Patent Publication Number: US-7591768-B1

Title: Striking target device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application for a utility patent is a continuation of previously filed utility patent, having the application Ser. No. 10/801,239, filed Mar. 6, 2004 now abandoned. 
     This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/455,352 filed on Mar. 17, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/531,912 filed on Dec. 23, 2003. Each of these related applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to exercise, martial arts, and/or boxing devices, and more particularly to a device that enables the user to practice strikes at different planes and from different directions in rapid succession. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many devices have been invented to assist with strike training. Some assist the user in performing strikes by contacting a heavy, sturdy object (heavy bag) that does not allow the strikes to pass through. Others assist the user in performing strikes by contacting a target that is flexible allowing the strike to pass through to reduce impact and allow for full range of motion and full follow through of the strike. These devices are generally shaped like a ball allowing them to be struck from several directions or flat allowing them to be struck on either flat side on the same plane. The “ball like” devices are generally attached on one end or suspended between two opposing flexible attachments which allows them to move freely creating a live target that must be controlled; this is an effective way to develop timing and coordination, and to some degree accuracy of striking. 
     In contrast the flat targets are restricted in their movement. Most allow for flexing in some manner (spring or some flexible material) to absorb the impact and allow the strike to pass through, however they do not allow for strikes from different planes, and although they offer accuracy training they offer little in the area of timing, speed and coordination training. 
     In some cases the flat striking targets can be struck from different planes. For example, U.S. U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,419 to McAuliffe, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,630 to Dignard &amp; Roberts, teach such devices; however the user must stop training and unhook or unfasten a locking/fastening means and change the striking plane, then refasten, and start striking again in the new plane, such as vertical verses horizontal. 
     Traditional hand held focus targets can be struck from different planes as a result of the person holding the target holding it at a different angle, however the person holding the target has to move faster than the person executing the strikes or it will be of little benefit for speed training, and the person performing strikes cannot train alone. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,552 to Mara provides a device for holding a target similar to a traditional hand held focus target, however it has the same limitation of unfasten a locking/fastening means to change the striking plane. 
     The above-described references are hereby incorporated by reference in full. 
     The prior art teaches fixed plane generally flat targets used for accuracy strike training and ball/cylindrical style targets that can be struck on more than one plane or angle for coordination, timing and speed training. However, the prior art does not offer any strike training targets combining all these benefits by utilizing a pivoting or turning feature and more than one specific strike point on the striking surface to allow the striking surface to make specific and distinctive plane/angle changes when struck. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. 
     The present invention provides a striking target device and method for strike training. The striking target device comprises a target body with a generally planar striking surface with a main striking area and at least one pivot striking area; a base; and a pivot mechanism for pivotally mounting the target body on the base such that the striking area remains fixed on a first plane when struck in the main striking area, but pivots on an axis to a different fixed plane when struck in the pivot striking area. The pivot mechanism includes a cam edge of the base, a cam follower of a guide tube of the target body, and a tension element for biasing the cam edge against the cam follower. The pivot mechanism allows the target body to pivot about the axis such that striking surface pivots to a different fixed striking plane when struck in the pivot striking area. 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a striking target device having advantages not taught by the prior art. 
     Another objective is to provide a striking target device that enables the user to perform strikes on a target that has first and second specific striking areas, and by striking the first striking area the striking target device will flex and then return to the same striking plane, and by striking the second striking area the striking target device will pivot to a new striking plane. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, a striking target device having a striking surface, a base, and a pivot mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the base and the pivot mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view thereof once the base and the pivot mechanism have been assembled; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the striking target device being used as a hand-held target; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the striking target device illustrating the striking surface disposed on a first plane; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view thereof once a main striking area has been struck; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the striking target device as it is being struck in a pivot striking area, illustrating how the target body moves from the first plane to a second plane; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the striking target device; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 11   b  is an exploded perspective view of an infinite position pivot; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view thereof once the base and the pivot mechanism have been assembled; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating a flex lock unit engaged over the pivot; and 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view thereof with the flex lock unit disengaged. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , a striking target device  10  that includes a target body  12  with a striking surface  14  with a main striking area  16  and at least one pivot striking area  18 ; a base  20 ; and a pivot mechanism for pivotally mounting the target body  12  on the base  20  such that the striking surface  14  remains on a first plane P 1  when struck in the main striking area  16 , but pivots on an axis A to a different plane P 2  when struck in the pivot striking area  18 . 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the striking target device  10 , illustrating one embodiment of the target body  12  and the striking surface  14 . The target body  12  is preferably made of lightweight, high-density foam. In this embodiment, the target body  12  includes the main striking area  16  that is positioned opposite the base  20 . The target body  12  is preferably split on the main striking area  16  through a no strike edge  19  to create a distinct audible feedback which is louder than the audible feedback produced by striking the pivot striking area  18 . The louder audible feedback is a result of the two halves of the split main striking area  16  impacting each other when the main striking area  16  is struck. 
