UNDERWATER STRIKING BAG DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

An underwater striking bag device has an underwater striking bag which is at least slightly buoyant and having a connector thereon, and a base which of a weight sufficient to overcome buoyancy and a retaining member for interconnecting to a user to limit travel of its position when the bag is struck by a user thereby providing a unique multi-action fitness striking device. A method of using the bag device is provided.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/004,927 filed Jan. 23, 2016 and claims the benefit thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to underwater exercise. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an underwater striking bag device and method of using the same.

Prior Art

It is common knowledge that water therapy is beneficial for conditioning and strengthening muscles. There are numerous devices on the market for exercising in swimming pools. Most of them are weights or fins which are held in the hand or placed over the hands, and then water resistance provides the exerciser additional resistance for conditioning. There are many types of exercising equipment available in today's market place. Most of the exercise devices, however, only work one area of a user's body. They either work the lower area, which would be the legs or the upper area, which would be the chest and arms. Water exercise such as water hoops, water volleyball, underwater rugby, underwater soccer are typically games played with multiple parties and while helpful in providing some exercise, they are not directed at providing a true workout for the player. One prior underwater ball used a hollow cavity PVC material for holding both water and air pressure without rupturing. The cavity is partially filled with water volume and air pressure to provide a neutral buoyant and pneumatic underwater play ball that can naturally glide under water in a straight line and repeatedly rebound on impact to its original position by itself when passed and bounced underwater for amusement and limited use in exercise. Other types of balls use only slightly negative buoyancy, their movement under water is limited to rolling on the pool bottom. Other underwater non buoyant balls cannot rebound on impact to their original position naturally by their self when passed, kicked or bounced.

Punching (heavy bags, speed bags, double-ended, and uppercut) and kicking bags are commonly floor based, and their stability is based on the weight or framework holding the device to ceiling or support surface. In such systems, the devices are heavy and difficult to move around. In addition, hitting a conventional bag at full force may cause injury to hands, feet and muscles and protective apparel (e.g., gloves) are recommended. These traditional exercise devices offer an excellent cardiovascular workout, but the exerciser does not feel resistance against the swing of their arm or leg until impact is made with the bag since air resistance is negligibly felt by the exerciser.

Today, there is a need to have the most efficient exercise which poses minimal risk of injury to the person exercising. It would be desirable to have a system that can be used in a swimming pool that provides a low impact upper and lower body workout with less chance of injury or re-injury. Furthermore, it would be desirable that the device is compact, easily assembled and transportable. Still further, it would be desirable to have an exercise device that could be used for group exercise and fitness programs. It was not known in the prior art to combine these exercises on one device to yield the optimal exercise device. The invention is an improvement in the field of exercising and overcomes some of the deficiencies with prior water fitness devices. The device also increases the exerciser's coordination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to provide a method of exercising.

Another object of the invention is to provide an underwater exercise bag device.

Still another object is to provide a method of exercising using an underwater punching/kicking bag or device for physical fitness.

Still it is the object of this invention to provide a simple exercising device that gives a total body exercise (i.e. using both the arms and legs.)

It is another object of this invention to provide an inexpensive exercise device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a light-weight easily transportable exercise device.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exercise device that can be used by persons of any size who are capable of standing in a pool.

A still further object of this invention is drawn to a method of achieving total body fitness workout by using the exercise device according to this invention.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an underwater punching bag device and method of exercising using the same. This invention combines an underwater exercise bag which is at least slightly buoyant, having a connector thereon, a retaining member which can preferably be height adjustable interconnecting the connector and a base, which can be a weight sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the bag and maintain its position when the bag is struck by the user thereby providing a unique multi-action fitness exercise device. Optionally, the height adjustability can be controlled by the amount of air added to the bag. As air is added, the bag becomes more buoyant; when one removes air from the bag, the bag will sink based on the amount of air remaining in the bag and the size of the weight attached to the retaining member.

Another aspect of the invention is a method using the same. The method includes providing an underwater exercise bag in a pool, by attaching a first end of a retaining member to the underwater exercise bag and a second adjacent to the bottom of a pool in a manner to retain the second end in a relatively fixed position, thereby retaining the underwater exercise bag at least partially submerged below a surface of water, and striking the underwater exercise bag with part of one's body. In another embodiment, the second member can be attached below the bag and serves as a counter balance, so when the bag is struck it stays in an upright position.

