Abstract:
A head-shaped target for a training stand is provided. The head-shaped target includes (a) a striking target body shaped to approximate a human head and operative to receive strikes, the striking target body having a padded surface; (b) an attachment member configured to releasably couple the head-shaped target to a support shaft of the training stand; and/or (c) an angled extension attachment coupling the striking target body to the attachment member, the angled extension attachment having a resilient spring positioned at an angle relative to the support shaft and the striking target body to enable the angled extension attachment to provide a resiliently deformable engagement between the striking target body and the support shaft.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of, and is a continuation application of, U.S. Ser. No. 12/235,262, filed Sep. 22, 2008, and entitled Collapsible Training Stand, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/975,984 filed Sep. 28, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Various features pertain to stands used for self-defense training, in particular to portable devices for practicing punching and kicking offensive and defensive techniques by hitting various pads or targets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the realm of exercise equipment, punching and/or kicking bags and targets are commonplace. Existing stands are designed to withstand punching and kicks and as a result tend to be bulky and/or permanent fixtures. As such, existing stands are not easy to move to different locations and are not easy to store away when not in use. 
         [0004]    Additionally, users tend to be of different heights and have different exercise needs (e.g., punching versus kicking exercises, martial arts versus boxing, etc.). However, many existing punching and kicking exercise equipment are not easily adjustable to accommodate these needs. 
         [0005]    One type of prior art portable exercise device for training self defense includes a large hollow base that is filled with water or sand to make it stable when kicking or punching the pads or targets. Such devices are typically very heavy after filled with water and sand and as a result they are difficult to store or move from one location to another. 
         [0006]    Another type of prior art portable exercise device for training self-defense includes a human torso and head shape for practicing punching or kicking techniques. Such devices are not adjustable in the height or position of the head and torso, and as a result may not be appropriately sized for very tall or short people, or practicing techniques for a variety of human sizes. 
         [0007]    Consequently, a portable stand for training self defense is needed that is stable, easily stored, moved around and easily adjustable over a range of heights and positions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In a first example, a head-shaped target for a training stand is provided comprising: (a) a striking target body shaped to approximate a human head and operative to receive strikes, the striking target body having a padded surface; (b) an attachment member configured to releasably couple the head-shaped target to a support shaft of the training stand; and/or (c) an angled extension attachment coupling the striking target body to the attachment member, the angled extension attachment having a resilient spring positioned at an angle relative to the support shaft and the striking target body to enable the angled extension attachment to provide a resiliently deformable engagement between the striking target body and the support shaft. The angled extension attachment couples at a rear and base of the striking target body to provide improved range of motion when the striking target body is struck. The angle may be between 45 and 135 degrees. The attachment member may comprise a first quick release clamp that releasably couples the attachment member to the support shaft. The attachment member may further comprise a second quick release clamp that releasably couples the attachment member to the angled extension attachment. The angled extension attachment may be substantially permanently fixed to the striking target body and the attachment member. The padded surface of the striking target body substantially covers a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a left side surface, and a right side surface of the striking target body. The bottom surface of the striking target body may be shaped and positioned to approximate a human chin, wherein the bottom surface is operative to receive uppercut punches and kicks. 
         [0009]    In a second example, a torso-shaped target for a training stand is provided comprising: (a) a striking target body shaped to approximate a human torso and operative to receive strikes, the striking target body having a padded surface, wherein the striking body includes an angled bottom portion and angled bottom corners; (b) an attachment member configured to releasably couple the torso-shaped target to a support shaft of the training stand; and/or (c) an angled extension attachment coupling the striking target body to the attachment member, the angled extension attachment having a resilient spring positioned at an angle relative to the support shaft and the striking target body to enable the angled extension attachment to provide a resiliently deformable engagement between the striking target body and the support shaft. The angled extension attachment may couple at a rear and base of the striking target body to provide improved range of motion when the striking target body is struck. The angle may be between 45 and 135 degrees. The attachment member may comprise a first quick release clamp that releasably couples the attachment member to the support shaft. The attachment member may further comprise a second quick release clamp that releasably couples the attachment member to the angled extension attachment. The angled extension attachment may be substantially permanently fixed to the striking target body and the attachment member. The padded surface of the striking target body substantially covers a top surface, a front surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, the angled bottom portion, and the angled bottom corners of the striking target body. The angled bottom portion and the angled bottom corners of the striking target body may be shaped and positioned to approximate a portion of a human torso below the ribs, the angled bottom portion and the angled bottom corners configured to guide a user to use correct striking form. 
