Patent Publication Number: US-2015064674-A1

Title: Unarmed combat exercise apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to apparatus for use in training students in unarmed combat, in particular the martial arts, and in methods of self-defence and neutralising an adversary. 
     The invention extends to a kit for use in a method of using the apparatus for discipline and control training and for assessment of students in the martial arts. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Numerous unarmed combat and martial arts disciplines include the practitioner striking an adversary. Striking may be seen as a means of neutralising an attack by such adversary. For neutralisation to be effected swiftly and efficiently, the practitioner&#39;s striking action ideally needs to be directed to a particular zone of the assailant&#39;s person. The efficiency of the strike will usually depend on how well it is targeted to the desired zone the force with which it is delivered. The training of student practitioners is directed to the delivery and targeting of the strike. There is need for a suitable tool to use in training students to direct their strikes effectively. 
     In training exercises, students in unarmed combat techniques and, in particular, in the martial arts disciplines, for example the art of kung fu, are taught to neutralise an attacker by aiming their attacks, including blows, at a specific area or areas of such attacker&#39;s body. As students progress in their learning, their blows, when properly landed, are capable of proving potentially lethal. These are of course hazardous to practice on fellow students because of the risk of injury. 
     In a form of non-contact “touch” rugby game that is used in the training of rugby league players, or as a social sport or leisure activity, tags are attached to the trousers of the players, to be located at the sides of their upper thighs. These tags may be removably attached. According to the game, which is known in Australia under the trade mark OZTAG®, when a tag is successfully grasped or removed by a tackler from the trousers of the ball-carrying player, this qualifies as a tackle and the consequences follow according to the code on which the OZTAG game is modelled, be it rugby league or Australian Rules Football. This system is designed to avoid disputes as to whether or not a tackler has touched the ball carrier. 
     For purposes of this description, martial arts are taken to include without limitation ju-jitsu, karate, judo, kung fu and aikido, as well as mixed martial arts forms (such as referred to at the internet website www.ufc.com). 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and, in doing so, to provide apparatus for use in training participants in unarmed combat in the techniques of their discipline. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for use in a method of discipline training in martial arts. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that martial arts students can use in playing a training game that increases control and discipline. 
     Still further, it is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for use in unarmed combat training in which striking an opponent is avoided. 
     The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application. 
     Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense—that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not being limited to”—as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense—that is to say meaning “including this and nothing else”. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a visual marker adapted for detachable attachment to attire for wearing in an unarmed combat training exercise or competition, that when attached and the attire is worn in use, the marker identifies, by its position on the attire, a body zone of the wearer that is to be targeted in said exercise or competition by an opponent of said wearer. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the marker is adapted for grasping by said opponent according to a desired degree of difficulty of grasping. 
     Preferably, the degree of grasping difficulty is predetermined according to a known level of opponent combat ability. 
     In preferred embodiments, the marker is adapted for degree of difficulty of grasping by way of its given shape, size, configuration or surface texture. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the marker is adapted for detachment, once grasped by the opponent, from the attire, according to a desired degree of difficulty of detachment. 
     In an embodiment, the marker&#39;s degree of difficulty of detachment is determined by choice of attachment means for attaching the marker to the attire. The degree of difficulty of detachment is thus a function of the attachment means. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the marker comprises attachment means for detachably attaching it to the attire. 
     In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the attachment means is adapted for detachment and re-attachment of the marker to the attire for re-use. 
     Re-attachment of the marker to the attire is achieved without need for sewing. 
     In another embodiment, a component of said attachment means is located on the attire. 
     In a preferred form of the invention in this embodiment, the component comprises an adhesive area, to which the marker is adapted for removably adhering in use. 
     In this embodiment, the attachment means preferably comprises means for gripping fabric of the attire. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the marker has an element capable of detachable engagement with a co-operating component of engagement located on the attire, said element and component together defining the attachment means between marker and attire. 
     Further in this embodiment, the attachment means may comprise interacting male and female formations. In another embodiment, the attachment means comprises hook-and-loop fastening means. 
     According to a second embodiment of the invention, a training aid, for use in unarmed combat training games or competitions, comprises a set of visual markers, according to any one of the features described under this heading above. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the set comprises markers of substantially like degree of grasping difficulty for an intended user. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the set comprises markers of differing degrees of grasping difficulty. 
     In a further embodiment, the set comprises markers of like degree of detachment difficulty from the attire to which they are attached in use. Alternatively, the set comprises markers of differing degrees of detachment difficulty. 
     In an alternative form of the invention, the set of markers comprises markers of differing ease of graspability and/or detachment difficulty from the attire to which they are attached. 
     In an embodiment, the set comprises markers to each of which a distinguishing indicium has been applied. 
