POSITIONING APPARATUS FOR FLEXIBLE MARTIAL ARTS STRIKING TARGETS

Abstract

Provided herein is technology relating generally to practice equipment for boxing or the martial arts, and more particularly, to an apparatus for positioning flexible targets and the like for use in hitting or kicking exercises. More specifically, the technology provides embodiments of an apparatus that is capable of removable and adjustable mounting to a bag, pole, board, door, bar, block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible or rigid armature, or other support. Additional embodiments relate to methods of assembling the apparatus, methods of using the apparatus, and kits and systems relating to the apparatus.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/524,433, filed Jun. 23, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to practice equipment for boxing or the martial arts, and more particularly, to an apparatus for positioning flexible targets and the like for use in hitting or kicking exercises. More specifically, this invention is an apparatus which is capable of removable and adjustable mounting to a bag, pole, board, door, bar, block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible or rigid armature, or other support.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Martial arts practitioners frequently break wooden boards or like members in order to develop and demonstrate powerful hand and foot strikes. This poses several disadvantages during exercise practice. First, a typical martial arts practitioner may destroy a large number of boards in a single day, rendering the practice highly wasteful and unduly expensive. So-called "reusable" striking boards have been invented to address this issue. More importantly, the practice of breaking boards is relatively slow--requiring the target to be reset after each strike. Even if a quick-resetting or self-resetting board was proposed, it would not be fast enough for repeated striking techniques, which can recur as frequently as five strikes per second during martial arts practice or demonstration. To address both of these disadvantages, strike targets may be used that are composed of thick flexible sheets of plastic, paper, fabric, or the like. These sheets may produce a loud smacking sound when struck with sufficient power, velocity, and accuracy. They are inherently reusable and the elasticity of the material makes them quickly self-resetting. Frequently, the sheet is held by an assistant who positions the target as needed, but this requires a trained assistant and prohibits solo work. Flag-style and curtain-style devices are available for solo practice, but since these use gravity to hang the sheet vertically, perpendicular to the floor, they are useful for only a limited array of striking combinations.

[0004] What is needed is an apparatus for positioning flexible striking targets, distinct from the existing holders of rigid or breakable targets such as paddles, pegs, and boards (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,614,980, 4,973,045), and distinct from holders that drape or suspend flexible sheets (e.g., 2016/0236054, 2012/0053023), and further distinct from holders that stretch target sheets for one-time breakage (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,990). The apparatus should allow the sheets to be positioned at any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle with respect to the floor. For safety, it should be possible for all substantially rigid elements of the apparatus to be on the opposite side of the flexible striking target from the martial arts practitioner during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] A clear understanding of the key features of the invention may be had by reference to the appended drawings which illustrate the invention, although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiments which the invention is capable of contemplating. Accordingly:

[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one example of a flexible target positioning apparatus temporarily and non-destructively attached to a training bag via elastic band such that the target is oriented primarily vertically, with the flexible target portion of the apparatus closest to the martial arts practitioner.

[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one example of a flexible target positioning apparatus temporarily and non-destructively attached to a training bag via elastic band such that the target sheet is oriented primarily horizontally.

[0008] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of one example of a flexible target positioning apparatus.

[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of one example of a first support member.

[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of one example of a second support member.

[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of one example of a bracing clip.

[0012] FIG. 7 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of one example of a first support member, a pair of second support members, and an attachment means using a barbed spring clip.

[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of one example of a first support member, a pair of second support members, and an attachment means using a threaded fastener.