         [0010]    In a third example, a hand-shaped target for a training stand is provided comprising: (a) a striking target body shaped and positioned to approximate a hand of a human and operative to receive strikes, the striking target body having a padded surface; (b) an attachment member configured to releasably couple the hand-shaped target to a T-bar support shaft of the training stand; and/or (c) an angled extension attachment coupling the striking target body to the attachment member, the angled extension attachment having a resilient spring positioned at an angle relative to the support shaft and the striking target body to enable the angled extension attachment to provide a resiliently deformable engagement between the striking target body and the T-bar support shaft. The angled extension attachment couples at a rear of the striking target body to provide improved range of motion when the striking target body is struck. The angle may be between 45 and 135 degrees. The attachment member may comprise a first quick release clamp that releasably couples the attachment member to the T-bar support shaft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a training stand according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a right side view of the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a left side view of the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the training stand of  FIG. 1  with weight bags thereon. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the training stand of  FIG. 1  in an expanded state with no attachments thereon. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the training stand of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed state with no attachments thereon. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates a training standing according to another embodiment of the invention with at least two targets positioned thereon. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates the training stand of  FIG. 9  with at least two targets positioned in an alternative position thereon. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates the training stand of  FIG. 9  with at least two targets positioned in yet another alternative position thereon. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates a close-up view at least two targets positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates a close-up view of at least two targets alternatively positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates a close-up view of at least one target positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates various views of an embodiment of a connector which may be used in conjunction with the training stand of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a close-up view of the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  illustrates various views of an embodiment of a head target which may be positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 9 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  illustrates various views of an embodiment of a torso target which may be positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 9 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  illustrates various views of an embodiment of a hand target may be positioned on the training stand of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 9 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of another configuration the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of yet another configuration the training stand of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
         [0034]    One aspect of the present invention provides a training device for hitting and kicking exercises, where the device comprises a training stand and a plurality of horizontally adjustable and vertically adjustable targets (e.g., punching/kicking targets). 
         [0035]    The training stand may be collapsible for storage. For example, the collapsible training stand may comprise square tubing that is connected with a variety of linkages that allow the training stand to be locked rigidly with a vertical square tube held securely in place. The training stand can easily be unlocked and folded down to a compact set of tubes that are easy to store. 
         [0036]    Conventional training stands are either bolted to a wall or floor for permanent installation or have bulky hollow bases that must be filled with water or sand to keep them from moving. As a result they are not easily moved or stored. By contrast, the portable training stand according to embodiments of the invention may be set up quickly and may quickly collapse for easy moving or storage. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1 through 6  illustrate the training stand  100  in its upright and usable configuration from different perspectives. The training stand  100  includes a central frame member, i.e., a central support shaft  502  having one or more telescoping pieces  504  that can allow for adjusting the height of the stand. That is, the one or more telescoping pieces  504  can be extended or retracted to a desired height for exercising or mounting striking/kicking pads or targets. A locking mechanism  1400  (shown in  FIG. 14 ), such as a pin, screw, or clamp, may serve to lock the one or more telescoping pieces  504  at a particular height. The training stand  100  may be adjustable in height by having a locking clamp  1400  that allows the telescoping pieces  504  to extend or retract from the central support shaft  502 . 
