Abstract:
A free standing training bag comprising a base with three legs and an upper body mounted atop the base, where the upper body has at least one striking surface suitable for use in martial arts training. Both the upper body and the base may be padded, allowing the free standing training bag to be used as a combat simulator.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/758,269 filed Feb. 4, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to a training bag, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a free standing training bag with a tripod base for use as a combat simulator. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The hanging heavy punching bag is one of the earliest forms of punching bag training devices. Hanging heavy bags suffer from several disadvantages, including the limitations presented by the requirement that such a bag must be hung from a ceiling. The installation is permanent, which requires a space within a gym, garage, or home dedicated exclusively for heavy bag training. Furthermore, the hanging heavy bag is designed for boxing and presents functional limitations to martial arts disciplines that employ inside, outside, and front leg kicks. 
         [0006]    Free standing training bags were developed as an effective alternative to hanging heavy bags that require physically mounting the hanging bags to structural elements within the ceiling framing members. Free standing punching bags are typically mounted to a heavy base which rests on the ground surface and therefore do not require ceiling installation. Free standing punching bags are typically built upon a large weighted base filled with water, which may weigh in excess of 275 lbs (125 kg) in order to keep the bag upright during use. Disadvantages of the current free standing bag structures include: the requirement to fill with water, or in some cases sand; the need for a large volume base, which limits the striking surface; and the problem of physically moving the free standing bag. 
         [0007]    Functional disadvantages of current free standing bags include a minimum lower striking surface due to the large area required by the base and limitations regarding height. The limited striking surface of free standing bags is particularly limiting to many styles of martial arts or combat sports that employ lower level kicks or strikes. Many free standing bags are height adjustable, which is an impractical feature for a dynamically changing martial arts class. 
         [0008]    The large base for existing free standing bags may reach heights of 20 inches (50.8 cm) from the ground which eliminates this area for striking purposes. Additionally, the large base presents a formidable hurdle for children or other vertically challenged athletes. 
         [0009]    Additionally, no invention has effectively produced a fight simulator which reflects an opponent&#39;s legs as targets as in a standing sparring position. 
         [0010]    Based on the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a free standing bag that eliminates the need for a heavily weighted base, eliminates the need for filling with water, is easy to move, and provides a striking geometry that closely reflects the upper body and leg targets such that it satisfies the training needs for all martial arts or combat sport disciplines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a free standing training bag comprising a base with a plurality of legs and an upper body mounted atop the base, where the upper body has at least one striking surface suitable for use in martial arts training. The base may have three legs. The base and upper body may be at least partially padded. The legs may be capable of being folded for storage. 
         [0012]    The padding may be polyethylene or EVA foam or other strike-absorbing material. Each of the legs may be wrapped in vinyl or other fabric. Each of the legs may terminate in a foot, and the foot may be weighted. 
         [0013]    The upper body may be cylindrical, and the base may have a top that is cylindrical, where the top of the base and the upper body each have a circumference and the circumferences are generally equal. The upper body may be joined to the base via an attachment device, which may be a zipper. The upper body may further comprise at least one laterally projecting striking surface. The upper body may comprise polyethylene foam wrapped in vinyl or other fabric. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the free standing training bag with tripod base; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base of the free standing training bag, with the base in a folded position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the base of the free standing training bag, with the base in an unfolded position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the free standing training bag with the upper body partially installed on the base; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a close up perspective view of the optional zipper joining the upper body to the base; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the free standing training bag with optional shoulders and arms in a first configuration; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the free standing training bag with optional shoulders and arms in the first configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the free standing training bag with optional shoulders and arms in a second configuration; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the free standing training bag with optional shoulders and arms in the second configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following description and from the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The devices and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use this invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting in scope. 
         [0025]    While the devices and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the devices and components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the devices and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
         [0026]    In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a free standing punching and kicking bag built upon a tripod base. The free standing training bag may be used as a combat simulator. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the free standing training bag may be comprised of two primary parts: a lower body comprised of a padded tripod base  1  and an upper body  2  comprised of a padded cylindrical striking target. 