[0014] FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of one example of a first support member and one example of a support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] While the present invention is described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, it is not intended that these descriptions in any way limit its scope to any such embodiments and applications, and it will be understood that many substitutions, changes and variations in the described embodiments, applications and details of the apparatus illustrated herein can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0016] The present invention comprises a novel apparatus which may be fixedly or removably attached to a support for the positioning of flexible targets at any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle with respect to the ground and to the martial arts practitioner. The flexible target has a curved shape to provide sufficient rigidity to overcome the force of gravity when positioned parallel to the floor. The rigidity induced by the curved shape also shortens the time required for the flexible target to reset for the next strike. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus imparts an axial bend to create the curved shape while still allowing substantially free motion of the flexible target and preventing tearing, undesired kinking, or other permanent damage to the flexible target during use. The flexible target may be molded or formed in the curved configuration, or it may be an initially flat sheet of plastic, paper, or fabric, with the curved shape induced by interaction with other elements of the apparatus. The flexible target may be an extension of the means of attachment to the support, or as in a preferred embodiment, it may be a separate sheet that is captured by other elements of the apparatus.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible target is held between at least two support members with at least one of the support members having a curved, beveled, or chamfered shape such as to induce an axial bend and create a curved shape of the flexible target. In a preferred embodiment, one or more support members contain at least one registration means, such as a pin, peg, tab, latch, ball, adhesive region, or the like--said registration means interlocking through holes, surfaces, slots, or edges in the flexible target to retain the flexible target in the apparatus during use. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may further include at least one brace or clip which provides additional mechanical strength to the apparatus and/or serves to hold the at least two support members together, though other embodiments may achieve this end via adhesives, magnets, threads, clips, tabs, and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is positioned relative to a support structure, such as a punching bag, or a bar, block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible or rigid armature using adhesives, magnets, threads, clips, tabs and/or at least one band under tension.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 is provided for positioning a flexible target sheet 2 relative to a support 3 using a band 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 may be oriented at any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle normal to the surface of the support 3, which may be positioned at any angle with respect to the ground.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the flexible target sheet 2 is held between at least two support members. First support member 5 having a curved shape such as to induce an axial bend and create a curved shape in the flexible target sheet 2. Both first support member 5 and second support member 6 serve to orient the flexible target sheet 2 relative to and provide a strong means for attachment to support 3. First support member 5 and/or second support member 6 contain at least one registration means 10--said registration means 10 interlocking through openings 9 in the flexible target to retain the flexible target as part of the apparatus during use. The apparatus may further include at least one bracing clip 7 which provides additional mechanical strength to the apparatus and may serve to hold the first support member 5 and the second support member 6 together, capturing the flexible target sheet 2 between them. Elastic ring 8 holds first support member 5 and the second support member 6 and the at least one bracing clip 7 together without the need for additional fasteners or adhesives. Band 4 is connected to elastic ring 8 and serves to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of the support 3. Band 4 may be tightened using elastic or buckles or knots or hook & loop closures or other tightening means.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, the first support member 5 contains curved wings 11 attached to normally projecting surface 14. Said curved wings 11 induce an axial bend and create a curved shape in the flexible target sheet 2 while still allowing the flexible target sheet 2 to move during striking by the martial arts practitioner. Normally projecting surface 14 contains registration means 10 and a slot 13 to capture the bracing clip 7. The normally projecting surface 14 is connected to a tangentially projecting surface 12 which orients the first support member 5 relative to the support 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 also includes a slot 13 to allow penetration of the bracing clip 7. In the preferred embodiment, the first support member 5 contains grooves 15 which capture the elastic ring 8.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the second support member 6 contains a normally projecting surface 19 with registration means 17 and a slot 18 to capture the bracing clip 7. The normally projecting surface 19 is connected to a tangentially projecting surface 16 which orients the second support member 6 relative to the support 3. Tangentially projecting surface 16 also includes a slot 18 to allow penetration of the bracing clip 7. In the preferred embodiment, the second support member 6 contains grooves 20 which capture the elastic ring 8.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the bracing clip 7 contains a slot 22 which captures both first support member 5 and second support member 6 during use. A tangential surface 23 orients the bracing clip 7 relative to the support 3. The bracing clip 7 contains grooves 21 which capture the elastic ring 8.