         [0038]    Additionally, a base operatively coupled to the central support shaft  502  includes folding legs  506  and  508  which may be pivotally coupled to one end of the central support shaft  502 . Side linkages  512  and  514  serve to couple the central support shaft  502  and legs  506  and  508  in a fixed position. In the preferred configuration, a first end of the linkages  512  and  514  may be pivotally coupled to the legs  506  and  508  and a second end of the linkages hook onto brackets and clamp into place using a quick release clamp  516 . When the side linkages  512  and  514  are locked into place on the central support shaft  502 , the legs  506  and  508  are maintained substantially perpendicular to the central support shaft  502 . When the side linkages  512  and  514  are unclamped from the central support shaft  502 , they may be pivotally rotated around their connections with the folding legs  506  and  508  to collapse the training stand for storage. Alternatively, the side linkages  512  and  514  may be locked into place on the central support shaft  502  using pins, screws or any equivalent thereof. 
         [0039]    In another example, the second end of the linkages  512  and  514  may be pivotally attached to a collar that slides on the central support shaft  502 . The sliding collar may be locked into position on the central support shaft  502  to maintain the legs  506  and  508  substantially perpendicular to the central support shaft  502 . The sliding collar may use a pin, a clamp, a screw or an equivalent mechanism to lock it into position. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  shows the training stand  100  in an upright and fully extended position with all the training pads, targets and other attachments removed.  FIG. 8  shows the training stand  100  in its collapsed configuration for storage. As illustrated, the legs  506  and  508  may be folded against the central support shaft  502  while the telescoping pieces  504  may be retracted into the central support shaft  502 . 
         [0041]    The stand  100  may have square tubing or it might have some other tubing shape such as round or rectangular, for example. Additionally, the length of the folding legs  506  and  508  of the support stand  100  may be selected to provide stability to the stand  100  when it is used for punching or kicking training. 
         [0042]    One advantage of this training device is that each pad, target and connector is easily removed from the stand  100  for storage through the use of quick release connectors or other easy to actuate clamping or pin mechanisms. The training stand  100  may include a plurality of connectors for attaching different training pads and targets.  FIG. 5  shows a connector  518  (i.e., attachment member) on several locations on the training stand  100 , i.e., on three (3) different locations on a T-Bar support  528 . An example of a connector  518  that may be used is shown in  FIG. 15 . In one embodiment, T-Bar support  528  may be rotatable three hundred and sixty (360) degrees about the tube  1506  in the connector  518 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 15  shows several views of the connector  518  in its closed configuration.  FIG. 16  shows the connector  518  in its open configuration. Each of the connectors  518  may be attached anywhere along the length of the central support shaft  502  and telescoping piece  504  and locked rigidly thereto. Additionally, each of the connectors  518  may be attached anywhere along the length of the T-Bar support  528 . The use of quick release clamps  1502  to attach the connectors  518  to the stand allow for easy attachment, easy removal and easy adjustability along the central support shaft  502  and the telescoping piece  504 . The use of quick release clamps  1504  also allow for easy attachment, easy removal and easy adjustability of different training pads and targets without removing the connector from the central support shaft  502  or the telescoping piece  504 . 
