Flexible athletic training perimeter system

The invention is of an athletic perimeter or "ring" system which is cost effective to purchase and use, is easily transported between locations, and admits use in several configurations--open or closed, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. The system is free-standing, and consists of several corner posts which are interlockable with several fence sections. When assembled, the system resembles a boxing ring, but the "ropes" are actually high tension steel. The rigidity of the "ropes" provide the inherent stability of the system and allow it to be free-standing, without attachment of corner posts to a floor surface. The substantially rigid "ropes" unlike actual ropes of boxing rings, also provide support for exercises, such as leg stretching. Accessory frames are provided for supporting accessories such as punching bags, etc. The system represents a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional boxing rings, and offers benefits to marital arts practitioners which are not provided by boxing rings of any design or cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of The Invention 
Applicant's invention relates to athletic equipment, and more particularly 
to equipment and accessories useful in training of ring-related sports, 
such as martial arts. 
2. Background Information 
While boxing has its traditional "rings" with its ropes, etc., those 
persons in martial arts training have a need for similar, but distinctly 
different equipment to aid in their training efforts. 
Martial arts training is often done in groups of varying sizes. In 
addition, many widely varying activities are involved in martial arts 
training, which activities dictate flexibility in training area layout. 
A defined area in which martial arts students train and practice is highly 
desirable for certain phases of training. This, in turn, might suggest use 
of a traditional boxing ring. There are, however, significant problems 
with use of any form of the traditional boxing ring for martial arts 
practitioners and businesses. 
One problem is expense. The three available forms of boxing rings are quite 
expensive, either directly or indirectly. Pre-fabricated boxing rings must 
be built on site and costs several thousands of dollars. Another version, 
also quite expensive, is a portable, trailer-borne structure which is 
often used for traveling boxing exhibitions. The third version is a 
training version which is built at a training facility and involves four 
floor-mounted posts with the intervening ropes. This last version is 
usually the least expensive of the three boxing ring types, but is 
indirectly expensive in that it irreversibly occupies often costly floor 
space which cannot then be effectively used for other activities. As 
already mentioned, martial arts training involves a wider variety of 
training activities, and involves more people per unit training time, than 
boxing, and therefore requires space not bounded or occupied by a boxing 
ring support posts and ropes. The cost of leasing sufficient floor space 
both for a dedicated boxing ring area and for other activities which 
ideally occur outside of a ring-like area is prohibitive for the many 
thousands of small, one-owner martial arts studios. 
Even if expense were not an issue, boxing rings in the presently known form 
have only limited utility for martial arts practitioners. The ropes of 
standard boxing rings are not resilient enough to support leg stretching 
exercises which are an integral part of any martial arts training or 
warm-up. Also, the fixed, closed layout of boxing rings inherently rule 
out alternative layouts, such as a U-shaped configuration as would be 
desirable for certain exhibition work in martial arts, or perhaps a 
triangular layout which would be more fitting for certain spaces in which 
a boxing ring would not fit. 
Certainly, martial arts practitioners who do use a ring-like structure for 
exhibitions, matches, etc. must, in order to have a boxing ring available, 
incur the substantial expense of renting a facility already having a 
boxing ring, or lease a portable unit at substantial expense. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel ring-like 
structure which is particularly suited for use by martial arts 
practitioners. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ring-like 
structure for use by martial arts practitioners, which structure is more 
cost effective than boxing ring construction or use. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ring-like 
structure for use by martial arts practitioners, which structure admits 
flexibility of layout. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ring-like 
structure, particularly for use by martial arts practitioners which is 
portable. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel 
ring-like structure which is particularly suited for use by martial arts 
practitioners, which structure is cost effective, portable and flexible in 
layout. 
In satisfaction of these and related objectives, Applicant's present 
invention provides a novel athletic ring system which is cost effective to 
purchase and use, is easily transported between locations, and admits use 
in several configurations. Applicant's ring system is particularly 
suitable for martial arts training, not only with respect to its 
portability, layout flexibility and portability, but also with respect to 
the use of "ropes" which are, in fact, high-tension steel which stand up 
to the forces associated with their use for leg stretching exercises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, Applicant's athletic ring system is identified 
generally by the reference numeral 10. System 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in one 
of several possible layouts. In this case, the system 10 is configured for 
a triangular layout which is useful in reserving adjacent floor space for 
other non-ring activities, or in fitting the system into areas which would 
not admit a full-sized square ring at all, without regard to floor space 
division concerns (such as even a home use). 