     In this embodiment, the striking surface  14  includes two pivot striking areas  18 , one on either side of a no strike area  24  between the main striking area  16  and the base  20 . When a pivot striking area  18  is struck, it applies a turning force to the target body  12  thereby pivoting it around the axis A and indexing the target body  12  to a new striking plane. A pivotal move is recognized as a result of the generally planner shape of the target body  12 . The striking target device  10  could function with a variety of target body  12  shapes and sizes; provided there is enough striking surface area  14  for a main striking area  16  and a pivot striking area  18 , and a sufficient difference in size or appearance of the striking surface  14  and the no strike edge  19  of the target body  12  creating a means for determining a pivotal move, thereby making it visually apparent to the user that target body  12  has pivoted to a new striking plane. 
     The base  20  functions to mount or otherwise position the striking target device  10  for use. The pivot mechanism for pivotally mounting the target body  12  on the base  20  functions to enable the pivoting action mentioned above and described in greater detail below. Two embodiments of the striking target device  10  are also described below. A first embodiment of the striking target device  10  is described in  FIGS. 1-5 , and a second embodiment is described in  FIGS. 10-14 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the striking target device  10  could be constructed in many different ways to provide the functions described, and these alternative constructions should be expressly considered within the scope of the claimed invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the base  20  may be a suction cup  22  adapted for attachment to a surface  21 . In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  20  is a single molded piece and is comprised of the suction cup  22 , a suction release tab  27 , and a shank  23 . The suction cup  22  can be mounted in any position on a smooth surface  21  and can be quickly and easily removed by pulling the suction release tab  27 . The shank  23  has a diameter size that allows for a press fit attachment of a cam tube  28 . The shank  23  has a smaller diameter portion, which provides the tension element  25  for the pivot mechanism  30 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2  the first embodiment of the pivot mechanism  30  includes a tension element  25 , the cam tube  28 , a cam edge  33 , a guide tube  31 , a cam follower  32 , a target body holder  26 , a screw  34  and a lock nut  35 . The guide tube  31  inside diameter spins around the smaller outside diameter of the cam tube  28  to allow the target body  12  to rotate. The cam tube  28  has a cam edge  33 . The guide tube  31 , the cam follower  32  and the target body holder  26 , described in greater detail below, are comprised of a single molded piece of rigid material of a different composition than that of the cam tube  28  and cam edge  33  to prevent wear and galling when their surfaces rub against each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the cam tube  28  is inserted into the guide tube  31  engaging the cam edge  33  with the cam follower  32 . The cam follower  32  is an arched surface that bridges across the inside diameter of the guide tube  31 . The cam follower  32  is held under tension on the cam edge  33  by force applied by tightening a fastening means comprising of the screw  34  and the lock nut  35 . The lock nut  35  is molded into the tension element  25 . The screw  34  is inserted into a countersunk hole in the backside of the cam follower  32 . The threaded portion of the screw  34  pass through the guide tube  31  the cam tube  28 , and a hole in the tension element  25  and is screwed into the lock nut  35  engaging the tension element  25 . The underside of the screw  34  head is tapered allowing it to rest and pivot in the countersunk hole in the backside of the cam follower  32 . The lock nut  35  and the hole in the tension element  25  that accept the screw  34 , create sufficient drag on the threads of the screw  34  as to not allow the screw  34  to loosen or tighten when the turning force is applied to the screw  34  head as a result of a strike on the pivot striking area  18 . The screw  34  is tightened into the lock nut  35  to apply tension thereby holding the cam follower  32  down on the low points of the cam edge  33 . The amount of tension applied is regulated by tightening or loosening the screw  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , When the pivot striking area  18  is struck, a turning force is applied to the cam follower  32 . The turning force raises the cam follower  32  up and over the high points of the cam edge  33 . The tension applied to the cam follower  32  by stretching the tension element  25 , rapidly draws the cam follower  32  down on the next set of low points on the cam edge  33  which indexes the target body  12  to the next fixed striking plane. The degree