BOXING SIMULATING EXERCISER

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame having a lower support member, an upper support member and a pair of horizontal support members. The lower support member is secured to a base and includes an extension mechanism for raising and lowering the frame. The frame further including a support member and a pair of angled support members operably secured to the frame for supporting a plurality of target pads, each of the target pads positioned to assist a user in executing punches.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a training device and, more particularly, to an exercise apparatus which allows a user to simulate the basic punches used in boxing.

For many individuals, boxing is an exercise activity which provides an intense muscular and cardiovascular workout; it is often practiced as a contact sport, for self-defense and/or for general fitness. Boxing is a particularly attractive sport because it allows individuals to develop strength, agility and endurance at their own pace. Specifically, a boxer uses their fists to strategically throw punches at an opponent. Three of the generally recognized punches in boxing are the cross, jab and uppercut, with variations deriving therefrom. Employing these punches often requires the boxer to engage his or her body, planting the legs and bending the knees to provide a stable foundation; keeping a straight back and being aware of the core muscles as the twisting motion generates power, making the punches more effective. Then, when throwing a punch, the boxer extends one arm in the desired position and rotates the upper body to effectuate force. Employing a variety of punches, switching between one arm and the other, as desired, creates an intense workout which requires the use of entire muscular system.

However, proper technique when throwing the various types of punches is extremely important. As with many physical activities, improper form can increase the chances for physical injury, and can lead to reduced speed, power and accuracy of the punches being thrown. Therefore, people who box—even those who merely use boxing for exercise rather than for competition and actual fighting—need to consistently practice proper mechanics.

Individuals who participate in boxing typically belong to a gym where they may spar with an opponent or practice with an experienced trainer. Experienced trainers are well versed in the proper form for throwing the various punches, and often use focus mitts at various positions and angles, as punching targets to promote proper form and reflexes. Focus mitts are padded gloves that are worn by a training partner, either a trainer or a sparring partner. Using focus mitts is a very effective training technique because it offers the trainee a chance to practice with a moving target. However, gym memberships can be costly and there is no guarantee that a particular gym will offer facilities for and/or instruction in boxing that an individual desires. Furthermore, due to location and/or time constraints, it may not be possible for individuals to go to gyms which have boxing facilities and/or boxing instruction. Moreover, many individuals prefer to exercise on their own, as their schedule permits, without being constrained by a gym's traditional hours, which may not be accommodating to a variety of individuals' busy schedules. Thus, a need exists for an exercise apparatus that has certain improved features employing an electronic training system which allows a user to simulate the different punches used in boxing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a training device and, more particularly, to an exercise apparatus which allows a user to simulate the basic punches used in boxing. The exercise apparatus includes a frame for providing support to the structure rigidly within the confines of a doorframe. The frame may further include a lower support member, the lower support member being attached to a base which extends down to rest on the floor. The base may include a mechanical mechanism which may be used to adjust the height of the exercise apparatus. The frame may further include a pair of selectively extendable horizontal support members, allowing the exercise apparatus to be temporarily secured within the doorframe.

Each of the horizontal support members preferably has a side bracket for securing the exercise apparatus into a doorframe. The brackets are held substantially in place against the doorframe when the side brackets are extended to secure against a doorframe. When the side brackets are retracted, the exercise apparatus may be removed from the doorframe and stored, making the doorway accessible once more. The horizontal support members may be fixedly connected to each other by a pair of vertical support members, which are positioned substantially parallel to each other. A T-shaped support member may be fixedly secured to the horizontal support member and between the vertical support members. Each of the vertical support members may further include an angled support member extending outward from the frame.

A plurality of target pads may be fixedly secured to the frame and positioned at specific angles to assist the user in executing punches correctly. Each of the target pads may be secured to either the t-shaped support member or to one of the angled support members. Each target pad is preferably positioned and angled to promote proper form for a specific punch. Each of the target pads may further include a housing member extending from the back face of each target pad, and may include sensors for determining the timing of a punch. The exercise apparatus may also further include a microprocessor operably connected to a plurality of electronic mechanisms enclosed within each of the target pads for providing an interactive training system. Specific advantages and features of the present assembly will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description of several illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 without the target pads.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 without the target pads.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a close up front elevation view of a target pad of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a close up side elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an environmental view showing the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 installed in a doorway.

It should be understood that the present drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this application for an exercise apparatus 10, a dimensional coordinate system consisting of an x-, y- and z-axis, is used for spatial reference, with the x-axis running parallel to the ground and from left to right, the y-axis running perpendicular to the ground and the z-axis running parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the x-axis.