     In a further embodiment, the indicia for the set comprise a sequence of numbers or letters from the alphabet. 
     Still further, in an embodiment, the indicia comprise different colours applied to the markers. 
     In a third aspect of this invention, there is provided equipment in the form of a kit for use in unarmed combat training or competition comprising an item of attire, a set of visual markers and attachment means for attaching the markers to said attire at predetermined positions on the attire. 
     In preferred embodiments, the attire in the kit is a shirt or trousers. Alternatively, or in addition, the attire comprises at least a partial covering for wearing on or over a leg or a foot, for example an elasticised knee support. 
     In a preferred form of this aspect of the invention, the positions of the markers correspond to target zones for an opponent to attack on the body of the attire wearer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the positions correspond to predetermined target zones identified on the attire. 
     In a further preferred form of the invention, the attachment means comprise a component located on the attire to correspond with the target zones. 
     In an embodiment, the target zones outnumber the markers in the kit. 
     In a still further embodiment, the kit comprises two of more sets of markers, each set being adapted for a different level of training or student ability. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the sets are adapted to be distinguishable from each other by a difference in respective marker shape. 
     In a further preferred form of the invention, the sets of markers are adapted to be distinguishable from each other by differences in respective marker size. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a visual marker positionable on attire for wearing by a participant in a martial arts training exercise, said marker being
         adapted for releasable attachment at a preselected position on said attire for display thereon, and   further differentially adapted according to a desired level of training to be provided to a student opposing the wearer of said attire in a combat exercise.       

     The position of the marker on the attire is selected to correspond to a zone of the body of the attire wearer to be targeted for an attack by said student. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the marker is differentially adapted for the desired level of training by virtue of the ease with which a student is expected to be able to grasp it. 
     In an embodiment, the marker is differentially adapted for the desired level of training by virtue of the ease with which a student is expected to be able to detach it, once grasped, from the attire to which it is attached. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the marker comprises attachment means. 
     Preferably, the marker is adapted to be grasped by said student, and detached by pulling. 
     Further preferably, the marker is adapted to be detached from the attire on being successfully grasped, without causing damage to the attire or injury to the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the marking means is adapted to provide a predetermined amount of resistance to detachment. 
     Further preferably, the marking means is adapted to be reattached after detachment. Reattachment is preferably accomplished without need for sewing. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprises press stud means. 
     In another embodiment, the attachment means comprises hook and loop fastening means (for example, as is available under the trade name “Velcro”, owned by Velcro Industries B.V.). 
     In a further embodiment, the attachment means comprises adhesion means. The adhesion means may comprise adhesive tape. The adhesive tape may be a double-sided adhesive tape. 
     According to a fifth aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of instruction in unarmed combat, the method comprising the steps of providing attire to be worn by a first participant nominated to attack a second participant, attaching to the attire, at a predetermined location, detachable and re-attachable marking means for identifying said location as a zone on the first participant&#39;s body that the second participant should seek to attack in defending against the attack of said first participant. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, the method in which the apparatus is to be used includes providing attachment means for attaching the marker to the attire. 
     In a further preferred form of the invention, the marking means is adapted for being snatched by the second participant from the attire. In an embodiment, the marking means is adapted for snatching by said second participant according to a desired degree of difficulty of grasping. 
     Further preferably, the marking means is adapted to a required degree of grasping difficulty by its shape, size, configuration or surface texture. The smoother the surface texture, the greater the degree of grasping difficulty. 
     In a yet further form of the invention, the method includes the step of providing marking means having a degree of grasping difficulty corresponding to a known level of second participant&#39;s combat ability. 
     Furthermore, according to a preferred form, the marking means is adapted for detachment from the attire according to a desired degree of difficulty of detachment. 
     In a still further preferred form of the invention, the attachment means is adapted for detachment and re-attachment of the marking means to the attire for re-use, such re-use being by reapplying the marking means to the attire. 
     Preferably, the degree of difficulty of detachment is a function of the attachment means. 
     In an embodiment, the attachment means is a hook-and-loop means. 
     In an embodiment, the attachment means comprises press-stud means applied to the attire and the marking means. 
     In a further form of the invention, the method includes providing each participant with the attire and marking means and allowing them to compete with each other in snatching marking means from the other&#39;s attire. 
