Abstract:
A boxing device that fights back in response to an attackers blows to simulate a boxing match comprises a boxing bag, a pair of padded arms each having a boxing glove at its end, and a pair of reel type pieces wherein each of said reel type piece works as an axis holding each a padded arm that rotates around the piece in response to an impact applied to the boxing bag.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,276 issued on Feb. 10, 2009. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to boxing devices and more particularly to a device that fights back and serves as a sparring partner by swinging its own arms to its attackers. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Boxing is not only a sport, but an aerobic exercise too. There are various devices in the prior art that teach or train a person in certain specific aspects of boxing. Some devices in the prior art disclose arm-like structures which may swing at an attacker in response to a blow. For instance U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,980 to Babineaux discloses a device that fights back comprising a boxing bag and a pair of arms. However, Babineaux invention does not simulate actual fighting conditions as the arms swing forward in predictable motions. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved training device in the prior art that can train all aspects of boxing and kickboxing in one training session. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a device that trains the offensive and defensive movements for self-defense. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that improves the user&#39;s offensive and defensive reflexes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable heavy bag device for training the offensive and defensive movements for self-defense. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be attached to any pre-existing training bag for advance self-defense training. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device that gives the user a cardiovascular exercise. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that improves muscular strength of the upper and lower body. 
     A further object of this invention is that it is easy and safe to use. 
     Still a further object of this invention is that it can be used by both left and right handed boxers. 
     Another object of this invention is to give the user the sensation of being in a boxing match without the risk of injury. 
     The sparring partner itself, both as to its construction and its mode of operation will be best understood, and additional objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     When the word “invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is, the plural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention and Applicant maintains that the present application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts, that the disclosure of the present application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other. 
     Further, the purpose of the accompanying abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   h  are views of the several components of one the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  are views of an embodiment of the invention using a heavy bag; 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  are views of an embodiment of the invention using a small heavy bag; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of an embodiment of the invention using a detachable bag; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the bearing system for the second embodiment of the invention using a detachable bag; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the bearing system assembly of the invention using a detachable bag; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the ball bearing and boxing arm attachment for the invention; 
         FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  are views of the arm attachment embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the arm pivot of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of a detachable arm assembly of the invention for any bag; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a detachable arm assembly of the invention for any bag; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of a detachable arm assembly with arm movement; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a detachable arm assembly with arm movement; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the detachable arm section II from  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the detachable arm section III from  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides several embodiments of a boxing device for training the offensive and defensive movements for self-defense.  FIGS. 1   a - 1   g  presents several element of the first invention&#39;s embodiment assembled, as shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b , to provide a sparing partner or boxing device. 
     The boxing device constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a reel type piece  11  comprising two separated parts  11   a ,  11   b  assembled together that works as an axis holding the swinging boxing arm  12 . The first portion  11   a  has an opening  11   c  wherein a hollow protrusion  11   d  extending from the second portion  11   b  is inserted. The reel piece  11  holds a metal rod  13  which holds an attachment A from the ceiling C or floor F such as a nylon or metal cable with attachments  100 , springs  101  and hooks  102  in order to support the boxing device while training. The boxing arm  12  moves around the reel type  11  piece and comprises a hollowed base  12   a  linked to said reel piece  11  in such manner that the hollow base  12   a  substantially cover the outer surface of reel piece  11  separated portions  11   a ,  11   b . Foam  12   b  is used to cover the rigid boxing arm extension  12   c  avoiding damages to the device user. The boxing arm extension  12   c  is provided with a T-type rod  14  that holds a boxing glove  15 , as shown in  FIG. 1   c  and  FIG. 1   e . A funnel type piece  16  made of thick aluminum metal or pvc material is placed over the double end bag bladder B 1  or the heavy bag B 2  in both superior and inferior portions; both funnels  16  are covered with leather and held in place with tight on strings; the funnel&#39;s small portion is inserted into the hollow inferior portion of the reel  11  and a plastic covered cable or nylon cable  17  runs through it and the reel  11 . The cable is held in place by the metal rod  13  on top of the reel piece  11   a . The metal rod is slide through a bore  13   b  at the reel  11 . The end of the cable  17  has a metal double triangle  18  is usually attached or in combination with metal rod  13  is fixed to an attachment A which connects the boxing device with the ceiling C or floor F through a superior rubber cable or metal spring  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  and  FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  similar piece or structure is used to hold the inferior reels rod and rubber cable. The funnel&#39;s  16  small portion is applied to the hollow inferior portion of the reel  11  and a plastic covered cable or nylon cable runs through it and the reel  11 . The cable is held in place by the metal rod on top of the reel piece. The end of this cable has a metal double triangle to hold the metal rod and the superior rubber cable or metal spring. In both sides the union of the funnel piece  16  and the hollow reels  11  portion provides a rocking movement that lets the boxing arm  12  move in superior-inferior or inferior-superior motion. A bendy attachment A such as a spring gives flexible movement to the bag B 1 ,B 2 . The boxing arms  12  moves unpredictably around the reel piece  11  without a specific pattern; however the funnel shape aids the rocking movement. 
     The embodiments can be combined with pressure sensors at the boxing arms gloves and/or to the specific areas of the double end bag B 1  and heavy small bag B 2  to count the punches that the trainee/user receives and the punches that he lands to give a simulation of a boxing match. The height of the double end bag B 1  and small heavy bag B 2  can be adjusted to any trainee by using longer or shorter rubber cables and by changing the amount of chain links and rubber cable respectively. Colored dots can be applied to different areas of the double end bag and small heavy bag to improve punch accuracy. 
     In practice the double end bag gives punch speed and the small heavy bag gives punch power. When the double end bag B 1  and heavy bag B 2  are hit by a punch or foot the energy produce by the impact initiates an antero-posterior or lateral movement. This movement causes a physical reaction in the boxing arm making a left-right-left horizontal rotational movement. The rocking funnel-reel movement allows a superior-inferior and inferior-superior rotational or straight movement of the boxing arm. The velocity and impact of the counter punch produce by the user impact depend directly of the user&#39;s energy impact. 
     An arrangement between the upper and inferior boxing arms  12  can be performed in order to simulate a superior jab punch and inferior lower body punch respectively. For example the upper arm may be two inches longer than the inferior boxing arm. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is a boxing device, substantially similar to the first device providing a sparing partner but has the advantage of a structure which is independent from the impact absorbing element or bag selected by the user.  FIG. 4  discloses a boxing device using detachable bag. Similar to the first embodiment, this second embodiment is vertical connected to the ceiling C and Floor F using attachments A such as spring, hooks and cables and comprises a boxing arm body  12  connected to a ball bearing  200 , wherein said ball bearing  200  is fixed to a pivot duct  202  that prevent the vertical displacement of the ball bearing  200  by having at least a different pipe size. A distal end of the duct  202  is connected, as mentioned before, to the attachment  100  and the other distal end is provided with a rocking movement assistant element  203  which is combined and substantially contained inside a funnel shaped portion  205 . The funnel  205  bigger diameter portion or outsized portion is provided with holding elements, such as a bars  206 , connected to a base  207  keeping a bag or any other element capable of withstand strikes between the funnel shaped portion  205 , the bars  206  and base  207 . The base  207  is connected to the floor using a cable  208  with attachments  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the combination of the duct  202 , the rocking movement assistant element  203  and the funnel shaped portion  205 . The funnel smaller diameter portion rests substantially over the assistant element  203 , however a space  204  is formed between the duct  202  holding the assistant element  203  and said funnel smaller diameter portion  205 . Said space  204  between the duct  202  and the funnel provides a freely movement of the duct limit by the space  204  diameter allowing a superior-inferior and inferior-superior rotational or straight movement of the boxing arm body  12 . 
       FIG. 6  discloses the assembly of the ball bearing and the duct  202 . As disclosed before, the duct  202  comprises different sizes  202   a ,  202   b  provided with a rocking movement assistant element  203  at a distal end. The ball bearing  200  is fixed in such way that a vertical displacement is prevented, for example by providing a duct  202  having at least two different diameters. Usually the ball bearing inner wall  200   d  is in close contact with the duct  202  which is slide through the ball bearing opening center  200   c . The ball bearing  200  also comprises balls  200   b  for the rotational movement and an outer wall  200   a . At the outer wall  200   a  an arm connection  201  is located in order to hold the boxing arm  12  in position. The boxing body is rigidly connected to the ball bearing  200  or with a vertical controlled displacement. The displacement of the arm connection  201  is limited by an elastic element  20  in close contact such as the rubber or springs.  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  show the arm connection  201  surrounded by the elastic  20 . The arm connection  201  is fixed by a pivot pin  21  located at a hole  201   a  in the arm connection  201 . 
       FIG. 10  discloses a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is more directed to a removable sparring partner  111 . The removable sparring partner comprises a hollow conical structure or funnel cover  112   a  with a cylindrical portion  112   b , wherein said cylindrical portion  112   b  is substantially surrounded by an arm supported  111   a  as shown  FIG. 11 . A boxing arm  12  is connected to the arm supported  111   a  in such way that the arm supported  111   a  provides rotational movement for the boxing arm  12 . For this embodiment the boxing arm extension  12   c ′ is curved in order to provide a more real contact to the user. The boxing arm  12  can be a rigid body or it can be made of a more flexible configurations at the curved X allowing a superior-inferior and inferior-superior rotational or straight movement of the boxing arm  12  in combination with the bag movement. 
       FIGS. 12-15  disclose several configurations at the curved X.  FIG. 12  discloses the first configuration  12   b  comprising different material or combination of multiple materials at the curved X allowing the arm to bend in a particular direction, more preferably vertically. Another configuration, as in  FIGS. 13-15  comprises an boxing arm with two portions, wherein the first boxing arm portion  12   b ′ is connected to a arm support  111  and to a second boxing arm portion  12   b ″ by a move control unit U, wherein said second portion include the boxing glove and wherein said move control unit U comprises a pivot portion  12   e  supporting and holding the second boxing arm portion  12   b ″ in combination with an elastic object, such as a spring S, controlling the vertical displacement of said second boxing arm  12   b″.    
     Several embodiment of the sparing partner or boxing device has been shown and described fulfilling all the objects and advantages sought therefor. The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 
     All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.