Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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An exercise training apparatus
The present invention relates to an exercise training apparatus and in
particular, to an apparatus
for use in the development of skills such as speed, accuracy and-blocking in
various full-contact sports
such as boxing and martial arts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Boxing, martial arts and other full-contact sports are possibly the most
gruelling of any other
physical exercise in that they require the sportsman participating to be at
peak physical fitness. For
example, in the sport of boxing, speed is required so that a fighter can punch
an opponent or dodge an
opponent's punch as swiftly as possible; power is required so that maximum
force can be used when
punching; accuracy is required so that when a punch is thrown the boxer has a
greater chance of hitting a
target; and obviously the skill of blocking is required to avoid being hit in
areas such as the face and
abdomen.
All of the abovementioned skills require dedicated training and hard work on
behalf of the
sportsman. These skills have been acquired more easily in recent years through
use of training devices.
Devices that incorporate contact between a user (usually the fist, foot, knee
or elbow) and the striking
surface of the device itself have not only removed the need for a physical
sparring partner but have also
provided the user with a means to hone in on the skill which requires
particular attention. Equipment
commonplace in most gyms today includes suspended boxing bags, freestanding
upright bags,
suspended boxing balls (commonly known as speed balls), and double-ended
punching balls.
Boxing bags are heavy, padded, and cylindrically shaped bags suspended from
the ceiling.
Upon being punched, the bag generally sways slightly due to its weight and
provides the user with little
element of surprise on its return stroke. It is for this reason that heavy
suspended boxing bags are
generally used to help the user in increasing their power or to simply
practise the style of their punch.
Freestanding upright bags, like suspended bags, are heavy, padded and
cylindrically shaped.
However, instead of being suspended from the ceiling they are springedly
mounted to the ground. A
freestanding upright bag serves virtually the same purpose as a suspended bag
and use of the bag does
little to develop skills in the boxer.
A suspended boxing ball or 'speed ball' is a tear-drop shaped, padded bag
suspended underneath
a flat platform at around head-height. The bag is allowed pivotal motion in
any direction beneath the
platform. For example, when the bag is punched it swings upwards, hits the
platform and rebounds back
to either receive the user's next punch or hit the front side of the platform
and then receive a punch
depending on the routine of the user. The user then generally performs a rapid
repetition of this motion,
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thereby practising both speed and accuracy. There is no movement of the
suspended location of the ball
and therefore, once again, there is no element of surprise as to where the
ball will return once hit.
Double-ended punching balls are generally spherical padded balls which are
elastically tethered
at their top and bottom poles to a top platform and a bottom platform
respectively. When the ball is
punched, the movement more closely resembles the unpredictable nature of a
returning punch from an
opponent in that the ball is now allowed to move in a vertical plane, that is
to the left and right of the
user as well as backwards and forwards. This device allows the user to improve
skills such as speed and
accuracy and also defensive skills such as blocking.
There are currently no devices known to the applicant allowing the user to
simultaneously
improve on skills such as speed, accuracy and blocking whereby a target,
typically balls are positioned
and configured so that, when struck, a simulation of both the high and low
targets and the high and low
counter punches of a real-life sparring parhler occurs.
There are further no current devices known to the applicant which enable three-
dimensional
movement of the ball once struck, that is rotational, tiltable and pivotable
motion, thereby providing the
user with the unpredictable nature of a real life opponent.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some
of the aforementioned
problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed an exercise training
apparatus
including:
a base member adapted to be attached to a surface;
a support member extending from said base member;
at least one arm rotatably attached to said support member; and
a ball attached to a free end of the arm.
Preferably said arm is further tiltably attached to said support member.
Preferably said arm is further pivotably attached to said support member.
Advantageously said arm is rotatably and/or tiltably and/or pivotably attached
to said support
member.
Preferably said arm is constructed of a resilient material.
Preferably said arm is of an elasticity which allows for tension and
compression of said resilient
arm.
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In preference said arm includes a first arm member and a second arm member,
said first arm
member adapted to slidably engage said second arm member.
Preferably said arm includes an arm locking means adapted to lock said first
arm member and
said second arm member relatively. This allows the user to set each arm of the
apparatus at their desired
level so that differing reaches of an opponent may be simulated.
Preferably said ball is mounted to a free end of said second arm member.
Preferably said support member includes a first member and a second member
said first member
fixedly attached to said base and adapted to slidably engage said second
member.
In preference said support member includes a locking means adapted to lock the
second member
within the first member. This gives the user the option of height adjustment.
Advantageously said ball is made up of a soft, padded material. This ensures
that the ball will
not harm the user.
In a further form of the invention there is proposed an exercise training
apparatus including:
a base plate adapted to be mounted to a surface;
a hollow, cylindrical support member extending outwards from said base plate;
a shaft that is slidable within said support member and lockable there along;
at least one practice component rotatably mounted at a predetermined height
along said shaft said
practice component including a first arm and a second arm, said first arm
adapted to slidably engage said
second arm; and
a ball attached to a free end of said second arm.
