U.S. patent application number 12/299037 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for training or exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Daniel Joseph Brendan Reen.
Application Number | 20090264264 12/299037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36637419 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090264264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reen; Daniel Joseph
Brendan |
October 22, 2009 |
TRAINING OR EXERCISE APPARATUS
Abstract
An Invention for martial arts and boxing training but it can be
used for many other sports as well. It addresses the problem of how
to train using a multiple of suspended targets (6), without these
targets getting entangled with each other, and without cumbersome
devices to keep the suspension points or arms apart. Here in this
portable device all this has been avoided by running suspending
elastic through a light flexible, thick walled, narrow bored tube
(5). The tube is in separate pieces. The tube allows the elastic to
retain all its characteristics. There is a different arrangement at
the top end of the cord than at the bottom to enable
disentanglement to occur. The targets can move continually around
each other or around a suspended punch bag. Dynamic chaotic
movement occurs on all planes without obstructive entanglement
occurring.
Inventors: |
Reen; Daniel Joseph Brendan;
(Middlesex, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOUIS VENTRE, JR
2483 OAKTON HILLS DRIVE
OAKTON
VA
22124-1530
US
|
Family ID: |
36637419 |
Appl. No.: |
12/299037 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
April 16, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB07/01396 |
371 Date: |
October 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/205 20130101;
A63B 69/20 20130101; A63B 69/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/86 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2006 |
GB |
0609481.7 |
Apr 16, 2007 |
GB |
0707213.5 |
Claims
1-58. (canceled)
59. An apparatus for training or exercise comprising: (a)
suspension means; (b) target members configured to be suspended by
the suspension means such that the target members can move around
one another upon a target member being contacted by a person; and,
(c) inhibiting means configured to inhibit tangling of the target
members on the suspension means upon a target member being
contacted by a person.
60. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a punch object
having a top and bottom and wherein the suspension means are
adapted for connection to, or above, the top of the punch
object.
61. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising anchor means to
effect the connection.
62. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the anchor means is selected
from a group consisting of loop means, hook means, and a
collar.
63. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the target members are remote
from the anchor means.
64. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the anchor means are adapted
to be detachably anchored to the suspension means.
65. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the suspension means comprise
a cord and the inhibiting means comprise a sleeve on a core of
comprising the cord, wherein the cord extends through the sleeve
and is configured to attach to the anchor means.
66. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve is selected from a
group consisting of a tube and pipe-wrap.
67. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve has a longitudinal
split.
68. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve is configured with
fastening means.
69. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the cord is overlapped at the
anchor means such that the overlap extends into the sleeve.
70. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the cord comprises a thicker
section at the anchor means such that the thicker section extends
into the sleeve.
71. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the suspension means comprise
a plurality of flexible arms.
72. The apparatus of claim 13 in which each arm independently of
any other flexible arm is adapted to be anchored to, so as to be
detachable from the suspension means.
73. The apparatus of claim 13 in which a target member is mounted
to a flexible arm.
74. The apparatus of claim 13 in which an arm comprises an elastic
cord.
75. The apparatus of claim 1 6 in which the target member is
suspended on the elastic cord.
76. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the inhibiting means
comprises a sleeve and wherein each flexible arm in the plurality
of flexible arms comprises a core member running through one or
more sleeves wherein the core member is selected from a group
consisting of an elastic cord and a chain.
77. An apparatus for training or exercise comprising: (a) a
plurality of tubes; (b) a plurality of cords, each configured to
extend through one or more tubes and the plurality of cords
configured to connect together at a point of suspension; and, (c) a
target member attached to each cord wherein each target member is
configured to be contacted by a person and is constrained to move
around any other target member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a training or exercise apparatus
having particular, but not exclusive, application to martial and
like arts. The term `martial and like arts` is used herein as a
portmanteau term to include what are normally termed martial arts
and also other personal combative arts such as boxing and
wrestling. However, the apparatus may also be applied to training
for sports, or simply exercise, without a combative element or even
without a competitive element.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In boxing and other martial arts, it is usual to practice
with a punchball (usually mounted to the top of a long, fairly
stiff spring on a base standing on the ground) or a punchbag
(usually suspended) or a like object adapted to be punched and
resile, e.g. due to springiness and/or gravity. Particularly with
martial arts, a number of attempts are known to the present
inventor to make these `punch objects` require, teach or induce
more skill. These attempts have been impractical.
