Abstract:
A multi-station boxing center is provided. The multi-station boxing center has a base arranged to be positioned on a generally horizontal support surface, and a frame mounted on said base, said frame having a first means for supporting a heavy bag and a second means for supporting a speed bag, wherein said second means includes adjustment means for horizontally adjusting said speed bag, and wherein said adjustment means adjusts said speed bag to one of a plurality of positions on said frame

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/579,863, filed on Jun. 15, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to exercise stands and more particularly to a heavy-bag and adjustable-position speed-bag workout stand.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Numerous prior art patents illustrate a multi-stand exercise center. These typically include a heavy bag and a speed bag. While some of the prior art constructions are more elaborate and probably more costly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,458 to Newman et al. illustrates a three-bag workout apparatus in which a central pole is mounted on a stand or base secured to the floor or mounting surface by means of screws. A speed bag is mounted on the pole in one plane, while a heavy bag is mounted on a slightly inclined extension pole in a plane laterally offset 90 degrees from the plane in which the speed bag is mounted. An additional punching bag is also provided that is secured between a bar and bolt secured to the base. The patentee states that the equipment is intended to be used in any “home, garage, backyard, or buildings with a concrete floor.” Thus, the base is intended to be secured to a cement or outdoor concrete patio area, although it is also contemplated that it can be moved without creating much damage to the stand. Thus, while “transplantable” from one area to another, the apparatus is intended to be bolted to the surface at any given location because with the construction used, it appears, the center of gravity, with the heavy bag mounted, is such that the entire stand would topple except for the bolts that secure the base to the concrete surface.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,278 to Chen discloses a support frame includes an upright rod on which a sandbag is mounted by means of a suspension rod, while the speed bag is mounted on the reverse side, as shown. Because the frame itself is relatively lightweight, three upright bars are provided, as shown, to allow suitable weights to be secured to the base frame members to assure the stability of the unit during use.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,992 to Shafik illustrates another example of a prior art boxing exercise apparatus formed of a frame that is adjustable in a number of different ways to support different types of punching bags, including a heavy bag and a speed bag, as shown. However, this patent does not disclose a heavy base to stabilize the unit, nor does it appear to be secured to the floor or surface on which it is positioned. However, it is disclosed that the frame is secured to uprights, a conventional treadmill, not shown in the figures.  
         [0008]     Design Pat. D362,477 to Bluestein shows a combined exercise step and punching bag stand, in which the base appears to be in the form of a molded hollow structure that could be filled with water or sand.  
         [0009]     Design Pat. D335,513 to Gaetano discloses a stand similar to the one shown in the Chen &#39;278 patent, although it does not indicate any means for weighing the frame down. Instead, it appears that the frame itself is stabilized on the floor against toppling or sliding by means of a platform attached to the base of the frame on which the user stands. Presumably, the weight of the user creates sufficient friction on the plate adequate to prevent movements of the frame itself.  
         [0010]     Other patents show multi-stand boxing centers utilizing some or all of the bags that can be used with the present invention. However, these patents do not appear to discuss the option in which there is an indoor/outdoor mobile stand that includes a heavy bag permanently supported on the frame, while a plurality of other bags can interchangeably be used one at a time.  
         [0011]     Thus, numerous stands have been proposed, some of which allow for the vertical height adjustment of the speed bad. However, these stands primarily accommodate the height of the bag to the height of the individual using it. Such an adjustment capability is, of course, extremely useful, but it does not allow for lateral adjustment or the positioning of the speed bag within a generally horizontal plane relative to a stationary base. This may be a disadvantage if the stand must be placed in a predetermined position in a room, such as in its corner, and both the heavy bag and the speed bag must be positioned so that they can be conveniently and individually used notwithstanding their close proximity to the walls.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention relates to a simple and inexpensive construction of an exercise heavy-bag and speed-bag stand or stand that allows the speed bag to be adjusted to a one of plurality of positions both to accommodate the height of the user as well as to accommodate the site where the stand is used in a room. Thus, in addition to height adjustability, the speed-bag platform may be moved to one of a plurality of different positions within a generally horizontal plane, so that it can, for example, be positioned diametrically opposite to the heavy bag or to one of a different number of positions angularly displaced from such position to various degrees to one lateral side or the other of such position to accommodate the geometry or the space in which the stand is placed or positioned. In this way, both bags can be desirably placed in positions where either one or both of the bags can be used independently of the other, while minimizing the amount of space used for the stand and enabling practice with either one of the bags without inconvenience or hindrance by the other bag or the physical constraints within the space such as walls or other pieces of exercise equipment.  