The exercise bag of the invention will rebound when it is struck against the wall of a pool. When it is stuck in open water, it moves forward and away from the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is yet another illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, the underwater punching bag device of the present invention is represented generally by the numerals 10 and 100. The underwater punching bag device 10, 100 includes a bag 12, 120 that is at least slightly buoyant, having an exterior surface which includes a flexible water impermeable material, such as plastic, having a reclosable open surface 14, 140 such as a threaded open neck 190 (e.g., large port for filling said bag with water) and complementary threaded cap 230 thereon to permit partial filling of the bag 12, 120 with water in lower area or compartment 130. Also, an air valve 210 can be provided to provide for partial filling of the bag 12, 120 with air into an upper area or compartment 150. The air valve 210 can be separate or included as part of the cap 230. The bag 12, 120 can be soft flexible rubber/neoprene material, for example, and can be a cylindrical container capable to holding a combination of air and water to make it buoyant. The bag 12, 120 is soft enough to punch based on the amount of air pressure in upper area 150, that is exerted on the inside wall of bag 12, 120. Less air makes the bag 12, 120 more flexible and lessens the impact of a punch or kick or without the need to use protective gloves. In its simplest form, the inventor contemplates that there may be only one or more than one reclosable open surface, one which provides for filling with water, or weighted material such as sand, into lower area 130 within the bag 12, 120 and filling through the upper area 150 with air.

One or more connector 16, 160 such as a loop thereon can be provided on the bag 12, 120. It is to be noted that the lower area or compartment 130 can be integrally or separately connected to the upper area or compartment 150 by various means. An additional weighted member 24, 240 such as a 5 pound weight, along with 5-6 gallons of water in the lower area or compartment 130 of bag 12, 120, can be provided. By varying the amount of air (increasing/decreasing air pressure) in area/compartment 150, this will keep the bag 12, 120 rigid and buoyant or flaccid and submersible.

By way of example, a retaining line or connector 18, 180 can be provided to interconnect the weighted member 24, 240 and bag 12, 120. The retaining line or connector 18, 180 can be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid connected to a clamp 26, 260. In the case of flexible, it might be a line, cord or waterproof rope, whereas in the case of semi rigid or rigid it can be a plastic or metal material of suitable configuration for example.

The bag 12, 120 is height adjustable. Height of the bag 12, 120 can be adjusted based on the amount of air in the upper area or compartment 150 of bag 12, 120 and/or the weight of base 24, 240. As air is added/removed, the bag 12, 120 maintains its equilibrium with the surrounding water and keeps the bag 12, 120 suspended underwater, making it easy to strike or kick. To increase buoyancy, a slight amount of air can be added, e.g., by blowing, into the bag 12, 120. The base 24, 240 can preferably be a padded weight such as sand or metal surrounded by impact resistant foam padding. An end 20, 200 of connector 18, 180 connects to the clamp 26, 260 (or other mounting point). A second end 22, 220 connects to a base 24, 240. The base 24, 240 can be a weight sufficient to provide a lower center of gravity, thus keeping the bag 12, 120 in upright position and limit its tilt when the bag 12, 120 is struck by the user thereby providing a unique multi-action fitness exercise device.

The base 24, 240 in the case of using a flexible line or cord 18, 180 can include clamp 26, 260 such as a cam cleat device, for example which accepts second end 22, 220 therethrough and therefore retain the retaining member 18, 180 in an adjustable manner. It is also contemplated that in the case of a rigid or semi-rigid retaining member 18, 180 such member 18, 180 could be telescoping with in intermediate twist locking mechanism to permit height adjustability.

Once assembled and the bag 12, 120 is filled as described above, and disposed at a level beneath the water surface W at a desired level, the underwater punching bag device 10, 100 is ready for use. The user may strike the bag 12, 120 with an appendage, such as hands and legs. Meanwhile, the user is fighting the resistant forces of water on moving body parts as well as moving the bag 12, 120. It is noted that the buoyancy can be changed by the amount of water and air in the bag 12, 120 and thus affect the ease of movement of the bag 12, 120 through the water after it is struck. Persons of various sizes may use the device 10, 100.

The present invention is an underwater punching bag device 10, 100 and method of using the same that allows an exerciser a low impact boxing or limited MMA workouts, for example, through the use of water resistance. The air/water/weight combination provides buoyancy and stability to the bag 12, 120 as it is punched. The exerciser strikes the bag 12, 120 by punching or kicking the bag through the water. By striking the bag 12, 120 through water, water resistance slows the impact, allowing the exerciser to throw punches and kicks with less stress on muscles thereby minimizing injury and allowing improved conditioning of the upper and lower body.

A cord 18, 180 can be used and attached to the punching bag 12, 120 for example, and extends to a base weight that sits below the bag 12, 120, either directly connected there beneath or extended to the bottom of a pool or body of water. The cord 18, 180 is adjusted by sliding the cord 18, 180 through clamp 26, 260 which is attached to the weight. Also, by adjusting the amount of air in the bag 12, 120 or the position of the clamp 26, 260 this allows the bag 12, 120 to be height adjusted up and down in the water. The exerciser would place the device in a pool or body of water, fill the punching bag with a combination of air and water to adjust the buoyancy of the bag 12, 120. More air causes the bag to be more buoyant and have more upward force, while less air and combined with the downward force of the base 24, 240 makes the bag less buoyant, causing the bag to be closer in equilibrium with the surrounding water. The exerciser adjusts the amount of air pressure 18, 180 on the weight so the bag 12, 120 is suspended in a position for a workout. The exerciser strikes the bag 12, 120 by punching through the water to hit the bag 12, 120. The exerciser may also step around the ball and strike the ball from different directions, much like a boxer would move around a boxing ring. The present invention may also have one or more of the following examples of exercising techniques. The techniques can be provided in any form, such as printed on side of bag 12, 120.

