FENCING TRAINER
The main frame comprises two vertical posts: a central post (2) and a main post (1). The central post (2), approximately 30″ high, is crowned with an upper side outlet cross 68 (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) with the middle outlet facing back towards the main post (1). The main post (1) is about twice as high as the central post (2) and is placed about 10″ to 12″ behind the central post 2. A bottom end of the central post 2 is set in a front flange 83, which front flange 83 is fastened to a base plate (49). A bottom end of the main post 1 is set in a rear flange 13, which rear flange 13 is also fastened to the base plate (49). The central post 2 and the main post 1 are bridged together with a lower horizontal pipe (4) set in the back opening of the lower side outlet cross (8), and connecting to the main post (1), with the aid of a lower aluminum tee fitting (11). An upper elbow fitting (67) is set on the top of the main post (1). An upper horizontal pipe (64) extends directly above the lower bridging pipe (4).
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mechanical trainer for fencing students.
(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
Current fencing training and exercise predominantly depends on human interaction. In order to perform and practice the steps and moves of this sport, an amateur needs a trainer or another person equipped with similar equipment or gear, to respond and react to the amateur's sequential moves. Practicing moves of an amateur with a partner at any time is not only possible, but is necessary for a proper development of fencing skills. One way a fencer can do this is through the use of training “dummies”. Although the training “dummies” are supposed to give to an amateur fencer a sense of facing a real opponent, and allow them to practice fencing, the presently available dummies remain just very primitive stationary assemblies, which limits their value as a training aid. Though attempts have been made with the notion of duplicating a real fencer's hand motion, (by mounting a weapon on a strong spring attached to the artificial hand) none have been successful in producing movements that remotely resemble the natural reaction to a real fencer's actions and basic movements. As a result, today's fencers still have very limited training resources, other than the traditional methods such as training with a coach.
2. Brief Description of the Invention
This object is obtained by forming this instrument as a fencing trainer.
The present invention furnishes a very unique mechanical instrument and device, which will revolutionize the perception and functionality of the training “dummies” currently available on the market. This new invention is called The Fencing Trainer. It will interact directly with the persons trying to improve their fencing skills, by creating a “virtual opponent” that the fencer can work with.
While current training dummies are static, target-type structures that do not provide any feedback to the fencer's actions or even resemble a live opponent. The Fencing Trainer has a human-like appearance and also has arms attached to its innovative torso. The arms, like the rest of the Fencing Trainer's body, possess a human-like structure and can be quickly adjusted to form all the possible fencing attacks directions and defense blocks and moves. Additionally, due to its unique torso mounting design that allows it to rotate along vertical axis “The Fencing Trainer” will naturally respond to the fencer weapon's actions simulating real opponent.
To accomplish this the “Fencing Trainer's” upper body (torso) is attached to a vertically oriented roller which is mounted on the “Fencing Trainer's” main body frame enabling it to rotate freely so that even light tap or push to the weapon (saber, foil, and epee) attached to “Fencing Trainer's” hand or any part of its structure will initiate its movement.
Another ingenious component of the “Fencing Trainer”, its upper body (torso) motion range and motion dynamics control mechanism, regulates desired characteristics of its dynamic behavior. This mechanism will constantly try to return the “Fencing Trainer's” upper body to a frontal start position but at the same time it allows the torso to rotate to the right or to the left when any lateral or direct line action is exercised on the “Fencing Trainer” by the real fencer. If sufficient force will be applied the torso will rhythmically move back and forth from side to side before it finally settles in the middle.
This ability of the torso to oscillate rotationally in a controlled manner translates into an oscillating lateral motion of the extended, weapon equipped arm which will automatically respond with correct motion to the actions performed on it by a real fencer, producing immediate feedback to any beat or line attack.
“Fencing Trainer” is a solid design of interaction and natural movement relating to a real fencer.
The subject matter of the present invention is to be described in more detail by way of an embodiment example.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
In the accompanying drawing, in which are shown several of the various possible embodiments of the present invention:
The invention apparatus furnishes a fencing trainer and consists of two main assemblies: the main frame or pedestal, which is anchored to a base board providing stability to the structure, and the torso assembly, which is swivelably mounted onto the main frame as shown in
The following description below is illustrated and captured in
The main frame comprises two vertical posts: a central post 2 and a main post 1. The central post 2, approximately 30″ high, is crowned with an upper side outlet cross 68 (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) with the middle outlet facing back towards the main post 1. The main post 1 is about twice as high as the central post 2 and is placed about 10″ to 12″ behind the central post 2. A bottom end of the central post 2 is set in a front flange 83, which front flange 83 is fastened to a base plate 49. A bottom end of the main post 1 is set in a rear flange 13, which rear flange 13 is also fastened to the base plate 49. The central post 2 and the main post 1 are bridged together with a lower horizontal pipe 4 set in the back opening of the lower side outlet cross 8, and connecting to the main post 1, with the aid of a lower aluminum tee fitting 11. An upper elbow fitting 67 is set on the top of the main post 1. An upper horizontal pipe 64 extends directly above the lower bridging pipe 4. The end of the top horizontal pipe 64 is fitted with an upper side outlet cross 68 matching the position of the lower side outlet cross below. The opening of the upper side outlet cross 68 and of the lower side outlet cross 8 are closed each with a respective metal plug 9, which metal plug 9 each has a ¼″ size hole in its center.
