Abstract:
The present invention is a heavy training bag for pugilistic, martial and other similar arts, which provides uniform resistance and contains non-settling filler material. The bag comprises an optional support core contained within a cushion core, which in turn is contained within an impact core, which in turn is contained within an optional outer cover; further wherein the impact core is comprised of at least a rib, but preferably, a plurality of ribs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to exercise and fitness equipment, in particular a heavy training bag for pugilistic, martial and other similar arts, which provides uniform resistance and contains non-settling filler material. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
         [0004]    The typical prior art heavy training bag is comprised of an outer shell filled with a mixture of filler material, such as shredded cloth, foam or the like, and weight material, such as small sand pouches dispersed throughout the filler material. The filler material provides resistance and a cushioning effect to a user when the user strikes the prior art bag with any of his extremities (arms, legs, fists, hands, etc.); and the weight material provides weight to the heavy training bag to prevent erratic and exaggerated rebound after the prior art bag has been struck by a user. 
         [0005]    Prior art heavy training bags have the disadvantage of having their contents settle over time and with use. The weight material sinks toward the bottom of the prior art bag. As a result, the prior art bags develop uneven resistance strike zones; wherein, the approximate top one-third of the prior art bag becomes a soft density and affords minimal resistance; the approximate middle one-third of the prior art bag becomes a medium density and affords average resistance; and the approximate bottom one-third of the prior art bag becomes a hard density and affords maximal resistance. As a further result, these variable strike zones reduce the area of the sweet spot of the prior art bag to the middle third of the bag, and the bottom third of the prior art bag poses the threat of physical injury to a user when striking the prior art bag due to the unyielding, hard density. 
         [0006]    Various prior art bags have attempted to overcome these disadvantages and to reduce settling of the filler material and the resultant non-uniform resistance. Examples include changing the prior art bag filler material from the standard fill methodology of an aggregate filler, such as shredded cloth or rubber strips, interspersed with sand pouches, to a fluid, such as gas (typically atmospheric air), liquid (typically water) or a combination of gas and liquid. However, both fluids pose the problems of leakage from the prior art bag, non-uniform resistance and settling; in particular, a liquid-filled prior art bag does settle and the contents slosh upon impact resulting in erratic rebound. 
         [0007]    Illustrative prior art that uses a fluid filler material of either gas, liquid, or a combination of gas and liquid are: U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,796 issued Jul. 9, 1985, by Critelli for a Method of Filling an Athletic Bag with Air and Liquid; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,258 issued Sep. 15, 1992, by Donohue for a Punching Bag Construction and Suspension; U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,403 issued Jul. 19, 1994, by Kuo for an Inflatable Punching Device; U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,443 issued Aug. 22, 2000, by Kuo for a Punching Bag; U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,605 issued Apr. 27, 2004, by Chen for a Punching Bag Having Solid Hanging Structure; US Patent Application Publication 2002/0086776 published Jul. 4, 2002, by Fields et al. for a Training Bag; US Patent Application Publication 2002/0094917 published Jul. 18, 2002, by Wang for a Punching Bag Assembly; US Patent Application Publication 2002/0198085 published Dec. 26, 2002, by Wang for a Punching Bag Assembly; US Patent Application Publication 2006/0166793 published Jul. 27, 2006, by Gobel et al. for an Assembly of Sports Equipment Fillable with Liquid and a Gelforming Means, and Sports Equipment for Use in this Assembly; US Patent Application Publication 2008/0096733 published Apr. 24, 2008, by Epstein for a Liquid-Fillable Heavy Training Bag; US Patent Application Publication 2002/0188360 published Aug. 7, 2008, by Chu for an Inflatable Cushion Bag for Striking; and a heavy training bag having an outside gel lining that is available from Title Boxing (www.titleboxing.com). 
