Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
Agent Docket No. P7147CA00
STRIKING ASSEMBLY
FIELD
[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to martial arts training
devices. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a striking assembly for
martial arts training.
BACKGROUND
[0002]Martial arts are systems of combat practices and may include strikes,
such as
punching and kicking, as well as grappling and holds. Practitioners of the
martial arts
may practice striking and other movements patterns using equipment such as
mats, as
well as striking assemblies, or "dummies."
SUMMARY
[0003]In this specification, elements may be described as "configured to"
perform one
or more functions or "configured for" such functions. In general, an element
that is
configured to perform or configured for performing a function is enabled to
perform the
function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform
the function,
or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing
the
function.
[0004]According to an aspect of this disclosure, a striking assembly for
martial arts
training is provided. The striking assembly includes a base plate having a
first side and
a second side opposite the first side, the base plate configured to be secured
to a
substrate external to the striking assembly; a support unit comprising a
support plate
having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the support
plate coupled to
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the base plate and disposed such that the third side of the support plate is
proximal to
and faces the second side of the base plate and a post secured to the support
plate, the
post extending from the fourth side of the support plate in a direction away
from the
fourth side; a striking unit comprising a main body having a recess for
receiving a
portion of the post of the support unit, the main body reversibly securable to
the post,
and a striking pad covering at least a portion of the main body, the striking
pad
configured to receive striking impacts; and three or more isolators coupling
the support
plate to the base plate. Each isolator has a body being resiliently
deformable, and a first
end of each isolator is connected to the second side of the base plate, and a
second
end of each isolator is connected to the third side of the support plate. The
three or
more isolators are spaced such that one isolator is out of line with the other
two
isolators. The isolators are resiliently deformable in response to a force
originating from
the striking impacts. Specifically, in response to at least one of the
striking impacts,
when the force is being applied during the at least one striking impact, the
isolators are
configured to resiliently deform in response to the force such that the
striking unit and
the support unit reversibly deflect relative to the base plate to create a
deflection angle
between a normal to the support plate and a normal to the base plate; and when
the
force is discontinued at a conclusion of the at least one striking impact, the
isolators are
configured to resiliently return substantially to their undeformed dimensions
to cause the
striking unit and the support unit to rebound such that the normal to the
support plate
returns to being substantially parallel to the normal to the base plate.
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[0005] In some implementations, each isolator may further comprise a first end
member
connected to the body and disposed at the first end of the isolator, and a
second end
member connected to the body and disposed at the second end of the isolator.
[0006] In some implementations, the first end member may comprise a first
metal plate,
and the second end member may comprise a second metal plate.
[0007] In some implementations, the body may comprise rubber.
[0008] In some implementations, the body of the isolator may be cylindrical in
shape.
[0009] In some implementations, the striking unit and the support unit may
deflect
relative to the base plate to create a deflection angle of at most 20 degrees
between the
normal to the support plate and the normal to the base plate.
[0010] In some implementations, the base plate and the support plate may be
substantially triangular, the striking assembly having three isolators, each
isolator
connecting a vertex of the base plate and a corresponding vertex of the
support plate.
[0011]In some implementations, the striking assembly may further comprise
mounting
lugs extending from the base plate, each mounting lug having an aperture to
receive
one of the isolators to support the isolator.
[0012] In some implementations, the post may further comprise a plurality of
apertures
spaced along a longitudinal axis of the post; and the main body may further
comprise a
pin movable between a secured position wherein the pin is at least partially
received in
one of the plurality of apertures to secure the main body to the post, and an
adjustment
position, wherein the pin is removed from the apertures to allow movement of
the
striking unit along the longitudinal axis of the post.
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[0013]In some implementations, the striking unit may further comprise a spring
connected to the pin and the main body and configured to bias the pin in the
secured
position.
[0014]In some implementations, the striking assembly may further comprise a
pneumatic piston disposed adjacent to the post and connecting the striking
unit to the
support unit to facilitate movement of the striking unit along the
longitudinal axis of the
post.
