GB2387791A - Portable personal sparring partner/punch bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable freestanding inflatable dummy which is used in the training of boxers or practitioners of martial arts and is able to withstand punches and kicks aimed at it, reverting to an upright position after each blow. Expandable tubes run inside the limbs of the dummy such that, on injection of a fluid (gas or liquid) under high pressure into the tubes, the limbs strike defensive poses or blows towards the person using the dummy. Activation of the fluid injection system is controlled by the user stepping on and off a mat in front of the dummy or following the detection of blows to the head and body of the dummy. Outlet valves for exhausting the pressurised fluid are provided at the distal ends of the limbs. Provision for the playback of sounds may be made by the inclusion of a tape recorder in the head of the dummy.

Description

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THE I_ SrARRINGPARTNEP? All 'Cal i3(; This invention allows the keep fit or self defence enthusiast to practice alone at home.

It consists of an inflated durably made of rubber, elastic or similar type material grounded via a vertical, cylindrical pipe rigidly connected to the centre of an inflated mat upon Which the user stands and develops his.'her punching, kicking, defensive and striking skills, each mtvemerit liable to activate the dummy's limbs so as to perform defensive stances and J or else to punch, kick or, otherwise, shill back at the user.

The force that keeps taut the fabric skin of the dun is supplied by air pressure front an air pump. This pump will be a standard electrically operated, high pressure type for the first pneumatically operated, dummy design outlined below but for the second outlined, rigid rod type, may be of simple Not operated type.

Talang up mom of the space inside each limb is a series of rubber I elastic or similar type material, hollow tubes which are individually attached (stuck:) along one side on the limbos inside surface, all the way trom their connections at the torso to their extremities (at the dummies' hands or feet). These tubes are arranged in two rows, retaining the same side length Mom each shoulderJarm junction to fists and from each hip/leg junction to toes.

Each of these tubes is differently fabricated (shaped or moulded) such that, upon being separately inflated, it forces the whole limb into hilly expended, roughly horizontal, yet, varied, shapes; the speed of inflation, in the first design,,iving the limb movement the sembince and enact of a strike - of a punch (arm) or kick (foot) - or of a defensive (ann) movement. DESIGN ONE

The limbs will always be pressurized sufficiently to maintain a humanoid shape, by switching on, in advance of file 'sparring sessional Be electric pumps He torso kept at constants much higher pressure, throughout each such "session".

Minute holes are Ned along the sides of the (inner) moulded tubes so as to 31107 the pressure pulse to dissipate 'reduce towards alibied levels inside the limb) in seconds told larger holes on the limbs, sealed on their,

respective outside skins. by elasticised bands i:nctioning as ole-w-a>, pressure type valves, so as to stop the pressure inside any limb Q0t building up aloud exceeding the tireshoid pressure needed just to maintain a desirable textural toughness of the limb in its ready to begin'' mode ie.

with no additional bending effect (additions to that oúan inflated, inner tubed on the inside surfaces of the limb.

The pressurised air is fed into the space around the tubes I'll each limb through small holes in the respective limb torso interface the pressure inside the torso being constantly- "topped up" to a very high level, directly from the electri& pump.

Introducing the air through holes at the limb interfaces with the torso into the inner tubes is done its two ways, explained thus: Way One: Fully coveting each upper row hole on the limb i torso interfaces inside the torso is a rigid flat plate, which can slide up or down along channels on both vertical sides. Attached to each plate's top edge is a cord? free to move inside a rigid sleeve (like a car's clutch cable) the sleeve attached to also to the plate, and the enclosed cord attached at its other end to a point inside the skin of the dummy?s head, $0 that when the head is punched sideways (or upwards) the resultant cord displacement pulls the plate upwards so as to release the highly pressurised air from the torsointo the tube that the plate had? till then, fully coffered.

Attached on the bottom of the same rigid plater to a point on the inner torso skin? is an elastic / rubber type (sprung) band whose function is to pull back the flat rigid plate to its closed valve position - covering the hole - once the dummy's head reverts to its normal position.

Similarly? each interface hole (between limbs and torso) on the bottom row is covered by a rigid plate with freedom to move Vertically inside two side channels. And again? an elastic f rubber Sung) band is attached? this time on the upper side? so as to lift the plate back offer the hole when it has been forced downwards. In order to force it downwards a cord again? free to move inside its own rigid sleeve) is attached from the plate's bottom side, down tile inner skin of the torso and further clown through the cylindrical supply pipe that feeds the vressurised air to the torso? into a similarly inflated rubber J plastic i fabric inflated mat? inside which mat? it is attached to the inside upper surface? such that downward displacement of such upper surface (by the weight of the user7s foot) pulls the plate downwards Tom its position coveting the torso / limb interface hole.