         [0008]    Other prior art bags have attempted to overcome the previously mentioned disadvantages and to reduce settling of the filler material and/or the resultant non-uniform resistance: (1) by use of various other filling materials, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,489 issued Apr. 17, 2001, by Nicholson for a Heavy Bag and Method for Filling which discloses use of shredded rubber as a filler material; (2) by a prior art bag that is rotatable about its horizontal axis by 180 degrees as needed in order to effect a substantially maintained consistency in resistance over its striking surface area as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication 2006/0100067 published May 11, 2006, by Washburn et al. for a Training Bag; (3) by means of a multi-compartmented prior art bag that provides for resistance which can be varied as desired by a user such as: U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,658 issued Feb. 7, 2006, by Laudenslager et al. for a Modular Heavy Bag; and US Patent Application Publication 2007/0099772 published May 3, 2007, by Fu et al. for an Adjustable Punching; and (4) by means of a prior art bag that provides for an outer core of impact material to protect a user from the settling effects of an inner core of filler material as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,940 issued May 22, 2001, by Fotsis for a Training Bag. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a training bag for pugilistic, martial and other similar arts, which provides uniform resistance and contains non-settling filler material. The bag comprises an optional support core contained within a cushion core, which in turn is contained within an impact core, which in turn is contained within an optional outer cover; further wherein the impact core is comprised of at least a rib, but preferably, a plurality of ribs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the bag of the present invention along its vertical axis. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an impact core of the bag of the present invention along its vertical axis. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an impact covering of the bag of the present invention; wherein the top impact covering and the bottom impact covering are substantially the same and interchangeable. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support core, cushion core and impact core of the bag of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               2  bag 
               4  support cable 
               6  support core 
               8  cushion core 
               10  impact core 
               12  impact core rib 
               14  top impact cover 
               16  bottom impact cover 
               18  support cable port 
               20  outer cover 
               22  impact cover rib 
               24  flange 
               26  seam 
               28  support cable 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The bag  2  of the present invention may be understood by reference to the figures.  FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the bag  2  of the present invention along its vertical axis. In a preferred embodiment, the bag  2  of the present invention is comprised of an inner support core  6  that is surrounded by a cushion core  8 . The cushion core  8  is surrounded by an impact core  10 . The impact core  10  is surrounded by an outer cover  20 . The outer cover  20  encases the entire bag  2  of the present invention. 
         [0029]    The bag  2  of the present invention may be of any suitable shape desired by a user for his training purposes, such as a cylindrical, heavy training bag shape, a mushroom, uppercut bag shape, or a tear drop, punching bag shape. The overall dimensions of the bag  2  of the present invention are from about 12 inches to about 42 inches in diameter and from about 12 inches to about 96 inches in length. The weight of the bag  2  of the present invention is from about 20 pounds to about 600 pounds. 
         [0030]    The purpose of the support core  6  is to support and provide weight to the bag  2  of the present invention and to prevent deformation of the bag  2  of the present invention. In prior art bags, through the effect of gravity the weighted filler material sinks to the bottom of the bag and accordingly distends the lower portion of the prior art bag. 
         [0031]    The support core  6  may be constructed of any suitable material, but preferably a strong and lightweight material, that enables a reasonable weight to be maintained for the bag  2  of the present invention. A preferred material for the support core  6  is PVC pipe. The support core  6  may be of a diameter from about 3 inches to about 10 inches and a length from about 16 inches to about 96 inches. The support core  6  may be filled with sand or other suitable material to provide weight and mass to the bag  2  of the present invention, which anchors the bag  2  and prevents it from flying away from a user when the user impacts the bag  2  with a kick or punch or other impact or striking motion. 
         [0032]    The support core  6  may have a support cable  28  running through it. The support cable  28  may be any suitable material having sufficient strength and durability to support the weight of the bag  2  of the present invention, such as nylon rope, hemp rope, steel cable, chain and the like. 
         [0033]    Alternatively, the bag  2  of the present invention may not have a support core  6 , but rather only a cushion core  8  and an impact core  10 . In this embodiment of the bag  2  of the present invention, the cushion core  8  serves a dual purpose to provide fill, support, mass and weight to the bag  2  of the present invention, as well as to absorb striking forces applied to and transmitted from the impact core  10 . 