Referring now to the drawings, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the exercise apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 for providing support and to facilitate installation of the exercise apparatus 10 into a doorframe, and a control panel 14 for displaying information or entertainment to a user. The frame 12 may be fashioned from any suitable material, including, but not limited to: metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, wood, fiberglass and the like. The frame 12 may further include a lower support member 16A and a height adjustment member 16B which is selectively extendable from the lower support member 16A, both positioned substantially along the y-axis in line with one another. Adjustment holes 20 are preferably positioned along the length of the height adjustment member 16B to effectuate locking the height adjustment member 16B at a user-selected position relative to the lower support member 16A, such as with a locking pin. The lower support member 16A may be further attached to a base 18 which is provided to rest the exercise apparatus 10 on the floor. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lower support member 16A may include a spring 19 to assist in the extension of the height adjustment member 16B from the lower support member 16A to effectuate raising of the exercise apparatus 10. Other mechanisms for assisting in the raising of the exercise apparatus 10 may also be employed as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to a jacking or ratcheting mechanism or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the frame 12 may further include a pair of horizontal support members 22A positioned substantially parallel to each other and substantially along the x-axis. Preferably, each horizontal support member 22A includes a horizontal extension member 22B which can be selectively extended from horizontal support member 22A. Adjustment holes 20 are preferably positioned along the length of each horizontal extension member 22B to effectuate locking of each horizontal extension member 22B at a user-selected position relative to its respective horizontal support member 22A, such as with a locking pin. Each of the horizontal extension members 22B preferably includes at least one front bracket 24A for engaging the front of a doorframe to secure the exercise apparatus 10 therein. A fine adjustment mechanism, such as a screw mechanism (not shown) as would be understood, may also be included to further extend or retract the front brackets 24A for firm engagement with a doorframe.

In operation, to install the exercise apparatus 10 in a door frame, the exercise apparatus is preferably placed within a doorframe. The height adjustment member 16B is raised or lowered with respect to the lower support member, and is locked in place via a locking pin to secure the exercise apparatus 10 at a proper height for the user. The horizontal extension members 22B are then extended from the horizontal support members 22A so that front brackets 24A engage with or nearly engage with each of the sides of the doorframe, and are locked in place with a locking pin. If any fine adjustment is needed to properly engage such front brackets 24A with the doorframe, a fine adjustment mechanism may be used to further extend or retract the brackets 24A so that they properly engage the doorframe. The brackets 24A are thereby held substantially in place against the doorframe, so as to secure the exercise apparatus 10 in place from the sides.

Later, any such locking pins may be removed to allow the height adjustment member 16B and/or the horizontal extension members 22B to retract back into their respective housings. This allows for removal of the exercise apparatus 10 from the doorframe. making the doorway accessible once more.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal support members 22A may be fixedly connected to each other by a pair of vertical support members 26A and 26B. The vertical support members 26A and 26B may be positioned substantially parallel to each other and substantially along the y-axis. An additional support member 28 may be fixedly secured to the horizontal support member 22A and between the vertical support members 26A and 26B. Each of the vertical support members 26A and 26B may further include an angled support member 30A and 30B extending outward from the frame. In one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, the inner angle formed by the horizontal support members 22A, 22B and the angled support member 30A is preferably between 108° and 128°, more preferably at approximately 118°. Likewise, the inner angle formed by the horizontal support members 22A, 22B and the angled support member 30B is preferably between 108° and 128°, more preferably at approximately 118°.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9, several target pads 32 may be secured to the frame 12 and positioned at specific angles to assist the user in executing punches with correct form. The target pads 32 may be fashioned from any suitable material, including, but not limited to: plastic, plastic composite, padding, foam, cellulose, polyurethane, rubber, elastomer and the like. In one embodiment, each of the target pads 32 may be secured to either the support member 28 or to one of the angled support members 30A or 30B. Each of the target pads 32 may further include a housing member 34 extending from the back face of each target pad 32. In one embodiment, each of the housing members 34 may be designed to facilitate shock absorption when a target pad 32 is struck by the user, and each housing member may thus further include a spring. In yet another embodiment, each of the housing members 34 may be used to adjust the position of the target pads 32, allowing users to customize the angle of each of the target pads 32 as desired. Alternatively, housing members 34 may be static with respect to frame 12.

The target pads 32 may be positioned to facilitate a boxer's ability to strategically throw punches at a target and to employ the four generally recognized punches in boxing as well as variations of such punches deriving therefrom. In one embodiment, the target pads 32 may include a center pad 32A, a left angle pad 32B, a right angle pad 32C, a left wing pad 32D and a right wing pad 32E. As can be best seen in FIG. 6, the center pad 32A may be secured to t-shaped support member 28 and positioned generally parallel to both the x-axis and y-axis and perpendicular to the z-axis. This positioning of center pad 32A promotes proper form for throwing a jab, as a jab should be a compact, straight punch.