     In an embodiment, the method includes providing the first participant with marking means that has a degree of grasping difficulty that differs from the degree of grasping difficulty of the marking means intended for attachment to the attire of the second. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus: 
         FIG. 1  shows in a front perspective view a preferred embodiment of the marker of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of attire to which the apparatus of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  has been attached. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic rear view of the attire of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates some alternative embodiments of the marker of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of examples of attire to which markers of this invention are attached. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     In this invention, a detachable target marker is provided for a student in unarmed combat and, in particular, in a martial arts discipline, to aim at on his adversary&#39;s person during a training session, where the aim is not to inflict a disabling blow during the exercise, but instead to teach the student to exercise control over his hand and body movements, and his positioning and orientation, and to grab the marker and remove it by snatching it away from the adversary. The target marker is attached to the adversary&#39;s clothing at a site where the student would, in real combat, target his blow. It is also within the scope of this invention for the marker to be used in competitive combat events in which the successful grasping and removal of a marker from the wearer&#39;s attire constitutes a point-scoring outcome. In such a competition, it is within the scope of this invention for all adversaries to be attired with clothing items bearing the markers of the invention. Thus the invention could be used in multi-player group combat, as well as between single or paired adversaries. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the zone marker of this invention, generally shown at  10  in a preferred exemplary embodiment, comprises a strip of flexible material  12  having opposed first and second ends  14  and  16 . At first end  14  there is provided attachment means for attaching the strip in a removable manner to an item of attire (not shown). In this embodiment, the strip is of a woven fabric and the attachment means comprises one of the interfacing pads of a hook and loop fastening means, commonly referred to under the trade name “Velcro”, sewn on to it. 
     The other mating, or complementary interfacing pad of the fastener is attached to an item of attire to which the marker is to be attached. The attire may be a T-shirt, as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However, it may also be any other item of apparel worn by those participating in unarmed combat training, including guards, supports, straps and clothing, in particular a vest, a webbing structure, trousers, or suit or gown, the latter examples often being part of a uniform worn by practitioners of various forms of martial arts in training or competitions. In the case where the attire is a T-shirt, it may advantageously be made of an expandable fabric, such as “spandex” or “elastane”, such as is sold under the trademark Lycra (proprietor: Invista Technologies S.ar.1). 
     The zone marker is shaped and sized for grasping or grabbing by a student or other opponent seeking to “neutralise” the wearer of the attire to which it has been attached. Shapes may be two- or three-dimensional. Examples of suitable shapes for grasping include, without being limited to, rectangular strips, triangles, elongated pentagons, discs, doughnuts and dongles such as spheres and hour glasses. Non-limiting examples are illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The shapes and materials of the marker are selected to provide differing degrees of ease of grasping. For example, the marker may be made of brushed aluminium and shaped like a heart with rounded edges, so as not to cause injury and not be easily damaged in use. In this embodiment, the marker would be about 50-100 mm long and about 40-80 mm wide and about 10-20 mm thick at its thickest cross-section. Shapes are made to appeal to different age-groups of students. Different colours may for example represent different standards of attainment, or degrees of difficulty of the training exercises. Smaller marker sizes would be used by more advanced students and larger markers by the less advanced. Younger child participants may find fun in collecting from their adversary&#39;s clothing various markers adorned with images of animals, cartoon characters, or action heroes, by way of example. 
     The zone marker textile may comprise any known natural or synthetic fibre or fibre blend, including components such as wool, cotton, polyester or nylon. 
     Alternatively, the marker need not be a strip of flexible material. It may be any of a variety of graspable shapes and textures. Indeed, it is within the scope of this invention that the marker may comprise a piece of rigid or semi-rigid material, examples being plastics of various rigidity, natural products such as wood and rubber, or synthetic materials such a rubber substitutes or metals. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is provided a set of zone markers that can be applied to training attire, in this embodiment shown very schematically as a flatly laid out T-shirt  22 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , there is shown the front panel  24  of the T-shirt  22 , sleeves  26 ,  26 ′ and neck opening  28 . Attached by sewing to the front panel  24  is a Velcro strip  30 , complementally matching the Velcro strip  32  on marker  34 . As suggested by arrow  36 , marker  34  is attached to shirt panel  24  by applying strip  32  to corresponding complementary strip  30 . 
     In the same way, other markers  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are applied to selected zones on shirt panel  24  and sleeve portions  26 ,  26 ′ according to training requirements. 
     In  FIG. 3 , where corresponding numbering denotes corresponding parts from  FIG. 2 , marker  52  is similarly applied to a Velcro pad provided at a target striking zone on rear shirt panel  50 . As seen by the location of marker  52 , the striking zone in question is just below the neck line of the shirt. Markers  56  and  58  are similarly attached on the shoulder areas. 
     Further Velcro pads are attached at  54  and  54 ′. The reader will appreciate that not all attachment locations, as represented by available Velcro pads need always be filled by a strike zone marker. The student, or student&#39;s master, may determine only to use a certain number of zones, or to limit the number of markers to be attached, so as to concentrate training on a particular zone or zones, leaving other available zones unoccupied by a marker. This would leave the master with options for locating markers art different positions, depending on the areas of the adversary&#39;s body that he would want his student to target. Any number of additional attachment strips may be affixed to the shirt, and selected for use at the discretion of the master or trainee. 