         [0034]    For the purpose of mounting the bag  2  of the present invention, a support cable  28  runs through the support core  6  and exits the support cable port  18  of the bag  2  of the present invention. The support cable  28  may exit either the top support cable port  18  only, or both the top support cable port  18  and the bottom support cable port  18  of the bag to the present invention. To suspend the bag  2  of the present invention for use, a top end of the support cable  28  may be affixed to a suitable mount on a ceiling or other support apparatus. If a user of the bag  2  of the present invention desires greater support and fixed stability of the bag  2  of the present invention, the user may attach a bottom end of the support cable  28  to a floor or other support apparatus. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, the support core  6  may not have a support cable  28  running through it. Instead, the bag  2  of the present invention may be suspended and supported in any other suitable manner. A preferred alternative embodiment is to use straps to suspend the bag  2  of the present invention; wherein from about two (2) to about 10 straps, but preferably six (6) straps, are equidistantly spaced and attached to the top edge of the impact core  10 , or to the top impact cover  14 , and thereby contained within the outer cover  20 . The straps alternatively may pass through corresponding apertures in the outer cover  20 . Alternatively, the straps may be attached to the outside cover  20 . The straps may be of any suitable material with sufficient strength to support and suspend the bag  2  of the present invention, such as cable, chains, nylon webbing or the like. 
         [0036]    Further alternatively, if a user of the bag  2  of the present invention desires greater support and fixed stability of the bag  2  of the present invention, the user may affix an at least one (1) cross support strap attached to the bottom of the outer cover  20 , and in turn attach the bottom cross support strap to a floor or other support apparatus. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an impact layer of the bag  2  of the present invention along its vertical axis. The cross-sectional view of the impact core  10  shows that the impact core  10  is comprised of at least a rib, but preferably, a plurality of impact core ribs  12 . Each impact core rib  12  is filled with an impact-resistance material or substance, such as, polystyrene beads, gel, foam, shredded cloth, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material or substance that provides a desired impact resistance for a user. Preferably, the impact ribs  12  or, with reference to  FIG. 3 , impact cover ribs  22 , and are filled with polystyrene beads or gel. 
         [0038]    The diameter of the polystyrene beads determines the amount of resistance the beads will afford. Small diameter beads afford greater resistance and large diameter beads afford less resistance. Resistance may be based upon beads of a uniform diameter, or upon beads of differing diameters. Preferably, the polystyrene beads are from about 0.018 centimeters to about 5 centimeters. 
         [0039]    The chemical composition of the beads also may vary so that a bead may provide a desired feel or resistance to a user, and may range from a hard bead to a soft bead, such as a gel bead. Other bead variables to provide a desired feel or resistance to a user are the number of beads contained with the volume of the impact core  10 , a combination of varying sizes of beads, a combination of varying chemical composition types of beads, a combination of varying layers of beads within the impact core  10 , for example, soft beads in the top half of the impact core  10  and hard beads in the bottom half of the impact core  10 , or any other possible variation which provides a user with a desired feel or resistance of the bag  2 . 
         [0040]    Likewise, the gel used to fill the impact ribs  12  or impact cover ribs  22  determines the amount of resistance the gel will afford. A suitable gel material to fill the impact ribs  12  is a thermoplastic elastomer, such as that available from GLS Corporation and sold under the product name VERSAFLEX® CL200X. Another suitable gel material to fill the impact ribs  12  is a utility grade resin formed into pellets or beads, such as that available from The Dow Chemical Company and sold under the product name POE 8999 Utility Grade Resin. 
         [0041]    The impact core  10  may be constructed initially as a substantially two-dimensional, rectangular shape. Then the rectangular shape is configured to permit it to be joined along a seam  26  to form a three-dimensional, tubular-shaped impact core  10 . The seam can be fashioned by joining the opposite ends of the impact core  10  through any suitable means, such as sewing, gluing, hook and loop tape, a zipper, or the like. Alternatively, the impact core  10  may also be constructed as a uniform, seamless tube, or as a uniform, seamless cylinder. 