         [0027]    The tripod base  1  may have three legs  3 . The legs  3  may not have a rigid internal structure. Each leg  3  may be comprised of padding, and the padding may be polyethylene or EVA foam or other strike-absorbing material. Each of the legs  3  may be wrapped in an outer skin  6  of vinyl or other fabric. The padding in each leg  3  may be vacuum compressed and then released inside the skin  6 , allowing the foam to expand to fill the skin. Each leg  3  may terminate in a foot  7 , which may be weighted. The weight in each foot  7  may be sand. 
         [0028]    The base  1  may be assembled such that the three legs  3  may swing together in a closed position for shipping and/or storage, as seen in  FIG. 2 . The legs  3  may then be opened to form a stable base when in use, as seen in  FIG. 3 . This tripod structure may provide a low center of gravity from the broad footprint generated by the three legs  3 . Additionally, each leg  3  may be further weighted with sand or another form of weight to further enhance stability. 
         [0029]    The upper body  2  may be comprised of polyethylene foam or other strike absorbing material wrapped in a skin of vinyl or other fabric. During assembly, the foam may be vacuum compressed and then released inside the skin, allowing the foam to expand to fill the skin. The upper body  2  may not have a rigid internal structure. The upper body  2  may be cylindrical or any other desired shape. The bottom of the upper body  2  may generally have the same circumference as the top of the base  1 , allowing the upper body  2  and the base  1  to form a single unit when the upper body  2  is in place on the base  1 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The upper body  2  may be joined to the base  1  via an attachment device, such as a zipper  10  as shown in  FIG. 5 , hook and loop material, both a zipper and hook and loop material, or any other suitable attachment device. 
         [0030]    The free standing training bag may be constructed of various sizes. Larger sizes may accommodate multiple users in a group or class setting, while smaller sizes may be appropriate for individual users. The individual user version may include shoulders and arms  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , which convert the device into a highly effective grappling or wrestling throwing dummy. The shoulders and arms  11  may have any desired configuration, such as two shoulders and arms  11  configured similar to those of a person, as seen in  FIG. 6  and from above in  FIG. 7 , or each may branch out both upward and downward, as seen in  FIG. 8  and from above in  FIG. 9 . The arms and shoulders  11  may not have a rigid internal structure. 
         [0031]    There are several benefits to the free standing training bag/fight simulator. It may ship in two pre-assembled pieces, which may be shipped together or in two boxes. The lower body legs  1  may fold together, which provides additional freight advantages. The two pre-assembled pieces may be joined together easily by the user without the need for tools or hardware. The product may be pre-loaded with weighted feet  7  and therefore requires no filling with water or sand by the user. The complete assembly may weigh as little as 100 lbs. (45 kg), compared to upwards of 275 lbs. (125 kg) for current free standing bags, which makes them extremely difficult to move. Martial arts schools often move their free standing bags on and off the gym floor several times a day. The minimal weight of the current invention provides martial arts schools the ability to move the training product on and off the gym floor easily. The legs  1  may fold down and together, which provides the school owner or instructor the ability to store the fight simulator when not in use. 
         [0032]    The free standing training bag may be considered a true combat simulator that provides both upper body and lower body striking targets. The lower body may allow athletes to perform inside and outside leg kicks in addition to groin kicks or strikes. The legs  1  may be padded down to within 5 inches (12.7 cm) of the floor, which provides a full striking surface, unlike any other product on the market. The scale of the fight simulator may be large enough to accommodate multiple users in a class setting, or may be scaled down for individual athlete training. The smaller individual athlete version may include the addition of shoulders and arms, which meets the needs of grappling, Judo, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. The addition of shoulders and arms may allow the free standing training bag to be used as a highly effective practice throwing dummy. The smaller individual grappling and mixed martial arts version may be made to accommodate various size and weights of athletes by varying the size and weight of the fight simulator. The smaller version may also accommodate putting on a Judo Gi jacket, which provides Judo disciplines a specialized and realistic practice throwing dummy. 
         [0033]    Whereas, the devices and methods have been described in relation to the drawings and claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.