Abstract:
An articulated coordination punching bag includes: a flexible central core; a first target enclosing a first potion of the central core; and a second target enclosing a second potion of the central core. The first and second targets may move independently of each other.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/074,378, filed Jun. 20, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to training devices, and more specifically, to an articulated coordination punching bag. 
         [0003]    A heavy punching bag improves only power. Punching bags are predictable because the entire bag moves as a unit. The bag might spin, but it still moves in a simple pattern. When the bag is struck, its movement is very predictable. The bag, being one large cylinder, will move away from the direction of the punch, in a linear pattern, and then swing back in a line in the reverse direction. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a punching bag that does not simply move away from the direction of the punch, and then swing directly back. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a device includes: a flexible central core; a first target enclosing a first potion of the central core; and a second target enclosing a second potion of the central core; wherein the first and second targets may move independently of each other. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention a device includes: a flexible central core made of rope; and a plurality of targets, each target enclosing a separate portion of the central core, each target including a generally cylinder-shaped foam portion covered by a sleeve; wherein the device is adapted to be hung so that the targets, when struck, cause the device to move in a generally nonlinear manner. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention a method of training to perform strikes includes: providing a flexible central core; providing a plurality of targets fitted to the central core, the targets having a generally cylinder-shaped foam portion covered by a sleeve; hanging the flexible central core so that the targets are free to move independently of each other; and striking a target. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with three targets, the lowest target having a weight; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with three targets, the lowest target having a weight; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the lowest target taken on line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with three targets, and no weights; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with three targets, the middle target having a weight and the lowest target having two weights; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with four targets, the lower three targets having weights; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with two targets, the lowest target having a weight; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with three targets, all having weights; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with three targets, the lowest target having three weights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. 
         [0020]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides an articulated coordination punching bag. 
         [0021]    Embodiments of the present invention include a coordination punching bag that because of its size, light weight and unpredictable movement, improves both coordination and control of strikes (punches, kicks, etc). Its light weight allows it to be hung in an apartment and used by individuals that could not lift a heavy punching bag. A coordination bag may improve speed, reaction time, coordination and agility. It more accurately simulates a real life opponent. 
         [0022]    An embodiment of this device includes a flexible central core, such as a rope. Multiple targets fit over the rope. One or more targets are weighted. The targets are cylinder-shaped foam covered by a protective sleeve. Knots in the rope separate the targets. 
         [0023]    An embodiment includes a weight, placed inside one of the cylinders. 
         [0024]    The device may be hung from the ceiling. Its light weight promotes control over power when striking. When hit, it moves in a random manner. The movement of the device requires an increase in accuracy and speed, as well as hand eye/body eye coordination, in order to hit it. 
         [0025]    Because the bag is light weight and flexible, it can be used as a simulated attack allowing the user to practice blocks, counters, or blocks and counters. In other words, you switch roles with the bag. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, by adding or subtracting weights and sections, the movement can be made more or less predictable, thus providing an adjustability of skill level. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment of the invention, the bag has multiple sections, one of them weighted. The bags movement is unpredictable. This causes a need for the strike, punch, kick etc. to have an increased level of speed and accuracy in order to hit the bag. 
         [0028]    The figures depict various embodiments of the invention. The embodiments depicted, and other embodiments, may have from two to four or more targets, and the targets each may have zero, one, or more weights. When an embodiment is struck by a person wishing to train to perform strikes (punches, kicks, etc), the device moves in a generally nonlinear manner. 
         [0029]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a punching bag  10  includes three targets, each with a foam cylinder and protective sleeve. The bag  10  can be hung from a ceiling  11  by a flexible core made of wire cable or rope  18 . 
         [0030]    As depicted in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , three targets  12 ,  14 , and  16  each enclose a portion of the rope  18 . Knots  19  in the rope  18  help prevent the targets  12 ,  14 ,  16  from slipping. Upper target  12  includes protective sleeve  12   a  and foam cylinder  13 , intermediate target  14  includes protective sleeve  14   a  and foam cylinder  15 , and lower target  16  includes protective sleeve  16   a  and foam cylinder  17 . The lower target  16  also includes a weight  20 , which may be enclose the rope  18  and may be enclosed by the lower target protective sleeve  16   a.    
         [0031]      FIG. 2  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in use. The cable  18  allows the targets  12 ,  14 , and  16  to move in an unpredictable, generally non-linear manner, when intermediate target  14  is struck. The weight  20  in lower target  16  further results in unpredictable movement when the targets are struck. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the lower target  16  taken on line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . In addition to knots  19  above and below the target  16 , there are knots  19  inside the target  16  to help prevent the weight  20  from slipping. Weight  20  may or may not be enclosed by the foam cylinder  17 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with three targets, and no weights. This embodiment has no weights, and will produce a different type of motion when struck by a user than the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with three targets, the middle target having a weight and the lowest target having two weights;  FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with four targets, the lower three targets having weights;  FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with two targets, the lowest target having a weight;  FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the present invention with three targets, all having weights; and  FIG. 9  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use, with three targets, the lowest target having three weights. These embodiments will produce different types of motion when the targets are struck by a user. 
         [0035]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.