone representing an opponent's head, said second impact zone representing said opponent's body, and said third impact zone representing said opponent's legs, and wherein said first impact zone corresponds to said first target zone, said second impact zone corresponds to said second target zone, and said third impact zone corresponds to said third target zone.
- at least one impact detector sensor support cover;
- a plurality of impact detection sensors, wherein said impact detection sensors comprises acceleration sensors, wherein said acceleration sensors relay information pertaining to a quantity and a magnitude of said physical blows, and wherein said acceleration sensors are capable of compensating for motion of said heavy bag resulting from said physical blows by said user when analyzing the magnitude of the punches;
- at least one workout processor unit comprising a wireless communication interface comprising Bluetooth, wherein said workout processor unit is in wireless communication with a mobile electronic device comprising a user interface;
- at least one power supplier comprising a DC power source battery pack; and
- at least one heavy bag installation assembly;
- wherein said impact detector sensor support cover is located within said inner volume of said outer shell of said heavy bag;
- wherein said at least one impact detector sensor support device is contained within said impact detector sensor support cover;
- wherein said inner volume of said heavy bag is filled with impact resilient stuffing surrounding said impact detector sensor support cover;
- wherein said at least one workout processor unit is located at a top of said heavy bag;
- wherein said plurality of impact detection sensors are in electrical communication with said at least one workout processor unit and said power supplier;
- wherein said at least one workout processor unit analyzes, stores, and tracks workout information relating to a quantity of said physical blows and a magnitude of said physical blows delivered by said user;
- wherein said martial artist's punching bag is hanged from a structural member via said bag installation assembly; and
- wherein said martial artist's punching bag retains said workout information delivered by said user during at least one data collection period.
19. A method of using a heavy bag workout monitor system for enduring and monitoring physical blows by a user comprising the steps of:
- activating said heavy bag workout monitor system;
- sensing said physical blows by said user;
- recording said physical blows;
- transmitting workout information regarding said physical blows to a user interface; and
- displaying said workout information on said user interface.
20. The method of use of claim 19 further comprising the step of saving said workout information on a memory storing medium.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2012
Inventor: Michael Williamson (Branford, CA)
Application Number: 13/217,491
International Classification: A63B 71/00 (20060101); A63B 69/32 (20060101);