Such downwards forces are exerted by the user when he stands YatioUS positions on tile mat? forcing in sequence, pressurization of the various

inner tubes causing the required n.otion of the respective encasing limbs.

Just as each top co7enng plate is attached by- cord to different points inside Me dumm-,-'s head (or neck, each bottom plate is commented to ditLerent point on the upper inside surface of the base mat.

Just as the residual pressure inside the limbs is much less than that introduced into the individual limb inner tubes, the pressure inside the Filet is kept at a low level - relative to that in the cylindicai7 feeder pipe and the torso - so as allovv sutticie downward displacennent of its top skin by the user's weight each time he/she stands on it.

Again7 the 107er pressure in the mat7 as in the limbs, is supplied by the same electric pump that supplies aria the rigid cylindrical feed pipe7 the high air pressure in the torso - this pressure being reduced to levels that allow sufficient and easy downward displacement ('by Me user's feet) of the mat's upper skin by (a) restricting the air inflow to the mat from the pipe using only small holes in an interfacing membrane beh-en the base of the rigid vertical feed pipe and the mat, along with (repositioning valves ( as above described - holes covered by elasticised flaps alone the outside edges of the mat, so as to prevent excessive build-up of pressure inside the mat.

Similarly7 small holes at the interface between limbs and thirsty restrict the transmission of' air (and thus,' pressure) from the torso to those limbs.

This means of controlling unwanted expansion and possible contortion of the limbs is in addition to positioning of valves on the outside skin of the hands and feet {square centirnetre (roughly) shed holes, covered by fabric held tightly in place by elasticised bands) whose function is Kit facilitate the exit from the limbs of unwanted high levels of pressure due to the release of air at maximum pump pressure, from the inside tubes each time as they slowly (relatively) deflate after a punch kick or defensible movement] The electric pump forces air directly into the rigid cylindrical pipe which as well as inflating the mat and the torso functions as the niacin stabilising component of the structure? thickly filleted along the outside of its circular interface with the mat. It keeps the dummy upright at all times daring operation as long as its user is standing on the mu.

When not in use the dummy collapses into a light and easily compressed shape suitable for storing or transporting inside a small bag.

When being readied ibr use the dummy, positioned' mat down' on the floor, will, upon its electric pump being s$vitched on, inflate itself to hill sled ready for action.

The lipid pipe / torso connections allows For 360 degree rotation of the dummy in tile horizontal plane. The inure employs discs separated by bearings (such RS the type employed in icycie or ear wleelsN, the pressurised air being transmitted througl1 the wide-opened centre of the disc bearing assembly.

Tubes are fabricated Such that upon being inflated they lib the arms Add legs into straightening horizontal movements. effecting potentially strong punches Id kicks wher1 +.o pressures are highs as well as veils rigid defensive stances.

Upon user foot movement and upon head stabilization afar user impact, the rigid plates moves back (immediately cutting off the previous supply pulse of highly pressurized air through the temporarily opened holes in the torso/limb interfacing melllbralle) due to the spring action of the attached elastic J rubber cords. The pressurised air inside the tubes is then allowed to escape through holes (valves) (holes roughly one square millimetre in area) at the finger '' toe ends into the body of each limb [eventually escaping into the outside atmosphere through the valves in the limbs already described. These valises are holes which have flaps attached uhich7 vibrating under the motion of the exiting air allow the dummy to produce sound? as it punches, kicks and strikes at the user.

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Claims (4)

1. POOLE Sp I per HER tat P>C.H BG CLAMS 1 A portable Dee standing I body

   weight assisted punch bag idummy? intlable SO as to be used as a sparririu partner able to withstand punches and kicks reverting to an upright position aider each blow, and lo punch' kick and skim desire poses tone release of high air pressure into expandable tubes stretched along the inside of each arm arid leg, such release being activated by opening of valves at the limb/ torso interces7 allowing air at high pressure from the torso to rush into the tubes till the valves shut tle opening and shutting of these valves activated by stepping on and of the mat and by punches to Me body and head of the dummy air pressure inside the mat and inner limb tubes being controlled by restrictively sized inlet holes and Really positioned outlet valves' the mbes being fabricated so that upon expansion, they extend outwards in varied strike modes.
2. 2. A portable free standing J body weight assisted punch bag J dummy ? inflatable so as be Vised as a spading parker, as claimed in Claim 1

   which can be powered by a gas or liquid, as opposed to air.
3. 3. A portable free standing J body weight assisted punch bag / dummy as claimed ill claim 1 or 2 wherein the exhaustion of redundant pressure Trolls the limbs is exited through slits cut such that the exiting pressurized medium causes sound to emanate from the limbs imlediatelv after extension.
4. 4. A portable free standing J body weight assisted punch bag. dunned as described in Claims 1 and 2 wherein a tape recorder is inserted in the head and operates upon extension of the limbs so as to give the effect of the dummy screaming at or speaking to the user.

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