THE INVENTION
[0003] One method considered by the present inventor, in order to
improve practicality, is to suspend smaller balls (or other target
members) on flexible arms from the top of the punch object so that
they flail around upon punching the punch object and will have to
be dealt with by the user, e.g. by hitting them, blocking them,
touching them or avoiding them (the meaning of the term "target" as
used herein is intended to include an object which has to be
avoided), which will hone his skills. A simplified aspect of the
invention provides (suspendable) training or exercise apparatus
comprising suspension means and target members to be contacted or
avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the suspension
means such that the target members can move around one another.
However, the (suspension part of the) arms can be so flexible (e.g.
being simply of string or chain) that they become entangled with
one another. Again, the arms may be so stiff that they fail to move
freely enough to exercise adequately the skills of the user, such
that the target members cannot move around one another. The
inventor considers that what is required is training with
surprising rebound and moving targets, preferably without the arms
twisting around each other (becoming entangled).
[0004] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided training or exercise apparatus comprising suspension means
and target members to be contacted or avoided by the body and
adapted to be suspended by the suspension means, the suspension
means being such that the target members can move around one
another, the apparatus comprising inhibiting means to inhibit
tangling of the suspension means for respective target members
during use.
[0005] The apparatus need not be limited to use with a punch object
(it may be suspended on its own) but, in its main application, the
said suspension means will be adapted for connection to, or above,
the top of a (main) punch object, e.g. to be suspended from the
suspension chains of a punchbag, or bands around the top of the
punchbag. The apparatus (e.g. as sold) may include the punch
object. The adaptation for connection may comprise anchor means to
anchor the suspension means to, or above, the top of a punch
object. Thus, the suspension means comprise anchor means to effect
the aforesaid connection. The anchor means may comprise loop means,
hook means, and/or a collar. Preferably, the suspension means
comprise a plurality of flexible arms, which may include part or
all of the anchor means, or, more usually, be adapted to (depend
from or otherwise) be mounted to the anchor means (if separate);
i.e. the arms may comprise all of the anchor means or may be
mounted to part or all of the anchor means. Usually, at least one
said target member will be mounted to each arm. For example, there
may be a plurality of the target members, one after another, in
line, along a said arm. Normally, the target members will be remote
(or away) from the anchor means.
[0006] The anchor means may be adapted to be detachably anchored to
(e.g. they are adapted to be unhooked from) a point of suspension
on a support, e.g. the main chain of a punchbag. Each arm
independently of the other/s may be adapted to be anchored to, so
as to be detachable from (e.g. it is adapted to be unhooked from),
a point of suspension. Preferably, the anchor means have a
ready-release feature for a plurality of the arms so that these can
be readily released individually, e.g. if they have become slightly
entangled they can be unhooked near the top, disentangled, and then
re-anchored individually on the support, whatever it is, that has
been used for the apparatus, in order to cure any entanglement that
might interfere with training.
[0007] Thus, in an embodiment the target member balls will be
captive on the separate arms and able to move around, above and
below each other without their arms having to be disentangled,
except possibly at long intervals. The balls and their arms should
be able to curve around one another, substantially in all
directions, and recoil, and not rapidly entangle. They require a
means to inhibit entanglement.
[0008] The inhibiting means may comprise a suitable stiffening of
the arms to inhibit the entanglement while still allowing the
target members to move around one another.
[0009] According to another aspect of invention, there is provided
a training or exercise apparatus comprising anchor means to anchor
the apparatus to, or above, the top of a punch object, a plurality
of flexible arms (depending from or otherwise) mounted to the
anchor means, at least one target member mounted to each arm
(remote) away from the anchor means, the apparatus having means for
reducing or inhibiting tendency of the arms to entangle with one
another. The apparatus may have particular application to martial
and like arts.
