GB2249033A

GB2249033A - Training and target device

Info

Publication number: GB2249033A
Application number: GB9020426A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samir Abed Issa Albasri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-09-19
Filing date: 1990-09-19
Publication date: 1992-04-29
Also published as: GB9020426D0

Abstract

A target device 10 comprises a resilient body section 12 having an interior volume at least partially filled with a plastics foam material and mounting means whereby the body section can be mounted on a support surface such as a wall so that impact loads applied to the body are, at least in part, distributed over the support surface; the body section incorporates at least one pocket or aperture 18 for a transducer adapted for actuation when the body section is struck in the vicinity of the transducer. The body section can be provided with a surface skin 13 housing the plastics foam material. The resilient body section includes an interior volume adapted for inflation by way of a fluid. The appearance of the body section can be modified by way of a removable cover which can incorporate a pocket or aperture for a transducer and/or is padded and/or inflatable. A secondary body section can be attached to the body adapted for movement by the actuator relative to the body. The actuator is caused to function by way of a transducer located in the body section. The target device can house either within the body section, or as a separate entity, control means adapted to receive an input from the, or each, transducer, and provide a working signal as output which can be used as, or to generate, one or more of the following as an output namely: audible, visible, scoring, instructional, entertainment information. <IMAGE>

Description

TRAINING AND TARGET DEVICE This invention relates to a training and target device for use in connection with sports such as boxing, martial arts and similar activities. It is particularly concerned with providing for a user to improve strength, speed and rhythm in relation to the activity.

To enable a user to develop their powers of co-ordination and movement for sequences of attack or defence a conventional target takes the form of stuffed or inflated bag (which can be configured as a part of the human body) mounted on resilient support.

According to the present invention there is provided a target device comprising: a resilient body section having an interior volume at least partially filled with a plastics foam material; and mounting means whereby the body section can be mounted on a support surface such as a wall so that impact loads applied to the body are, at least in part, distributed over the support surface; the body section incorporating at least one pocket or aperture for a transducer adapted for actuation when the body section is struck in the vicinity of the transducer.

Preferably the body section is provided with a surface skin housing the plastics foam material.

According to a first preferred form of the present invention the resilient body section includes an interior volume adapted for inflation by way of a fluid.

According to a second preferred form of the present invention or the first preferred form thereof the target device includes a removable cover for the body section to enable the appearance of the body section to be modified.

Typically the cover itself incorporates a pocket or aperture for a transducer and/or is padded and/or inflatable.

According to a third preferred form of the present invention

any preferred version thereof the target device includes an actuator and a secondary section adapted for movement by the actuator relative to the body. Typically the actuator is caused to function by way of a transducer located in the body section.

According to a fourth preferred form of the invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof the target device houses either within the body section, or as a separate entity, control means adapted to receive an input from the, or each, transducer and provide a working signal as output. Typically the working signal can be used as, or to generate, one or more of the following as an output namely: audible, visible, scoring, instructional, entertainment information.

Two exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a target device of which: Figure 1 is a part sectioned front elevation of a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side elevation as seen in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a second embodiment; and Figure 4 is a side elevation as seen in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 3.

A given component appearing in second figure is given the same reference as in the first.

FIGURES 1 AND 2 These variously show a target device 10 having a resilient head section 11 and a body section 12 both sections having a surface skin 13 of plastics material for an interior volume 14 at least partially filled with a plastics foam material. Back surface 15 enables the device 11 to be supported on a surface in this case a wall 16. The surface 15 is stiffer than the remaining surface skin 13 so that impact loads applied in use to the front of the device 11 are, at least in part, distributed over a region of the wall on which the device is mounted rather than acting on a small area.

The head section 11 contains a pocket 17 and the body section 12 incorporates a pocket 18. In this case pocket 17 contains, and is padded to protect a forward facing loudspeaker 19. Pocket 18 contains, and is padded to protect towards the front of the target device, a microphone 20. The outer skin 13 bears a series of contrastingly coloured target areas 21, 22, 23.

To use the device 11 its back surface 15 is secured flush with wall 16 by way of Velcro (RTM) pads in a known manner. The loudspeaker 19 and microphone 20 are located in their respective pockets and connected so that an impact on the device 11 in the vicinity of the pocket 17 results in the microphone 20 therein to generate an output which is fed to the loudspeaker 19 which serves to generate a predetermined output signal. The loudspeaker can also be connected so that apart from any impact generated noise instructional or entertainment information can be broadcast to a user of the device.

The device is mounted on a wall or similar rigid substantially vertical support and the user strikes the target in accordance with a program relating to the capacity of the user. It is envisaged that such a program will be directed to improving the strength, speed or rhythmic skills of the user. The target areas 21, 22, 23 are readily viewed by a user and would, typically, be struck in accordance with a predetermined training program. These areas can incorporate transducers and scoring and/or sound generating means so that on the user striking a given zone a particular score is displayed or recorded or a particular sound made.

