Abstract:
A boxing equipment frame assembly, wherein the frame assembly is capable of supporting a plurality of punching bags including a speed bag and a heavy bag. The frame assembly includes a speed bag support assembly that includes a sliding bracket. The bracket serves as the means of connecting the speed bag support assembly to the main equipment frame. By using a sliding bracket that moves independently of the main support frame, the height of the speed bag can be adjusted without displacing any of the additional components attached to the frame. A piston is provided to apply a continuous upward force to the sliding bracket. In applying a continuous upward force the user has to put in less effort and a greater degree of control is achieved in adjusting the height of the speed bag.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This utility application claims priority on and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/893,708 filed on Mar. 8, 2007. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to boxing equipment and more particularly pertains to an easily and efficiently adjustable frame with platforms and structural members which can support a heavy bag and a speed bag. The present invention is user friendly in that it allows for relatively quick and simple adjustments in the height of the platform which supports a boxing bag. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Punching bags were originally used by boxers to improve overall punching techniques. Recently, punching bags are being used by people who are not boxers, but want to receive the strength and aerobic benefits achieved through performing the motion of punching. Furthermore, punching bags are now used as source of stress relief by many people. Typically an entire boxing apparatus includes multiple bags of different sizes and designs for performing various punching exercises. These boxing apparatuses usually include a large heavy bag and a smaller speed hag. Both bags are mounted onto a frame that provides support while the bags are operated. 
         [0006]    Punching bag support frames and other exercise apparatuses are detailed extensively throughout the prior art. These devices and apparatus typically address the problems associated with adjusting the height of the boxing bags or other exercise equipment. In particular for boxing bag support frames, the support structure from which the bags are mounted, such as platforms, bars, rigid arms and the like are adjusted. 
         [0007]    Adjustable frames for supporting exercise equipment has significant applications for basketball goal systems. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,944 issued to Morgan discloses a basketball goal that is mounted onto a telescopically adjustable support frame. This support frame uses a series of linear actuators to raise and lower the upper member of the support frame, subsequently raising and lowering the basketball goal. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,547 issued to Pardi describes a self-adjusting basketball goal that incorporates two pivoting member attached to a support frame. The pivoting members protrudes out from the top end of the support frame and include all upper and lower member. The lower pivoting member is locked into position by a telescopically adjusting extension from the main support frame. As the telescopic extension is displaced, the lower pivot member rotates about the pivot axis formed at the top of the main support member, thereby allowing the goal to be raised and lowered to a specific height. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,189 B2 issued to Fair, relates to an adjustable basketball goal system. This design incorporates moveable and slidable sleeve that are operated through a pulley system to adjust the height of the basketball goal. 
         [0010]    While, exercise equipment utilizing adjustable frames is used extensively in basketball goal systems, it also extends for use in boxing exercising apparatuses, and particularly the structures used to support the boxing bags. U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,992 B1 issued to Shafik discloses a boxing frame for both speed bags and heavy bags, which utilizes a multi-purpose bracket and pin assembly to position the height of the speed bag platform. This device is also for attachment to a tread mill. The disadvantage of the invention disclosed in the &#39;922 patent is that the system uses a simple bracket and pin for adjusting the height of the speed bag. The bracket and pin adjustable members have a number of disadvantages including difficulty in removing the pin, and inconvenience in actually displacing the adjustable member within the bracket, particularly as the bracket becomes worn with continued use. 