     In  FIG. 4 , further examples of markers are shown. In  FIG. 4(   a ), a marker  60  is made in strip form from a synthetic rubber and has a button hole  62  for receiving a button (not shown) that is provided on the attire at a desired target zone. 
     In  FIG. 4(   b ), a strip marker  64  of polyester is shown with a press-stud receptacle  66  for receiving the male portion of a mating press stud (not shown). 
     In  FIG. 4(   c ) there is shown a triangular marker  68  with a Velcro strip  70  at its base, leaving the apical end of the triangle available for grasping by the student. It will be appreciated that a marker of this triangular shape is likely to be more difficult to grasp than the pretzel shaped marker  72 , having a Velcro strip  74 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   d ), especially when the two markers are made of the same material. This is because a student may be able to insert a single finger in a cut-out portion of the pretzel shape to confirm his grip and pull the marker from the attire. Compare this with the triangular marker  68 , where the diminishing width of the graspable portion as tending to the apex needs to be grasped between at least two fingers. 
     In  FIG. 4(   e ) there is shown a generally six-sided two-dimensional marker  76  having a broader base portion that the attachment portion to which Velcro strip  78  is adhered. 
     It will be appreciated that the texture of the marker surface will affect its graspability. It is within the scope of this invention for markers to be provided with different surface characteristics. Some may be provided with a surface that is “tacky”, so that beginner students will easily be able to grasp the marker. More advanced students may be provided with a smooth plastics or silky-surfaced marker to help increase their skills at reaching to the target area with controlled movement and awareness. In some instances, the marker may have a lubricating gel or oil applied to its surface to increase the difficulty of grasping and pulling it. 
     The skill or force required by the student to remove the marker from the attire is able to be varied by using different means of attachment of the marker to the attire. Thus, a marker may be attached with a double sided adhesive tape and be easier to pull away from the attire when grasped than a marker attached by way of a press-stud. Similarly, a buttoned-on marker would be more difficult and would require more time and skill to detach than a marker simply attached by Velcro. It is also envisaged to provide differing strengths of Velcro attachment. A marker that has been attached by means of a safety pin, by way of another example, may present an even greater challenge. 
     According to the invention, the markers may be provided in sets that are designed for students at different levels. Thus one set of markers attachable by Velcro will differ from a smaller sized set with the same kind of Velcro attachment. Two sets may be provided where the markers are of the same material, for example, pretzel-shaped cotton, but one set is attached by means of buttons and the other by press-studs. 
     The mixing and matching of sets to provide different sizes for attachment to different zones, or different attachment means, is also within the scope of this invention. By providing the sets in this form, the student may play a game arranged by the master, where the game requires collecting, from a participant wearing the attire, the markers in a particular sequence. For this purpose, each of the markers in a set may be given a different number or marked with a letter or other indicium and the master can specify or call out as the game progresses, which of the markers is to be targeted and the timing thereof. 
     The invention also extends to equipment in the form of a kit, comprising a set of markers and attire to which they are to be attached. Preferably, the attire has complementary formations or structures for receiving into a removable attachment relationship the markers in the set. For example, the markers would have the female press-stud receptacle formation and the attire, the male stud formation. Alternatively they could have opposing components of a contact fastener such as a touch or burr (hook-and-loop) fastener (such as Velcro®). 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there are shown, in (a), a pair of knee pads  80 ,  80 ′ worn on the left and right legs  82 ,  82 ′ of a participant in a wrestling exercise. To each knee pad is attached at  84 ,  84 ′ a marker  86 ,  86 ′ as described with reference to  FIG. 1 . Attachment is by means of hook-and-loop connectors (not shown). 
       FIG. 5(   b ) shows an ankle strap  90  located over an ankle guard  92  on the ankle and partially covering a foot  94  of another participant in the wrestling training exercise mentioned above. Ankle strap  90  has attached to it a pair of detachable markers  96 ,  96 ′ of the invention, made of elongate cotton strips. Attachment is achieved by means of hook-and-loop connectors at  98 ,  98 ′. In a training exercise or a competition, an opponent scores points by successfully grabbing at and tearing away the strips, simulating successful wresting holds applied at the positions of the tags. 
     An advantage of the invention is that by grasping and detaching a marker from the adversary&#39;s attire, the student is able to prove success of the “attack” on, or defence against his adversary. This is particularly useful in scoring points in competitions or in assessing the level of achievement of a student. 
     These embodiments merely illustrate particular examples of the method, equipment kit and product of the invention. With the insight gained from this disclosure, the person skilled in the art is well placed to discern further embodiments by means of which to put the claimed invention into practice.