Abstract:
The present invention relates to a training apparatus and method of using the training apparatus having a returnable soft target suspended for striking by a user. The martial arts training apparatus includes a support structure which can have vertical posts adjustable in height with at least one point of attachment for securing at least one resilient band. The resilient band is attached between at least two vertical posts and is held taught. A target is attached to the resilient band and can be made of a soft pliable material such as a tennis ball. The apparatus can be a free standing unit or can be attached to opposing walls or a doorway of a room.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a training apparatus and a method of using a training apparatus for martial arts training.  
         [0002]     Practitioners of the martial arts use different training devices to increase the speed and accuracy of their punches and kicks. The practitioners typically strike devices such as heavy bags which are suspended from the ceiling; speed bags which are suspended between the ceiling and floor with elastic bands; or stationary objects such as boards or wooden poles. These training devices all have their uses, however, there are problems presented by each device.  
         [0003]     A problem with items such as heavy bags and immovable objects such as boards and wooden poles is that the user may strike these objects with their hand or foot and injure themselves. Heavy bags are typically made of very tough leather and foam which for some users may not provide adequate shock absorption to protect their hands and feet. Heavy bags are typically very large targets that do not improve the accuracy of the user. For example, an item such as a heavy bag is a large bag approximately one foot to two feet in diameter and four to five feet high. The user can strike this bag at any place, however, since the bag is so large the accuracy of the user does not improve.  
         [0004]     Another problem with typical training devices is that they may swing wildly in erratic directions after they are struck and injure the user. Typically, heavy bags are cylinder shaped and suspended from the ceiling or other similar structure. After the user hits the bag, the bag can violently swing in various directions and hit the user. In addition, the user will not be able to accurately strike the bag in the same area again to improve their accuracy due to this erratic movement.  
         [0005]     Other prior art training devices such as speed bags, may have a ball or spherically shaped object that is attached to elastic band between a floor and a ceiling. These training devices allow the bag to return to its original position after being struck. A disadvantage to these prior art devices is that they are not adjustable. For example, the speed bag only allows the user to only have one target to aim at and the speed or rate of return to the original position is not adjustable. The user can not have multiple bags or targets, since it would be very expensive and take up a large amount of room.  
         [0006]     It would be desirable to provide a method and training apparatus which improves the user&#39;s accuracy, speed and power and allows the user to hit multiple targets.  
         [0007]     It would also be desirable to provide a training apparatus which is adjustable and a method for using such an apparatus.  
         [0008]     It is therefore desirable to create a method and a training apparatus addressing the shortcomings and disadvantages associated with the devices of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is a martial arts training method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a support structure and at least one resilient band attached to the support structure having a target suspended therefrom. The invention is also a method which includes punching or kicking a soft pliable target suspended from a resilient band attached at either end to a support structure such that the target returns to substantially its original position after being struck for subsequent punching and/or kicking.  
         [0010]     The target can be made of a soft material so that it does not injure a user during kicking and punching drills. There can be multiple resilient bands and targets attached to the support structure at varying levels so that the user can add variety to their workout. Each of the resilient bands can have multiple targets attached to it so that the user can have different targets to hit on the same lateral plane. The resilient bands allow the target to return to its original position after being struck.  
         [0011]     In a preferred embodiment, the support structure has four adjustable posts which can vary in height from four to eight feet high. Each vertical post is held in place and spaced a distance apart from each other using adjustable support rods. These four posts and support rods create a substantially square or rectangular perimeter so that the user can stand in the interior portion created by the support structure. Each post has at least one point of attachment for securing the resilient band. An attachment device is positioned at the point of attachment. A hook bolt or other similar device can be used as the attachment device. The hook bolt can be selectively removable from the post. The points of attachment and attachment devices can be positioned along a longitudinal axis of the posts at varying heights.  
         [0012]     The resilient bands can have a loop at each end to secure it to the attachment devices. The resilient bands can easily be detached from the attachment devices when needed. The resilient bands are pulled taught so that when the target is hit the resilient bands will return to their original position.  
