Abstract:
A martial arts training device is provided. The device includes a stand. The base slides over the stand and is fillable to support the stand in an upright position when in use and resting on a surface. A main frame portion is secured to a top end of the stand, rotatable horizontally. At least one bar is secured to the main frame portion, rotatable vertically. The bar includes a foam padding about its second end. At least one counterweight is secured to the axle portion of the main frame portion and rotatable about the horizontal axis. The counterweight protrudes from a second side of the axle portion of the main frame portion opposite from the first side. A piston return portion can be optionally installed over the bar portion of the axle bar receiver. A “C” spring secures to the main frame portion directly below the bar.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to martial arts training and, more particularly, to a martial arts training device with lifelike movements. 
     There are different types of martial arts training devices. Punching bags are the most popular. Speed bags are small, air-filled bags anchored at the top to a rebound platform parallel to the ground. A heavy bag is a larger, cylindrical bag, usually suspended by chains or ropes and used for practicing powerful body punches, and can be used to toughen hands or any other limb used to hit the bag. Body-shaped training aids such as the modern “body opponent bag” are made primarily of synthetic materials, and punching bags are sometimes mounted on a weighted pedestal rather than hanging from above. 
     The above-mentioned martial arts training devices are stationary, must be held by a second user, or have a very limited range of motion. The constraints of other martial arts training devices do not allow for a lifelike variety of possible movements, strikes, and exercises. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved strike training device that mimics lifelike movements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a martial arts training device comprises: a stand, having legs, configured to support the martial arts training device in an upright position when resting on a surface; a hollow base, fillable to stabilize the stand, having a shaft and channels that permit the base to slide over the stand; a main frame secured atop the vertical end of the stand, rotatable horizontally; an axle securing an axle-bar receiver inside the vertical portions of the main frame, rotatable vertically; at least one bar secured to and protruding from the bar receiver portion of the axle-bar receiver; a pad secured over the second end of the bar; at least one threaded rod secured to a side end of the axle, protruding to the outside of the main frame vertical portion; and at least one weight secured to the threaded rod. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detail exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective detail view of the present invention along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a section detail view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14 a    is a section detail view of the present invention along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective detail view of the an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  replacing the bearing with polymer or non-friction type rings; 
         FIG. 17  is a section detail view of the present invention along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  replacing the bearing with polymer or non-friction type rings; and 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with a second extension bar, bar, pad, and an alternate configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a device used for martial arts training and/or exercise. The present invention enables the user to increase strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination, without requiring electrical power. The present invention includes a bar or bars with an attached pad or pads that can rotate atop a stand. When struck, the bar and pad rotate around the stand and are capable of moving up, down, or remaining at the same height while in motion, returning to the user and allowing the user to strike the pad or pads again. The level of the pad&#39;s return can vary from near the ground to over six feet high. The speed of the bar and pad&#39;s rotation or vertical motion depends on the force and direction of the user&#39;s strike, allowing for different levels of intensity and difficulty. The action of rapidly striking the moving pad or pads enables users to increase strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination. The present invention is improved as compared to prior art devices by allowing users to train alone or with a second user, train at low, intermediate, or high speeds, and use a wider range of movements, strikes, and exercises when reacting to the approach of the pad or pads. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 18 , the present invention includes a martial arts training device. The martial arts training device includes a stand  30 . The stand  30 , having legs  24 , configured to place the martial arts training device in an upright position when resting on a surface. A main frame  70  is secured to a top end of the inner vertical tube  40  of the stand  30 , rotatable horizontally. An axle  92  securing an axle bar receiver  82  to the vertical portion of the main frame  70 , the axle  92  enabling the axle bar receiver to rotate vertically. A bar  122  is secured to the bar receiver portion  88  of the axle-bar receiver  82 . The bar  122  includes a foam pad  134  mounted over its second end. At least one weight  108  is secured by a threaded rod  106  to a side end  100  of the axle  92 . 