         [0042]    Each impact core rib  12  preferably is from about 0.5 inches to about 8 inches in diameter. The impact core  10  is comprised of at least a rib, but preferably, from about 2 impact core ribs  12  (for a small size bag  2 ) to about 192 impact core ribs  12  (for a large size bag  2 ). 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an impact cover  14 ,  16  of the bag  2  of the present invention; wherein the top impact cover  14  and the bottom impact cover  16  are substantially the same and may be interchangeable. The impact cover  14 ,  16  enables a user also to use the top and bottom of the bag  2  as strike zones with the attendant benefits of the impact core  10 . For purposes of illustration,  FIG. 3  shows the top impact cover  14  only. The top impact cover  14  may be circular-shaped and comprised of at least one impact cover rib  22 . There may be an opening in the top impact cover  14 , namely, support cable port  18  for a bag  2  of the present invention with a support cable  4  embodiment. The top impact cover  14  also may be comprised of a flange  24  which permits the top impact cover  14  to be joined to the impact core  10  of the bag  2  of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Conversely, the bottom impact cover  16  may be circular-shaped and comprised of a plurality of impact cover ribs  22 . There may be an opening in the bottom impact cover  16 , namely, support cable port  18  for a bag  2  of the present invention with a support cable  4  embodiment. The bottom impact cover  16  also may be comprised of a flange  24  which permits the bottom impact cover  16  to be joined to the impact core  10  of the bag  2  of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Each impact cover rib  22  is preferably from about 0.5 inches to about 8 inches in diameter. The top impact cover  14  and the bottom impact cover  16  are each comprised of about 1 to about 84 impact cover ribs  22 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support core  6 , cushion core  8  and impact core  10  of the bag  2  of the present invention. The support core  6  is surrounded by the cushion core  8 , which in turn is surrounded by the impact core  10 . 
         [0047]    The cushion core  8  is a unitary core comprised of any suitable cushioning material or substance, such as foam, cloth, gel, and the like. Preferably, the cushion core  8  is comprised of foam, which may be either a unitary block of foam, or pieces of foam. The cushion core  8  may have a through channel to accommodate a support core  6 ; wherein the dimensions of the through channel are from about 2″ to about 6″ in diameter. The cushion core  8  may have an outside diameter from about 12″ to about 24″. 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the plurality of impact core ribs  12  of the impact core  10  of the bag  2  of the present invention lend a lifelike feel of the bag  2  of the present invention to a user. The impact core  10  mimics a rib cage of a torso of a human. As a result, when a user strikes the bag  2  of the present invention, the impact and the resistance of the strike feel to the user like striking a human body. Other benefits of the impact core  10  and bag  2  of the present invention are that there is less recoil of the bag  2  after a user strikes the bag  2 , a user&#39;s joint damage resulting from striking the bag  2  is decreased, and the entire bag  2  is a sweet spot for striking by a user and not just a particular zone or zones of a bag as is common with prior art bags. 
         [0049]    The impact core  10  may have the impact core ribs  12  either horizontally, vertically or diagonally oriented with regard to the longitudinal axis of the bag  2  of the present invention. Preferably, the impact core ribs  12  are horizontally oriented with regard to the longitudinal axis of the bag  2  of the present invention, so to better approximate the feel of a human body when struck by a user. In an alternative embodiment, an impact core rib  12 , whether horizontally, vertically or diagonally oriented, may be comprised of more than 1 cell or compartment in quilt-like fashion. Such cells may or may not be contiguous, depending upon the desired interstices between cells. 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the impact core  10  of the bag  2  of the present invention is surrounded by an outer cover  20 . The outer cover  20  encases the entire bag  2  of the present invention. The outer cover  20  may be made of any suitable material that is durable, yet will not inflict injury upon a user when the user strikes the bag  2  of the present invention, such as leather, vinyl, canvas, felt and the like. Alternatively, the bag  2  of the present invention need not have an outer cover  20 . 
         [0051]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims set forth below.