of turn is dependent on the number of high and low points on the cam edge  33 . The amount of striking force necessary to produce a striking plane change is regulated by the height of the high points of the cam edge  33  and the amount of tension applied by the tension element  25 . The amount of tension applied by the tension element  25  is regulated by the size and flexibility of the material used for the tension element  25  and by tightening or loosening the screw  34  into the lock nut  35  which is molded into the tension element  25 . The tension element  25  may be provided by a portion of the suction cup  22 , as shown, which is naturally resilient. In alternative embodiments, one of which is described below, the tension element  25  could also be a spring or other element for providing a bias. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and mentioned above, the target body holder  26 , cam follower  32  and guide tube  31  are combined as a single molded piece of rigid material. The target body holder  26  has a slot with convex ridges  29  to help secure the target body  12  in the target body holder  26 . The convex ridges  29  run parallel to the front opening of the target body holder  26  which allow the target body  12  to be slid in from the side, yet resist being pulled out when the target body  12  is struck. The target body  12  is secured in the target body holder  26  slot by means of a compression fit allowing it to be held in place when the target body  12  is struck. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cam tube  28 , guide tube  31  and the suction cup  22 , together, provide an excellent grip for the hand-held use of the striking target device  10 . The larger outside diameter of the cam tube  28  is the same diameter as the outside diameter of the guide tube  31 , providing a consistent sized cylindrical handgrip area for hand holding the device. The handgrip area working in conjunction with the suction cup  22  creates a no-slip handgrip. The shape and size of the suction cup  22  prevent the device from being pulled out of the holder&#39;s hand when the target body  12  is struck hard. The flexible suction cup  22  provides a soft and comfortable stop when pulled against the hand as a result of a hard strike on the target body  12 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  demonstrate the use of the striking target device  10 , and illustrate the flexing and pivoting action of the target body  12 .  FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the striking target device  10  illustrating the target body  12  in a resting position on a first plane P 1 . Once the striking target device  10  has been struck in the main striking area  16 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the target body  12  flexes and then returns to the resting position on plane P 1 . The flexing is illustrated further in  FIG. 8 , a top plan view of the striking target device  10  that shows the striking target device  10  flexing across the axis A as a result of a strike to the main striking area  16 . This flexing is achieved as a result of the pliable nature of both the base  20  and the target body  12 . The flexing or bending across the axis A absorbs the force when the target body  12  is struck in the main striking area  16 , allowing for full follow through of the strike.  FIG. 9  illustrates the movement of the striking target device  10  when the target body  12  has been struck in one of the pivot striking areas  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , an impact on the pivot striking area  18  causes the target body  12  to rotate from the first plane P 1  to a second plane P 2 . In this embodiment, the cam edge  33  is adapted so that the second plane P 2  is 90 degrees from the first plane P 1 ; however, the degree of rotation is dependent on the number of high and low points on the cam edge  33 . The cam edge  33  could also be flat with no high or low points to provide an infinite amount of rotation positions. However, those skilled in the art could adapt various mechanisms to provide different degrees of fixed position rotation, or even an infinitely variable amount of rotation positions. 
     ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 10-14 , a striking target device  70  includes a target body  72  with a striking surface  74  with a main striking area  76  and at least one pivot striking area  78 ; a base  50 ; and a pivot mechanism  30  for pivotally mounting the target body  72  on the base  50  such that the striking surface  74  remains on a first plane P 1  when struck in the main striking area  76 , but pivots on an axis A to a different plane when struck in the pivot striking area  78 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the striking target device  70 , illustrating one embodiment of the target body  72  and the striking surface  74 . The target body  72  is preferably made of lightweight, high-density foam. In this embodiment, the target body  72  includes the main striking area  76  that is positioned opposite the base  50 . 
