MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS KIT
The present subject matter relates to a martial arts weapons kit that includes two or more stick segments and one or more connectors configured for connecting the two or more stick segments together into one of a variety of martial arts weapons configurations.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/060,389, filed Aug. 3, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe presently disclosed subject matter relates to martial arts weapons kits and to methods for making and using the same.
BACKGROUNDMartial arts students and teachers often have gear bags that are heavy and bulky, making transport difficult. Students and/or teachers might have to leave a gear bag in a car, where the bag could be stolen if the car is broken into and/or where the contents of the bag could be damaged from conditions in the car, such as the heat of summer. Also, children taking martial arts training and instruction can particularly struggle with heavy gear bags. Thus, there is a need in the art for configurable martials arts gear that can provide for a range of weapons yet be more easily transportable.
SUMMARYIn accordance with this disclosure, martial arts weapons kits and to methods for making and using the same are provided. In one aspect, a martial arts weapons kit is provided. In some embodiments, the kit includes two or more stick segments and one or more connectors that are configured for connecting the two or more stick segments and attachments together into one of a variety of martial arts weapons configurations.
In another aspect, a method for assembling a martial arts weapon is provided in which two or more stick segments are connected together using one or more connectors. Particularly, the two or more stick segments and attachments are connected into one of a variety of martial arts weapons configurations.
Although some of the aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein have been stated hereinabove, and which are achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other aspects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.
The features and advantages of the present subject matter will be more readily understood from the following detailed description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are given merely by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, and in which:
The presently disclosed subject matter addresses the need for martial arts equipment that is easier to transport. Referring to
Regardless of the particular form of stick segments 110, in some embodiments, the connectors 120 can couple together multiple stick segments 110 in linear arrangements such that the stick segments 110 can be reassembled into various staff configurations. Specifically, for example, six foot-long stick segments 110 can be assembled into two-foot escrima sticks, three-foot staffs, a four-foot staff, a five-foot staff, or a six-foot staff. In some embodiments, the connectors 120 are formed from metal or carbon fiber to provide strong, substantially rigid connections between segments, although those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the connectors 120 can be composed of any of a variety of other materials. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the kit 100 can further include one or more end segments 130 to which the stick segments 110 can be coupled together using the connectors 120 which are each particularly configured to create specialty martial arts equipment, including but not limited to nunchakus, kama, tonfa, and/or a 3-section staff.
To achieve this selective coupling of the components, the stick segments 110 and the end segments 130 are configured to matingly couple together using the connectors 120. Referring to
Correspondingly, one or both ends of each of the connectors 120 includes a second coupling element 123. As shown in
With continuing reference to the configuration shown in
In some embodiments, the first coupling element 113 and the second coupling element 123 are correspondingly sized so that a press fit can be achieved that securely holds the coupling elements together. Further, in some embodiments, a spring is provided in the bottom of the cavity of the first coupling element 113 to help prevent dislodgement of the connector 120.
Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, for example, each of the connectors 120 comprise bayonet quick connect couplings similar to those used in hydraulic or electrical applications that securely lock together with a simple push and twist motion. Referring to
By way of example and not limitation, where the first coupling element 113 is a female connector installed in each end 112 of a stick segment 110 so that there is nothing protruding beyond the end of the stick segment 110, and the connector 120 is a single piece of metal that has two back-to-back second coupling elements 123 serving as male ends, one end of the connector 120 is inserted into a first coupling element 113 of a stick segment 110 and twisted to lock it into place. Then, another stick segment 110 is fitted over the other exposed end of the connector 120 and likewise twisted to lock it into place. This coupling process creates a 2-unit stick. Additional stick elements 110 can be added in a similar fashion to create successively longer staffs. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the connection is sufficiently precise such that the stick segments 110 butt flush against each other to form a near seamless connection, and the coupling is sufficiently strong to handle impact. In some embodiments, for example, the connector 120 is configured to engage the first coupling element 113 with a sufficient retaining force to withstand both clockwise and counterclockwise torques at the connection and force upon impact with a target so that the elements do not decouple or cause the first coupling element 113 to separate from the stick segments 110. Furthermore, the connectors 120 are composed of a material selected to withstand damage during such impacts.