         [0011]    U.S. Patent Publication No. US2006/0025286 A1 issued to Shipes, discloses a rotatable frame assembly for a boxing heavy bag. The frame assembly consists of a rotatable shaft and a transverse member. The rotatable shaft is driven by a motor which can be remotely controlled. In rotating the shaft, the heavy bag is displaced, thereby mimicking the movements of an opponent. The main disadvantage of this invention is that the heavy bag height can not be adjusted based upon the preference of various users. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,866 issued to Fucci discloses a punching bag support frame with at least two (2) telescoping sections, one being a tooth/gear assembly and the second being an internal pressure safety cylinder within the main frame to assist with controllability of the unit. The pressure cylinder can be located, in an alternative embodiment, outside the main frame, and is designed to assist the rack and pinion gear assembly to ease movement of the upper assembly. The disadvantage of this invention is that the entire frame assembly is moved, so that if a heavy bag is also attached to the frame, the height of the heavy bag is adjusted with the height of the speed bag. Furthermore, in adjusting the main support frame, a powerful pressure cylinder must be used to drive the movement as the main support frame is rigid and extremely heavy. 
         [0013]    However, none of the prior art references, either alone or in combination with one-another, teach or suggest the novel aspects of the instant invention, nor the mechanical designs relating to the secondary, independent and vertically adjustable speed bag frame that is attached to a main support frame. Consequently, there continues to exist a need for an efficient, simple, user friendly and structurally sound design for an adjustable frame for boxing speed bags or heavy bags. Furthermore, this design must allow for the independent adjustment of the height of various components that are attached to the main support frame. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention relates to an improved design for manufacturing, assembling and using adjustable boxing frames for supporting speed bags or heavy bags. The adjustable support frame is conventional in that it includes a main support piece and two extension support assemblies that are used to attach a heavy bag and a smaller, generally circular speed bag to the main support piece. The entire assembly frame is supported by base members that sit on the floor and extend outwards from the bottom end of the main support piece. The pieces that are used to support both the speed bag and heavy bag are rigidly secured to the main support piece, so that in operation of the bags displacement of the entire frame is assembly is neutralized by the base members. 
         [0015]    The speed bag support assembly includes a sliding bracket that encloses a vertical strut that is attached to an extension piece. The sliding bracket is attached to a platform support member that extends horizontally out of the sliding bracket. The platform, upon which the speedbag is attached to and operated on, extends from the bottom of the platform support member. The platform, platform support member and sliding bracket are all rigidly secured together, so that as the bracket is displaced vertically, the platform displaces with respect to the bracket. The displacement of the platform, in turn causes the adjustment of the height of the speed bag. The use of a displaceable bracket surrounding a strut piece that extends outward from the main support piece, allows the height of the speed bag to be adjusted independently from the rest of the entire support frame, thus fixing the height of the heavy bag. 
         [0016]    The bracket is locked and unlocked into position through the insertion and removal of a pin. The pin extends through the bracket and through apertures on both sides of the strut piece thus locking the bracket into a specific position. By locking the bracket into a position the speed bag remains at a fixed height. In order to adjust the height of the speed bag, the turn knob is activated allowing the pin to be pulled through the apertures in the strut piece and out from the side of the bracket. A handle extends from the opposing side of the bracket that provides the user with a means of displacing the bracket. 
         [0017]    The advantage of the present invention is the addition of a piston that is mounted to the main support piece. The end of the piston is coupled to the moveable bracket that surrounds the strut piece. As the bracket is displaced upward, and subsequently the height of the speed bag is raised, the piston assists the user by providing an upward force against the bracket. Furthermore, as the bracket is moved downward, the piston continues to apply an upward force, thus allowing the user to easily control the descent of the bracket and subsequent speed bag which can be heavy and awkward to control. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable frame for mounting and supporting a variety of boxing bags. 
         [0019]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a superior design for adjustable boxing equipment frames, which are cost effective, operationally efficient, and user friendly 
         [0020]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved boxing equipment support frame which incorporates an auxiliary piston assist mechanism. 
         [0021]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved boxing equipment support frame which allows for the independent adjustment of the height of a specific boxing bag without displacing other boxing bags that are supported by the frame. 
