STRIKING TRAINING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A striking training device comprising a base; an adjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis; a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member; a flexing member spaced along the elongate member between a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexing member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to exercise devices, and, in particular, to striking bags, especially those used for boxing or fighting training.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention involves a striking training device comprising a base; an adjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis; a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member; a flexing member spaced along the elongate member between a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexing member.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the adjustable length elongate member comprises a first tube and a second tube telescopingly engaged with each other to adjust a length of the elongate member; a locking mechanism to lock the first tube and a second tube relative to each other to a desired height relative to the base; the flexing member comprises a helical spring having a spring axis that is coincident with the vertical axis when the striking bag is not in use; the elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes the punching bag and the flexing member; the flexing member is located in at least the top ⅖ of the striking training device; the flexing member is located in at least the top ⅗ of the striking training device; the flexing member is located in at least the top ⅓ of the striking training device; a plurality of gussets coupling the adjustable length elongate member to the base; the punching bag includes a frustoconical lower section and the striking device further includes a cone connector that receives the frustoconical lower section in the punching bag and couples the punching bag to the elongate member; the flexing member is a helical compression spring with opposite ends, and the striking training device further includes bushing supports press fitted into the opposite ends of the helical compression spring, the adjustable length elongate member including tube sections that are coupled to the helical compression spring through the bushing supports; the ends of the helical compression spring have an inner diameter, and the bushing supports have an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the ends of the helical compression spring; and/or the punching bag includes a frustoconical lower section and the striking training device includes a bolt, one or more washers, a cone connector, and a nut to couple frustoconical lower section of the punching bag to the adjustable length elongate member.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using the striking training device of the aspect of the invention described above, wherein the elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes the punching bag and the flexing member, comprising: receiving a strike with the punching bag with the upper portion in a vertical orientation; the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 30 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: receiving a strike with the punching bag includes receiving an uppercut punch with the punching bag; the elongate member flexing at the flexing member includes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary; receiving a strike with the punching bag includes receiving at least one of a jab punch and a cross punch with the punching bag; the elongate member flexing at the flexing member includes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary; receiving a hook punch with the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upper portion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary; and/or receiving a hook punch with the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upper portion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downward at least 60 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a striking training device;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the striking training device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a striking training device;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a flexing member and elongate member section of the striking training device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a section of the striking device where a frustoconical lower section is coupled to a second end of a third pipe;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the striking training device and shows an upper portion of the striking training device responding to an uppercut punch by a user;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the striking training device and shows the upper portion of the striking training device responding to a jab and cross punch by a user; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the striking training device and shows the upper portion of the striking training device responding to a hook punch by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of a striking training device 100 will be described.

The striking training device 100 includes a base 110 formed by a steel base plate 120. The base plate 120 includes holes 130 in corners 140 for securing the base 110 to a floor. Alternatively, a weight (e.g., donut-shaped sand-filled weight) may lie on top of the base 110 to secure the base 110 onto a floor. The base plate 120 includes a central hole 150.

A first end or lower end 160 of a steel first pipe/pole/tube 170 is received in the central hole 150 of the base plate 120 to support the first pole 170. Steel gussets 175 may be welded to the first pipe 170, near the first end 160 to secure the first end 160 to the base plate 120. A second end 180 of the first pipe 170 includes a threaded hole 190 in periphery 200. A locking device 205 including a knob 210 with threaded member 220, a washer 230, and a nut 240 is provided. The threaded member 220 extends through the washer 230, the nut 240, and the threaded hole 190.

A second steel pipe/pole/tube 250 includes a first end 260 that is telescopingly received in the second end 180 of the first pipe 170 and a second end 270. The knob 210 may be tightened in order to secure the position of the second pipe 250 relative to and within the first pipe 170 or untightened/loosened to allow the second pipe 250 to move relative to and within the first pipe 170.

A flexing member/helical spring 280 has a spring axis and includes a first end 290 that is secured (e.g., welded) to the second end 270 of the second pipe 260 via a flat washer 300, and a second end 310 that is secured (e.g., welded) to a first end 320 of a steel third pipe/pole/tube 330 via a flat washer 340. The third pipe 330 includes a second end 350. Together, the first pole 170, the second pole 250, the spring 280, and the third pole 330 form an adjustable length elongate member 355 defining a vertical axis VA that is coincident with the spring axis when the striking training device 100 is in the position shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown, the spring 280 includes an outside diameter of 1.93 in., a wire diameter of 0.331 in., works in hole diameter of 2 max, works over rod diameter of 1 min, a free length of 8 in., total coils of 13.99, a spring rate of 352+/−35.2 lbs/in, a solid height of 4.79 in.+5% (no lower limit), load at solid height of 1185.957 lbs, and a squared and ground end type. It is important that the spring has a spring rate that is soft enough to allow the movable upper portion 470 of the striking training device 100 to move in motions described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5, but stiff enough so that movable upper portion 470 of the striking training device 100 rebounds quickly. Accordingly, the spring 280 preferably has the following characteristics:

Outside Diameter (inch):   1.93
Hole Diameter (inch):      2
Rod Diameter (inch):       1
Free Length (inch):        8
Rate (lb/inch):            352
Solid Height (inch):       4.79
Wire Diameter (inch):      0.331
Material:                  Oil Tempered Chrome Silicon
Load at Solid Height (lb): 1185.96
Ends:                      Squared and Ground
Direction of Wind:         Factory Option
Active Coils:              11.99
Total Coils:               13.99

These characteristics of the spring 280 allow the user to get back-and-forth quick movement, high speed reactions from the punching bag 400.