(0015] In some implementations, the post may be square shaped to limit
rotational
movement of the striking unit about a longitudinal axis of the post.
[0016]In some implementations, the striking assembly may further comprise
gussets
secured to the post and the support plate to support the post.
(0017] In some implementations, the striking pad may be positioned around the
main
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018]Some implementations of the present specification will now be described,
by way
of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
(0019] Fig. 1 shows an example striking assembly.
[0020]Fig. 2 shows an example support unit of the striking assembly of Fig. 1.
[0021]Fig. 3 shows a cross section of an example striking unit of the striking
assembly
of Fig. 1.
(0022] Fig. 4 shows an example pneumatic piston of the striking assembly of
Fig. 1.
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[0023] Fig. 5 shows an example pin of the striking assembly of Fig. 1 in an
adjustable
position.
[0024] Fig. 6 shows the pin of Fig. 5 in a secured position.
[0025] Fig. 7 shows a side view of example isolators of the striking assembly
of Fig. 1
connecting a base plate to a support plate.
[0026] Fig. 8 shows one of the isolators of Fig. 7.
[0027] Fig. 9 shows the base plate, support plate and isolators of Fig. 7
unaffected by
any striking impacts.
[0028]Fig. 10 shows the base plate, support plate and isolators of Fig. 7
during a
striking impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029]In martial arts training, assemblies, or "dummies" may be used to
practice
striking. Some bases created to hold striking assemblies include a weighted
base or
spring implementations to cause the striking assembly to return to an upright
position
after striking impacts.
[0030]Striking assemblies with a weighted base may move in between strikes,
thus
requiring them to be repositioned between strikes. Further, these striking
assemblies
have low durability for high volumes of strikes and have a large range of
motion. The
large range of motion causes a delay between striking impacts, as a user waits
for the
assembly to spring back into position. Further, a large range of motion may
cause a
large force on the return, potentially causing injury to the user.
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[00311 Striking assemblies with spring implementations generally have a large
range of
motion. As with the weighted base, the large range of motion causes a delay
between
striking impacts, as a user waits for the assembly to spring back into
position. Further, a
large range of motion may cause a large force on the return, potentially
causing injury to
the user.
[0032] Fig. 1 shows a striking assembly 100. The striking assembly 100
includes a base
plate 110, a support unit 120 coupled to the base plate 110, a striking unit
130
configured to be reversibly securable to the support unit 120, and isolators
140 coupling
the support unit 120 to the base plate 110.
[0033] The base plate 110 has a first side and a second side opposite the
first side. The
base plate 110 may comprise any suitable material for providing structural
support to
the base plate 110. The base plate 110 may include, but is not limited to
combinations
of metals, plastics and the like. The base plate 110 is configured to be
secured to a
substrate external to the striking assembly such that the first side of the
base plate 110
is proximal to the substrate. For example, the base plate 110 may be secured
to a floor,
a podium, the ground, or the like. The base plate 110 may be secured to the
substrate
by bolts, stakes, welding, or other suitable fasteners to secure the base
plate 110 to the
substrate.
[0034] Fig. 2 shows the support unit 120 of the striking assembly 100.
The support unit 120 includes a support plate 122 and a post 124. The support
plate
122 has a respective first side 123a and a second side 123b opposite the first
side
123a. The support plate 122 may comprise any suitable material for providing
structural
support to the support plate 122. The support plate 122 may include, but is
not limited
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to, combinations of metals, plastics and the like. The support plate 122 is
coupled to the
base plate 110 and disposed such that the first side 123a is proximal the
second side of
the base plate 110.
[0035]The post 124 is secured to the support plate 122, the post 124 extending
from
the second side 123b in a direction away from the first side 123a. The post
124 is
configured to be received by the striking unit 130. The post 124 may also
comprise any
suitable material for providing structural support to the post 124. The post
124 may
include, but is not limited to, combinations of metals, plastics and the like.
