Abstract:
A marital arts training device comprising a barrier for creating a target zone. In a preferred embodiment, the martial arts training device includes: a barrier support; at least one barrier mounted to the barrier support for creating a target zone; and a target located within the target zone.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to martial arts training devices and, more particularly, to a training device that creates a target zone. 
   (2) Description of the Prior Art 
   Martial arts training devices are used, among other things, to help people develop a wide variety of striking skills. For example, punching bags are used to help people develop punching and kicking skills. Such bags may be useful for developing technique, however, they are typically large and thus do not facilitate the development of striking accuracy. Target bags, or smaller punching bags, may be used to help people develop the accuracy of their punches and kicks. Such punching bags and target bags typically rest on the floor at a fixed height or are suspended from above at a fixed height. Often, trainees are forced to buy multiple punching bags and target bags to practice various techniques and hone accuracy. For example, one punching bag might be used for kicking and another for punching, or multiple target bags might be used to practice kicking at different heights. The requirement for additional devices is undesirable. Further, such fixed devices are undesirable because they are static; not allowing the trainee to deviate from the positioning of the fixed targets. 
   One way trainees increase target variability is to use handheld targets. Handheld targets are pads or padded targets, which are held by a holder. Usually, they are smaller and are used to develop striking accuracy over a range of positions. The necessity of an additional holder, however, is undesirable because such a holder may not always be available. 
   While punching bags, target bags, and handheld targets are all valuable training tools, these traditional devices may require the trainee to purchase a number of bags or targets, or to train with a training partner to achieve desired results. Further, traditional devices only allow a trainee to “hit” or “miss” their target. They fail to simulate a “block” and thus similarly fail to teach the trainee how to strike through defenses. 
   Thus, there remains a need for a training device with at least one barrier between the trainee and the target to create a target zone while, at the same time, simulates blocking and teaches the trainee how to strike through defenses. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a marital arts training device comprising a barrier for creating a target zone. 
   The preferred device has adjustable barriers movably mounted to a steel barrier support capable of withstanding the rigors of martial arts training. The barriers create one or more target zones for the trainee to aim his kicks and/or punches. Ideally, the barrier support mounts to the same base that supports the target. In other embodiments, the barrier support may be mounted to the floor or a wall; or suspended from the ceiling. The barrier support may also be omitted if other means are used to support the barriers. 
   The invention includes at least one barrier. Preferably, the barrier mounts to the barrier support and is adjustable, allowing the user to slide the barrier up and down the barrier support to the desired location. The barrier defines a target zone and simulates blocking. Multiple barriers may also be desirable to adjust the size of the target zone or to provide multiple target zones and blocking areas. If a barrier support is not used, the barriers may attach to each other, to the target, or to another support, such as a wall. 
   A target is located within or behind the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the target is a covered spring connected at one end to a portion of the barrier support extending over the base and at the other end to the base. In other embodiments the target may rest on the floor or the base or be attached to only the floor or the base. Still, in other embodiments the target may be suspended from the ceiling, from the barrier support, or from a wall. 
   Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a marital arts training device comprising a barrier for creating a target zone. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a martial arts training device comprising: a barrier support; and at least one barrier mounted to the barrier support, thereby creating a target zone. 
   Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a martial arts training device comprising: a barrier support; at least one barrier mounted to the barrier support for creating a target zone; and a target located within the target zone. 
   These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective rear view of a martial arts training device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the martial arts training device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective of a base, a barrier support and a target of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a close-up of the barrier support, the upper portion of the barrier support, and the target of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is the martial arts training device as shown in  FIG. 1  with a different barrier arrangement; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a martial arts training device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a martial arts training device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a martial arts training device in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 
   Referring now to the drawings in general and  FIG. 1  in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a martial arts training device, generally designated  2 , is shown constructed according to the present invention. The device includes a barrier support  10 , barriers  12 , a base  14 , and a target  16 . The barrier support  10  is mounted to the base  14  at a base-mount  20  and secured with base-bolts  22 . 
   In this embodiment, the barrier support  10  is preferably constructed of square-beam steel, which is desirable for its strength and its ability to be removably mounted to the base at the base-mount  20 . Others may prefer to construct the barrier support out of another cross section or another material, such as iron pipe, lumber, plastic, cinder block, composites, or other materials capable of supporting the barriers. 
   While the barrier support depicted is relatively linear and continuous, anything capable of supporting or suspending a barrier, or creating space between barriers, is considered a barrier support within the scope of the present invention. For example, the barrier support may be non-linear or irregular or non-contiguous and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
   The base  14  is a steel plate. In this embodiment, the base  14  rests on the floor and provides adequate stability due to its size and its weight. Others may desire to use a smaller base, a larger base, or to attach the base to the floor to increase stability. Still others may desire to attach the barrier support  10  directly to the floor, wall or ceiling. 