     In this embodiment, the striking surface  74  includes two pivot striking areas  78 , one on either side of a no strike area  84  between the main striking area  76  and the base  50 . When a pivot striking area  78  is struck, it applies a turning force to the target body  72  thereby pivoting it around the axis A and indexing the target body  72  to a new striking plane. A pivotal move is recognized as a result of the generally planner shape of the target body  72 . The striking target device  70  could function with a variety of target body  72  shapes and sizes; provided there is enough striking surface area  74  for a main striking area  76  and a pivot striking area  78 , and a sufficient difference in size or appearance of the striking surface  74  and a no strike edge  79  of the target body  12  creating a means for determining a pivotal move, thereby making it visually apparent to the user that target body  72  has pivoted to a new striking plane. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the base  50  includes a mounting rack  52 , a mounting plate  54  and position lock screws  51 . The base  50  functions to mount or otherwise position the striking target device  70  for use. The pivot mechanism  30  for mounting the target body  72  on the base  50  functions to enable the pivoting action mentioned above and described in greater detail below. The mounting rack  52  can be mounted in any position on any surface  21  or on a moveable stand with a fastening means. The mounting rack  52  is a rigid channel that the mounting plate  54  slides up and down on as a means of height adjustment. The mounting plate  54  has grooves  55  that allow it to be slid on the mounting rack  52 . The mounting plate  54  can be secured in position by tightening the position lock screws  51  into the indentations  53  on the inside back surface of the mounting rack  52 . The mounting plate  54  can be easily repositioned or removed by loosening the position lock screws  51 . As shown in  FIG. 14  the mounting plate  54  has a through-hole to allow the tension element  60  to pass through and be secured by an anchor pin  64 . The backside of the hole in the mounting plate  54  has a slot that secures the anchor pin  64  and prevents it from pivoting. A cam tube  58  is affixed to the mounting plate  54 . The outside diameter of the cam tube  58  creates a means for handholding the device. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11  the pivot mechanism  100  includes the anchor pin  64 , the tension element  60 , the cam tube  58 , a cam edge  63 , a cam follower  62 , a guide tube  61 , a target body holder  56  and an anchor pivot ring  65 . The inside diameter of the guide tube  61  spins around the outside diameter of the tension element  60  to allow the target body  72  to rotate. The inside and outside diameter of the cam tube  58  and guide tube  61  are identical. The cam tube  58  has a cam edge  63 . The guide tube  61 , a cam follower  62  and a target body holder  56 , described in greater detail below, are comprised of a single molded piece of rigid material of a different composition than that of the cam edge  63  to prevent wear and galling when their surfaces rub against each other. The cam follower  62  is located on the rearmost edge/circumference of the guide tube  61 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , the tension element  60  is inserted into the guide tube  61  and attached to an anchor pivot ring  65  which pivots on a counterbored hole  57  in the target body holder  56  thereby allowing the target body  72  to pivot when struck in the pivot striking area  78 . The opposite end of the tension element  60  is inserted into the cam tube  58  and is secured to the rear side of the mounting plate  54  with the anchor pin  64  thereby engaging the cam edge  63  under tension with the cam follower  62 . 
