Patent Publication Number: US-9889363-B1

Title: Power jump exercise equipment

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/188,794, filed Jul. 6, 2015, entitled “Power Jump Exercise Equipment.” The above-identified related application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to work-out methods and apparatus directed to stamina, endurance, coordination, balance, speed and power; and more particularly to boxing and mixed martial arts training. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although work-out regimens and exercise equipment are popular and widely available, very few offer both upper and lower body conditioning, simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic training, and fewer offer mixed activity for muscle confusion (i.e., providing varied muscle stress over time, by varying exercise, sets, repetitions and resistance, to avoid muscle accommodation. The present invention provides rebounding for the lower body, punching bag training for the upper body, and a combination of the two, with additional optional devices, to add coordination, balance and agility to an otherwise directed speed, power and endurance work-out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides methods and apparatus that provides rebounding for the lower body, punching bag training for the upper body, and a combination of the two, with additional optional devices, to add coordination, balance and agility to an otherwise directed speed, power and endurance work-out. 
     The present invention includes various embodiments. In at least one embodiment, an exercise device comprises a rebounding device having a rebounding surface and a housing, a frame about the rebounding device having a support member extending horizontally above the rebounding device, and at least three double-ended punching bags. The punching bags can be positioned in a triangular configuration, as viewed from above. 
     In one aspect, each of the three double-ended punching bags is attached to the support member above by a vertical flexible band, and each is attached by a similar vertical flexible band to the housing, to the frame, or to a ground anchor below. The triangular configuration can be in an isosceles, equilateral or scalene configuration. Further, the rebounding device and the support member can also be of triangular configuration. 
     In another aspect, an apex of the triangle formed by the punching bags lies over, in a vertical plane, an apex of the triangle formed by the rebounding device. Further, where the support member is also of triangular configuration, an apex of the triangle formed by the punching bags lies under, in a vertical plane, an apex of the triangle formed by the support member. 
     In still another aspect, two sides of the triangle formed by the punching bags lies over, in a vertical plane, two sides of the triangle formed by the rebounding device. Further, where the support member is also of triangular configuration, two sides of the triangle formed by the punching bags lies under, in a vertical plane, two sides of the triangle formed by the rebounding device. Still further, the two sides of the triangle formed by the punching bags are shorter in length than the two sides of the triangle formed by the rebounding device, and are shorter in length than the two sides of the triangle formed by the support member. 
     The exercise device can further include a pendulum, hanging from the support member and positioned between the three punching bags; can further include weighted gloves, with optional resistance provided by flexible glove bands; and can further include a medicine ball, with optional resistance provided by a flexible medicine ball band. 
     A method of exercising using an exercise device is also provided, where the exercise device comprises a rebounding device having a rebounding surface and a housing, a frame about the rebounding device having a support member extending horizontally above the rebounding device, and at least three double-ended punching bags, where the three double-ended punching bags are positioned in a triangular configuration, as viewed from above. The exercise method comprises the steps of positioning oneself between the three punching bags, bouncing on the rebounding device while punching the punching bags, and shuffling on the rebounding device to avoid being hit by one or more of the punching bags rebounding from being punched. While shuffling on the rebounding device to avoid being hit by a rebounding punching bag, a user continues to punch the punching bags and/or bounce on the rebounding device. 
     Where the exercise device further comprises a pendulum, hanging from the support member and positioned between the three punching bags, the exercise method further comprise the step of ducking under and moving around the pendulum while avoiding being hit by a rebounding punching bag, and while punching the punching bags and/or bouncing on the rebounding device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
       The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description taken in combination with the drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an elevation view of a power jump exercise equipment device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a power jump exercise equipment device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the power jump exercise equipment device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of a power jump exercise equipment device of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a power jump exercise equipment device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     The device of the present invention provides rebounding for the lower body, punching bag training for the upper body, and a combination of the two, with additional optional devices, to add coordination, balance and agility to an otherwise directed speed, power and endurance work-out. The rebounding device could be a spring board or trampoline. The punching bags could be heavy or preferably speed bags, and more preferably double-ended single or double bags. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an elevation view of one embodiment of a power jump exercise equipment device  10  of the present invention. The device  10  includes, generally, a frame or stand  12 , multiple punching bags  13 , and a rebounder  14 . 