The top opening of the upper side outlet cross 68 is fitted with a short connector pipe which connects to a right angle elbow 7. A horizontal pipe 5 extends from the right angle elbow towards the front. It is capped at the end with a three socket, T-slip plastic fitting 6 oriented sideways. Parts 5 and 6 are drilled through vertically near their far ends to make holes for the bolts that will fasten down a fencing mask 48 . For added stability, while at the same time endowing the structure with a human-like appearance. Two pipes 15 and 115 as shown in
The description below is illustrated and captured in
One “arm” (illustrated in
The other arm is the sequence of an elbow 7, a pipe 42, an adjustable cross 17, and another pipe 42 connected to each other in that order. The pipes 42 are covered with foam rollers with armor leather 16 on top (illustrated in
The dynamic range control and motion dynamics control complete the assembly of the Fencing Trainer. They consist of interacting elements, some of which are attached to the Torso assembly, while the rest of the parts are mounted onto the main frame.
The Motion Dynamics Control
The description below is illustrated in
A fourth side outlet cross 8 is mounted on the roller 24 directly below the second side outlet cross 8 from the top, and a rectangular plate 30 is attached to the back of it. A hinged plate 31 is attached to the rectangular plate 30 along the top so that it swings up and down. It is extended on the top with an L-clip 32, bending back so that when the moving part of the hinged plate is oriented horizontally, the end of the L-clip points down. A shouldered bolt 33, which is set in the hole near the top corner of the clip 32, extends outwards as an axle for a freely turning pulley wheel, which is kept in place with a teflon spacer 43. The midpoints of the rectangular plate 30 and the corresponding side of the L-clip 32 are connected with a high tension spring attachment 35. Below, the low points of the two plates are similarly tied together with a secondary low tension spring attachment 36. The attachments are secured with an 1-bolt 37 on one side so that the tension of the springs can be adjusted with the tightening nuts. For additional illustration describing the functions specified in the paragraph below refer to
The “arm” of the Fencing Trainer Machine can rotate at its three “joints”. This allows the user to move and adjust the “arm” in many different ways. Because of this, the Fencing Trainer can form both basic and intricate fencing positions.
In the above text numbers provided or specified in parenthesis refer and identify part numbers illustrated on the attached drawings labeled
It is planned to upgrade the Fencing Trainer Machine from a purely mechanical device to an electromechanical training system. By incorporating an electric/electromagnet motor, the Fencing Trainer's movements will be controlled through a programmable electronic device. This is illustrated in
It is further planned to change design of Adjustable Elbow by integrating Twist-Lok and Push-in locks to make hand position adjustments easier. Current Adjustable Elbow design uses pipe locking hex screws to lock the pipe inside adjustable elbow fitting. This is illustrated in
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of ultrasonic treatment system configurations and surgical processing procedures differing from the types described above. reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
List of Reference Characters
- 1. Main post steel pipe
- 2. Central support steel pipe
- 3. Thigh & calf steel pipe
- 4. Lower & upper bridge steel pipe
- 5. Mask fitter extension steel pipe
- 6. Three socket T-Slip (plastic fitting)
- 7. Elbow (Diamond Aluminum Fitting)
- 8. Side Outlet Cross (Diamond Aluminum Fitting)
- 9. Aluminum/steel plug with ¼″ center hole
- 10. Cross to elbow connector steel pipe
- 11. TEE fitting aluminum
- 12. Adjustable Side Outlet TEE
- 13. Base flange aluminum/steel
- 14. Adjustable flange
- 15. Central post to leg connector steel pipe
- 16. Foam rollers protected by armor leather
- 17. Adjustable cross
- 18. Plastic plug
- 19. Compression spring bumper
- 20. Movement control base
- 21. Movement controlling rail
- 22. Wall flange
- 23. Connector pipe
- 24. Steel ball bearings roller with ¼″ shaft
- 25. Plastic “rib” pipe
- 26. Plastic “front rib” pipe
- 27. Plastic caps
- 28. Fastening hardware set (bolts, nuts, washers).
- 29. Polycarbonate shield shaped
- 30. Flat metal plate
- 31. Hinged plate
- 32. L-clip
- 33. Bolt
- 34. Wheel with grooved edge
- 35. High tension main spring
- 36. Low tension secondary spring
- 37. Spring tension adjustment assembly
- 38. Spring fastener pivot
- 39. Plate fastening bolt
- 40. Fastening bolts
- 41. Adjustable elbow (KEE Lite pipe fitting). This part can be replaced by part 17
- 42. Arm & forearm steel pipe
- 43. Spacer post
- 44. “Shoulder” steel pipe
- 45. Velero Strips
- 46. Bumper plate
- 47. Swivel Tee
- 48. Fencing mask
- 49. Base Board (plywood or plastic)
- 50. Bumper Support Pipe
- 51. Foam sheet
- 52. Armor leather
- 53. Fencing weapon
- 54. Foam roller Adjustable cross with % inch hole. This is the same part as 17 with drilled hole.
Claims
1. A training apparatus for fencing comprising
- a pedestal; and
- an upper torso assembly rotatably mounted on the pedestal around a vertical rotation axis;
- a spring connection between the pedestal and the upper torso assembly;
- a spring resistance for limiting the rotation angle.
2. The training apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising
- a bottom plate for setting the pedestal;
- a central post attached to the bottom plate and forming the vertical rotation axis;
- a main post attached to the bottom plate for supporting the central post;
- two arms attached to the upper torso assembly for providing a counter part for the training fencer.
3. The training apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising
- a flat metal plate attached to a side of the upper torso assembly;
- a hinged plate is hinged to the flat metal plate;
- a high tension main spring attached to the flat metal plate and to the hinged plate for limiting the elongation of the hinged plate;
- a movement controlling rail attached to the pedestal and a wheel with grooved edge for engaging the movement of the movement controlling rail.
4. The training apparatus according to claim I further comprising
- a compression spring bumper attached to the torso.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 16, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2014
Inventor: FRANK LEWICKI (OAKLAND, NJ)
Application Number: 14/055,564
International Classification: A63B 69/02 (20060101);