Referring in combination to FIGS. 1 and 2, Applicant's system includes a 
plurality of corner posts 12 (four for a standard square or rectangular 
ring configuration). Corner posts 12 couple with a plurality of fence 
sections 14 to define whatever layout is desired for system 10. As in FIG. 
1, three corner posts 12 and two fence sections 14 can be used to define 
an open, V-shaped configuration. A third fence section 14 could be added 
to define a closed triangular configuration. Obviously, a fourth corner 
post 12 and fence section 14 could be added for a square configuration (or 
rectangular configuration, if two long and two short fence sections 14 are 
used [fence sections 14 of varying length are not separately depicted in 
the drawings, but are within the scope of Applicant's invention]). 
Referring particularly to FIG. 2, each corner post 12, for the preferred 
embodiment of Applicant's invention, includes three pairs of coupling eyes 
16. Each pair of coupling eyes 16 extend from the base post 18 at 
90.degree. relative angles. A base 20 supports and provides stability for 
the base post 18. Bisecting the angle formed by the pairs of coupling eyes 
are pad supports 22 which support a protective pad 24. Protective pad 24 
is provided to insure that users of system 10 are not injured should they 
fall against corner posts 12. 
Fence sections 14, on first impression, resemble one side of a boxing ring 
with three rather than four "ropes." However, ropes 26 of fence sections 
14 are actually high-tension steel rods which are padded for safety 
purposes. Ropes 26 are, in the preferred embodiment, 0.75 inch in 
diameter. Ropes 26 are connected by welding at their respective opposites 
ends to fence posts 28 in a perpendicular mating arrangement as shown in 
the figures. Like ropes 26, fence posts 28 are padded for safety in the 
preferred embodiment. 
Ropes 26 are highly resilient and resistive to forces which would bend 
them. Ropes 26 provide two primary benefits in system 10, benefits not 
possibly provided by actual hemp-type or other fibrous ropes: (1) they 
will withstand downward forces such as accompany use of ropes 26 during 
leg stretching exercises (a user can jump on ropes 26 with only minor 
deviation of the rope 26); and (2) they provide some or all of the 
rigidity for system 10 which enables corner posts 12, and therefore, the 
entire system 10 to be free-standing (i.e. not attached to a floor surface 
for a safe and stable installation). 
Extending from the opposite sides of each fence post 28 from ropes 26 are 
three coupling pins 30. Coupling pins 30 are sized and spaced for coupling 
with coupling eyes 16 of corner posts 12. 
Referring in combination to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of 
Applicant's invention includes one or more fence stands 32 for use in 
those occasions when one or more fence sections 14 are disengaged from a 
corner post 12 and hingedly "opened up" for a ring layout having an open 
side, or for effectively removing the system 10 from a room by aligning it 
with walls of a room. Fence stands 32 support the distal, disconnected 
ends of fence sections 14 as they mate with lowermost coupling pin 30 of 
the free end of the fence section 14. 
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexibility of Applicant's system 
extends beyond that associated with the mere layout of the fence sections 
14 and corner posts 12. Extra equipment, such as speed bags 34, etc., can 
be added by telescopically engaged accessory posts 36. An insertion end 38 
of each accessory post 36 is sized for telescopic reception into the 
superior end of each base post 18. For safety purposes, a plastic, 
plug-like member (not shown in the drawings) occupies the open end of each 
base post 18 when an accessory post 36 is not in place. 
The support arms of each accessory post 36 can move in any direction 
relative to the base post 18 as the accessory post can easily pivot 
relative to the base post 18. Particularly when accessory posts 18 are 
used, and heavy items are suspended from them, braces 40 are encouraged to 
be used. Braces 40 extend between accessory posts 36 of adjacent corner 
posts 12 and help counter the torque resulting from the heavy accessory. 
Applicant's ring system 10 is highly flexible, easy to assemble and 
disassemble, portable, and a highly effective tool for teaching and 
practicing martial arts. Ring system 10 provides economic benefits to its 
user by obviating any need or desire for a more expensive traditional 
boxing ring, by allowing use of a "ring" without permanently occupying a 
large portion of floor space, by allowing the conversion of facilities 
which do not have boxing rings and which may be less expensive to rent for 
exhibitions into suitable places for exhibitions. 
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific 
embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited 
sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as 
alternative embodiments of the inventions, will become apparent to persons 
skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. 
It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such 
modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.