         [0044]    The connector  518  may be removable from the pad as shown in the configuration in  FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  20 . Alternatively, the connector  518  may be permanently attached to one of the pads as shown in  FIG. 18  item  1802  and in  FIG. 19  item  1902 . One advantage of attaching some pads permanently to a connector is to hold the pads securely in a preferred orientation. For example, head and torso pads may be held in the vertical orientation so they are permanently attached to the connectors. In some embodiments, the connectors allow for rotational movement about the training stand 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate how different objects, i.e., striking pads or targets may be coupled to the training stand  100 . A first target  520  may be in the form of a human head while a second target  522  may be in the form of a human torso. The shapes of first and second targets  520 ,  522  are shaped to allow upper cut punching thereto. Moreover, second target  522  may include angled corners,  1702  and  1704  i.e., at the bottom corners, to guide the user to use correct form. The optional T-Bar support  528  is shown attached to the telescoping piece  504  in a substantially horizontal orientation. Additional targets  524  and  526  mimic an attacker&#39;s arm and hand and are shown attached to the T-Bar support  528 . Each pad or target  520  and  522  may be adjusted up or down along the length of the central support shaft  502  and telescoping piece  504 . Each pad or target may be coupled to the central support shaft  502  and telescoping piece  504  using connectors  518 ,  1802  or  1902 . Each pad or target  524  and  526  may be adjusted anywhere along the length of the T-Bar support  528  using connectors  518 . Although the T-Bar support  528  is shown in a substantially horizontal orientation, the T-Bar support  528  may be adjusted in any vertical position or a 360 degrees orientation relative to the tube  1506  in the connector  518 . This helps accommodate users of different heights as well as to simulate a person of different heights for whom the user wishes to defend himself or herself against. 
         [0046]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of another configuration the training stand of  FIGS. 1 and 5 . In this configuration the training stand includes just the first target  520  (head pad) and second target  522  (torso pad) while the remaining targets have been removed. 
         [0047]      FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of yet another configuration the training stand of  FIGS. 1 and 5 . In this configuration the training stand includes just the pads  524  and  526  attached to the T-bar support while the remaining targets have been removed. 
         [0048]      FIG. 17  illustrates how the same training pads and targets shown in  FIG. 5  can be adjusted to simulate a smaller sized opponent. The human head shape target  520  and the human torso shape target  522  have been moved downward significantly along the central support shaft  502  and telescoping piece  504 . The arm shaped targets  524  and  526  have moved significantly inward toward the central support shaft  502 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13  illustrate the targets  524  and  526  in different positions attached to the training stand  100 . The targets may be rotated into different orientations by adjusting the connectors  518  for practicing punching or kicking from any direction up, down, side to side or any angle in between. Between the connectors  518  and strike pads, the targets  520 ,  522 ,  524  and  526  may include a spring  1202 ,  1804  and  1904  such as a coil spring, or some other flexible material and/or component that can absorb or break the impact when the pads are struck. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  illustrates optional extension attachments  1100  with angles which allow the targets  524  and  526  to have an additional degree of freedom of adjustability in their orientation. In one embodiment, the extension attachment  1100  is angled at less than 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the extension attachment  1100  is angled at about 135 degrees, although other embodiments may allow the angle of the extension attachment  1100  to be adjustable to other angles. The extension attachment  1100  may include a spring, such as a coil spring or some other flexible material that can absorb or break the impact when the targets are struck. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, there may be additional targets which attach to the training stand  100  using the same or different types of connectors. In other embodiments, there may be pads or targets in the shape of an arm, leg, hand or foot that attach to the training stand. Each of these may be adjusted along any position of the training stand. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, a fake gun or knife may be attached to the training stand  100 , for example, to further practice self-defense techniques. 
         [0053]    There may be additional type of targets that attach to the training stand that move on their own and actually simulate attacking the person who is training with the stand. This may be accomplished using electric motors or spring-loaded devices that release automatically or manually when the person training decides to release the moving attack targets. This movement may be regular or random. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  shows one implementation where weight bags (e.g., sand bags)  600  may be placed over the folding legs  506  and  508  to help keep the stand  100  in place when the pads or targets are struck. The use of small weight bags  600  allow for easily moving the training stand to a different location or putting it away for storage. 
         [0055]    In alternative implementations, the training stand  100  may be kept in place by using weights that are normally used for weight lifting exercises. 
         [0056]    In alternative implementations, the training stand can be permanently mounted to the ground using bolts or some other method, and the training stand still maintains the advantage of adjustability for users of many different sizes and training that simulates attackers of many different sizes. 
         [0057]    In some implementations, parts of the support stand, e.g., central support shaft  502  and telescoping piece  504 , may have additional padding to protect a user from accidentally hitting the stand  100 . 
         [0058]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.