     The base  10  of the present invention may include a wheel or wheels  12  located near a bottom to facilitate the easy transportation of the martial arts training device. Further, the base  10  of the present invention may include a housing forming an inner cavity  18 . Fluids, sand, or like substances  46  may fill the inner cavity  18  to provide weight and add stability to the stand  30 . A fill port  14  to the inner cavity  18  may be located near a top end of the base  10  and a drain port  20  from the inner cavity  18  may be located at a bottom side of the base  10 . The fill port  14  may be covered by a fill port cap  38  and the drain port  20  may be covered by a drain port cap  32 . The drain port cap  32  may be sealed to the drain port  20  with an inner gasket  34  in the drain port cap  32  and an O-ring  36  on the drain port  20  to prevent leaking. 
     The base  10  may further include vertical and horizontal cavities  16 . The stand&#39;s horizontal legs  24  may be secured within the horizontal portions of the cavities  16 , formed in the bottom of the base  10 , by fasteners  22  extending through the bottom sides of the base  10 . In certain embodiments, the stand may include an inner vertical tube  40  disposed within the outer vertical tube  26 , forming a telescopic vertical member. The inner tube  40  may include a plurality of horizontally disposed holes  42 . Each of the horizontally disposed holes  42  may align with a pin hole  28  formed horizontally through the vertical tubing  26 ,  40 . A lock pin  44  may fit within the aligned holes  28 ,  42  to secure the stand&#39;s inner vertical tube  40  at a specified height. The telescopic adjustable inner vertical tube allows users to adjust the martial arts training device to different heights. The stand&#39;s horizontal legs  24  comprising a hole  158  through their second sides to optionally secure the stand  30  to a surface, thereby removing the necessity of installing the base. 
     The main frame  70  includes a bottom and a pair of sides extending vertically from either side of the bottom. The bottom may include an opening  80  and the sides may each include axle openings  74 . The present invention may further include a bolt  50 . The bolt  50  may include a threaded end  54  and an upper flange  56  with a tool slot  52  for tightening and loosening the bolt  50 . The bolt  50  may run through the bottom opening  80  of the main frame  70  and into an upper female threading  48  formed atop the vertical portion of the stand&#39;s inner tube  40 , securing the main frame portion  70  of the invention atop the stand&#39;s inner vertical tube  40 . 
     The main frame  70  may rotate horizontally about the bolt  50 . In certain embodiments, the present invention may include elements that aid the main frame  70  in rotation. For example, the present invention may include an upper bearing  68  and a lower bearing  72  disposed about the bolt  50  and sandwiching the bottom of the main frame  70  atop the inner vertical tube  40  of the stand  30 . The main frame  70  may thereby rotate horizontally between the bearings  68 ,  72 . In certain embodiments, the bearings can be replaced by washers  152  or a sleeve  144  made of polymer or any non-friction material permitting easy rotation of the main frame  70 . 
     The axle receiver portion  84  of the axle bar receiver  82  may include an internal rail  86 . The axle  92  having a receiver rail  102 . The axle  92  fits within the axle receiver portion  84  of the axle bar receiver  82  such that the receiver rail  102  on the axle  92  mates with the internal rail  86  in the axle receiver  84 . The axle  92  fits through the axle holes  74  in the vertical portions of the main frame  70 , thereby attaching the axle  92  and axle receiver  84  to the main frame  70 . Lock rings  112  may fit within the ring slot  94  formed on either side of the axle  92  thereby preventing the axle  92  from sliding out of the axle holes  74  of the main frame  70 . 
     As mentioned above, the present invention includes a bar  122  having a foam pad  134  secured over its second end. The bar  122  may include an extension bar  114 . The extension bar  114  includes a first end that fits within a first side of the bar receiver portion  88  of the axle bar receiver  82 . A pin hole  116  formed through the extension bar  114  may align with a hole  90  formed through the axle bar receiver  82 . A lock pin  130  fits within the aligned hole  90  and hole  116 , thereby forming a releasable attachment between the extension bar  114  and the bar  122  and the bar receiver  82 . A second end of the extension bar  114  may include a threaded receiver  118  with a spring button hole  120 . The bar  122  may include a first end having a male threaded portion  124 . The male threaded portion  124  mates with the threaded receiver  118  of the extension bar  114 . A spring button clip  132  may be disposed within the bar  122 . A spring button of the spring button clip  132  runs through a button hole  126  of the bar  122  and into the button hole  120  of the extension bar  114 , thereby securing the bar  122  to the extension bar  114 . The bar  122  may further include a foam pad  134 . The foam pad  134  may include a tie string, wire, or cord  136 . The tie  136  secures within a bar hole  138  formed near the middle of the bar  122 , thereby connecting the foam pad  134  to the bar  122 . 