         [0022]    In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the components that make up the entire boxing frame. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of the complete boxing frame. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of the adjustable speed bag support assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of the components of the preferred embodiment of the entire boxing frame  10 , while  FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of the complete boxing frame  10 . Referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the boxing frame consists of a main support piece  16  that extends vertically in a perpendicular direction to the surface upon which the boxing frame  10  rests upon. The main support piece  16  is constructed from any suitable high strength material that can be but is not limited to steel. The piece  16  is hollow to decrease the weight of the overall frame  10  and can be of any geometrical shape. In the preferred embodiment, the main support piece  16  is four sided to provide surfaces for the mounting of the additional components that make up the boxing frame  10 . 
         [0027]    A left and right base frame leg  12  and  11  and a base cross frame leg  13  are attached to the bottom of the main support member  16 . The base legs  11 ,  12 , and  13  limit the side to side displacement of the main support member  16 , thus allowing the member  16  to extend vertically up from the planar surface upon which it rests. Two diagonal struts  14  and  15  are connect the main support member  16  to the left and right base frame legs  11  and  12  at points located away from the connection at the base of the main support member  16 . These diagonal struts  14  and  15  help to ensure that horizontal displacement of the main support member is limited. 
         [0028]    The top of the hollow main support member  16  is covered with a cap  19  to improve the appearance of the overall boxing frame  10 . A heavy bag extension support member  17  is attached to the top of and extends perpendicularly from a side surface of the main support member  16 . A mounting shaft  20  extends from the distal end of the bottom side of the heavy bag extension support member  17 . The mounting shaft  20  is used to secure the heavy bag to the extension support member  16 . The heavy bag extension support member protrudes from the same side of the main support member  16  as the left and right base frame legs  11  and  12  are attached to. This ensures that the main support member  16  can adequately hold the weight of the heavy bag without falling over. 
         [0029]    The speed bag support assembly  50  includes a top extension piece  18  that is attached to the top end of the main support member  16  on the opposing side from which the heavy bag support member  17  is mounted. The distal end of the extension piece is coupled to the top of a vertical strut member  21 . The vertical strut member  21  can be of any shape and constructed from any suitable high strength material such as steel. A bottom extension piece  22  is connected to the bottom end of the vertical strut member  21  and the main support member  16 . Both the bottom and top extension pieces  18  and  22  protrude from the main support member  16  the same horizontal distance, so that the vertical strut member  21  is parallel to the main support member  16 . 
         [0030]    A sliding bracket  23  encloses around the vertical strut member  21  and moves in a linear direction along the longitudinal length of the strut member  21 . A horizontal extension member  24  is monolithically attached to and protrudes from the side of the sliding bracket  23 . A square support plate is coupled to the bottom side on the distal end of the horizontal extension member  24 . The square support plate  25  serves to create a surface with a large area on which the circular speed bag operation plate  26  is mounted. This circular speed bag operation plate  26  is attached to the bottom end of the square support plate  25 . A mounting swivel  27  extends from the bottom of the circular operation plate  26  and is used to directly attach the speed bag to the entire speed bag support assembly  50 . The circular operation plate  26  is used as a surface that the speed bag makes contact with and subsequently bounces off of dining the operation of the bag. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , and in particular  FIG. 3 , a side perspective view of the speed ball support assembly  50  is shown. The speed ball support assembly  50  includes a mounting swivel  27 , the operational plate  26 , the square plate  25 , and the horizontal support member  24  which are all coupled together to the sliding bracket  23 , so that as the sliding bracket moves the attached components displace. Subsequently, as the attached components are displaced the overall height of the speed ball changes a specific distance with respect to the overall displacement of the attached components. As mentioned previously, the sliding bracket  23  displaces in a linear fashion along the longitudinal direction of the vertical strut  21 . Two plastic brushings  31  are inserted into the sliding bracket  23  to aid in the movement of the sliding bracket  23 . In using a separate support assembly from the main support member, the height of the speed ball can be changed independently without moving the main support member  16  and corresponding additional attached punching bags. 
         [0032]    The sliding bracket  23  is locked into place on the vertical strut  21  through the use of a simple pin locking mechanism. The locking mechanism consists of a turn knob  23  and pop pin  29  which are utilized to secure and maintain the sliding bracket  23  at any desired height level or position about the vertical strut  21 . The vertical strut  21  contains a series of apertures through opposing sidewalls of the strut  21 . Once the desired height of the speed ball is achieved, pop pin  29  protrudes through an opening on the side of the sliding bracket  23 , through apertures located on opposing side walls of the vertical strut  21  and into the turn knob  23  on the opposing side of the sliding bracket  23 . 
         [0033]    In order to release the sliding bracket  23  from a locked position, the turn knob  28  is activated, allowing for the removal of the pop pin  29 . The pop pin  29  is pulled out from the opposing apertures  30  in the sides of the vertical strut  21  and through the opening in the sliding bracket  23 . A wire  32  connects the pop pin  29  to the sliding bracket  23  and ensures that the pop pin  29  is not lost while it is disengaged. After the pop pin is disengaged, the sliding bracket  21  can be displaced vertically. 
         [0034]    The novelty of the present invention comes through the use of a piston member  33  to help in moving the sliding bracket  21  and subsequent speed hall to a desired height. The piston  33  can be a pneumatic, hydraulic, tension spring, or electric extendable or retractable type member. The bottom extension piece  22  holds the piston  33  in the space between the vertical strut  21  and the main support member  16 . The end of the sliding shaft  35  of the piston  33  is attached to the sliding bracket  23  through a protrusion  36  that extends from the back of the sliding bracket  23  into the space between said bracket  23  and the main support member  16 . 
         [0035]    In the movement of the sliding bracket  21 , the piston member  33  provides an independent and substantial force to assist the user, in lifting or lowering the speed bag and corresponding speed bag support assembly  50  to the desired height for performing boxing exercises. A handle  24  extends from the side of the sliding bracket  21 , allowing the user to move the entire speed bag support assembly  50  up and down. In adjusting the height of the speed bag to taller position, the speed bag support assembly can be heavy and awkward to move. The piston  33  applies a constant upward force to the sliding bracket  23 , thus aiding the user in moving the entire assembly up. Furthermore, by reducing the force that the user needs to apply in lifting the speed bag, a greater degree of control is achieved. While the speed bag support assembly  50  is disengaged and being lowered, the piston  33  continues to apply an upward force. This applied upward force prevents the sliding bracket  23  and the corresponding entire speed bag support assembly  50  from crashing down. Furthermore, a higher degree of user control is achieved as the support assembly  50  is lowered. 
         [0036]    Without the method of using a piston  33  to assist in adjusting the height of the speed bag, weight or strength limitations would be encountered by certain individuals, who may not be able to operate the equipment by themselves. Further, people may misjudge the weight of the support assembly  50  causing inadvertent movement and injury. Throughout all operations, the piston assist applies appropriate force on the platform assembly, to provide stability, control and ease of movement for the user. It is much easier and safer for the user to manipulate the platform, and allows the person to use minimal force and energy in adjusting the height of the punching bag. 
         [0037]    The components that make up the entire boxing frame  10  are attached together through any suitable means. In the preferred embodiment the components are coupled together through the use of screws. By using screws, the entire frame can be shipped to any location in a compact unassembled form, and the customer can then manually assemble the entire boxing frame  10 . Furthermore, using screws to secure the pieces together reduces the overall manufacturing costs of the frame  10 . 
         [0038]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the heavy bag is coupled to the main support member through a piston assisted support assembly. While the piston used in the heavy bag support assembly provides a much greater force than the piston used in the previously mentioned speed bag support assembly, the operation and advantages that are achieved remain the same. These advantages include an increase in the overall control and a reduction in the required effort for the process of adjusting the height of the heavy bag. 
         [0039]    The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.