         [0013]     The stand is of a simple construction that may be disassembled for easy shipment and quickly and rapidly assembled with minimal effort or tools. Once assembled, the stand is sturdy, steady and safe to use. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The above and other objects of the invention may be more readily seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an adjustable position heavy-bag/speed-bag stand in accordance with the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the frame or stand after the latter has been assembled but prior to the mounting of the heavy and speed bags onto the stand;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a fragmented top perspective view of the upper portion of the stand shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the inverted L-shaped top half of the upright tube and showing the manner in which the speed bag platform is mounted on the upright for adjustable lateral or horizontal positioning as well as for vertical adjustments;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a fragmented front perspective view of the quadrant adjustment assembly that allows the speed-bag platform to be moved and fixed at different lateral or horizontal positions relative to the fixed upright and base of the stand;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the speed-bag platform in a partially folded condition, showing a split construction of the platform for folding or collapsing two semicircular panels by means of a hinge to reduce its overall size for storage or shipping;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the folded speed-bag platform shown in  FIG. 5 , shown in a totally folded position about the connecting hinge; and  
         [0021]      FIGS. 7-12  are a series of perspective views of the stand shown in  FIG. 1 , at successive stages of assembly and, in  FIG. 12 , showing an alternate embodiment of the construction shown in  FIGS. 6-10 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Referring now to the Figures, in which similar or identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to  FIG. 1 , an adjustable position heavy-bag/speed-bag stand in accordance with the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0023]     The stand  10 , in the form of a boxing, kicking or marshal arts center, includes a frame  12  that includes a base  14 . The specific configuration of the base is not critical as long as it provides adequate stability and can be easily assembled from a fully collapsed disassembled condition that takes up a minimal amount of storage space. However, in the embodiment illustrated, the base  14  is formed of two S-shaped bent legs  16  that are generally mirror images of each other when assembled as shown. Each bent leg  16  has one remote free end  16   a,  as viewed in  FIG. 1 , and a proximate, generally parallel other free end  16   b.  Intermediate portions  16   c  extend between the end portions  16   a  and  16   b.    
         [0024]     The free ends  16   a  are generally juxtaposed proximate to each other in generally parallel relationship, and positioned on opposite sides of an upright  22  to which the free ends  16   a  are securely attached by any suitably means, such as nuts and bolts. A leg brace  18  extends between the intermediate portions  16   c  and may be attached thereto in any conventional manner to maintain the separation or spacing between the free ends  16   b.  It will be appreciated that the further the free ends  16   b  are spaced from each other, the wider the base and the greater the stability in the lateral directions. Similarly, a generally elongate stabilizer straight base leg  20  extends in a direction generally parallel to that of the leg brace  18  and has a length generally corresponding to the spacing between the free end portions  16   b,  to provide comparable stability at both the front and the rear of the base.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the elements or components of the frame  12  are shown. Advantageously, the upright  22  is formed of two separate vertical upright portions  22   b,    22   c,  split at  22   d,  as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The two vertical upright portions  22   b,    22   c  can be joined by a connector C that has a cross-sectional configuration generally corresponding to that of the two upright portions to be joined, square tubes in the embodiment illustrated, and received within the tubes to bridge the split  22   d.  Appropriate fasteners, such as nuts and bolts or rivets R, can be used to secure the uprights to the C, as to be described in connection with  FIGS. 7-11 .  
         [0026]     The L-shaped bottom or lower half of the upright  22  includes a horizontal portion  22   a  that is received and secured between the two free ends  16   a  by drawing the latter together in pressure relationship against the portion  22   a.  The transverse elongate stabilizer straight base leg  20  can be secured to the free ends  16   a  and horizontal portion  22   a  in any suitable and conventional manner.  
