Patent Abstract:
My invention relates to improvements in striking aids; and it is among the objects of the invention to provide a multifunction striking apparatus usable as a combination speed bag and/or striking apparatus. My invention also provides conversion features, mobile features, and the ability to fit against the inner or outer corner of a wall.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to a device that is to be kicked or punched as a form of exercise. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   A variety of kicking and punching aids currently exist in the art. These aids function primarily to provide a point of impact absorption for kicks and punches. A variety of configurations exist. Some are free standing with the aid of a supporting base. Others, commonly referred to as heavy bags, hang from a support structure. All are made for use in open areas. Some examples are the kicking and punching aids of Chen U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,051, the Chu U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,640 B1, the Thomas D440,269 S, the Cragg U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,028 B1, the Henry U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,831 B1, the Fotsis U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,940 B1, the Shafik U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,992 B1, the Ray U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,639, the D&#39;Alto U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,801, the Schechner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,217, the Capach U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,466, the Kuo U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,443, the Nadorf et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,435, and the Haselrig U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,027 B1. 
   Although the current kicking and punching aids adequately provide the function of impact absorption, the kicking and punching aids of the prior art don&#39;t; conform to fit a wall&#39;s outer or inner corners, possess the option of being hung or placed onto a stand, possess a means for compact mobile use; possess the ability to change in shape; possess the ability for hand held use. Accordingly, there is need in the art for a new kicking and punching aid which has a space efficient design and is substantially adaptable to multiple variations in its method of use. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   In terms of broad inclusion, the kicking and punching aid of my invention comprises: a body unit; multiple striking surfaces; various vertical adjustment methods; multiple attachment means; the ability to in change shape; a free standing capability; a means for adjusting the weight; a means for compact mobile use; a means for handheld use. The invention is contoured to fit a wall&#39;s outer or inner corner. The invention&#39;s corner fitting design gives the user the ability to use it in areas that are very limited in space. 
   A primary objective is to provide an apparatus having advantages not taught by the prior art. The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosed species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the training bag apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, using the speed bag assembly in conjunction with the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the wheel attachment of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom end view of the striking pad of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a top end view of the striking pad of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the speed bag assembly. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the wheel attachment of the speed bag assembly. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the base of the speed bag assembly. 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the training bag apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, using the base of the speed bag assembly in conjunction with the base of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the furrow in the base of the striking pad assembly. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top end view of the joined bases. 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom end view of the joined bases. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the training bag apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, which is being used without the free standing base, but with stand that allows it to sit upright against a wall&#39;s inner or outer corner. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the training bag apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, in which the striking pad is being used along with the heavy bag conversion slip cover, weighted insert, and several of the attachment means allowing it to be used as a heavy bag. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the training bag apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, in which it is prepared for use as a hand-held training aid. 
       FIG. 22  is a sectional view of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of  FIG. 21  and all necessary attachments. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings in general and to  FIG. 1  in particular, shown therein is a training bag apparatus, which includes a striking pad assembly  10  and a speed bag assembly  200 . 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 2–7 , a training bag apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a striking pad assembly  10 , which includes a base  20  formed such that there exist angles  27  which allow it to conform to both the inner and outer corners of a wall. The base  20  includes a chamber  21  formed therein for receiving fluids and including a mouth  26  formed in the upper portion thereof and communicating with the chamber  21  of the base  20  for receiving the fluids, such as the water, any suitable liquid, or other particulate materials, such as sand, gravel, coated or uncoated metallic shot and the like, to give the punching aid stability. A cap  4  is detachably secured onto the mouth  22  of the base  20  for enclosing the chamber  21  of the base  20  and for confining the fluids within the base  20 . The base  20  includes a coupler  24 , extended upward therefrom and having an aperture  23  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . The base  20  may also be made to a solid structure having a suitable stability. The base  20  typically has 4 angles  27  to facilitate an inner and outer corner fitting form. However, it should be appreciated that the base  20  may be constructed in a wide variety of geometric shapes without departing from the scope and purpose of the present invention. A hole  25  is at the center of a socket  26  that is formed within the coupler  24  and chamber  21  of the base  20 . The Socket  26  shares an aperture  23  with the coupler  24  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . The socket  26  acts to provide a point of flexibility for the striking pad assembly  10  and is preferably made of a flexible synthetic or rubber material wherein the hole  25  may be made to a size and diameter no less than that of the column  31 . The middle lower front portion of the base  20  includes a slot  28  formed therein for receiving a wheel attachment  600 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the wheel attachment  600  includes a bar  601  that is formed in such a way as to fit within the slot  28  of the base  20  while a brace  602  simultaneously rests against the bottom of the base  20  thus causing the wheel attachment to lock into place. 