[0010] A said (or each) arm may comprise a chain but preferably
comprises an elastic cord. Preferably, a said (or each) arm
comprises a flexible core member, e.g. said chain or elastic cord,
running through a sleeve of semi-stiff material. Preferably, the
sleeve comprises a relatively thick-walled material (tube) with a
relatively narrow bore to receive said core member. Preferably,
said material is a flexible elastomeric material, preferably
spongy, e.g. a sponge rubber, more particularly a semi-stiff sponge
rubber, e.g. flexible, closed-cell, elastomeric nitrile rubber.
Preferably, each arm comprises a plurality of segments articulated
together. Preferably, the sleeve is broken or interrupted at the,
or each, articulation. The apparatus may be adapted to be suspended
independently of the punch object, or adapted to be suspended from
a supporting suspension of a punch object, and may have target
members of differing weights and/or sizes.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, this is a martial arts, boxing
and similar disciplines training apparatus which hones the aspects
of agility, balance, accuracy, power and speed in all of the skills
of striking, blocking and evading strikes, as well as helping the
user to perfect his techniques. It comprises plastic balls (as
targets) that are suspended from the supporting chains of a
punchbag. The balls are suspended on the ends of elastic cords. The
elastic cords are run through the flexible closed-cell elastomeric
nitrile rubber insulation described above (effectively, sponge
rubber tubes); this prevents the elastic cords from becoming
entangled with each other, while allowing the elastic to retain,
available for use by the user, a lot of its properties, e.g. its
recoil and flexibility. The rubber tubes are not in one piece but
are broken apart at intervals into segments to give more
flexibility (the length of tube for each arm is made up of separate
pieces). A detachable coupling is fitted at the top end of each arm
and each arm is detachably attached separately to the chain of a
punchbag. In one possible scenario, the user may begin by hanging
two balls, one at head height, the other at calf height. Then,
after a period of time (which may be during one practice session or
after several practice sessions, e.g. for warm-up, for practice, or
after becoming experienced), may hang a third at knee height, then
again another at chest height. Thus, new parts can be added to the
apparatus as the users skills improve. The balls can be punched,
kneed and/or kicked by the user, they can also be blocked and
ducked from when they recoil. All moves can be practised in random
combinations. The central punchbag can be utilised at intervals to
hone technique. Eventually, the brain and body are trained to cope
with the fast-changing demands of a martial arts or boxing,
sparring or ring scenario. As many or as few detachable balls as
required can be attached at one time. The length of the cord (arm)
depends on what part of the body the user wants to praise with or
defend, e.g. long for the balls to be in the region of his legs,
short for his head.
[0012] Thus, this embodiment provides a sports etc training or
exercise apparatus that develops co-ordination and trains reflexes,
which can be used by, for example, all sports trainees to develop
reflexes and co-ordination but is especially useful as a martial
arts or boxing training apparatus, which consists of one or more
targets or balls suspended on arms such that entanglement of the
balls or targets does not interfere with training. It can be
suspended on its own or hung on a punchbag. Each ball or target
position relates to a different part of the body.
[0013] A familiar example of said flexible dosed-cell elastomeric
nitrile rubber insulation material suitable for covering the
elastic cord is found as central heating pipe insulation, i.e. the
ordinary dark grey tube-like soft insulation pipe covering which is
used as a heat insulator on copper central heating pipes in most
houses, or "pipewrap" as some call it. This actual tubing has a
slit along its whole length, and each segment of it for the present
apparatus is therefore preferably encircled with a reinforcement of
fastening tape near each end of the segment, but it should be borne
in mind that this was used for prototypes, and in a production run
closed tubing may be used, although the reinforcement could still
be useful. The elastic cord is ordinary elastic cord that can be
bought by the metre off the roll in local hardware or d.i.y.
stores; its strength and resilience characteristics and its
dimensions can readily be chosen to be suitable for this apparatus.
The type of coupling used to attach each arm is not described in
full detail, since what is important is only that it should be
detachable while firm when attached (closed, as described herein).
The target members may conveniently be the same type as the
children's plastic playing balls that one would find in a shop,
diameter in the range 20 cm to 40 cm. However, for production,
these target member balls may have to be manufactured with an
attachment coupling to fasten the elastic cord directly to the
ball. The balls used in prototypes did not have this direct
attachment, so this difficulty was overcome by putting each ball in
a cover (e.g. net, pouch or bag) and attaching the cover to the
elastic arm. Similarly, if an upstanding punchball is used as a
support for the apparatus, this can be anchored to the top of a
cover (e.g. net, pouch or bag) fixed to the punchball and
surrounding the ball thereof. In any of these embodiments, the
target members may be of differing weights, apes and sizes; or all
of them could be quite light or, as an alternative, all of them
could be chosen quite weighty; the choices would depend upon the
type of training required.
[0014] Thus, embodiments of the invention may be considered as
follows: Conventional kinds of apparatus known to the inventor do
not cater for the ever-changing demands of the martial arts or
boxing ring, or they attempt to make use of stands and rods in a
effort to keep the moving targets apart, whereas a trainee would
benefit from a number of moving targets that have the ability to
rebound and move in a chaotic fashion, without any suspended
targets quickly becoming entangled with one another. Embodiments of
the invention provide, in use, a number of suspended readily-moving
targets which can be used to develop reflexes and co-ordination in
all sports but are especially useful in martial arts and boxing
training where they simulate an opponent. To minimize or avoid
entanglement, the present embodiments provide any number of balls
suspended on elastic cord with the elastic cord running through a
soft resilient stiffing material, e.g. pipe insulation. The pipe
insulation of each arm is in separate pieces, articulated together
so as to allow for movement in all planes. Various properties of
the pipe insulation are important: The pipe insulation is a wide
very light durable pipe. It has the ability to return to its shape
after being crushed by a kick for example. It has a thick wall but
has a narrow bore. The thick wall gives stiffness to prevent the
arms coiling around each other; this coiling would occur if the
pipe had thin walls. The bore of the pipe is wide enough to allow
adequate movement of the elastic cord inside. This pipe also has
some flexibility. Another important property that the pipe has is
that it is soft so it does not hurt if it strikes the user.
Properties of the elastic cord such as flexibility and elasticity
and rebound are retained while the surrounding pipe-insulation
tubing prevents entanglement from interfering with the training.
Any entanglement occurs at the top of the apparatus and is slight
and can be released by unhooking the arms at the top, for example
at the end of each training session. The balls can be hung at any
height and in any number. Balls can be suspended at different
heights to train different parts of the body, e.g. knees, feet,
hands. They allow punching, kicking, use of knees, blocking and
evasive movements. They also rebound and provide the element of
surprise. The balls move in all planes. Entanglement of the
apparatus does not occur so as to interfere with training. More
balls can be added as the level of skill increases. As many balls
as deemed necessary may be applied. It is a very light and
easy-to-install opponent simulator. It can be hung on a punchbag
and conventional strikes to the punch-bag can be done in
conjunction with this ball training. It can be made very robust and
inexpensive, yet safe to use. It reacts to the level of intensity
at which it is being used: that is to say, as the user increases
his speed the speed of the bails increases, so the level of skill
can be increased further, therefore the user controls the levels of
speed and skill applied.
[0015] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there can
be provided a training device or apparatus which is, or may be,
suspended:
[0016] which consists of suspended balls or targets where the
entanglement of the balls or targets does not interfere with
training;
[0017] which may be unhooked at the point of suspension;
[0018] where each arm may be unhooked independently;
[0019] where the arms consist of balls or targets suspended on
elastic cord running through sections of a narrow-bored wide-walled
pipe;
[0020] which can be suspended on its own or on the chains of a
punchbag;
[0021] which can have balls or targets of different weights and
sizes;
[0022] which can have one or more balls or targets in line on any
one arm;
[0023] with an easy-release system where the arms are unhooked near
the top, disentangled, and then relocated individually again on the
apparatus to prevent any entanglement interfering with
training;
[0024] where individual arms may be fixed to the secondary chain or
bands of a punchbag.
