Exercise devices – Striking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-05-22
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Striking
C482S086000, C482S087000, C482S089000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234940
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to training bags and, more particularly, to a training bag that simulates the impact response of a human body upon the execution of a punch, kick, or a combination of both from a user such as a martial artist or boxer on the training bag.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Martial artists and boxers have used training bags to practice, develop, and master the individual punching and kicking techniques inherent in a particular discipline. Although the disciplines of the martial arts and boxers are different, they share one commonality, both are primarily designed to prepare for the engagement of a fight or combat with one or a number of other fighters. The other fighters may be those in competition as a sport or in self-defense against an attacker. The best means to train for such a fight is to practice the techniques learned against another martial artist or boxer who acts as the opposing fighter or attacker. However, to avoid injury, the martial artists and boxers fight in a controlled environment in which the martial artists and boxers do not complete the techniques learned or fully contact the opposing fighter. As a result, the martial artists and boxers never acquire the knowledge and skill that is gained from the complete execution of a combination or a flurry of combinations and the corresponding realistic sensation upon physically contacting the other fighter with the executed combinations.
To solve these problems, the training bag was implemented as an alternate method to simulate engagement with another fighter in which the training bag represents the body of a fighter or another human being. The typical training bag is elongated and cylindrical in shape, standing several feet high and a foot or two wide, and weighing between fifty to hundred or more pounds. The training bag is made of a filler material that is completely enclosed within a canvas material. Attached to the exterior of the canvas material at the top of the training bag are fasteners with hooks for insertion of a rope, chain, or other means to hang the training bag several inches to a few feet off the ground and, thereby, position the training bag within the primary contact zone of the martial artists and boxers. A shortcoming of this training bag is that the bag does not simulate the realistic response of a human being upon the execution of punches, kicks, or combinations on the bag. Rather, the bag is extremely hard and, therefore, does not yield to the contact through compression or absorption. Instead the bag moves in the direction opposite from the contact due to the reactive forces of the contact by the martial artist or boxer. Another shortcoming is that the exterior surface of the canvas material is very coarse and, therefore, is not suitable for use by a martial artist or boxer without boxing gloves.
Attempts have been made to design a training bag that more accurately represents the physical shape of a human being or opponent. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,425 to Knighton et al. entitled “Martial Arts Strike and Kick Bag” discloses a punching bag that has two cylindrical sections separated by one conical section. The top cylindrical section represents the head-and-shoulders region of an opponent's body. The middle conical section represents the torso region of an opponent's body and the lower cylindrical section represents the hip-to-knee region. A shortcoming of this punching bag is that although the bag is sectioned to represent the different regions of an opponent's body, those regions do not provide the a martial artist or boxer with a realistic affect that results from actual contact of a real opponent in those regions. Another shortcoming of this punching bag is that the trainer is required to hold the bag for the martial artist or boxer to prevent the bag from moving in response to contact by the martial artist or boxer.
The representational physical shape of a human body or opponent by the training bag has been extended to further simulate an opponent's arms and legs. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,872 to Stronsick, Jr. et al. entitled “Martial Arts Training Device” discloses a training bag that has an elongated tubular member with an arcuate bend that is adapted to matingly engage the exterior of the training bag. The tubular member has two distal ends that simulate the arms and legs of an opponent for the martial artist or boxer to practice various fighting techniques. A shortcoming of this training bag is that although the extremities of an opponent are provided, a martial artist or boxer will not gain the knowledge of the realistic response of a human being or opponent from contact with the training bag. Another shortcoming is that the training bag reacts to the contact by the martial artist or boxer by moving in the opposite direction of the contact and, therefore, requires a trainer or another individual to secure the bag while in use by the martial artist or boxer.
Attempts have been made to solve the reactive movement of training bags by providing the training bag with devices to regulate the movement and position of the training bag while in use by a martial artist and boxer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,466 to Capach entitled “Heavy Bag and Support Mechanism” discloses a support mechanism that allows the training bag to move in a variety of directions after being struck by a martial artist or boxer. The inventive device includes a support beam having an I-shaped cross section that is coupled with a swiveling rail and a rolling assembly. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,217 to Schechner et al. entitled “Martial Arts And Boxing Accessory Apparatus For Heavy Bag” discloses a training bag that has straps secured to the bag to prevent undesirable twisting in response to torque generated by impact and blocking movements on the training accessory that mounts to the bag. A shortcoming of these training bags is that neither provide the martial artist or boxer with the realistic sensation of training on the bag that results from actual physical contact with a human body or opponent. Another shortcoming of these training bags is that, upon execution of a punch or kick, the martial artist or boxer will be in a different position to execute a second punch or kick as the training bags do not properly simulate the impact response of a human being or opponent.
There is a need, therefore, and there has never been disclosed a training bag that simulates the impact response of a human being or opponent upon the execution of a punch, kick, or flurry of combinations on the training bag.
III. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a training bag that simulates the impact response of a human body or an opponent upon the execution of a punch, kick, or a combination of both from a user such as a martial artist or boxer on the training bag. A related object of the present invention is to provide the martial artist or boxer with a realistic sensation of physical impact of a particular technique upon a human body or opponent that results from contact with the training bag.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide the martial artist or boxer with the ability to effectively execute subsequent punches, kicks, or further combinations of techniques with the knowledge and understanding of how the prior punch or kick affected the human body of an opponent. A related object of the present invention is to provide the martial artist or boxer with the proper balance and positioning to execute subsequent punches, kicks, or other techniques.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity of a trainer or another individual to hold the training bag while in use by the martial artist or boxer. A related object of the present invention is to provide a training bag that does not automatically move in a direction opposite of the martial artist or boxer due to the reactive forces of the punch or kick on the training bag.
Still another related object of t
Amerson Lori Baker
Donnelly Jerome W.
Knechtel Demeur & Samlan
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