   A support unit  30  includes a coupler  33  and column  31  to be secured vertically on top of a base  20 . The coupler  33  includes a projection  36  extended inward of a hole  35  thereof for engaging into the groove  42  and lock slot  43  of the stud  41 , and an aperture  34  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 , such as a column  31  provided on the lower portion thereof, which includes apertures  32  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . 
   A column  40  is to be secured vertically on top of the support unit  30  via a coupler  33 , such as a stud  41  provided on the lower portion of the column  40 . The stud  41  includes one or more, preferably two, groove(s)  42  formed therein. The groove(s)  42  have an open lower end and are preferably vertical and have a lock slot  43  formed in the upper portion thereof. The stud  41  includes an aperture  47  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . The column  40  includes one or more longitudinal channels  44  formed therein and having one or more lock slots  45  communicating with the respective channels  44 . A striking pad  50  includes a bore  51  formed therein for receiving the column  40  and includes one or more projections  52  extended inward of the bore  51  thereof for engaging into the channels  44  and/or the lock slots  45  of the column  40  and for setting the striking pad  50  to various heights. The striking pad  50  is preferably made of spongy or rubber materials for striking purposes, and is formed to include angles  54  which allow it to conform to inner and outer angled wall corners. A barrel  53  is preferably engaged in and secured in the inner portion of the striking pad  50  for defining the bore  51  of the striking pad  50  and is made of harder or stronger materials than that for the striking pad  50 , such as plastic materials, and has the projections  52  extended therefrom. The projections  52  are also made of the stronger materials and thus have a suitable strength for engaging into the channels  44  and the lock slots  45  of the column  40  and for supporting the striking pad  50  on the column  40  at the required height. The barrel  53  and striking pad  50  shares a hole  55  that is provided as a passage for airflow or any necessary attachments. Two links  56  are located opposite each other on either side of the open end of the barrel  53  at the bottom end of the striking pad  50 . 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 8–11 , a training bag apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a speed bag assembly  200 , which includes a base  60  formed such that there exist angles  62   a  at its back end which allow it to conform to both the inner and outer corners of a wall, and angles  62   b  at its front which allow it to couple with the angles  27  of the base  20  of the striking pad assembly  10  ( FIG. 2 ) to form a single unit ( FIG. 1 ). The base  60  includes a chamber  61  formed therein for receiving fluids and including a mouth  66  formed in the upper portion thereof and communicating with the chamber  61  of the base  60  for receiving the fluids, such as the water, any suitable liquid, or other particulate materials, such as sand, gravel, coated or uncoated metallic shot and the like, to give the punching aid stability. A cap  4  is detachably secured onto the mouth  66  of the base  60  for enclosing the chamber  61  of the base  60  and for confining the fluids within the base  60 . The base  60  includes a coupler  63 , extended upward therefrom and having an aperture  64  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . The base  60  may also be made to a solid structure having a suitable stability. It should be appreciated that the base  60  may be constructed in a wide variety of geometric shapes without departing from the scope and purpose of the present invention. The right lower front portion of the base  60  includes a slot  65   a  formed therein for receiving a wheel attachment  610   a . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the wheel attachment  610   a  includes a bar  611   a  that is formed in such a way as to fit within the slot  65   a  of the base  60  while a brace  612   a  simultaneously rests against the bottom of the base  60  thus causing the wheel attachment to lock into place. The left lower front portion of the base  60  includes a slot  65   b  formed therein for receiving a wheel attachment  610   b . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the wheel attachment  610   b  includes a bar  611   b  that is formed in such a way as to fit within the slot  65   b  of the base  60  while a brace  612   b  simultaneously rests against the bottom of the base  60  thus causing the wheel attachment to lock into place. 