     The rebounder  14  can be a trampoline, mini-trampoline, or spring board, having a rebounding surface  16 .  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate the rebounder  14  as a mini-trampoline. The rebounder  14  can be any shape (circular, semi-circular, square, rectangular), but is preferably triangular. The rebounder  14  has legs  18  that could be adjustable. The legs  18  can be made of a tubular material. To be adjustable, the legs  18  could have an inner shaft and an outer shaft of varied diameter to provide adjustability—with a series of aligned holes with through pin placement. The legs  18  could also have feet  19  at a bottom thereof, adding stability to the rebounder  14 . The feet  19  could be made of any material, such as non-slip plastic or rubber. In one aspect, the frame  12  can have similarly designed legs  18  and feet  19 . 
     The rebounder  14  could be fixed to the frame  12 , or the frame  12  or rebounder  14  could have a sleeve  20  for attaching the frame  12  to the rebounder  14 . The frame  12 , sleeve  20  and rebounder housing  21  could be made of any durable material, such as a metal (e.g., aluminum, steel or stainless steel) or if applicable, a plastic (e.g., polyvinylchloride “PVC”). It is not necessary that the frame  12  be connected to the rebounder  14 , but in many instances, fixed attachment provides greater stability to the entire device  10  during use. 
     The frame  12  is positioned about (around, over and perhaps also under) the rebounder  14 . The frame  12  must be configured to positionally support multiple punching bags  13 . In certain embodiments, the frame  12  must be configured to support three, double-ended punching bags  13  positioned in a triangular configuration (as viewed from the top). The triangular configuration could be equilateral, isosceles or scalene. In one aspect, the triangular configuration is isosceles—either acute, right or obtuse. See  FIG. 3 . 
     In certain embodiments, as viewed from the top, the rebounder  14  is also of triangular configuration, and could be a triangle similar to that of punching bag triangle configuration, where an apex of the triangle formed by the punching bags is shared (in a vertical plane) with the triangle formed by the rebounder. In certain embodiments, the sides of the triangle, meeting at the apex, of the punching bag triangle is located over (in a vertical plane) the sides of the triangle of the rebounder. In this instance, the sides of the triangle of the rebounder, meeting at the apex, are longer than those of the punching bag triangle (in certain instances, twice as long). During use, an individual can be centrally positioned on the rebounder within the three, double-ended punching bags. 
     Accordingly, the frame  12  includes necessary vertical members  22  and horizontal members  24  to facilitate the above-described punching bag configuration, while supporting such configuration without obstacle to free movement of the punching bags, and associated flexible bands, during use of the device  10 .  FIGS. 1-5  illustrates frame  12  arrangements where vertical  22  and horizontal  24  members are arranged to provide free movement of the three punching bags  13 . Note that no vertical member  22  is positioned to conflict with movement of the three punching bags  13 . To avoid such conflict, one or more of the vertical members, if necessary to ensure frame integrity, could be diagonally offset (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). 
     In  FIGS. 1-5  (see, particularly,  FIG. 3 ), one double, double-ended punching bag  13   a , is located at apex “A” of a punching bag  13  triangle configuration. Two single, double-ended punching bags  13   b ,  13   c , are located at respective vertexes “V” of the punching bag  13  triangle configuration. Each punching bag  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c , has vertical flexible bands  26 , attached top and bottom thereto, to tightly connect each punching bag  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c , to an above horizontal member  24  of the frame  12 , and below to either the rebounder housing  21 , a horizontal member  24  of the frame  12 , or to a fixed ground anchor  27 . For best use, the flexible bands must be taught, so a preferable arrangement is to use vertical flexible bands  26 . Vertical flexible bands  26  also provide for freer horizontal movement of the punching bags  13 , where horizontal reflex movement of the punching bags, after contact, adds to the exercise experience by challenging user coordination, balance and speed, to avoid being hit by a rebounding punching bag  13 . 