Punching bag 400 includes a frustoconical lower section 410 that is received within a frustoconical/cone connector 420. Bolt 430, washer 440, the cone connector 420, washer 450, and nut 460 are used to couple the frustoconical lower section 410 to the second end 350 of the third pipe 330.

The punching bag 400, aforementioned connectors, third pipe 330, and the spring 280 together form a movable upper portion 470 of the striking training device 100. The flexing member/spring 280 is located no higher than the top ¼ (i.e., no higher than at a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base 110), and, in one embodiment, the flexing member/spring 280 is located in at least the top ½ (i.e., at a point more than ½ up from the bottom of the base 110) of the striking training device 100, in another embodiment, the flexing member/spring 280 is located in at least the top ⅖ (i.e., no lower than at a point ⅗ up from the bottom of the base 110) of the striking training device 100, and in another embodiment, the flexing member/spring 280 is located in at least the top ⅓ of the striking training device 100 (i.e., no lower than at a point ⅔ up from the bottom of the base 110).

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, another embodiment of a striking training device 500 will be described. The striking training device 500 is generally similar to the striking training device 100. The description of the striking training device 100 is incorporated herein.

During assembly of the striking training device 500, a support tube/first pipe 503 is welded to a top surface of mounting plate/base 501 around its entire circumference. Four gussets 502 are added to this assembly placed every 90 degrees around a base of support tube 503. The four gussets 502 reinforce the base of this assembly. Hex nut 506 is welded to one side of support tube 503 for coupling threaded knob 505 and lock washer 504 of locking device to the support tube 503. Bushing supports 516 are made of 1018 carbon steel, which is a low-carbon steel, which is easily weldable, as it contains 0.18% carbon. The mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of 1018 steel determine its suitable applications. The Rockwell hardness of the alloy ranges from 71 to 78. The tensile yield strength varies from 275 to 375 megapascals (MPa). A flexing member in the form of compression spring 508 is made of Oil Tempered Chrome Silicon wire. Chrome Silicon Commercial Quality wire is designed for springs that must withstand considerable shock and extreme heat. Chrome silicon can be used at temperatures up to 50° F. higher than chrome vanadium. As shown in FIG. 2B, two bushing supports 516 are press fit into the spring 508 with 20000 psi. Press fits rely on constant stress and friction. This press fitting of these two bushing supports 516 into the holes at opposite ends of the spring 508 cause these parts to fuse together indefinitely. The outer diameter of bushing supports 516 is greater than the inner diameter of spring 508. This process creates a unique assembly for the striking training device 500. Hex nut 512 is pressed into spring top tube 509 and fully welded. Bottom tube/second pipe 507 and top tube/third pipe 509, hex nut 512 assembly are pressed into the top and bottom of compression spring 508, bushing supports 516 assembly. Bushing supports 516 are welded to top and bottom ends of bottom tube 507 and top tube 509 around the entire circumference of the bushing supports 516. By pressing bushing supports 516 into the top and bottom of the compression spring 508, the chance of fracture at this joint is greatly reduced. All welding types described herein are TIG welding, with Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The compression spring 508 is made of Oil Tempered Chrome Silicon and has the following characteristics:

Outside Diameter (inch):   1.93
Hole Diameter (inch):      2
Rod Diameter (inch):       1
Free Length (inch):        8
Rate (lb/inch):            352
Solid Height (inch):       4.79
Wire Diameter (inch):      0.331
Material:                  Oil Tempered Chrome Silicon
Load at Solid Height (lb): 1185.96
Ends:                      Squared and Ground
Direction of Wind:         Factory Option
Active Coils:              11.99
Total Coils:               13.99

FIGS. 2A, 2C show how bolt 514, washer 511, flat washer 515, cone connector 513, flat washer 515, and hex nut 512 are used to couple frustoconical lower section 520 of punching bag 400 to second end 522 of the third pipe top tube 509.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a variety of different types of strikes/punches will be described with respect to the striking training device 100. This and how the upper portion 470 responds to a variety of different types of strikes/punches will be described in use. At rest, the upper portion 470 of the striking training device 100 is in the configuration/position shown in FIG. 1. When a user strikes/punches the punching bag 400, much of the force imparted to the punching bag 400 is transferred to the rest of the upper portion 470, causing the spring 280 to flex. The greater the force imparted to the side of the punching bag 400, the more the spring 280 flexes. Further, the more the spring 280 flexes in one direction, the spring 280 will likewise flex a commensurate amount upon return of the spring 280 in the opposite direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, one type of strike/punch that may be practiced with the striking training device 100 is the uppercut punch. With the upper cut punch, the upper portion 470 is angled at angle A of at least 45% from vertical. When the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 with an uppercut strike/punch, as shown by the lower arrow, the upper portion 470 moves in the manner/direction shown by the upper arrows to the right-most position, angled at angle B of at least 45% from vertical, and then returning to the left-most position, where the user may punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another uppercut strike/punch from the same arm, another uppercut strike/punch with the opposite arm, another type of strike/punch).