   Multiple hollow columns  70   a  and  70   b  are to be secured vertically on top of the base  60  for the purpose of support and height adjustments. Column  70   b  is formed in such a way as to fit into a hole  67  that is formed within the coupler  63  and base  60 , column  70   b  is secured to coupler  63  via aperture  64  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . Column  70   a  fits into and is secured to column  70   b  via apertures  71  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . 
   A speed bag device  80  includes a speed bag platform  81  secured to the upper end of a support arm  82  whose lower end fits into column  70   a  and secured thereto along with a support brace  83  via apertures  72 ,  84  and  85  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 12–16 , a base  20  includes a furrow  170  and posts  171   a  and  171   b , furrow  170  is formed therein to be seated onto crossbar  180 , post  171   a  includes an aperture  172   a  formed therein for threading a fastener or a rod  190 , post  171   b  includes an aperture  172   b  formed therein for threading a fastener or a rod  190 , a base  60  includes a crossbar  180  and posts  181   a  and  181   b , post  181   a  includes an aperture  182   a  formed therein for threading a fastener or a rod  190 , post  181   b  includes an aperture  182   b  formed therein for threading a fastener or a rod  190 , a rod  190  includes shaft  191  with a knob  192  at one end and an aperture  193  formed therein for threading a fastener or pin  2 . All these components are used in unison to join base  20  to base  60 . 
   A base  20  is coupled with a base  60  in such a way that the angles  27  of base  10  fit flush into the angles  62   a  of base  60 , this will cause the furrow of base  10  to rest on the crossbar  180  of base  60  while also aligning the apertures  182   a  of post  181   a ,  172   a  of post  171   a ,  172   b  of post  171   b , and  182   b  of post  181   b  so that the shaft  191  of rod  190  can be threaded through all apertures  182   a  of post  181   a ,  172   a  of post  171   a ,  172   b  of post  171   b , and  182   b  of post  181   b  until its knob  192  is stopped by post  181   a  which will place the aperture  193  of rod  190  on the outside of post  181   b  so that a fastener or pin  2  can be threaded through aperture  193  of rod  190  thus securing both base  10  and base  60  together, creating a single unit as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The threading of rod  190  is not limited to the fore-mentioned illustration but can also be applied in the opposite direction. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 17–18 , a training bag apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a travel base application  300 , which includes a hollow base  90  formed such that its lower end(s)  93  causes its load to press into whatever it is propped against. The base  90  includes an aperture  91  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . 
   A support unit  30  includes a coupler  33  and column  31  to be secured vertically on top of the base  90 . The coupler  33  includes an aperture  34  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 , such as a column  31  provided on the lower portion thereof, which includes apertures  32  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a column  40  is to be secured vertically on top of the support unit  30  via a coupler  33 , such as a stud  41  provided on the lower portion of the column  40 . The stud  41  includes an aperture  47  formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 . The column  40  includes one or more longitudinal channels  44  formed therein and having one or more lock slots  45  communicating with the respective channels  44 . As best shown in  FIGS. 5–7 , a striking pad  50  is formed to include angles  54  which allow it to conform to inner and outer angled wall corners, and includes a bore  51  formed therein for receiving the column  40  and includes one or more projections  52  extended inward of the bore  51  thereof for engaging into the channels  44  and/or the lock slots  45  of the column  40  and for setting the striking pad  50  to various heights. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 19–20 , a training bag apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a heavy bag conversion application  400 , which includes a heavy bag  100  including a padded inner liner  101  that is formed such that it couples with the angles  54  of the striking pad  50  to form the completed circular striking surface that is indicative of a conventional hanging heavy “punching” bag. The heavy bag  100  includes hanging attachments  104  for hanging the bag via suitable means, and a zipper  102  for securing all necessary components within the heavy bag  100  via its top enclosure  103 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 19 , a striking pad  50  is inserted into the heavy bag  100  with the open end of its bore  51  facing upward. The angles  54  of the striking pad  50  are then aligned with the angles  105  of the inner liner  101  such that the angles  105  of the inner liner  101  communicate with the angles  54  of the striking pad  50  to form a completed circle. 
   A bag  110  is included for adjusting the weight of the heavy bag assembly  110  through the receiving of fluids, such as water, any suitable liquid, or other particulate materials, such as sand, gravel, coated or uncoated metallic shot and the like. The fluids are received through the mouth  112  of the bag  110 . A cap  113  is detachably secured onto the mouth  112  of the bag  110  for confining the fluids within the bag  110 . The bag  110  should be empty when inserted into the bore  51  of the striking pad  50 , after which it can be filled to the desired weight with the desired suitable material. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 21–23 , a training bag apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a hand-held application  500 , which includes a base support  120  with a hole at its center formed therein for threading the shaft  141  of the anchoring post  140 . A striking pad  50  is used with the open end of its bore  51  facing upward to receive the center-cushion  130 , the hole  55  of the striking pad  50  is formed therein for threading the shaft  141  of the anchoring post  140  as well as to allow air flow. A center-cushion  130  is preferably made of light weight spongy or rubber materials preferably stiffer and denser than all materials used to make the striking pad  50  for striking and support purposes, and is formed to include a bore  131  at its center which is formed therein for threading the shaft  141  of the anchoring post  140  and to align with the hole  55  of the striking pad  50 , the center-cushion is shorter in length than the bore  51  of the striking pad  50  but the diameter of the center-cushion  130  is formed such that it completely fills the bore  51  of the striking pad  50 . The center-cushion  130  is seated inside of the barrel  53  of the striking pad  50  via its bore  51 . An anchoring post  140  includes a top  142  with two equally distanced opposing peripheral protrusions  145  each protrusion  145  contains an aperture  146  formed therein for threading the links  56  of the striking pad  50 , the length of the bottom half  144  of the top  142  fills in the remaining length in the barrel  53  that was left unfilled by the center-cushion  130  that is seated inside of the barrel  53 , the diameter of the bottom half  144  of the top  142  is formed such that it completely fills the bore  51  of the striking pad  50 , the shaft  141  extends downward from the center of the bottom half  144  and contains two apertures near its end, aperture  143  is formed therein for threading a fastener or a pin  2 , aperture  147  is formed therein for threading a fastener or a clasp  151 , the shaft  141  of the anchoring post  140  is to be threaded through the bore  131  of the center-cushion  130  and the hole  55  of the striking pad  50  such that bottom half  144  of the top  142  is seated firmly atop of the center-cushion  130  within the bore  51  of the barrel  53  of the striking pad  50 , the links  56  are to be threaded through their respective aperture  146  of the protrusion  145  of the anchoring post  140  which will allow the top  142  of the anchoring post  140  to fit flush against all related parts of the handheld application  500 , at this point the support base  120  can be connected by threading the hole  121  of the support base  120  with the exposed end of the shaft  141  of the anchoring post  140  such that a fastener or pin  2  can be inserted through the aperture  143  of the shaft  141  thus locking the support base  120  to the striking pad  50  and securing the anchoring post  140  in place. 
   The “user” that will be mentioned in the following paragraph is referring to a trainer that will hold and manipulate the invention while another person strikes it. 
   An adjustable strap  150   a , adjustable straps  150   b , and a body brace  160  are used to secure the handheld application  500  to its user. Adjustable straps  150   b  are secured to their respective link  56  of the striking pad  50  of the hand-held application  500  via a swiveling clasp  151  located at either end of each adjustable strap  150   b , adjustable strap  150   a  is secured to aperture  147  of the anchoring post  140  of the handheld application  500 , each remaining unsecured swiveling clasp  151  of the adjustable straps  150   b  can now be secured to its respective anchoring point  161   b  of the body brace  160 , the unsecured end of adjustable strap  150   a  can now be secured via its swiveling clasp  151  to anchoring point  161   a  of the body brace  160 , at this point the body brace  160  is worn by the user via its shoulder supports  162  and  163 , shoulder support  162  fits over the left shoulder of the user while shoulder support  163  fits over the user&#39;s right shoulder. At this point the body brace  160  will rest against the front of the users and on both shoulders, which helps to balance the weight (although extremely light) of the handheld application  500  evenly throughout the body of the user, such that the user may move freely about with the handheld application, using it as a moving target or opposing training aid from which the user will be able to see over the top of to observe and critique the technique of the person striking the handheld application  500 . 
   Accordingly, the punching aid in accordance with the present invention includes a flexible structure for facilitating the punching or boxing exercises, and includes a detachable structure for allowing the punching aid to be disassembled and packaged to a compact configuration. It has thus been seen that a new and novel punching and kicking aid has been illustrated and described, and although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0