In some embodiments, each of the stick segments 110 can be identical, with both ends 112 of each of the stick segments 110 including a first coupling element 113. In this configuration, as shown in
In addition to creating staffs of varying lengths, the kit 100 can include further components to assemble a wide variety of other specialty martial arts equipment. In this regard, in some embodiments, the kit 100 further includes one or more end segments 130 to which the stick segments 110 can be coupled together using the connectors 120. Each of end segments 130 is particularly designed to serve as the head of a martial arts weapons that can be attached to one or more of stick segments 110 to have an appropriate length. Referring to
Referring to
In some situations, it is desirable for martial arts equipment to be padded with foam or another appropriately impact-absorbing material to allow users to more safely spar with one another. In this regard, as shown in
In any configuration, the combination of elements of the kit 100 according to the present patent application provides the ability to assemble over 20 combinations of martial arts weapons from easy-to-connect components. This kit 100 reduces the weight and cumbersome nature of current martial arts weapons. In some examples, whereas a combined weight of a common group of martial arts weapons can be about 20 pounds, the components of the kit 100 can provide equivalent functionality using elements that weight only about 5 pounds.
In addition, most martial artists desire to carry their sparring gear to and from class. Since the various martial arts pieces are all assembled from selected combinations of short components, the entire set of components can be easily transported in a compact container to allow for such personal carry. For example, in some embodiments, the kit 100 can be stored in a briefcase with foam cutouts to store the parts, in a saddle bag or backpack that further has pockets for hand pads, foot pads, shin guards, forearm guards, a helmet, a chest protector, a mouth guard, and/or protective cup, or in a case in the form of a shield, such as a traditional Okinawa tinbe. This “shield” embodiment can further comprise a back plate to allow the pieces to secured inside and locked in travel, and/or the arm straps for the shield can be converted into a backpack for easy transport.
It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosed subject matter may be changed without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.
Claims
1. A martial arts weapons kit comprising:
- two or more stick segments; and
- one or more connectors configured for connecting the two or more stick segments together into one of a variety of martial arts weapons configurations.
2. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 1, wherein the one or more connectors comprises at least one connector configured for coupling to each end of each of the two or more stick segments.
3. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 1, wherein at least one end of each of the two or more stick segments comprises a first coupling element; and
- wherein the one or more connectors comprise one or more second coupling element configured to matingly engage the first coupling element.
4. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 3, wherein the first coupling element comprises a substantially cylindrical cavity and each of the one or more second coupling element comprises a substantially cylindrical plug that is sized and shaped to be received within the substantially cylindrical cavity.
5. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 3, wherein first coupling element is installed into an end of a respective one of the two or more stick segments such that the first coupling element does not protrude beyond the end of the respective one of the two or more stick segments.
6. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 3, where in the first coupling element and each of the one or more second coupling element are configured to be twisted with respect to one another to lock the two or more stick segments in place.
7. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 1, comprising one or more sleeves configured to cover one or more of the two or more stick segments.
8. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 1, comprising one or more end caps configured to be attached over an end of one or more of the two or more stick segments.
9. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 1, comprising one or more end segments comprising a third coupling element configured for attachment to the two or more stick segments using the one or more connectors.
10. The martial arts weapons kit of claim 9, wherein the one or more end segments comprises one or more Okinawa weapon attachments selected from the group consisting of nunchakus, kama, eku, and tonfa.
11. A method of assembling a martial arts weapon, the method comprising:
- connecting two or more stick segments together using one or more connectors;
- wherein the two or more stick segments are connected into one of a variety of martial arts weapons configurations.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting two or more stick segments together using one or more connectors comprises:
- installing a first coupling element in an end of each of the two or more stick segments;
- matingly engaging a first end of one of the one or more connectors with the first coupling element of a first of the two or more stick segments; and
- matingly engaging a second end of the one of the one or more connectors with the first coupling element of a second of the two or more stick segments.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first coupling element comprises a substantially cylindrical cavity and each of the first end and the second end of the one or more connectors comprises a second coupling element including a substantially cylindrical plug that is sized and shaped to be received within the substantially cylindrical cavity.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the end of the first of the two or more stick segments is arranged substantially flush against the end of the second of the two or more stick segments.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting two or more stick segments together using one or more connectors comprises twisting the two or more stick segments with respect to the one or more connectors to lock the two or more stick segments in place.
16. The method of claim 11, comprising covering one or more of the two or more stick segments using one or more sleeves.
17. The method of claim 11, comprising attaching one or more end caps over an end of one or more of the two or more stick segments.
18. The method of claim 11, comprising attaching one or more end segments to the two or more stick segments using the one or more connectors.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more end segments comprises one or more Okinawa weapon attachments selected from the group consisting of nunchakus, kama, eku, and tonfa
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 3, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2022
Inventor: Douglas Scott Thomas (Goldsboro, NC)
Application Number: 17/393,040