         [0027]     To stabilize the upright  22  against movements in both the forward and rearward directions, as well as laterally, there are preferably provided two angular or side braces  23 , the lower ends of which are secured to the bent legs  16  in the regions where the intermediate portions  16   c  merge with the proximate free ends  16   b,  as shown. The specific locations where the angular or side braces  23  join the base bent legs  16  is not critical as long as they provide adequate stability. The upper ends of the angular or side braces  23  are connected to the vertical upright portion  22   c,  as shown, preferably above the split  22   d.  However, the specific location where the upper ends of the braces  23  are joined to the upright  22  is not critical, although it will be evident that the higher the connection point, the greater the stability that is provided.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper horizontal portion  22   e  of the L-shaped top half of the upright  22  is generally parallel to the bottom horizontal portion  22   a  of the upright portion  22   b.  An eyelet bolt  24  is provided at the free end of the horizontal portion  22   e  from which a heavy bag B 1  may be suspended. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the heavy bag B 1  can be secured from the upper horizontal portion  22   e  in a conventional manner by attaching one end of the chains  26  to the eyelet bolt  24  by means of S-links  30 , which are, in turn, secured to conventional fabric straps or loops  32  attached to the upper end of the heavy bag by means of triangular metallic links  34 . At the lower end of the heavy bag B 1 , there may be provided an elastic band  36  having one end secured to an eyelet  37  by means of an S-link  38 , while the lower end of the band can similarly be attached to a round loop or eyelet  40  by means of a S-link  42 . The elastic band  36  is conventionally used to decrease the amount of sway in lateral, rearward or forward directions of the heavy bag when it is impacted.  
         [0029]     With the illustrated design, the heavy bag B 1  remains fixed in place along the vertical direction, so that the elastic band  36  remains taut or straight as shown. The uprights and the base are so configured and dimensioned so that the center of gravity of the heavy bag B 1  generally passes through a central region of the footprint defined by the base  14 . This provides substantially equal or comparable stability regardless of the direction of impact on the heavy bag B 1 .  
         [0030]     An important feature of the invention is the provision of a speed bag B 2  and the manner in which it is mounted on the stand  10  so that it is adjustable to accommodate both the height of the user as well as the geometry or configuration of the room in which the stand is used. Towards that end, there is provided a speed-bag support arm  44 , which extends generally horizontally from the upper vertical upright portion  22   c,  as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support arm  44  is attached to the upper surface of a generally circular speed-bag platform  46 . In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the platform  46  is formed of two separate semicircular panels  46   a,    46   b,  attached to each other by means of a piano hinge  46   c,  as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . By using this construction, the platform  46  can be folded and reduced in size for purposes of shipping and storage. However, the platform  46  can also be made out of a unitary rigid board that does not fold about a hinge as described. Where the size of the platform is not a problem insofar as shipping or storage is concerned, making the board rigid may have the advantage that the resulting support for the speed-bag is sturdier and provides improved performance and reliability. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the platform  46  is provided with a conventional ball pivot or swivel  48  of the type used to conventionally support a speed bag B 2 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a quadrant assembly  52  is provided that can be suitably connected to the upper vertical upright portion  22   c  at one of a plurality of vertical positions. For this purpose, a plurality of transverse holes  64  is provided for allowing lateral flanges  54   b  of the quadrant assembly  52  to be connected to or mounted at different vertical heights by means of transverse fasteners  54   a.  While any fasteners can be used, nuts and bolts are preferably used so that they can be removed and reinserted at different heights or levels to provide the desired height for any given user.  