Preferably said practice component is further pivotably mounted along said
shaft.
Preferably said practice component is further tiltably mounted along said
shaft.
Advantageously said practice component is rotatably and/or pivotably and/or
tiltably mounted
along said shaft.
In preference said practice component includes a circular bearing which is
journaled around an
outer surface of said shaft and provides for smooth movement of said
component.
In a still further form of the invention there is proposed an exercise
training apparatus including:
a base plate adapted to be mounted to a surface;
a hollow, cylindrical support member extending outwards from said base plate;
a shaft that is slidable within said support member and lockable there along;
at least one resilient arm rotatably, pivotably and tiltably mounted at a
predetermined height along said
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shaft providing for chaotic three dimensional movement of said arm with
respect to said shaft; and
a ball attached to a free end of said resilient arm.
Preferably said resilient arm includes a circular bearing which is journaled
around an outer
surface of said shaft and provides for smooth movement of said arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINCaS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
this
specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and,
together with the description, serve
to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exercise training
apparatus in accordance
with the invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exercise training
apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying
drawings.
Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are
possible, and
changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the
spirit and scope of the
invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings and
the following description to refer to the same and like parts.
Figure 1 illustrates the training apparatus 10 in accordance with the present
invention. A base
plate 12 is fixedly mounted to a flat surface 14 using bolts 16, 18, 20 and 22
located at the four comers
of the plate 12. Extending upwardly from the plate 12 is a cylindrical support
member 24 which is
preferably welded to the base plate 12 at a lower end thereof and includes
reinforcing elements 26 for
added stability. The support member 24 includes an inwardly chamfered upper
end 28 defining an
opening 30 into which a cylindrical shaft 32 is adapted to be inserted when
assembling the training
apparatus 10. The cylindrical shaft 32 is adapted to be locked within support
member 22 by using any
adequate locking means, such as a screw-type vice (not shown) which is well
known in the art.
Alternatively, the shaft 32 may include a male threaded section (not shown)
adapted to engage a female
threaded section (not shown) within the support member 22.
It is to be understood that the methods of connection as described herein are
by way of example
only, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to any one of
these methods. For example,
bolts 16, 18, 20 and 22 may well be replaced by a suction means on the
underside of base plate 11 or
other suitable fixing means.
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It should be further understood that base plate 12 need not be fixed to the
ground and may just
as well be fixed to a wall or platform (not shown). This would provide the
user of the apparatus 10 with
further options as to the type of training they wish to undertake.., For
example, when mounted to the
wall, instead of the apparatus 10 as shown in Figure 1 functioning in a
horizontal plane, it would
function in a vertical plane. Another option would be to attach the apparatus
10 to the ceiling. In fact,
the apparatus could be fixed to any surface that corresponds with the training
requirements of the user.
Since boxing and martial arts exercises involve the powerful striking of the
apparatus whether it
be a punch, kick, elbow or knee, the base plate 12 is preferably made of
strong, heavy metal such as
steel so as to lower the centre of gravity of the apparatus 10. However, the
invention should not be
limited to only this configuration. For example, a wide hollow base (not
shown) could be used whereby
an internal chamber is filled with water or sand to thereby stabilise the
apparatus. This may even
provide a further favourable unpredictability to the user in that the entire
apparatus may be designed to
sway.
A lower punching component 34 and an upper punching component 36 are rotatably
connected
to shaft 32 such that shaft 32 extends through central apertures 38 and 40 of
each component 34 and 36
respectively. Although not shown, the apparatus 10 includes stopping means for
locking each
component 34 and 36 at a particular height along the shaft 32 whilst allowing
each component to rotate
freely at that particular height.
The lower component 34 includes a circular housing 42 enclosing an annular
roller bearing (not
shown) or the like, which defines aperture 38 allowing the component 34 to
freely rotate about the
central shaft 32. Two identical arms 44 and 46 are connected, preferably by
means of a weld, to the
housing 42 and extend outwardly at opposite ends thereof. Ann 44 includes two
members 44a and 44b
of stepped down cross-sectional size such that member 44b is slidable within
member 44a. This
configuration allows the user to adjust the reach of the apparatus.
Bolt 44c locks the members 44a and 44b in relative position to each other. As
mentioned, arm
46 is identical in its configuration to am 44, i.e. member 46b slides within
arm 46a with bolt 46c once
again locking the arms in relative position to each other. Spherical balls 48
and 50 are fixedly attached
to the ends of arms 44 and 46 respectively through corresponding annular
support members 52 and 54
respectively. The balls 48 and SO effectively act as the target surface when
punching is being practised
and as a return punch when blocking is being practised.