         [0013]     The target is attached to the resilient band at an attachment point. Multiple targets can be attached to the resilient band so that the user can have different targets in the lateral plane. The target is made of a soft material and can be a tennis ball or other spherically shaped object. The target is encased in a flexible pocket that is attached to the resilient band. The flexible pocket can be made with netting material or stocking material so that it completely surrounds the spherically shaped object.  
         [0014]     The posts can have a two piece construction with a lower tube and a movable upper tube to form a telescoping arrangement. Connecting the upper and lower tubes is an intermediate tube positioned within the inner dimensions of the upper and lower tubes. The intermediate tube can be fixed to the lower tube and allows the upper tube to slidably move in a vertical direction. After the upper tube is correctly positioned on the intermediate tube, a locking device such as a locking pin arrangement can be used to hold the upper tube in place.  
         [0015]     The present invention can be used in a four posted arrangement so that the user can stand in the interior portion. In addition, an alternative embodiment only two vertical posts may be used and attached to adjoining walls in a room with the resilient bands suspended therebetween. Alternatively, the two posts can be attached to a door frame and the resilient bands can be attached and removed as needed. An advantage to using the two post embodiment is that the user can obtain all the advantages of the four post embodiment without needing the space required for the four post embodiment.  
         [0016]     As a result of the present invention, it is an advantage to have multiple targets suspended from various heights and on various lateral planes. It is an advantage of the present invention to provide adjustable targets that do not injure the user when they are hit.  
         [0017]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further advantages, references made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of a post along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a support rod along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an attachment device along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is detailed view of a target of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of a bracket of a present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a martial arts training apparatus  10  is shown having a support structure  11  with a resilient band  40  and a target  50  suspended therefrom. The resilient band  40  is a continuous strip of material secured to the support structure  11  at attachment points  30  so that the resilient band  40  is held taught. A target  50  is secured at an attachment point  58  to the resilient band  40 .  
         [0027]     In a first embodiment, the support structure  11  has four posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  which are positioned in a substantially square or rectangular configuration. Posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  can be adjustable in height from four feet to eight feet using a telescoping arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  are made of metal, however, any rigid material can be used. For exemplary purposes, post  92  will be described in detail with the remaining posts  94 ,  96  and  98  being identical in construction.  
         [0028]     Post  92  can have any cross-sectional shape but is shown here with a cylindrical shape. Post  92  is constructed with a lower cylinder  16  having a first inner dimension  20 . The lower portion  16  has a base  24  that allows the post  92  to stand vertically on level ground. Post  92  also has an upper portion  14  which has a second inner dimension  21  identical in size to the first inner dimension  20 . Connecting the upper portion  14  and lower portion  16  is an intermediate cylinder  18 . The intermediate cylinder  18  has an outer dimension  22  sized to fit inside of the first inner dimension  20  and second inner dimension  21  of both the lower portion  16  and upper portion  14 . The intermediate cylinder  18  allows for sliding movement of the upper portion  14  up and down on the intermediate portion  18 . Intermediate cylinder  18  can be secured within the lower portion  16  to allow an exposed portion  17  of the intermediate section  18  to extend out of the lower portion  16 . The exposed portion  17  of the intermediate cylinder  18  is then inserted into the upper portion  14 . The upper portion  14  can slidably move up and down the intermediate cylinder  18  to extend the height of the post  92 . A locking mechanism  26  to secure the upper portion  14  in place can be used once the upper portion  14  of the post  92  is correctly positioned.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the locking mechanism  26  that is selectively actuable can be a pin  27  that is inserted through a hole  28  in the upper portion  14 . The pin  27  then-extends through a corresponding hole  29  in the exposed portion  17  of the intermediate cylinder  18  to hold the upper portion  14  in place. There can be multiple holes  29  along the longitudinal axis of the intermediate cylinder  18  so that various heights can be selected. However, it is envisioned that any locking mechanism can be used.  