     Vertical members  22  of the frame  12  could be adjustable, similar to that described for the legs (with inner and outer telescoping members), to set the frame  12  at a desired height. Note that adjustment of frame  12  height is not necessary to adjust punching bag  13  height, as respective top and bottom vertical flexible bands  26  can be re-strung to adjust punching bag  13  height. Alternatively, the punching bags  13  could be any available commercial punching bag, speed bag, or exercise ball. Preferably double-ended, the punching bags  13  are attached to (or come attached to) one end of a flexible band  26  (and preferably one end of two flexible bands  26 ), with the other end of the flexible bands  26  attached to a fastener  28 , such as a commercial ring, eyelet, hook, D-clamp, mounted to the frame  12 , to the rebounder housing  21 , and/or a ground anchor  27 . The flexible bands  26  could be releasably attached to the fasteners  28  so that the tension of the bands  26  could be adjusted to desired tension. In one aspect, the position of the punching bags  13 , and degree of band tautness, is adjusted depending on how the bands  26  are attached. In another aspect, to increase tautness of the flexible bands  26 , and respective action of the punching bags  13 , additional diagonal flexible bands  30  can be implemented. For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , additional diagonal flexible bands  30  are attached to the fastener  28  above the one, double ball, double-ended punching bag  13   a , where one additional diagonal flexible band  30  extends to each of a top of the single ball, double-ended punching bags  13   b ,  13   c.    
     As noted, the punching bags  13  can be adjustable in height (z-axis), whether by frame  12  adjustment or flexible band  26  adjustment. The punching bags  13  can also be adjustable horizontally (x and y axes), such as back-and-forth and side-to-side. The rebounder housing  21  could be padded (not shown), where the padding can assist injury prevention due to user falling on the rebounder housing  21  rather than on the rebounding surface  16 . The padding can be made of a soft, resilient material, such as foam or rubber. To further prevent injury, and/or provide additional exercise challenge, the rebounder  14  can extend laterally beyond a vertical plane of the punching bags  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c , in any or all direction, where the flexible band  26  of the respective punching bags  13   a ,  13   b ,  13   c , pass through a formed aperture in the rebounding surface  16  and are secured below to a horizontal member  24  of the frame  12  or to a ground anchor  27 . 
     The present invention also involves a method of exercising, using the power jump exercise equipment device  10  detailed above. The user may jump, shuffle, bounce and move, on the rebounder  14 , exercising the lower body, while punching one or all of the punching bags  13 . Depending on user fitness, any level of work-out, or challenge, can be obtained based upon user action. For example, as the user punches one or more of the bags, the user must thereafter shuffle to avoid being hit by a rebounding bag, until the rebounding bag substantially settles. The continual bouncing, hitting, and shuffling to avoid being hit, provides an aerobic and anaerobic experience realistic of training for a boxing or mixed martial arts competition. The level of challenge is dictated by user capability. 
     On the rebounding surface  16 , there could be placed markers, such as the “1” and “2” shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 . Here, the user can place a lead left foot, or lead right foot, on marker “1”, with back foot on one of markers “2”. The user can then train for alternative boxing styles, working right-hand and left-hand leading activity. 
     Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, a pendulum  32  can be hung in a location generally central to (within, between) the three punching bags  13 , preferably chest to shoulder height. Depending on desired placement of the pendulum  32 , or of any other peripheral accessory, one or more crossbar(s)  33  may be included between the horizontal frame members  24  for convenient hanging of the pendulum  32  or other accessory. While the user bounces on the rebounder  14 , hits the punching bags  13 , shuffles to avoid being hit by the rebounding punching bags  13 , the user can further duck and move around the dangling pendulum  32  to challenge trunk movement, provide oblique exercise, and further enhance reflex and focus. 
     Further, weighted gloves  34  (weights optional) can be provided with glove bands  36  attached thereto, and further attached to either the rebounder housing  21  or the frame  12 . Performing the above-described work-out, while using the weighted gloves  34  with glove band  36  resistance, provides increased challenge and exercise enhancement. Still further, pre- or post-workout warm-up and stretching can be performed on the rebounding surface  16 , while standing, sitting or lying thereon, with a medicine ball  38  of varying weight or texture, where the medicine ball  38  can also include medicine ball bands  40 , again attached to either the rebounder housing  21  or the frame  12 , to enhance the exercise experience. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. For example, features detailed as included in certain specific embodiments above are recognized as interchangeable and possibly included in other detailed embodiments. Specific dimensions of any particular embodiment are described for illustration purposes only. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.