     The cam follower  62  and the cam edge  63  have equal but opposing high and low points. The cam follower  62  is held under tension on the cam edge  63  by force applied through expansion of the tension element  60 . The tension element  60  is an extension spring that is a slip fit inside the guide tube  61  and the cam tube  58 . This close slip fit allows the guide tube  61  to rotate around the outside diameter of the tension element  60  while maintaining alignment between the guide tube  61  and the cam tube  58 . The tension element  60  is expanded creating a compression to hold the cam follower  62  and the cam edge  63  together creating resistance to the turning force that is applied when the target body  72  is struck in the pivot striking area  78 . When this turning force is great enough, the target body  72  pivots to the next fixed striking plane. The free spinning anchor pivot ring  65  allows this turning force to go indefinitely in either direction without creating a winding torque. The turning force raises the cam follower  62  up and over the high points of the cam edge  63 . The tension applied to the cam follower  62  by stretching the tension element  60 , rapidly draws the cam follower  62  down on the next low points of the cam edge  63  which indexes the target body  72  to the next fixed striking plane or position. The degree of turn is dependent on the number of high and low points on the cam edge  63  and the cam follower  62 . The amount of striking force necessary to produce a striking plane change is regulated by the strength of the tension element  60 , working in conjunction with the differential between the high and low points on the cam edge  63  and the cam follower  62 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 11   b , the guide tube  61  has a flat edge with no cam follower  62  and the cam tube  58  has a flat edge with no cam edge  63 . When the target body  72  is struck in the pivot striking area  78 , the smooth edges allow the target body  72  to spin and rest in an infinite number of striking planes creating a random position target body  72  that the user would have to strike from all striking angles. The target body  72  resting position after a strike in the pivot striking area  78  is a result of where the target body  78  is struck and how hard it is struck. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11  and mentioned above, the target body holder  56 , cam follower  62  and guide tube  61  are combined as a single molded piece of rigid material. The target body holder  56  has a slot with convex ridges  59  to help secure the target body  72  in the target body holder  56 . The convex ridges  59  run parallel to the front opening of the target body holder  56  which allow the target body  72  to be slid in from the side, yet resist being pulled out when the target body  72  is struck. The target body  72  is secured in the target body holder  56  slot by means of a compression fit allowing it to be held in place when the target body  72  is struck. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14  the tension element  60  requires lateral integrity to hold the guide tube  61  and the cam tube  58  in proper alignment. For example, the outside diameter of the tension element  60  should be sized to allow it to slip inside the inside diameter of the guide tube  61  and the cam tube  58  without excessive drag or clearance to establish a close slip fit. The close slip fit keeps the target body  72  from deflecting as a result of the weight of the striking target device  70  and keeps the cam edge  63  and the cam follower  62  in alignment. 
     Once the striking target device  70  has been struck in the main striking area  76 , the target body  72  flexes and bounces and then returns to the resting position. This flexing is achieved as a result of the pliable nature of the target body  72  and the lateral flexing and bouncing capability of the tension element at the intersection of the cam follower  62  and the cam edge  63 . The flexing or bending across the axis absorbs the force when the target body  72  is struck in the main striking area  76 , allowing for full follow through of the strike. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the flex lock unit  80  is comprised of a locking tube  81  and a locking collar  82 . The flex lock unit  80  can be engaged by sliding it over the intersection of the cam edge  63  and the cam follower  62  and then tightening the locking collar  82  onto the locking tube  81  thereby affixing the flex lock unit  80  in position preventing flex and bounce movement across the axis A. A flex lock unit  80  could be provided with a smaller inside diameter creating a press fit on the guide tube  61  that would disable the flex, bounce and pivot features of the pivot mechanism  100 . This enables the striking target device  70  to function like a traditional focus target. 
     DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE DEVICE WORKS 
     The user performs the following actions: (i) The user secures the device  10  at the desired height on a surface  22  such as a wall, mirror, or stand, using the base  20 . In an alternative embodiment, the user simply has a partner hold it by the base  20 , as described above. (ii) The user faces the front of the device  10 , the end with the target body, or stands to the side of the device, depending on which type of strike the user is going to execute. (iii) The user starts striking the target body  10  in the main striking area  16  as they would a normal focus target. (iv) The user is then able to strike the pivot striking area  18  to initiate a turn or pivot, creating a new striking plane to allow for different strikes (vertical, horizontal or in-between). (v) The user can do simple strikes, combinations of strikes or long strike routines to achieve a cardiovascular workout and general health and fitness benefits. This allows for speed, timing, coordination and accuracy training as well as a way to improve overall skill level of performing all types of strikes. The device can also be used with instructional assistance such as an instructional video explaining basic use, a routine video/s, DVD/s showing how to do routines, and/or routine cards or booklets with printed routines and a timer to time the strike routines. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.