[0023] During assembly, the flexible target sheet 2 is aligned with registration means 10 and placed onto the first support member 5. Then the second support member 6 is placed onto the flexible target sheet 2 such that registration means 17 are aligned with registration means 10. Bracing clip 7 is then inserted through the slots in tangentially projecting surfaces 12 and 16 such that slot 22 mates with slots 13 and 18. Elastic ring 8 is stretched around tangentially projecting surfaces of apparatus 1. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic ring 8 is captured in grooves 15, 20, and 21. Band 4 is then used to attach apparatus 1 to the support 3. Alternatively, mounting holes 24 may be used to attach apparatus 1 to the support 3 or to any other rigid, flexible, and/or repositionable support.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 7, the apparatus 1 captures the flexible target sheet 2 between first support member 5, and at least one second support member 6. The first support member 5 contains bent and/or curved wings 11 attached to or integrally extending from normally projecting surface 14. Said curved wings 11 induce an axial bend and create a curved shape in the flexible target sheet 2 while still allowing the flexible target sheet 2 to move during striking by the martial arts practitioner. A tangentially projecting surface 12 extends from the normally projecting surface 14 and orients the first support member 5 relative to the support 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 may also include at least one mounting hole or mounting slot 24 for attaching the apparatus 1 to the support 3. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one second support member 6 contains registration means 17--said registration means 17 interlocking through holes 9 in the flexible target 2 into registration means 10 in the first support member 5 to retain the flexible target 2 in the apparatus during use. The at least one second support member 6 may include barbs, springs, clips, and the like 7 which serve to hold the first support member 5 and the at least one second support member 6 together. Elastic ring 8 wraps, stretches, or passes around the normally projecting surface 14 at or near the areas of contact between normally projecting surface 14 and tangentially projecting surface 12. Band 4 is connected to or integrally part of elastic ring 8 and serves to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of the support 3.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 8, the apparatus 1 captures the flexible target sheet 2 between first support member 5, and at least one second support member 6. The first support member 5 contains bent and/or curved wings 11 attached to or integrally extending from normally projecting surface 14. Said curved wings 11 induce an axial bend and create a curved shape in the flexible target sheet 2 while still allowing the flexible target sheet 2 to move during striking by the martial arts practitioner. A tangentially projecting surface 12 extends from the normally projecting surface 14 and orients the first support member 5 relative to the support 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 may also include at least one mounting edge or mating surface 24 for attaching the apparatus 1 to the support 3. In the preferred embodiment, the first support member 5 contains registration means 10--said registration means 10 interlocking through holes 9 in the flexible target 2 into registration means 17 in the at least one second support member 6 to retain the flexible target 2 in the apparatus during use. The at least one second support member 6 and the first support member 5 may be held together using a threaded fastener 7. Elastic ring 8 wraps, stretches, or passes around the normally projecting surface 14 at or near the areas of contact between normally projecting surface 14 and tangentially projecting surface 12. Band 4 is connected to or integrally part of elastic ring 8 and serves to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of the support 3.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 9, in a preferred embodiment one or more mating surface or mounting slot 24 may be captured by one or more clips or tabs 25 to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of support 3 when support 3 is not a punching bag.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning a flexible striking target, the apparatus comprising: a) a flexible striking target; b) a first support member, said first support member designed to provide curvature in the flexible striking target; c) a second support member, said second support member designed to retain the flexible striking target against the first support member; and d) a support member attachment means for maintaining the position of said second support member relative to said first support member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising protruding features on the first support member and/or the second support member, wherein said protruding features pass through perforations in the flexible striking target.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member attachment means comprises a clip.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member attachment means comprises a means selected from the group consisting of a magnet, an adhesive, a snap, a barb, a spring, and a threaded fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible striking target comprises a thin sheet of plastic, paper, or fabric.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible striking target comprises alignment and/or registration features.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curvature in the flexible striking target increases the stiffness of the striking target.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus supports the striking target along only one edge.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for attaching the apparatus to a supporting structure.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for attaching the apparatus to a supporting structure comprises a strap that may be tightened.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said strap comprises elastic.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the substantially rigid elements of the apparatus are on the opposite side of the flexible striking target from the martial arts practitioner.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is capable of holding the flexible striking target at a height and horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle with respect to the floor and the martial arts practitioner.

14. A system for positioning a flexible striking target, the system comprising the apparatus of claim 1 and a supporting structure.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said supporting structure comprises an exercise bag.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said supporting structure comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of a bar, block, pad, rod, ball, flexible or rigid armature, pole, box, wall, door, door-frame, or piece of furniture.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said apparatus may be removed from said supporting structure without damaging said supporting structure.

18. A method of martial arts training comprising: a) attaching an apparatus according to claim 1 to a supporting structure; and b) striking said flexible striking target of said apparatus with martial arts strikes.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said flexible striking target is repeatedly struck without user intervention to reset the target between strikes.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising assembling said flexible striking target, said first support member, and said second support member to provide the apparatus, wherein said assembling occurs without tools or fasteners.