     As mentioned above, the present invention further includes at least one weight  108 , such as two weights  108 . The weights  108  may include a threaded shaft through the center of their lengths, a male threaded rod  104  that may include a lock pin hole  106 . The threaded rod  104  may mate with a weight  108  and a threaded slot  100  on the first end of the axle  92 . The lock pin hole  106  aligns with a pin slot  98  of the first end of the axle  92 . A lock pin  110  may run through the aligned lock pin hole  10  and pin slot  98 , further securing the threaded rod  104 . 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention may include springs  138 . The springs  138  may be secured to the main frame  70  below the bar receiver portions  88  of the axle bar receiver  82 . The springs  138  may be C-shaped. In certain embodiments, the main frame  70  may include lower protrusions  76  extending downward from opposite sides of the bottom of the main frame  70 . Threaded holes  78  may be formed through each lower protrusion  76 . The springs  138  may be secured to the main frame  70  by running threaded bolts  140  through holes formed in the springs  138  and into the threaded holes  78  of the lower protrusions  76 . The springs  138  are located within the same vertical rotational path as the bar  122 , preventing the bar  122  from hitting the ground. 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user may attach a bar  122  to either or both sides of the bar portion  88  of the axle bar receiver  82 . The user may attach the weights  108  by way of the threaded rod  104  to either or both sides of the first end and the second end of the axle  92 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , weights  108  and a bar  122  with a pad  134  secured over its second end are secured within the bar receiver portion  88  of the axle bar receiver  82  on a first side, and a second bar  122  with pad  134  is secured in like manner within the bar receiver  88  of the axle bar receiver  82  on a second side opposite the first side. A first weight  108  may be secured to a threaded rod  104  and a threaded rod  104  secured to the first end of the axle  92  on the same side as the first bar  122  and a second weight  108  may be secured to a second threaded rod  104  and then secured to the second end of the axle  92  on the same side as the second bar  122 . However, the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned configurations. Once the bar  122 , threaded rod  104 , and weights  108  are attached to the axle  92  and axle bar receiver  82 , the height of the stand may be adjusted by raising or lowering the inner vertical tube  40 , or by adjusting the height of the pad or pads  134  by adjusting the weight or weights  108 . The user may then strike the pad  134 , and the bar  122  may rotate up, down, and/or around. There is no limit to possible direction. The speed of the rotations is dependent on how much force is applied to the pad  134 . The bar or bars  122  may continue to rotate, and the user may continue to hit or block the pad or pads  134 , thereby performing diverse martial arts training. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the present invention may include a piston return  58 . The piston return  58  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be secured by a pin  140  over the bar receiver portion  88  of the axle bar receiver  82  on a side opposite a bar  122 . The piston return  58  may curve from the first end to the second end  60 . The second end may include a piston  62 , having its spring  64  secured to its shaft and itself secured to the second end of the piston return arm  60  by the piston end threaded stop  156 . The piston may be slidably engaged within the inner vertical tube cage  66 , and a spring  64  may be disposed in between the second end of the piston return  60  and a piston head  62 . The stand&#39;s inner vertical tube  40  may include a cage  66  sized to receive a piston head  62 . In such embodiments, the user may strike the foam pad  134  vertically upward, the piston return  58  may rotate vertically downward, and the piston head  62  may partially enter the cage  66 , thereby preventing any horizontal movement, and adding tension to the spring  64 . The tension from the spring  64  may launch the pad  134  back in the direction of the user, allowing another strike. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.