Both the left angle pad 32B and the right angle pad 32C may be positioned generally parallel to both the x-axis and the y-axis, intersecting the z-axis, such that the left angle pad 32B and the right angle pad 32C generally mirror each other. The left angle pad 32B may be secured to the angled support member 30A and positioned such that the angle formed between the angled support member 30A and the housing member 34 is preferably between 90° and 110°, more preferably at approximately 100°. This positioning of the left angle pad 32B promotes the proper form for a right-cross (or a right hook for a left handed boxer), as a right cross should be substantially level with the ground, but at a slight angle crossing in front of the body. Similarly, the right angle pad 32C may be secured to the angled support member 30B and positioned such that the angle formed between the angled support member 30B and the housing member 34 is preferably between 90° and 110°, more preferably at approximately 100°. As above, the positioning of the right angle pad 32C promotes the proper form for a left hook (or a left-cross for a left handed boxer), as a left hook should also be substantially level with the ground, but at a sweeping angle crossing in front of the body.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the left wing pad 32D may be secured to the angled support member 30A and positioned such that the angle formed between the angled support member 30A and the housing member 34 is preferably between 68° and 88°, more preferably at approximately 78° in the x-z plane, 16° below parallel with the x axis. The left wing pad 32D may be positioned preferably between 22° and 42° below the x-axis in the x-y plane, and more preferably at 32° below the x-axis as shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the left wing pad 32D may be further positioned preferably between 53° and 73° below the z-axis in the y-z plane, more preferably at 63° below the z-axis. The right wing pad 32E preferably mirrors the positioning of the left wing pad 32D. This slightly downward and inward positioning of the left wing pad 32D and right wing pad 32E is designed to promote the proper form for throwing left and right uppercuts, which should begin low and be directed upward, while moving slightly across the body. Thus, the left and right wing pads 32D, 32E are designed to simulate a boxing training positioning his mitts low and at an inward angle to allow a boxer to properly practice throwing uppercuts.

As noted above, the exercise apparatus 10 may include a control panel 14 associated with a microprocessor operably connected to a plurality of lights and electronic mechanisms enclosed within each of the target pads 32 for providing an interactive training system. Electronic mechanisms within a target pad may include pressure sensors to detect the timing of punches thrown. By transmitting this information to the microprocessor, the exercise apparatus 10 may monitor the number of punches landed in a predetermined interval, and may award points based on predetermined thresholds of either or both. Such a scoring system may allow trainers to set goals for boxing students, and/or may create a game out of practicing. For example, the control panel 14 may turn on lights positioned near each pad indicating which punch should be thrown next. Thereby, a trainer may create a workout routine, instructing a student to punch certain targets in a given sequence without actually being present. Alternatively, the control panel 14 may execute pre-loaded sequences, or may randomly create new sequences.

The control panel 14 preferably includes a display screen for displaying various information to the user, including, but not limited to: a choice of interactive exercise programs, the level or speed of the sequences, a timer, statistics about the user's punches (accuracy, number of punches landed, etc.) and calories burned, among other things. The control panel 14 may include a digital music player, allowing the control panel 14 to sync the lights, so as to signaling the user to punch with the beat of the music.

Thus, there has been shown and described an embodiment of a novel exercise apparatus. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of target pads affixed to said frame;

a frame for supporting each of the target pads;

a plurality of brackets attached to the frame for removably securing the exercise apparatus into a doorframe;

a base being adjustable to selectively raise said frame to selectively secure said exercise apparatus into a said doorframe, and to selectively lower said frame to selectively release said exercise apparatus from said doorframe.

2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of target pads includes a center pad positioned to receive a properly thrown jab.

3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of target pads includes at least one pad positioned to receive a properly thrown hook punch.

4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of target pads includes at least one pad positioned to receive a properly thrown uppercut punch.

5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of target pads includes a center pad positioned to receive a properly thrown jab punch, at least one pad positioned to receive a properly thrown hook punch and at least one pad positioned to receive a properly thrown uppercut punch.

6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the exercise apparatus further includes a control panel.

7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the control panel is electrically connected to a plurality of lights, each light associated with a said target pad.

8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the control panel is electrically connected to a plurality of force sensors, where a force sensor is positioned within each of the target pads.

9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the microprocessor further includes an interactive training system.

10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the microprocessor further communicates with a display.

11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the target pads are adjustable.

12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base includes a mechanism to assist in raising the frame.

13. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame including a lower support member and a pair of horizontal support members;

said lower support member secured to a base for positioning the exercise apparatus against the ground, at least one of the base and the lower support member being selectively adjustable for raising and lowering the frame;

said horizontal support members being selectively extendable and having a bracket for cooperating with and securing the frame within a doorframe;

a support member and a pair of angled support members operably secured to the frame for supporting a plurality of target pads, said target pads positioned to assist a user in executing punches.

14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the exercise apparatus further includes a control panel.

15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panel is electrically connected to a plurality of lights, each light associated with a said target pad.

16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panel is electrically connected to a plurality of force sensors, each force sensor positioned within each of the said target pads.

17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panel further includes an interactive training system.

18. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panel further includes a display screen.

19. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the target pads are adjustable.

20. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of target pads connected to the frame including a center pad, a left angle pad, a right angle pad, a left wing pad and a right wing pad, wherein: the center paid is mounted approximately parallel to an x-y plane and perpendicular to a z axis; the left angle pad is mounted at approximately 38° below the x-axis in the x-z plane; the right angle pad is mounted to mirror the left angle pad; the left wing pad is mounted at approximately 32° below the x axis in the x-y plane and 63° below the z axis in the z-y plane; and the right wing pad is mounted to mirror the left wing pad;

a plurality of brackets attached to the frame for removably securing the exercise apparatus into a doorframe; and

a selectively adjustable base for selectively raising said frame.