         [0033]     A feature of the invention, referring to  FIG. 4 , is that the quadrant assembly  52  is also provided with a pair of vertically spaced plates  52   a,    52   b.  In the embodiment shown, these plates are in the form of semicircular plates that are vertically aligned with each other and may be integrally formed with a transverse plate  52   c  to form a generally U-shaped receiving space  52   e  dimensioned to receive the proximate end of the support arm  44  with clearance. The plates  52   a,    52   b  are provided with vertically aligned holes substantially proximate to the geometric center of the circular quadrant through which a pivot pin  56  is inserted that extends through the corresponding holes in the support arm  44 . The support arm can, therefore, pivot about the pivot pin  56 , while freely rotating about the pivot pin, limited only by the transverse plate  52   c  that serves as a stop. In order to secure the support arm  44  against rotation, there are preferably provided a plurality of sets of vertically aligned holes  52   d,  proximate to the circular peripheries of the plates  52   a,    52   b.  In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , five sets of such holes are provided. One set of holes are essentially aligned at the center of the circular arc within a plane that essentially extends through the upper horizontal portion  22   e  of the upright  22 . Two of the sets of holes are arranged at substantially diametrically opposite ends of the position of the pivot pin  56  within a plane substantially parallel to the transverse plate  52   c,  while the remaining two pairs of holes are located approximately 45° between the two aforementioned sets of holes. It will be clear that the support arm  44  can be fixed in position at any one of five different angular positions relative to the upright  22  and the base  14  by simply moving the support arm  44  to one of the aforementioned desired positions and locking its position in place by means of a fixing pin  58 . While five sets of holes have been illustrated, approximately 45° apart from each other along the arc defined by the semicircular plates  52   a,    52   b,  it will be clear that any number of such sets of holes may be provided. These may be uniformly or equally spaced angularly spaced from each other, although they need not be so spaced. In this manner, the support arm  44  and speed-bag platform  46  may be moved 90° to the right of the rearmost position, 90° to the left of that position or any one of the discrete positions inbetween. In  FIG. 1  the speed bag B 2  is shown in the 90° to the right position to clear the walls at the corner of the room.  
         [0034]     The quadrant assembly  52  may be secured to the upright portion  22   c  in any suitable or conventional manner. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the transverse plate  52   c  is shown connected to a bracket  54  having lateral flanges or walls  54   a,    54   b  spaced from each other a distance to correspond to the width of the square or rectangular tube used for the vertical upright portion  22   c.  The two lateral flanges or walls  54   a,    54   b  are connected to each other by means of a transverse flange  54   c.  These flanges define a receiving area  54   d  dimensioned to receive the upright portion  22   c,  as shown in  FIG. 3 . As indicated, any suitable fasteners  59  may be used to secure the quadrant assembly  52  at any desired height.  
         [0035]     In accordance with the broader aspect of the invention, the speed-bag platform support arm  44  is angularly movable from side to side between the different angular positions while moving in a generally horizontal plane about the upright  22 . In a presently preferred embodiment, however, the quadrant assembly is also vertically adjustable, as suggested in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the holes  64  are spaced 3 in. apart from each other so that the speed-bag platform may be positioned in one of five different vertical positions. Also, because five sets of vertically aligned hole  52   d  are provided, and the support arm  44  may be positioned in any one of five different angular positions, it will be clear that there are a total of 25 different adjustable combinations of positions for the support arm  44  and, therefore, the speed bag B 2  itself. Of course, by changing the number of horizontal positions and/or the number of vertically aligned holes  52   d,  different numbers of total combinations can be obtained, the total number merely being the product of the number of vertical positions and the number of horizontal angular positions.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 4A , an alternate construction of the vertically spaced plates is shown. The modified plate, with two being provided as described, is identified by the reference numeral  52   f.  Instead of having a plurality of discreet holes  52   d  as discussed in connection with  FIGS. 3 and 4  a continuous slot  52   g  is provided that extends proximate to the edge or periphery of the plate  52   f.  The associated plate (not shown) is similarly configured and vertically spaced to form the modified quadrant assembly  52 . By providing a continuous slot the user is no longer limited to a finite number of horizontal positions but can position the bad in any one of an infinite number of positions between the ends  52   h,    52   i  of the slot  52   g.  As shown in  FIG. 4A , the slot  52   g  extends from one side of the diameter  80  of the plate  52   f,  which passes through the geometrical center  82  of the plate, to the diametrically opposite side of the diameter. This allows for 180° adjustment, as represented, for example, by the position  84 . It should be evident that the arcuate length of the slot  52   g  is not critical and may be made shorter or longer than the slot shown to provide less or more positions of adjustability.  
         [0037]     To enhance the stability of the speed-bag platform  46 , and to prevent excessive stresses on such platform during use, there are advantageously provided at least one or two transverse bars  60  that are rigidly secured to the support arm  44 , the speed-bag platform  46  being, in turn, secured to the transverse bars  60  themselves and not directly to the support arm  44 .  