[0025] In the event that an arm (e.g. only one or two of the
suspension means, the target member and/or the inhibiting means of
the arm) becomes damaged, replacement arms will be available on
sale. According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided, for use in any such training or exercise apparatus, a
combination of a target member and suspension means for the same
such that the target member and the target member of a similar
combination can move around one another when the combinations are
suspended from a common point. According to another aspect of the
invention, there is provided, for use in training or exercise
apparatus, a combination of a target member and suspension means
for the same such that the target member and the target member of a
similar combination can move around one another when the
combinations are suspended from a common point, the first-mentioned
combination comprising inhibiting means to inhibit tangling of the
suspension means for the target members during use.
[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of training or exercise in which there is used
any such apparatus embodying the invention. In an improved method,
target members are added to the apparatus as exercise or training
progresses.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] Reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying
drawings. In these:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus 21 (e.g. see FIG. 3)
embodying the invention, showing a user 14 training on the
apparatus 21 as it hangs on a punchbag 7;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus 21 in close-up,
showing the anchor means 3 comprising a ring 3 (and loops 4) more
clearly;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus 21, separated from
the punchbag 7, showing the anchor ring 3 open and the apparatus 21
with inhibiting means 5 as it may look after a long training
session, with arms 16 entangled but only at the top. The ring 3 can
then be readily opened and loops 4 (forming part of the anchor
means 3) at the tops of individual arms 16 can be removed for
disentanglement;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3 after the individual arms 16
have been removed from the ring 3 and disentangled, and their loops
4 relocated on the ring 3 for another training session;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of one arm 16, with the
elastic cord shown (for the sake of clarity) much longer than it is
in reality, so that the individual segments 18 of the sleeve 5
enclosing the arm 16 appear to be spaced apart on the elastic cord
8, whereas in reality they are contiguous, and therefore
articulated to one another where they touch at the points 15, as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;
[0033] FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 2 but shows an alternative
anchorage means 3, with individual arms 16 hanging directly from
secondary chains 2 of a punchbag 7. The Figure also shows two
target member balls 6 connected in line in a single arm 16.
[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic explanatory front views of the
apparatus 21, before training (untangled cords 8) and after
training with consequent rapid tangling (tangled cords 9), if the
apparatus 21 is provided without the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with
the target balls 6 simply suspended on elastic cords 8;
[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 are similar views to FIGS. 7 and 8 if the
apparatus 21 is provided with the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with the
cords 8 running through pipe insulator-type sleeves 5. This shows
how, despite the balls 6 moving and swinging around each other, the
cords 8 do not become entangled;
[0036] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the arms 16
suspended directly by their anchor loops 4 from the main, central
supporting chain 1 of a punchbag 7;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a perspective view, close up, of a segment 18 of
an arm 16; and
[0038] FIG. 13 is a close-up of part of the FIG. 11 apparatus 21,
for clarity showing only two arms 16 and these flung out in use,
and showing how the arms 16 are connected directly to the central
chain 1 of the bag 7, though they could equally be coupled to the
bag 7 anywhere near, or on, its chain 1.
[0039] regarding the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14, 15,16,17 and
18.
[0040] FIG. 14 Here the eye of the suspension cord may be large
enough to extend into the top of the tube thus forming a double
layer when entanglement begins.
[0041] FIG. 15 Here the cord is overlapped at the area of possible
entanglement 23,
[0042] FIG. 16 Here the suspension cord is thicker at the area of
possible entanglement than in the lower part of the suspension
cord. This thicker area extends down a little Inside the top of
pipe 5,
[0043] FIG. 17 Shows the apparatus with the much thicker cord at
entanglement area 23,
[0044] FIG. 18 Here the elastic cord is shown much longer for
clarity and shows how entanglement would occur during training with
a punch bag.
[0045] Any one of the modifications shown in FIG. 14, 15 or 16
would enable the apparatus to automatically untangle this type of
entanglement (in FIGS. 17 and 18) without the trainee stopping to
untangle it manually.
[0046] The arrangement at the top of the cord helps to untangle
while the lower section of the elastic cord retains its thinner and
therefore better rebound characteristics.