As shown in FIG. 3, one type of strike/punch that may be practiced with the striking training device 100 is the uppercut punch to improve the user's punching/striking angle(s). With the upper cut punch, the upper portion 470 is angled at angle A of at least 45 degrees from vertical. When the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 with an uppercut strike/punch, as shown by the lower arrow, the upper portion 470 moves in the manner/direction shown by the upper arrows to the right-most position, angled at angle B of at least 45 degrees from vertical, and then returning to the left-most position, where the user may punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another uppercut strike/punch from the same arm, another uppercut strike/punch with the opposite arm, another type of strike/punch).

As shown in FIG. 4, another type(s) of strike/punch that may be practiced with the striking training device 100 is/are the jab punch and cross punch. With the jab punch and cross punch, the upper portion 470 is vertical and, then, when the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 with the jab/cross punch, as shown by the left arrow, the upper portion 470 moves in the manner/direction shown by the right arrows to the right-most position, angled at angle C of at least 45 degrees from vertical in one embodiment, at least 30 degrees from vertical in another embodiment, and then returning to the vertical position, where the user may punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another jab/cross punch from the same arm, another jab/cross punch with the opposite arm, another type of strike/punch). Because of the spring constant of the spring 280, the user can get high speed reactions from the punching bag 400, with jabs and cross punches, allowing user to develop fast reactions.

As shown in FIG. 5, another type(s) of strike/punch that may be practiced with the striking training device 100 is the hook punch. With the hook punch, the upper portion 470 is at an angle D of at least 45 degrees from vertical in one embodiment, at least 60 degrees from vertical in another embodiment, then, when the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 with the hook punch, as shown by the bottom arrow directed to the left, the upper portion 470 moves, from a top plan view of the striking training device 100, in a counter-clockwise manner/direction, about vertical axis VA formed by the poles 170, 250, 330, shown by the top arrows directed to the right, angled at angle E of at least 45 degrees from vertical in one embodiment, at least 60 degrees from vertical in another embodiment, and then returning towards the user, where the user may punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another hook punch with the opposite arm, another type of strike/punch). Thus, a hook punch creates side-to-side movements with the upper portion 470.

Unlike other punching bags of the past, where a spring is at the bottom or top of the device, limiting bag movements, the striking training device 100 allows a number of different punches to be used.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

Claims

1. A striking training device, comprising:

a base;

an adjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis;

a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member;

a flexing member spaced along the elongate member no lower than a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and no higher than a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base, and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexing member.

2. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable length elongate member comprises a first tube and a second tube telescopingly engaged with each other to adjust a length of the elongate member.

3. The striking training device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the first tube and a second tube relative to each other to a desired height relative to the base.

4. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein the flexing member comprises a helical spring having a spring axis that is coincident with the vertical axis when the striking bag is not in use.

5. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes the punching bag and the flexing member.

6. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexing member is located no lower than the top ⅖ of the striking training device.

7. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexing member is located no lower than the top ⅗ of the striking training device.

8. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexing member is located no lower than the top ⅓ of the striking training device.

9. The striking training device of claim 1, further including a plurality of gussets coupling the adjustable length elongate member to the base.

10. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein the punching bag includes a frustoconical lower section and the striking device further includes a cone connector that receives the frustoconical lower section in the punching bag and couples the punching bag to the elongate member.

11. A striking training device, comprising:

a base;

an adjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis;

a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member;

a flexing member spaced along the elongate member a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base, and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexing member,

wherein the flexing member is a helical compression spring with opposite ends, and the striking training device further includes bushing supports press fitted into the opposite ends of the helical compression spring, the adjustable length elongate member including tube sections that are coupled to the helical compression spring through the bushing supports.

12. The striking training device of claim 11, wherein the ends of the helical compression spring have an inner diameter, and the bushing supports have an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the ends of the helical compression spring.

13. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein the punching bag includes a frustoconical lower section and the striking training device includes a bolt, one or more washers, a cone connector, and a nut to couple frustoconical lower section of the punching bag to the adjustable length elongate member.

14. A method of using the striking training device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes the punching bag and the flexing member, comprising:

receiving a strike with the punching bag with the upper portion in a vertical orientation;

the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 30 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving a strike with the punching bag includes receiving an uppercut punch with the punching bag.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the elongate member flexing at the flexing member includes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving a strike with the punching bag includes receiving at least one of a jab punch and a cross punch with the punching bag.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the elongate member flexing at the flexing member includes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

19. The method of claim 14, further including receiving a hook punch with the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upper portion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

20. The method of claim 14, further including receiving a hook punch with the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upper portion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downward at least 60 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.