         [0038]     Advantageously, weight pegs or posts  70  are provided that extend vertically upwardly from the free ends of both the proximate end portions  16   b  as well as the free ends of the straight base leg  20 , as shown. The pegs or posts  70  can be used to secure weights (not shown) to provide additional stability to the base and to the stand during use. Additional stability can be provided by providing end caps  72 , that can be slipped over the free ends  16   a,    16   b  as well the free ends of the straight leg base  20 , that are formed of rubber or the like, which will enhance the friction with the support surface. This minimizes movements of the stand on the smooth surface.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 7-11 , the assembly of the adjustable position heavy-bag/speed-bag will now be described. In  FIG. 7  the two bent legs  16  are placed on the floor with the leg brace  18  between them, as shown. The leg brace may be secured to the bent legs in any conventional or suitable manner, such as placing the leg brace over square lugs (not shown) in the bent legs and fastening same with suitable nuts and bolts. The bottom half or horizontal portion  22   a  of the upright portion  22   b  is placed between the bent leg portions  16   a.    
         [0040]     The stabilizer or straight base leg  20  is placed across the free ends  16   a  and is secured to the three portions  16   a,    20   a  by any suitable or conventional means, such as bolts and nuts.  
         [0041]     The connector C ( FIG. 8 ) is slid into the upright portion  22   b,  making sure that the holes in these members are secured with suitable nuts and bolts. The top half of the upright portion  22   c  is slid onto the connector C, again making sure that the holes are aligned, and that the heavy-bag arm or horizontal portion  22   e  is directed or pointed toward the front of the stand, as viewed in  FIG. 1 , pointing toward the leg brace  18 . These are, again, suitably secured by means of nuts and bolts. Five plastic or rubber end caps  72  are now placed on the free ends  16   b  and on the straight base leg  20 . One plastic end cap  74  is also advantageously used to cover the free end of the upper horizontal portion  22   e  to cover or conceal any sharp edges.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the side braces  23  are connected to the vertical upright portion  22   c,  as shown, using suitable nuts and bolts, and the bottom ends of the side braces likewise are secured to the bent legs, as suggested, with appropriate fasteners. These fasteners can now be tightened to rigidify the structure, as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0043]     The heavy-bag holding eyebolt  24  is now extended upwardly through the heavy-bag upper horizontal portion or arm  22   e  and secured with a nut at the upper end. The speed-bag swivel or ball pivot  48  can now be attached to the center of the speed-bag platform  44 , using wood screws. The speed-bag arm assembly, including the support arm  44  itself and the transverse bars  60 , is now attached to the speed-bag platform  46  by means of suitable bolts and nuts.  
         [0044]     The quadrant assembly  52  can now be attached to the vertical upright  22   c  using any one of the height adjustment holes  64  provided and one suitable bolt and nut.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the speed-bag platform  46  and arm assembly can be secured to the quadrant assembly, between the upper and lower plates  52   a,    52   b.  The fixing pin  58  can be removed and the support arm  44  moved to the desired angular position so that the holes in the support arm  44  are aligned with one set of vertical aligned holes  52   d,  so that the fixing pin  58  can be inserted through all of the holes in order to fix the angular position of the support arm.  
         [0046]     Four weight pegs or posts  70  can now be inserted into the free ends of the base legs, as shown, which can be used to support weights for additional stability. The weight pegs can be secured to the bent legs  16  and to the straight stabilizer base leg  20  by means of suitable fasteners. In  FIG. 11 , the pegs or posts  70  are shown to be received within vertically aligned threaded or unthreaded holes within the free ends of the base tubes, as shown. In  FIG. 12 , an alternate embodiment is illustrated, in which the pegs or posts are secured to inverted U-shaped brackets  76  that are dimensioned to be placed over the free ends of the leg tubes or legs. The brackets may be secured to the tubes in any conventional way, including press fit, suitable nuts and bolts, machine screws, or the like.  
         [0047]     It will be appreciated that by using the disclosed design, the free ends  16   b  are spaced sufficiently from each other to provide greater freedom to the user when working out.  
         [0048]     Depending on the geometry of the space where the stand is to be located, and depending on the position of the stand within that space, the stand in accordance with the present invention provides maximum versatility and flexibility of use for maximum ease of use and comfort to the user, regardless of where the two bags, the heavy bag and the speed bag, are to be situated or located.  
         [0049]     While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein.