Patent ID: 12251612

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these details. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, described below, may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, or a method on a tangible computer-readable medium.

Components, or modules, shown in diagrams are illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the invention and are meant to avoid obscuring the invention. It shall also be understood that throughout this discussion that components may be described as separate functional units, which may comprise sub-units, but those skilled in the art will recognize that various components, or portions thereof, may be divided into separate components or may be integrated together, including integrated within a single system or component. It should be noted that functions or operations discussed herein may be implemented as components. Components may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, connections between components or systems within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, data between these components may be modified, re-formatted, or otherwise changed by intermediary components. Also, additional or fewer connections may be used. It shall also be noted that the terms “coupled,” “connected,” or “communicatively coupled” shall be understood to include direct connections, indirect connections through one or more intermediary devices, and wireless connections.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “preferred embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention and may be in more than one embodiment. Also, the appearances of the above-noted phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or embodiments.

The use of certain terms in various places in the specification is for illustration and should not be construed as limiting. A service, function, or resource is not limited to a single service, function, or resource; usage of these terms may refer to a grouping of related services, functions, or resources, which may be distributed or aggregated.

The terms “include,” “including,” “comprise,” and “comprising” shall be understood to be open terms and any lists the follow are examples and not meant to be limited to the listed items. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and shall not be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. Each reference mentioned in this patent document is incorporate by reference herein in its entirety.

Furthermore, one skilled in the art shall recognize that: (1) certain steps may optionally be performed; (2) steps may not be limited to the specific order set forth herein; (3) certain steps may be performed in different orders; and (4) certain steps may be done concurrently.

Furthermore, it shall be noted that embodiments described herein are given in the context of punching bags for martial arts, but one skilled in the art shall recognize that the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited since a training bag may be used by any person who physically strikes a training bag using a body part or object, such as a tool, weapon, or other instrument. Therefore, the disclosure encompasses applications that do not need necessarily be related to martial arts applications, i.e., various embodiments may equally be used in other contexts.

In this document the term “training bag” refers to a practice device that serves as a target to which a force is applied, e.g., for practicing martial arts or other activities. The term “plastic” includes any elastomer recognized by one of skilled in the art.

FIG.1depicts a commonly available free-standing-type punching bag assembly in its resting position. Punching bag assembly100comprises top portion102having a cylindrical shape, shaft108, and base104that rests on floor106. As shown inFIG.1, shaft extends from top portion top102and is coupled to base104by coupling means110. The resulting combined structure acts as a relatively rigid single body having a greatly uneven mass distribution along its axis (not shown).

Top portion102of punching bag assembly100typically consists of some type of cushioning material, e.g., a foam body encapsulated by a vinyl cover. Base104is fillable with typically hundreds of pounds of filling material, e.g., through a relatively small opening port into which the user must pour sand or water in what amounts to a cumbersome user-unfriendly maneuver. This drawback alone deters a great number of potential consumers from purchasing and setting up punching bag assembly100and for more sophisticated equipment, which comprises feedback sensors such as motion trackers and other measurement devices, also drastically increases subscription activation time.

In operation, once a user applies a force in the form of kinetic energy to an area of top portion102, e.g., by a strike or kick with object120, shaft108that extends through top portion102will transform that force, at least in part, into angular momentum resulting in a rotational force. The rotational force will accelerate top portion102away from object120due to a torque that is developed and, if sufficiently great, will cause one side of base104to lift off floor106by some angle202shown inFIG.2.

Typically, the amount of lift is proportional to the force exerted on punching bag assembly100. Once the force applied to top portion102is released, the relatively heavy (e.g., 450 lbs.) base104that was lifted will be pulled back by a gravitational force and, thus, accelerate back towards floor106. Once base104lands back on floor106, an undesirable audible noise will be created upon impact. After rocking back and forth in an oscillatory movement during a settling time, top portion102will resume its original position shown inFIG.1, unless a subsequent force is applied to top portion102prior to that. Unwanted noise may be generated each time top portion102experiences a relatively strong punch whose force is sufficiently large to lift base104off floor106, making existing training bag designs, such as punching bag assembly100, impractical for home use. Existing attempts to mitigate this include requiring additional acoustic damping material to be placed underneath base104to absorb the force and, thus, reduce noise.

Another shortcoming aside from base104slamming on floor106is that base104also tends to slide across floor106, opposite to the direction the punch is applied. This resulting lateral motion largely depends on the surface material of floor106, i.e., the relative friction between the surface material of floor106and the surface material of base104. This unwanted side-effect and the fact that the user has to repeatedly move the entire weight of punching bag assembly100back to its original position on floor106. Users typically perceive such undesirable side-effects as disrupting their workout experience.

Further, the weight of punching bag assembly100makes it difficult to move punching bag assembly100to a storage location, e.g., each time when it is not in use. Furthermore, while the overall punching bag assembly100is very heavy due to the weight of base104when base104is properly filled, top portion102, which is made of light-weight foam material, is relatively light. However, light-weight top portion102results in a different and less desirable punch-feel when compared to a common heavy ceiling-mounted sand-filled leather punching bag.

In detail, top portion102is relatively loosely secured to punching bag assembly100in a manner such as to cause the user to feel a relatively large amount of deflection that greatly differs from the feel of punching a heavy ceiling-mounted sandbag. This mainly due to the fact that, unlike the inertia of a heavy punching bag, which provides a relatively large resistance to the force that is exerted by the user and absorbed by the training bag, top portion102of punching bag assembly100provides inadequate training resistance. This phenomenon is exacerbated with increasing force applied to top portion102. This shortcoming renders punching bag assembly100unsuitable for advanced and professional use.

In contrast, embodiments herein advantageously provide the punch-feel of training with a common heavy ceiling-mounted sand-filled leather punching bag. At the same time, this aids users to build and maintain more muscle tissue than is possible with existing free-standing training bag designs. Advantageously, various embodiments accomplish this while reducing the risk of wrist or ankle injuries, typically associated with striking a heavy or dense training bag with high impact.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a training bag assembly, andFIG.4is a side view of a training bag assembly, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, training bag assembly300comprises top portion302, shaft assembly308, and base304. Top portion302may comprise any suitable durable material, such as plastic, nylon, polycarbonate that has high-impact resistance, high elasticity, and other desirable mechanical, chemical, and other properties. Suitable properties include mechanical and acoustic damping, elasticity, and a lack of hysteresis effects. As an example, top portion302may comprise a relatively rigid polymer material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that may be combined with resilient foam material to provide additional padding to top portion302. Such polymers may be advantageously implemented into a striking area of top portion302to absorb energy during operation.

In embodiments, base304may be produced from, e.g., a blow-molded plastic material, such as high density polyethylene, to create a “hollow” enclosure that can hold a liquid, a gel, or any other suitable filling material or combination thereof. In operation, base304may be as a ballast that counterbalances the forces applied to top portion302. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that for liquid or gel-like filling materials (e.g., elastomers), some, or all of base304may be hermetically sealed to prevent undesirable leakage.

As discussed in greater detail below, the strategic combination of components from which training bag assembly300is constructed isolate base304from the rest of the bag. This, advantageously, inhibits unwanted motion, sound, and other side-effects associated with existing punching bag designs. Certain embodiments may accomplish this without having to procure and fill base304with, e.g., 300 lbs. or more filling material. In certain embodiments, base304may comprise an auxiliary bag ring (not shown) that may be located adjacent to the perimeter of base304to prevent base304from sliding across a slippery floor when top portion302is struck by a high-energy punch.

FIG.5Ais an exploded view of a training bag assembly, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Same numerals as inFIG.3denote similar elements. In embodiments, training bag assembly500may comprise top portion302, cone assembly502, gimbal504, shaft assembly506, intermediate shaft spring508, sliding plate509, sliding plate cover510, shaft spring512, base top plate514, and base304. It is noted that components depicted inFIG.5need not necessarily be assembled in the order or orientation shown therein. For example, a person of skill in the art will appreciate that optional sliding plate cover510may be mounted to the top surface of sliding plate509, facing base304.

In embodiments, top portion302may be mounted on cone assembly502, which in operation moves, along with shaft assembly506, due to the operation of gimbal504. in embodiments, gimbal504may be implemented as a two-axis gimbal, as shown inFIG.5. One person of skill in the art will appreciate that any other structure, such as a ball-and-socket structure, may equally be employed in lieu of two-axis gimbal504. A person of skill in the art will further appreciate that gimbal504need not be limited to two-axis designs and may equally be implemented as a three-axis structure, e.g., to allow for a certain amount of travel in a third direction along the axis of shaft assembly506. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may use a spring that facilitates translational movement as well as two-axis rotation.

In embodiments, gimbal504may comprise high-stiffness fatigue and wear-resistant materials and may be positioned relatively close to one end of cone assembly502to allow top portion302to pivot around gimbal504to perform angular and/or translational movements similar to those of a traditional hanging punching bag. Similarly, shaft assembly506and intermediate shaft spring508may comprise relatively high-stiffness, high fatigue-resistant materials, such as metal (e.g., die cast aluminum) or TPU having a relatively high plastic content. This is understood that any material mentioned herein may be produced using any manufacturing process known in the art, such as a sintering or molding process, e.g., plastic injection molding.

In embodiments, intermediate shaft spring508may be implemented as having a conical structure that extends from the outer surface of shaft assembly506to sliding plate509. Sliding plate509may be implemented as a low-friction component that acts a part of a low-friction bearing, e.g., a ball bearing that comprises top of base plate514. As depicted inFIG.5, in embodiments, sliding plate cover510may comprise any number of recesses that may receive balls. The thereby formed ball bearing structure allows for low-friction longitudinal movement of sliding plate509. In operation, sliding plate509travels by a certain amount determined, at least in part, by shaft spring512, which restricts the motion of sliding plate509. Once shaft spring512, which may be mounted onto base top plate514, decompresses, shaft spring512may cause shaft assembly506, including sliding plate509to travel in direction of their neutral position, i.e., their position when training bag assembly500is not in use.

In embodiments, intermediate shaft spring508may serve as a damping device that, in operation, may absorb at least some of the energy transferred to top portion302, e.g., by virtue of a strike to top portion302, which may cause sliding plate509to travel and shaft506to compress spring512. In embodiments, spring512may further absorb some of the energy, thus, reducing the amount of torque that would otherwise be transferred to base304. As a result, base304may at least partially be isolated from top portion302and/or shaft assembly506, i.e., from the effect of the force applied top portion302. It is noted that both shaft spring508and shaft spring512may be implemented from any material and in any arbitrary shape that can absorb energy and aid in isolating base304from top portion302and/or shaft assembly506. For example, shaft spring512may be implemented as a progressive spring that exhibits a greater stiffness and damping with increasing compression caused by the deflection of shaft assembly506.

Overall, the combination of several components advantageously isolates base304at least partially from impact on rest of the training bag assembly500. In addition, in embodiments, base304may comprise, or be placed adjacent to, a structure at least partially surrounds base304, such as a base ring (not shown) that may comprise a number of sections, such as plastic stops that limit movement of base304across a slippery floor. Alternatively, a high-friction mat (also not shown) or equivalent may be placed underneath base304to restrict unwanted movement and the noise associated therewith.

FIG.5Bis an exploded view of another training bag assembly, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For clarity, components similar to those shown inFIG.5Aare labeled in the same manner. For purposes of brevity, a description or their function is not repeated here. As depicted inFIG.5Btraining bag assembly550need not comprise a sliding plate that moves on ball bearings located on a sliding plate cover that attached to base304. Instead, in embodiments, training bag assembly550may comprise intermediate shaft spring508that may mounted to a top surface of base304, e.g., by a number of fasteners to restricts the motion of the bottom part of shaft spring508. As with shaft spring508inFIG.5A, shaft spring508inFIG.5Bmay be implemented as having any geometry and material stiffness.