   Barriers  12  attach to the barrier support  10  using barrier-attachments  24  secured by barrier-bolts  26 . The barrier-attachments  24  are square receptacles adapted to receive the barrier support  10 . The barrier-bolts  26  bolt into the barrier-attachments  24  and can be tightened to clamp the barriers  12  at a desired location on the barrier support  10 . The barriers  12  may be adjustable up and down the barrier support  10 , and may also be removable from the barrier support  10 . Others may prefer to use fixed barriers  12  or barriers  12  that are not removable from the barrier support  10 , all of which would be in the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art would also recognize that a variety of other barrier-attachments could be used to attach the barrier  12  to the barrier support  10 , such as bolts attached through holes in the barrier support, quick release clamps, a rack and pinion assembly, or other means of attachment. 
   In  FIG. 1 , the barriers  12  are cylindrical and contain a barrier core (not visible) made of steel. Pad (not visible) covers the barrier core to provide shock absorption. An outer-barrier-jacket  30  covers the barrier core and the padding to increase wear-resistance and durability. Others may prefer to use another barrier shape, such as, for example, rectangular, elliptical, or frustoconical; to have the barrier  12  only partially surround the target; to have barriers  12  at different distances or angles relative to the target; or to construct the barrier  12  out of another material, such as aluminum, wood, plastic, composite or foam, all of which would be in the scope of the present invention. 
   The pad may be replaced with other shock absorbing substances such as dried beans, air, water, foam, sand, saw dust or similar materials, any of which, or any combination of which, is in the scope of the present invention. Similarly, numerous materials could be used to make the outer-barrier-jacket  30 , such as plastic, leather, canvas, Naugahyde® vinyl coated fabrics or other similar materials, which all would be in the scope of the present invention. Others may also prefer to attach barriers  12  to each other to create a larger barrier or a barrier of varying dimensions. Still others may prefer to make the barriers pivotable around the point of attachment, in the same manner as adjustable basketball goals, so that the barriers  12  may be raised or lowered without detaching them from the barrier support  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the target  16  of the present embodiment includes a spring  18  covered by a pad  32 . The target  16  attaches to the base  14  at point  36  and attaches to the top of the barrier support  10  at point  48  (see  FIG. 4 ). In this embodiment, a spring is desirable for its elasticity, resilience and durability, but others may prefer another elastic target, such as a target made of bungee cord or rubber tubing for example. Others may also prefer a more traditional target, such as a bag filled with sand, saw dust, foam, beans, pebbles, cloth, water, or air. Still, others may prefer more rigid targets, such as posts or pipes, for example. 
   Similarly, while the spring  18  is covered by a pad  32 , other materials may also be used to cover the spring  18 , such as foam, cloth, plastic, leather, canvas, dried beans, air, water, foam, sand, saw dust, or any other similar substance, to provide shock absorption. Further, the pad  32  may be wrapped in outer-barrier-jacket  30  made of plastic, leather, canvas, Naugahyde® vinyl coated fabrics or other similar substances used by those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the target may not be covered and/or wrapped. 
     FIG. 2  shows a front view of the martial arts training device  2  shown in  FIG. 1 . Target zones  40  are defined by barriers  12 . The target  16  is located within the target zones  40  and is designed to be punched and/or kicked by the trainee. Target zones  40  are adjustable to the desired height or width by relocating, adding, removing, or changing barriers  12 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of the base  14 , the barrier support  10 , and the target  16  of  FIG. 1 . The barrier support  10  is recessed into the base-mount  20  of the base  14 . The barrier support  10  is clamped to the base-mount  20  with base-bolts  22 . The target  16  is a spring  18  having a first end  60  (target pad  32  removed) attached to the base  14  at point  36 . The drawing shows a base-arm  50  extending up from the base  14  to facilitate attachment at point  36 . 
     FIG. 4  is a close-up showing the target  16  attached to the barrier support  10 . The barrier support  10  includes an extension arm  52  extending away from the barrier support  10 . In this particular embodiment, the extension arm is extending over the base  14  (not visible in this Figure). The second end  62  of the target  16  attaches to the extension arm  52  of the barrier support  10  at point  48 . In this embodiment, the extension arm  52  extends substantially horizontally off a substantially vertical barrier support  10   
     FIG. 5  shows another front view of the device  2  from  FIG. 1  with barriers  12  adjusted on the barrier support  10  to create a different target zone  40 . 
     FIG. 6  shows a view of another embodiment of the device  2  of the present invention. The target  116  is an upright bag resting on the base  114 . Such upright targets are well known in the art. The target  116  is surrounded by barriers  112  adjustably mounted on the barrier support  110  to create adjustable target zones  140 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a view of another embodiment of the device  2  of the present invention. The target is a suspension target  216  suspended from the extension arm  252  of the barrier support  210  at point  248 . Such suspension targets are well known in the art. The target  216  is surrounded by barriers  212  adjustably mounted on the barrier support  210  to create target zones  240 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a view of another embodiment of the device  2  of the present invention. The target  316  is an upright target resting on the ground  314 . The target  316  is surrounded by barriers  312  adjustably mounted to the barrier support  310 . In this embodiment, the barriers  312  have irregular shapes and define various target zones  40 . The barrier support  310  suspends from above, for example, from the ceiling, and could be constructed of rope, cord, or chain, for example. The barriers  312  attach to the barrier support  310  at barrier-attachments  324 . 
   Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.