The post 124
may be secured to the support plate 122 by bolts, stakes, welding or other
suitable
fasteners to maintain the extension of the post 124 from the support plate
122. In some
implementations, the post 124 may be integral with the support plate 122. The
post 124
may be hollow or filled.
[0036]In some implementations, the post 124 may be square shaped to limit
rotational
movement of the striking unit 130 about a longitudinal axis of the post 124.
In other
implementations, the post 124 may be triangular, hexagonal, or otherwise
shaped to
limit rotational movement of the striking unit 130 about the longitudinal axis
of the post
124.
(0037] In other implementations, the support unit 120 may further comprise
gussets 128
secured to the post 124 and the support plate 122, the gussets 128 configured
to
support the post 124. For example, the support unit 120 may comprise four
gussets
128, each secured to a side of the square post 124 and to the support plate
122. Thus,
the gussets 128 may be substantially triangular in shape. Gussets 128 may
comprise
any suitable material for providing structural support to the gussets 128. The
gussets
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128 may include, but are not limited to, combinations of metals, plastics and
the like.
The gussets 128 may be secured to the post 124 and the support plate 122 by
bolts,
stakes, welding or other suitable fasteners. In some implementations, the
gussets may
be integral with the post 124. In other implementations, the gussets may be
integral with
the post 124 and the support plate 122.
[0038] The post 124 may further comprise a plurality of apertures 126 spaced
along the
longitudinal axis of the post 124 for maintaining the striking unit 130 at a
height of the
post 124, as will be further described herein.
[0039] In some implementations, the support plate 122 and the base plate 110
are
substantially triangular. In other implementations, the support plate 122 and
the base
plate 110 are substantially circular. In some implementations, the support
plate 122 and
the base plate 110 may be similarly shaped and similarly sized. Other shapes
for the
support plate 122 and the base plate 110 are also contemplated.
[0040] Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the striking unit 130. The striking
unit 130
includes a main body 132, and a striking pad 136 covering at least a portion
of the main
body 132, the striking pad 136 configured to receive striking impacts.
[0041 ] The main body 132 has a recess 134 for receiving a portion of the post
124 of
the support unit. The main body 132 may comprise any suitable material for
providing
structural support to the main body 132. For example, the main body 132 may
include,
but is not limited to, combinations of metals, plastics or the like. In some
implementations, the recess 134 of the main body 132 is square shaped to be
complementary to the post 124 to limit rotational movement of the striking
unit 130
about the longitudinal axis of the post 124.
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[0042] The striking pad 136 generally covers at least a portion of the main
body 132 and
is configured to receive striking impacts. In some implementations, the
striking pad 136
may be positioned around the main body 132 such that the striking pad 136
covers the
entirety of the main body 132. The striking pad 136 can comprise any suitable
material
for reversibly deforming in response to the striking impacts. For example, the
striking
pad 136 can include one of or combinations of foam, rubber, and the like. The
striking
pad 136 may be cylindrical, rectangular or otherwise shaped to receive
striking impacts.
In some implementations, the striking pad 136 may be shaped to resemble a
human
torso. Other shapes of the striking pad 136 are also contemplated.
[0043] Fig. 4 shows the striking assembly 100, further including a pneumatic
piston 150.
In Fig. 4, the striking pad of the striking unit 130 is omitted, and the main
body 132 is
shown with a partial cutaway view. The pneumatic piston 150 connects the
striking unit
130 to the support unit 120 at the support plate 122 to facilitate movement of
the striking
unit 130 along the longitudinal axis of the post 124. In some implementations,
the
pneumatic piston 150 may be disposed adjacent to the post 124, while in other
implementations, the pneumatic piston 150 may be disposed in the post 124. In
some
implementations, the pneumatic piston 150 is reversibly secured to the support
plate
122 and the striking unit 130. For example, the pneumatic piston 150 may
comprise
threaded ends compatible with respective threaded apertures in the support
plate 122
and the striking unit 130 to allow the pneumatic piston to be screwed into
position. In
other examples, the pneumatic piston may be secured to the support plate 122
and the
striking unit 130 by bolts, screws, welding, or other suitable fasteners to
connect the
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pneumatic piston 150 to the striking unit and to the support unit 120 at the
support plate
122.
[0044] The pneumatic piston 150 may assist in supporting the striking unit
130, in
particular when the striking unit 130 is being moved along the longitudinal
axis of the
post 124. According to one implementation, the pneumatic piston 150 may have a
pressure rating of about 50 PSI (pounds per square inch). In other
implementations, the
pneumatic piston 150 may have a pressure rating in a range of about 25 PSI to
about
75 PSI. For example, the pressure rating of the pneumatic piston 150 may be
varied
based on the weight of the striking unit 130.
[0045] Referring now to Fig. 5, the main body 132 is configured to be
reversibly
securable to the post 124. In some implementations, the main body 132 further
comprises a pin 138 movable between a secured position wherein the pin 138 is
configured to be received in one of the plurality of apertures 126 of the post
124 to
secure the main body 132 to the post 124, and an adjustment position, wherein
the pin
138 is removed from the apertures 126 to allow movement of the striking unit
130 along
the longitudinal axis of the post. Thus, for example, where the longitudinal
axis of the
post 124 represents a height, a user may move the pin 138 from the secured
position in
a first aperture to the adjustment position, move the striking unit 130 to a
desired height
along the post 124, and then move the pin 138 back to the secured position in
a second
aperture to secure the main body 132 to the post 124 at the desired height.
[0046] In some implementations, the pin 138 may further comprise a handle
portion 139
extending from the pin 138 in a direction away from the main body 132. The
handle
portion 139 may be shaped to receive one or more fingers and/or a hand of a
user, or it
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may be a knob, or a flange, or otherwise suitably configured to allow a user
to
manipulate the pin 138.
[0047]The pin 138 may further comprise a locking mechanism to maintain the pin
138
in the secured position when the striking assembly 100 receives a striking
impact.
[0048]In some implementations, the locking mechanism may comprise a spring
connecting the pin 138 and the main body 132 and configured to bias the pin
138 in the
secured position.
[0049]Attention is now directed to Figs. 5 and 6 which depict the pin 138 and
the
locking mechanism in the adjustable position and the secured position
respectively.
[0050]The main body 132 has a hole (not shown) through the main body 132 for
aligning the pin 138 with the apertures 126 of the post 124. The main body 132
also has
a tubular extension 133 extending from the hole, perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of
the main body 132, the tubular extension 133 for supporting the pin 138 in the
hole of
the main body 132. The tubular extension 133 has a recess having a main
portion 133a
and a side portion 133b. The pin 138 has a protrusion 138a which interacts
with the
recess to maintain the pin 138 in the secured position. Specifically, the
recess is shaped
to receive the protrusion 138a of the pin 138 such that the main portion 133a
allows
movement of the protrusion 138a in a first direction and the side portion 133b
allows
movement of the protrusion 138a in a second direction. For example, the main
portion
and the side portion may form an L-shape.
[0051]Thus, in Fig. 5, the pin 138 is shown in the adjustable position,
wherein the
protrusion 138a is removed from the recess of the tubular extension 133, and
the pin
138 is removed from any of the apertures 126. The protrusion 138a may move in
the
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first direction A along the main portion 133a when moving from the secured
position to
the adjustable position or from the adjustable position to the secured
position. As the
protrusion 138a moves into the recess towards an end of the recess, the pin
138 is
received in one of the apertures 126 of the post 124. Hence, in some
implementations,
when the protrusion 138a is at an end of the recess, the pin 138 may be in the
secured
position within one of the apertures 126.
[0052] In some implementations, when the protrusion 138a is aligned with the
side
portion 133b, the protrusion may move in the second direction B along the side
portion
133b via rotation of the pin 138 to the secured position depicted in Fig. 6.
When the
protrusion 138b is in the side portion 133b, its movement in the first
direction A is limited
by the side portion 133b, thus the pin 138 is maintained in the secured
position.
[0053] Thus, to move the pin 138 from the adjustable position shown in Fig. 5
to the
secured position shown in Fig. 6, the user inserts the pin 138 through the
tubular
extension 133 and the hole of the main body 132. The protrusion 138a is
aligned with
and moves along the main portion 133a in the first direction as the pin 138 is
received in
an aperture 126 of the post 124. Then, the pin 138 is rotatable, for example
by a human
user, so that the protrusion 138a moves along the side portion 133b in the
second
direction. Since the recess is shaped such that the protrusion cannot move in
the first
direction while it is in the side portion, the pin 138 is maintained in the
secured position.
[0054] In still further implementations, the locking mechanism may comprise
other
suitable mechanisms or combinations of locking mechanisms for maintaining the
pin
138 in the secured position, as will be apparent to a person of skill in the
art.
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[0055] Fig. 7 depicts a side view of the base plate 110, the support plate
122, and the
isolators 140 connecting the base plate 110 to the support plate 122.
[0056] The striking assembly 100 includes three or more isolators 140 coupling
the
support plate 122 to the base plate 110. The three or more isolators 140 are
spaced
such that one isolator 140 is out of line with the other two isolators 140.
Hence, the
three or more isolators 140 define a plane to support the support unit 120 via
the
support plate 122.
[0057] In some implementations, the striking assembly may further comprise
mounting
lugs 148 extending from the base plate. The mounting lugs 148 have apertures
to
receive the body 142 of the isolators 140 to support the isolators. The
apertures may
thus be shaped to complement the body 142 such that the mounting lugs 148
limit the
deformation of the isolators 140.
[0058] In some implementations, the support plate 122 and the base plate 110
are
substantially triangular. Thus, the striking assembly 100 may have three
isolators 140,
each isolator connecting a vertex of the base plate 110 to a corresponding
vertex of the
support plate 122. In other implementations, the support plate 122 and the
base plate
110 are substantially circular. Thus, the striking assembly 100 may have three
isolators
140 spaced in a substantially triangular formation around the support plate
122 and the
base plate 110. Alternately, the striking assembly 100 may have more than
three
isolators spaced substantially evenly around circumferences of the support
plate 122
and the base plate 110.
[0059]Attention is now directed to Fig. 8, which depicts an isolator 140. Each
isolator
140 includes a body 142 being resiliently deformable. The isolators 140 are
configured
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to provide an interface between the base plate 110 and the support plate 122
to
dampen energy, for example vibrations, between them. Specifically, the
isolators 140
are configured to allow the support plate 122, and consequently the support
unit 120
and the striking unit 130 some movement, while dampening the energy to allow
the
base plate 110 to be securely maintained against the external substrate. The
relative
motion between the base plate 110 and the support plate 122 is accommodated by
deformations in the body 142, rather than shear or friction at the interfaces
with the
base plate 110 and the support plate 122. For example, the isolators 140 may
be a
sandwich mount, a bushing isolator, or the like.
[0060] In some implementations, the body 142 of the isolator 140 may comprise
rubber.
In other implementations, the body 142 may comprise another material suitably
configured to reversibly deform, such as a silicone rubber or other type of
elastomeric
material. In some implementations, the body 142 may be a solid cylinder, or
the body
142 may be an annular cylinder to accommodate an internal structure to limit
the
compression of the body 142. In other implementations the body 142 may be
square-
shaped, oval-shaped, or have another suitable shape.
[0061] The nature of the deformation of the isolators 140 may vary depending
on the
direction of the force generated by a striking impact. For example, suppose
the striking
assembly 100 has three isolators 140 configured with two isolators at a front
of the
striking assembly, and one isolator 140 at a back of the striking assembly. In
a direct
strike to the front of the striking assembly 100, the isolator 140 at the back
may
compress in the body 142. For example, where the body 142 is an annular rubber
cylinder, the rubber may compress to a certain extent, and any further
compression may
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be accommodated by the annular cylinder bulging outward and/or collapsing
inward at
or near a center of the isolator, with the deformation in shape accommodated
by the
material properties of the rubber. In contrast, the isolators 140 at the front
of the striking
assembly may be stretched. Thus the body 142 may extend along the longitudinal
axis
of the isolators 140, with the extension accommodated by the material
properties of the
body 142. In some examples, the isolators 140 may also accommodate lateral
force.
Thus, a front portion of the body 142 may extend further than a rear portion
of the body
142 to accommodate a bending motion.
[0062] Each isolator 140 further has a first end 143a and a second end 143b
defining a
longitudinal axis running through the first end 143a and the second end 143b.
The first
end 143a is configured to be connected to the second side of the base plate,
and the
second end 143b is configured to be connected to the first side 123a of the
support
plate 122.
[0063] In some implementations, each isolator 140 further includes a first end
member
144a connected to the body 142 and disposed at the first end 143a, and a
second end
member (not shown) connected to the body 142 and disposed at the second end
143b.
The first end member 144a may be a first metal plate, and the second end
member may
be a second metal plate. In some implementations, the metal plates may have
screws
extending away from the body 142 for connecting the isolators 140 to the base
plate
110 and the support plate 122. In other implementations, the metal plates may
form a
flange with respect to the body 142 for connecting the isolators 140 to the
base plate
110 and the support plate 122. In further implementations, the end members
144a and
may comprise material other than metal, such that the end members 144a and are
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suitably configured to connect the isolators 140 to the base plate 110 and the
support
plate 122, as will be apparent to persons of skill in the art.
[0064] Fig. 9 shows a schematic side elevation view of the base plate 110, the
isolators
140 and the support plate 122 unaffected by any striking impacts, with the
rest of the
support unit 120 and the striking unit 130 omitted for illustrative purposes.
Fig. 9 shows
a normal to the support plate NS and a normal to the base plate NB prior to
any striking
impacts. The normal to the support plate NS and the normal to the base plate
NB are
parallel or substantially parallel.
[0065] Fig. 10 shows a schematic the base plate 110, the isolators 140 and the
support
plate 122 during a striking impact, with the rest of the support unit 120 and
the striking
unit 130 omitted for illustrative purposes. The isolators 140 are resiliently
deformable in
response to a force originating from striking impacts to the striking
assembly. In
response to at least one of the striking impacts, when the force is being
applied during
the at least one striking impact, the isolators 140 are configured to
resiliently deform in
response to the force. Specifically, the striking unit 130 and the support
unit 120
reversibly deflect relative to the base plate 110 to create a deflection angle
8 between
the normal to the support plate NS and the normal to the base plate NB.
[0066] In some implementations, the maximum deflection angle 0 which is
created
between the normal to the support plate Ns and the normal to the base plate NB
may be
about 20 . Thus, the support unit 120 and the striking unit 130 may deflect to
create a
deflection angle of at most 20 .The composition of the isolators 140 may be
varied to
increase or decrease the capacity of the isolators to resiliently deform.
Alternately, the
diameter or width of the isolators 140 may be varied to increase or decrease
the
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capacity of the isolators to resiliently deform. Specifically, the composition
or size of the
isolators 140 may be varied based on an average expected force originating
from
striking impacts and based on the weight of the striking unit 130 and the
support unit
120.
[0067] When the force is discontinued at the conclusion of the at least one
striking
impact, the isolators 140 are configured to resiliently return substantially
to their
undeformed dimensions to cause the striking unit 130 and the support unit 120
to
rebound such that the normal to the support plate NS returns to being
substantially
parallel to the normal to the base plate NB. Hence, the support plate 122
returns to also
be substantially parallel to the base plate 110, as seen in Fig. 9.
[0068] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more
alternative
implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are
only
illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to
be limited
by the claims appended hereto.
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