         [0030]     The post  92  also includes at least one point of attachment  30 . An attachment device  32  is located at the point of attachment  30 . The attachment device  32  allows the resilient band  40  to be secured to the post  92 . It is envisioned that there are multiple points of attachment  30  positioned along the longitudinal axis of the post  92 . The attachment device  32  can be an hook bolt  34 . See  FIG. 4 . The hook bolt  34  extends through an aperture  38  in the side wall  39  of the upper portion  14  of post  92 . There can be multiple apertures  38  along the upper portion  14  and the lower portion  16  as desired. The hook bolt  34  extends through the aperture  38  and is secured on the opposite side by a nut  36 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , support rods  60  can be used to hold the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  a distance away from each other. The support rods  60  can be extended from a length of four feet to eight feet. By adjusting the length of the support rods  60 , the interior dimensions of the space created by the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  where the user stands can be adjusted as needed depending on the height of the user and their particular needs. The support rods  60  can be made of metal or rigid plastic or any other stiff material.  
         [0032]     The support rods  60  can be constructed of telescoping tubes as shown in  FIG. 3 . A first tube  66  and a second tube  68  can have identical first inner dimensions  72 . A third tube  70  has a second outer dimension  74  which is smaller than the first dimension  72  and is positioned inside of the first tube  66  and the second tube  68 . The third tube  70  is adjustably secured to both the first tube  66  and second tube  68 . In order to adjust the length of the support rod  60  both the first tube  66  and second tube  68  have apertures  76  extending through their outer surface. Corresponding apertures  77  are spaced along the length of the third tube  70 . The user aligns the apertures  76  of the first tube  66  and second tube  68  along the length of the third tube  70  with apertures  77 . After these apertures  76  and  77  are aligned, bolts  78  extend through the first tube  66  and the third tube  70  to hold the first tube  66  in place. The user then slidably adjusts the distance from the first tube  66  to the second tube  68  and uses an additional bolt  78  to fix the position of the second tube  68  along the length of the third tube  70 . The support rod  60  has a first end  62  and a second opposite end  64 . For exemplary purposes, the first end  62  is attached to the first post  92  and the second end  64  is attached to the second post  94 . The support rods  60  can be attached to both the top portion  14  and the bottom portion  16  of the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  in a parallel relation to each other to securely hold the posts in place.  
         [0033]     Resilient bands  40  extend horizontally between each of the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . Each resilient band  40  can be made of an elastic material such as surgical tubing. It is envisioned that multiple resilient bands  40  can be attached between the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . However, for exemplary purposes only one resilient band  40  will be described. The resilient band  40  has a first end  42  attached to first post  92  and a second opposite end  43  attached to second post  94 . The first end  42  and the second end  43  are attached to the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  with the attachment device  32 . Each end has a loop  44  which is inserted through the hook bolt  34 . The resilient band  40  can be easily removed by the user when needed by either unbolting the hook bolt  34  from the post or undoing the loop  44  of the resilient band  40 . The resilient band  40  can be attached with different tensions so that the target  50  moves back to its original position after being struck at a faster rate or slower rate.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , attached to the resilient band  40  is a target  50 . The target  50  can be made of a soft material so that it does not injure a person&#39;s hands or feet or any other part of their body when hit. In a preferred embodiment, the target  50  has a spherical shape. A tennis ball or other type of soft spherical object or ball  52  can be used as the target  50 . The ball  52  is held in a pocket  54 . The pocket  54  made of a netting material  56 . The netting material can be made of a rope material or stocking material which is flexible and pliable. The ball  52  is inserted inside the pocket  54  created by the netting  56  and the netting  56  is secured at an attachment point  58  on the resilient band  40 . The attachment point  58  can be moved anywhere along the length of the resilient band  40  so that the user can change the position of the target  50 . The attachment point  58  can be easily moved by the user by simply sliding the netting  56  along the length of the resilient band  40  between the first end  42  and the second end  43 .  