In operation, shaft spring508may absorb energy from lateral motions of shaft506without transferring all or any part of that energy to base304, in effect, reducing the torque shaft spring508may that would otherwise transfer to base304. In this manner, shaft spring508may isolate motions of shaft506from base304to a certain degree. As inFIG.5A, base304may thus be at least partially isolated from top portion302and/or shaft assembly506, i.e., from the effect of the force applied top portion302.

It is understood that training bag assemblies500and550illustrated in respectiveFIG.5AandFIG.5Bare not limited to the constructional detail shown there or described in the accompanying text. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, components may be combined in various configurations. Further, training bag assemblies may comprise any combination of components not expressly mentioned herein, such as couplers, fasteners, and other components helpful in accomplishing the objectives of the present disclosure. Furthermore, other geometries and materials having suitable mechanical properties may be used to implement the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG.6depicts a cross section of a training bag assembly comprising a sliding plate in a resting position, andFIG.7depicts a cross section of a training bag assembly comprising a sliding plate in a deflected position, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.8depicts a cross section of the gimbal area of training bag assembly shown inFIG.6. Similarly,FIG.9depicts a cross section of the sliding plate area of training bag assembly shown inFIG.6. For clarity, components similar to those shown inFIG.5are labeled in the same manner. For purposes of brevity, a description or their function is not repeated here.

Returning now toFIG.7, in operation, gimbal504, which may be located at or near to the top end of cone assembly502, allows training bag assembly500to pivot in a direction denoted by arrow702, thus, allowing the bottom of top portion302of training bag assembly500to move more than the bottom of top portion302in a direction denoted by arrow704. In particular, cone assembly502and, thus, top portion302will rotate about gimbal504at a certain angle, causing shaft assembly506and intermediate shaft spring508to also rotate. Since sliding plate509is attached to intermediate shaft spring508, sliding plate509will translate the rotary movement in direction702into a longitudinal movement in direction704, e.g., until sliding plate509, which compresses a shaft spring, comes to a halt and is accelerated back by the shaft spring in the reverse direction.

FIG.10depicts a perspective view of a cross section of the top portion of training bag assembly shown inFIG.6. As depicted, structure1002inFIG.10may be attached to shaft1006or support structure1008on shaft1006, e.g., via any number of ribs (e.g.,1104) that may be spaced from each at a predetermined distance along the inner perimeter of structure1002. In embodiments, structure1002may be manufactured by using an extrusion process. However, this is not intended a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure since other techniques such as, for example, plastic injection molding process, etc., may be used.

Unlike commonly used foam padding materials that tend to break down over time, thereby, reducing resistance against a force that is applied to such materials, in embodiments, structure1002may comprise relatively rigid polymer material. In operation, structure1002, once depressed by a striking force both absorbs the energy and provides a resistance that emulates the inertia of a common heavy sandbag, thereby, providing a user feel of a punching heavy sandbag.

Various embodiments take advantage of the fact that inertia, at least partially, translates to the feel of a punch to adjust “punch feel” by adjusting the mechanical properties of structure1002, e.g., by using a filling material between the ribs. After deflecting from its original shape, structure1002returns to its original position.

FIG.11is a flowchart of an illustrative process for using a training bag in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, process1100for using a training bag may start when, at step1002, a force is received in a first direction.

At step1004, a shaft that is coupled in a bag assembly is rotated from an initial position about a gimbal in an angular motion within the first plane. The bag assembly may comprise the gimbal and a first shaft spring that is connected to the shaft. The bag assembly may further comprise a sliding that is plate engaged with the shaft.

At step1004, the first shaft spring may be used to translate the angular motion into a lateral motion that is parallel to the sliding plate. The sliding plate may be slidably mounted on a base.

At step1006, the sliding plate may be moved perpendicularly to an axis of the shaft, which comprises a second shaft spring.

At step1008, the second shaft spring may be used to limit the movement of the shaft and cause the shaft to move back towards the initial position.

One skilled in the art will recognize no computing system or programming language is critical to the practice of the present invention. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, combinations, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It shall also be noted that elements of any claims may be arranged differently including having multiple dependencies, configurations, and combinations.