An optional ankle/wrist strap 28, 280 (retainer member) attached to connector 16, 160 or to the base 24, 240 can be provided to prevent the base 24, 240 from shifting during a workout. The ankle/wrist strap 28, 280 could also allow additional resistance exercises by allowing the exerciser to pull the bag 12, 120 back into position after the bag 12, 120 is struck, providing pulling resistance as well as pushing resistance. The pulling resistance would be beneficial for general exercise and for physical rehabilitation as prescribed. Alternatively, a kicking bag similar to the punching bag 12, 120 is also contemplated by the present invention. A pair of eye goggles 30 is recommended, but optional, to prevent water from splashing in the user's eyes.

The strap 28, 280 aid in preventing the bag 12, 120 from slipping/drifting after it is struck. When so connected, the strap 28, 280 aids to retain the bag 12, 120 within a range of limited movement relative to user's appendage. The strap 28, 280 can be attached to the wrist to allow arm resistance pulling exercises. As the exerciser strikes the bag 12, 120, the bag 12, 120 drifts away, then the exerciser pulls the bag 12, 120 back into position so it can be struck again, allowing a rhythmic punch/pull exercise. This strap 28, 280 can be attached to the ankle for similar exercise. To prevent the bag 12, 120 from moving too far after each strike, such as a punch, an ankle strap may be employed to the exerciser's ankles to allow the base 24, 240 position to be controlled by the exerciser. As a strike is delivered, the base 24, 240 may shift slightly on a floor of the pool, so use of ankle strap 28, 280 will allow the user to stabilize the forward movement of the base 24, 240 for extended workouts. Ankle/wrist strap 28, 280 would also be recommended in the case of multiple persons attempting to conduct a group fitness course of exercise in the pool where space is limited. Another application of the invention could be for physical rehabilitation. The bag 12, 120 can preferably have several basic striking techniques written on the side of the bag 12, 120, such as jab, hook, cross, kick, etc. Eye protection 30 is recommended to prevent water from splashing in the eyes of the user. A handle 320 can also be provided as part of the back 12, 120.

The present invention is unique due to the way the device offers a different method of exercise than conventional punching bags or water therapy devices. The present invention device provides a new form of exercise that can be deployed in nearly any swimming pool or body of water and it provides a unique form of low impact exercise. It is easy to setup and move. It can be used by adults and children. The device 10, 100 can be used for exercise or rehabilitation.

Although the foregoing description is specific, it should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example of the preferred embodiment. Many variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, different attachment methods, fasteners, materials, dimensions, etc. can be used unless specifically indicated otherwise. The relative positions of the elements can vary, and the shapes of elements can vary. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.

Claims

1. An underwater striking bag device, which includes:

an underwater striking bag having a side striking surface, a weighted lower end, and at least a first part of an upper end of said underwater striking bag inflated with air and a second part of said underwater striking bag below said first part filled with water such that said underwater striking bag is configured to be substantially submerged below a surface of water and at least slightly buoyant wherein said side striking surface remains upright by virtue of said weighted lower end and said inflated upper end, said underwater striking bag having a connector thereon; and

a retaining member having a first end connected to said connector of said underwater striking bag and a second end configured for removable connection to a user's appendage to retain said underwater striking bag within a range of limited movement relative to said appendage of said user.

2. The underwater striking bag device of claim 1, wherein said bag is height adjustable by one of inflation and a retaining line.

3. The underwater striking bag device of claim 1, wherein said retaining member is flexible.

4. The underwater striking bag device of claim 1, wherein said weighted lower end includes a connector connected to a weighted member.

5. The underwater striking bag device of claim 1, wherein said bag includes a first large port for filling said bag with water and a second smaller valve for inflating said bag with air.

6. The underwater striking bag device of claim 5, wherein said port and said valve are manually openable and closable.

7. A method of striking, which includes the steps of:

providing an underwater striking bag into a body of water, said underwater striking bag having a connector thereon, and said underwater striking bag having a side striking surface, a weighted lower end and a first part of an upper end inflated with air and a second part below said first part filled with water, said underwater striking bag substantially submerged below a surface of water and wherein said side striking surface remains upright by virtue of said weighted lower end and said inflated upper end;

connecting a first end of a retaining member to said connector of said underwater striking bag and a second end configured for removable connection to one's appendage, and

connecting said second end to one's appendage to retain said underwater striking bag within a range of limited movement; and

striking the underwater striking bag.