[0047] In the drawings, the items shown have the following
references: [0048] 1=main chain or main suspension belt of punchbag
7 [0049] 2=secondary chains of punchbag 7 [0050] 3=anchor ring in
the form of a collar 3 surrounding main suspension chain 1 of
punchbag 7. A ring is used here for clarity, a rope tether may be
used in reality [0051] 4=loop of elastic cord 8 of arm 16 [0052]
5=pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting) tubing
(sleeve) [0053] 6=target ball [0054] 7=punchbag [0055] 8=elastic
cord [0056] 9=entangled cords [0057] 10=thick (wide) wall [0058]
11=narrow bore [0059] 12=direct attachment anchor ring of
individual arm 16 (similar to collar 3 but smaller) [0060] 13=arm
with two target balls 6 in line [0061] 14=trainee or user [0062]
15=articulation points of the arms 16 where the
pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting) tube 5 is
broken or interrupted, or articulated to balls 6, or where the arm
16 is articulated to the anchor means 3,12 [0063] 16=arm [0064]
17=net pouch to hold bail 6 to elastic cord 8 [0065] 18=segments of
tubing 5 [0066] 19=slit in tubing 5 [0067] 20=reinforcement tape
around tubing 5 [0068] 21=the apparatus, which may (FIG. 2) or may
not (FIG. 3) include the punchbag 7 [0069] 22=suspension bands
around the top of the punchbag 7. [0070] 23=Area of possible
entanglement
[0071] Thus, suspendable training or exercise apparatus 21
comprises suspension means 3, 8 and target members 6 to be
contacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the
suspension means 3,8, the suspension means 3, 8 being such that the
target members 6 can move around one another, the apparatus 21
comprising inhibiting means 5 to inhibit tangling of the suspension
means 3,8 for respective target members 6 during use.
[0072] The suspension means 3,8 are adapted for connection to, or
above, the top of a (main) punch object 7, e.g. being suspended
from the suspension chains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7 or bands 22 around
the top of the punchbag. The adaptation for connection comprises
anchor means 3, 4 to anchor the suspension means 3, 4, 8 to, or
above, the top of the punch object 7. The anchor means comprise
loop means 4, FIG. 2, hook means (not shown), and/or a collar 3.
The suspension means 3, 8 comprise a plurality of flexible arms 16,
and include the anchor means 3, 4, or may be considered to depend
from the anchor means 3 considered as a separate ring 3. At least
one said target member 6 is mounted to each arm 16. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there is a plurality of the target
members 6, one after another, in line, along a said arm 13; these
target members 6 are remote (or away) from the anchor means 12.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 2, anchor means 3,12 are adapted to be
detachably anchored to a point of suspension (the bottom of chain
1) on a support (here the main chain 1 of a punchbag 7). Each arm
16 independently of the others is adapted to be anchored to, so as
to be detachable from, the said point of suspension. The anchor
means 3 have a ready-release feature (in the form of a
latched-opening ring 3) for a plurality of the arms 16 so that
these can be readily released individually, for the reasons
described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0074] Thus, the target member balls 6 are captive on the separate
arms 16 and able to move around, above and below each other without
their arms 16 having to be disentangled, except possibly at long
intervals. This is achieved by using a means 5 to inhibit
entanglement, which comprises a suitable stiffening 5 of the arms
16 to inhibit the entanglement while still allowing the target
members to move around one another.
[0075] Thus, this training apparatus 21 comprises anchor means 3 to
anchor the apparatus 21 to, or above, the top of a punch object 7,
a plurality of flexible arms 16 mounted to the anchor means 3, at
least one target member 6 mounted to each arm 16 (remote) away from
the anchor means 3, the apparatus 21 having means 5 for reducing or
inhibiting tendency of the arms 16 to entangle with one
another.
[0076] Each arm 16 comprises an elastic cord 8, which is a flexible
core member 8 running through a sleeve 5 of semi-stiff material,
which is a relatively thick-walled material (wall 10) with a
relatively narrow bore 11 to receive said core member 8, that is a
flexible, closed-cell, elastomeric nitrile semi-stiff sponge
rubber. Each arm 16 comprises a plurality of segments 18
articulated together at points 15, where the sleeve 5 is broken or
interrupted.