The upper component 36 comprises substantially identical features to the lower
component 34
however, as is illustrated in Figure l, the upper component 36 includes three
identical arms 56, 58 and
60 disposed equally around a central circular housing 62. Those skilled in the
art should recognise that
each component may include any number of arms disposed about their central
housings. Furthermore,
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rather than shaft 32 being fixed within the support member 24 and having
rotating elements mounted
thereto, the support member 24 itself may include the required components for
rotation such that the
whole of shaft 32 is rotatable within the support member 24.
Once again, housing 62 encloses a circular bearing (not shown) defining
aperture 40 allowing
the housing 62 to rotate freely about the central shaft 32. Each ofthe arms
56, 58 and 60 include the
same slidable configuration as explained above and have therefore been
numbered accordingly but not
described here for the purpose of succinctness. Arms 56, 58 and 60 also
include respective spherical
balls 64, 66 and 68 fixedly attached to their ends by means of annular
supports 70, 72 and 74
respectively.
It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
invention can simulate the
actions of a real-life sparring partner whereby when a ball is punched, the
component 34 or 36 to which
the ball is attached effectively rotates about the central shaft 32. If the
user wishes to practise a blocking
technique, he/she can block the oncoming stream of other balls which follow in
the path of rotation. If
the user wishes to practise a punching technique, he/she can continue to punch
the return balls thereby
testing both speed and accuracy. The apparatus 10 is especially effective
because it includes two
components, one 34 at waist height and the other 36 at head height which are
the two areas most likely
to be targets in the sport of boxing.
It is to be understood that the heights of shaft 32, lower punching component
34 and upper
punching component 36 are adjustable to suit the height of the user. This is
also of benefit when storing
the apparatus 10 away after use in that when all three of the abovementioned
members are at their lowest
positions, the height of the entire apparatus is almost halved. Furthermore,
the components 34 and 36
can also be dismantled from the central shaft 32.
A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2. As
can be seen, the
base plate 12 and supporting member 24 are identical to that shown in Figure 1
and it is for this reason
that the numbers referencing these components appear identical.
Figure 2 illustrates a training apparatus 60. A central cylindrical shaft 76
is housed within
support member 22 as in the first embodiment however shaft 76 now terminates
into a spherical bulb 78
at its upper end. An annular housing 80 which encloses a circular bearing (not
shown) is adapted to not
only revolve around bulb 78 in a vertical plane (yaw) but is now also capable
of tilt or roll around the
outer surface of the spherical bulb 78 thereby enabling mufti-axial movement.
Attached to housing 80 is an elastic tether 82 which pivots vertically about a
horizontally
extending clip 84. The elastic tether 82 is attached to a spherical ball 86
preferably by a simple looped
connection 88 such that the ball 86 is capable of slight movement about the
loop connection 88 when
struck, as those skilled in the art would realise.
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Figure 2 further illustrates the various forms of motion 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98
of the ball 86,
tether 82 and housing 80 using dashed lines which indicate the position of the
ball 86, tether 82 and
housing 80 at two alternate positions 100 and 102 along its path This movement
occurs due to the
combination of simple rotation 90 of the housing 80, tilt or roll 92 of the
housing 80, pivot 94 of the
tether 82 about clip 84, elongation 96 of the tether 82, and slight movement
98 of the ball 86 allowing
for a three-dimensional almost unpredictable or chaotic motion of the ball,
features of which are
common to those of a human opponent.
It should also be made aware that features of one embodiment may well be
combined with
features of another. For example, a user may well construct a training
apparatus having a thrcc-
dimensional punching component (as in Figure 2) attached at the top of the
apparatus, and simply a
horizontally rotating component (as in Figure 1) attached at waist height.
The various forms of motion described in the present invention, and more
particularly the
motion of the arms about the shaft, may be achieved using a wide variety of
different joining
components. For example, rotation of the arms may be achieved by using a
simple ball bearing, needle
bearing or bush arrangement as well as the roller bearing arrangement as
described. Pivot may be
achieved using any swivel joint arrangement while tilt or roll of the arms may
be achieved by using any
form of rotary joint such as ball and socket joints, universal joints, or even
CV joints and washers. It is
to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to
any one of these components
but rather the type of motion performed by such components.
Those skilled in the art should now realise how the present invention will aid
a boxer, martial
artist or any other form of fighter in sharpening his/her skills in regard to
speed, accuracy and blocking
techniques in that the apparatus effectively simulates a human sparring
partner. The boxing balls
located on the apparatus can either be continuously punched to test speed and
accuracy, be blocked so as
to simulate a counter-punch or both so that all skills can be tested.
Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present
invention without
deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described
in what is conceived to
be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
departures may be made therefrom
within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to
the details disclosed herein but
is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all
equivalent devices and
apparatus.
In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where
the context requires
otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word
"comprising" is used in the sense
of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further
features in various
embodiments of the invention.
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