         [0035]     In a second embodiment, the apparatus  200  can also be used with only two posts  92  and  94  instead of the four posts as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  only one side of the apparatus  10  is used. The first post  92  and the second post  94  are identical as shown in the first embodiment. The points of attachment  30 , the resilient band  40  and the target  50  are all identical to the first embodiment. However, no support rods  60  are used. Instead, the posts  92  and  94  are attached to a first wall  202  and a second wall  204 . These walls  202  and  204  can be adjoining walls as in a corner of a room or opposite parallel walls of a room.  
         [0036]     For exemplary purposes, the walls  202  and  204  form a corner of a room. The posts  92  and  94  are secured to the first wall  202  and second wall  204  using brackets  206 . The brackets  206  can be made of a metallic material or any other rigid material that will securely hold the posts  92  and  94  in place. The bracket  206  has a U-shaped portion  208  with a first end  210  and a second end  212 . Extending substantially perpendicularly from the first and second ends  210  and  212  are tabs  216 . Tabs  216  have bolt holes  214  therein. In order to secure the first post  92  and second post  94  to the first wall  202  and second wall  204 , the U-shaped portion  208  of the bracket  206  is placed over the posts  92  and  94 . At least one bracket  206  is used, however, several brackets  206  can be used if needed to securely hold the posts  92  and  94  to the walls. The tabs  216  are then-placed adjacent the surface of the first wall  202  or second wall  204 . Bolts  218  are inserted through the bolt holes  214  and driven into the walls. The bolts  218  can be self tapping screws, lag bolts or any other fastener.  
         [0037]     It is also envisioned that the second embodiment  200  can be used inside a door frame. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the second embodiment  200  is used within a door frame  220 . The door frame  220  has a first frame member  222  and a parallel second frame member  224 . The posts  92  and  94  are attached to the first frame member  222  and second frame member  224 , respectively. The brackets  206 , as in the previous embodiment, are used to hold the posts  92  and  94  to the door frame  220 . The user places the poles  92  and  94  adjacent the door frame  220  and uses the brackets  206  and bolts  218  to hold the brackets to the door frame  220 . When the device  200  is used, the resilient bands  40  and targets  50  can be secured to the attachment devices  32 . After the user is finished using the device  200  the resilient bands  40  can be easily removed from the attachment devices  32  so that the user can walk through the door frame  220  and use the door as normal.  
         [0038]     An advantage of the second embodiment  200  is that less room is taken up by the two post embodiment than the four post embodiment. Therefore, a user can still have all the advantages of having the target  50  that it is suspended from a resilient band  40  without having to take up the space required by the four post embodiment described earlier.  
         [0039]     In order to use the first embodiment of the present invention, the user first adjusts the height of the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  to the desired height between four and eight feet. The upper portion  14  is raised or lowered as needed and the locking mechanism  26  is actuated. The support rods  60  are adjusted to their appropriate length to space the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  apart from each other so that the user can move freely about the interior portion created by the four posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . The user can then hit any of the targets attached to the resilient bands  40 . The resilient bands  40  can be at varying levels along the length of the posts  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  so that the user can strike high and low targets  50  as needed. The user can then adjust the targets  50  along the lengths of the resilient band  40  so that their punches and kicks can be directed at different points in a lateral plane to further increase their accuracy and quickness.  
         [0040]     In order to use the second embodiment and third embodiment, the user only has to attach the desired number resilient bands  40  to the first post  92  and second post  94 . It is envisioned that multiple targets  50  can be suspended from a single band so that the user can have multiple targets to hit on the same lateral plane to further increase their accuracy and add variety to their workout.  
         [0041]     An advantage of the present invention is that is can be easily adapted for use in both larger spaces and smaller spaces for use by a single user or multiple users.  
         [0042]     A still further advantage of the present invention is that the targets can be placed in various positions so that the user can have a variety of targets to hit and will constantly have to adjust their aim and accuracy thereby increasing their skill level.  
         [0043]     Therefore, while there have been described to have presently believed be preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that other and further changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.