[0077] The apparatus 21 comprises plastic balls 6 (as targets 6)
that are suspended from the supporting chains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7
on the ends of elastic cords 8 of arms 16. The elastic cords 8 are
run through the flexible closed-cell elastomeric nitrile rubber
insulation 5 described above, effectively, sponge rubber tubes 5
with a reinforcement 20 of fastening tape 20 near each end of each
segment 18 thereof; this prevents the elastic cords 8 from becoming
entangled with each other, while allowing the elastic 8 to retain,
available for use by the user, a lot of its properties, e.g. its
recoil and flexibility. The rubber tubes 5 are not in one piece but
are broken apart at intervals, i.e. at points 15 into segments 18
to give more flexibility; thus, the length of tube 5 for each arm
16 is made up of separate pieces 18. A detachable coupling 3 is
fitted at the top end of each arm 16 and each arm 16 is detachably
attached separately to the chain 1,2 of a punchbag 7. In one
possible scenario, the user may begin by hanging two balls 6, one
at head height, the other at calf height, and then (as described
above) a third at knee height, then again another at chest height.
Thus, new parts (arms 16 including balls 6) can be added to the
apparatus as the users skills improve. The length of the cord 8
(arm 16) depends on what part of the body the user 14 wants to
practise with or defend, e.g. a long cord 8 for the balls 6 to be
in the region of his legs, short for his head.
[0078] The apparatus 21 can be suspended on its own or hung on a
punchbag 7. Each ball 6 thus provides a target position relating to
a different part of the body, i.e. the user's body and the
theoretical opponent's body.
Details have been discussed above of tubing 5, elastic cord 8,
types of coupling 3 used to attach each arm 16, and target members
6 (and their covers 17).
[0079] The apparatus 21 provides a number of suspended
readily-moving ball targets 6 that have the ability to rebound and
move in a chaotic fashion, without any suspended targets 6 quickly
becoming entangled with one another. Any number of the balls 6 are
suspended on elastic cord 8 running through a soft, resilient
stiffening material 5, possibly made from pipe insulation 5, in
separate pieces 18, articulated together at points 15 so as to
allow for movement in all planes. Various important properties of
the pipe insulation 5 have been discussed above, as also properties
of the elastic cord 8, methods of dealing with any slight
entanglement, and methods of hanging and suspending balls 6 in
different ways and adding to their number. The apparatus 21 can be
hung on a punchbag 7.
The embodiments provide a training device or apparatus 21 which is,
or may be, suspended:
[0080] which consists of suspended balls 6 or targets 6 where the
entanglement of the balls or targets 6 does not interfere with
training;
[0081] which may be unhooked at the point of suspension 3;
[0082] where each arm 16 may be unhooked independently;
[0083] where the arms 16 consist of balls 6 or targets 6 suspended
on elastic cord 8 running through sections of a narrow-bored
wide-walled pipe 5;
[0084] which can be suspended on its own or on the chains 1,2 of a
punchbag 7;
[0085] which can have balls 6 or targets 6 of different weights and
sizes;
[0086] which can have one or more balls 6 or targets 6 in line on
any one arm 16;
[0087] with an easy-release system where the arms 16 are unhooked
(from opened ring 3) near the top, disentangled, and then relocated
individually again on ring 3 of the apparatus to prevent any
entanglement interfering with training;
[0088] where individual arms 16 are fixed to the secondary chain 2
or bands of a punchbag 7.
And also regarding the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and
FIG. 16 (the tube 5, is drawn transparent here apart from outline
to enable the suspension cord to be seen). The apparatus may have a
suspension cord that is thicker at the area of possible
entanglement 23, than at the lower part of the suspension cord
(FIG. 16). or the cord may be overlapped in this area (FIG. 15). or
the eye of the suspension cord may be large enough to extend into
the top of the tube (FIG. 14). or the material of the suspension
cord may be different (made of a more suitable material to enable
disentanglement) in this area 23, than in the rest of cord. These
modifications enable the apparatus to automatically untangle itself
during training without the trainee stopping to untangle it when
its entangled as in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.
[0089] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features
of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted,
selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to
extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a
preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the
possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference
or particularisation is absent.
[0090] Many variations of the invention and embodiments
hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the
art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within
the scope of the invention.
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