FIGURES 3 AND 4 These show a more sophisticated device than the embodiment described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

The target device takes the form of a figure 30 rigidly mounted by way of a support beam 31 on a wall 32 of a training saloon. The figure 30 is shown clothed in loose fitting combat clothing made up of jacket 33 and trousers 34 which serve to cover the elements of the figure made up of foam filled elements made up of head 35, body section 36, arms 37, 38 and legs 39, 40. Figure 4 shows (as a black dot in a circle) each pivot provided on the figure 30 for the arms 37, 38 and legs 39, 40.

The device incorporates a series of actuators whereby the arms 37, 38 can be caused to move along paths indicated by arrows Al to A6 and the legs 39, 40 can be caused to move along paths L1 to L3. The actuators are powered by way of hydraulic lines 41 fed into the rear of the figure 30 from a pressurising unit of conventional type in an adjoining workspace. Operation of the pressurising units and transducers, receptors and other control elements for the figure mounted within pockets in the appropriate element of the body 30 are controlled by way of a programmable microprocessor. The current program and the score achieved by the user are shown on a display 42 located on the wall 32 above the figure.The figure 30 incorporates a number of transducers and receptors but only loudspeaker 43 is shown mounted within head 35 which is resiliently attached to the body section 36 by way of a spring element 44.

Both exemplary embodiment refers to a device making use of padding to protect the device, and the user, against damage and wear. If necessary the device can include a volume or volumes inflatable by fluid (such as air, water,oil or gels) as well as the padding to provide such protection and to facilitate the distribution of impact loads onto the wall surface.

In addition to a unitary device as described a cover, or covers, (typically in the forms of clothes or armour) can be added to the device to provide for a changed appearance or for the disclosure of target areas of different extent or type or for scoring purposes. Such cover or covers can also incorporate transducers, or modify the operation of existing transducers in the main body of the device, for a predetermined purpose such as scoring, noise, entertainment or instruction.

A more sophisticated form of the device can make use of a robotic element which is associated with the remainder of the device so as to provide interaction with a user. Typically for martial arts the device would represent an opponent and simulated arms on the device operated by actuators would be operated so that, for example, in the event of a user actuating a transducer in a particular part of the main device (or failing to do so in a given time period) then the actuator would cause the 'arm' to move in a predeterminelpath to generate a response in the user.

It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment and the additional features referred to thereafter could be readily developed to provide a range of target devices of varying degrees of complexity from a simple punching device with no transducers to an elaborate simulated 'opponent' adapted to provide a range of responses including sound, illumination, instruction, scoring and movement.

Such usage apart from training for a particular sport or event can be used for relaxation and quite apart from representations of all or part of a human body the device lends itself to the representation of notorious individuals, animals, mythical, fictional and science fiction characters. A device according to the present invention could include a head region adapted so as to able to have mounted or drawn upon it the likeness of an individual.

For use in training the device can be equipped with a microprocessor device which can be used to record the progress made by a user in undertaking a predetermined program of development. It is envisaged for example that a device could be equipped with a microphone which would receive a call code spoken by a user and subsequently introduce a particular training sequence or a speed change or whatever.

Apart from the transducers and sensors incorporated in the device it is envisaged that transducer and/or sensors mounted on the floor in the vicinity of the device and linked to it by one or more conductors provide for the distance of the user from the target or some other parameter to be established to ensure that the device is being used in the appropriate manner.

Claims

1 A target device comprising: a resilient body section having an interior volume at least partially filled with a plastics foam material; and mounting means whereby the body section can be mounted on a support surface such as a wall so that impact loads applied to the body are, at least in part, distributed over the support surface; the body section incorporating at least one pocket or aperture for a transducer adapted for actuation when the body section is struck in the vicinity of the transducer.

2 A target device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the body section is provided with a surface skin housing the plastics foam material.

3 A target device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the resilient body section includes an interior volume adapted for inflation by way of a fluid.

4 A target device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein including a removable cover for the body section to enable the appearance of the body section to be modified.

5 A target device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the removable cover incorporates a pocket or aperture for a transducer andlor is padded and/or inflatable.

6 A target device as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating an actuator and a secondary body section adapted for movement by the actuator relative to the body.

7 A target device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the actuator is caused to function by way of a transducer located in the body section.

8 A target device as claimed in any preceding claim housing either within the body section, or as a separate entity, control means adapted to receive an input from the, or each, transducer and provide a working signal as output.

9 A target device as claimed in Claim 8 adapted to provide for the working signal to be used as, or to generate, one or more of the following as an output namely: audible, visible, scoring, instructional, entertainment information.

10 A target device as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2 or Figure 3 and Figure 4.