GB2438279A

GB2438279A - Martial arts or boxing training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2438279A
Application number: GB0707213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Joseph Brendan Reen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-15
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-16
Also published as: GB2438279A9; EP2024041A1; GB2438175A; US20090264264A1; GB0707213D0; WO2007132144A1; GB0609481D0; GB2438279B

Abstract

A training apparatus for boxing or martial arts comprises a punch bag 7 with a plurality of suspended targets 6 attached to the top of the bag (Fig 1). The targets are suspended by flexible arms 5 attached to a ring 3 surrounding the suspension means of the punch bag.

Description

1. 2438279 flfl: Trarning or exercise apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a b'ainmg or exercise spparafls having pabcular. but not exclusive, spplication to martial and like arts. The term mavtLaI and like arta is used herein as a povtmantaau term to include what are nomially termed martial arts aid also other personal coffibatj afls sajcJ, boxing aid wrestling. Hover, the apparatus may also be appbed to tralning to, sports, or simply exercise, without a combative element or even without a competitive element.

BACKGROUND

In boxing and other maital wts, ft is usual to practice with a punthball (usually mounted to the top of a long, fairly stiff spring on a base standing on the ground) or a punchbag (usually suspended) or a Wce object adapted to be punched and reels, e.g. due to spnnginess andlor gravity. Parlioulady with martial arts, a nunther of attempts are known to the present inventor to m*e these purdi objects require, teach or induce more skill. These attempts have been impractical.

THE INVENTION

One method considered by the present inventor, in order to improve practicality, is to suspend smaller balls (or other target members) on flexible arms from the top of the punch object so that they flail around upon punching the punch object and wI have to be dealt with by the user, e.g. by hitting Ihen blocking them, touching them or aidhig them (the meanthgoftheteetasuaedhemnBndedtoinewtobeemhe skills A smiptified aspect of the invention provides (suspendable) frsinuig or examse apparatus comprising suspension such that the target members can move around one another. Hover, the (suspension pat of the) arms can be so flexble (e.g. being simply of string or disin) that they become entangled with one another. Again, the amis may be so stiff that they fail to move freely enough to exercise adequately the skills of the user, audi that the target members cannot move around one another. The inventor considers that what is required is training with surprising rebound aid moving gets, preferably without the arnie twisting around each other (becoming entangled).

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided training or exercise apparatus comprising suspension means and target members to be contacted or aveided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the suspension means, the suspension means being such that the target members can move around one another, the apparatus compnsrng inhibiting means to inhibit taighng of the suspension means for respective target members during use.

application, the said suspension means will be adapted for connection to, or above, the top of a (man) punch object. e.g. to be suspended from the suspension diana of a pundibap, or bands around the top of the punchbap. The apparatus (e.g. as sad) may include the punch object. The adaptation for connection may comprise aichor means to anchor the suspension means to, or above, the top of a punch object. Thus, the suspension means comprise anchor means to effect the aforesaid connection. The anchor mearie may comprise loop means, hook means, and/or a collar. Preferably, the suspension means comprise a plurality of flexible arms, which may include part or all of the aichor means, or, more usually, be adapted to (depend from or otherwise) be mounted to the anchor means (if separate): i.e. the awe may comprise all of the anchor means or may be mounted to part or all of the anchor means. Usually, at least one said target member will be mounted to each arm. For exanIe, there may be a plurelily of the target members, one after another, in line. along a sad arm.

Normally, the target members siil be reimte (or away) from the anchor means.

The aithar means may be adapted to be detathly anchored to (e.g. they are adapted to be unhooked from) a point of suspension on a support, e.g. the man chain of a punchb. Each arm independently of the otherls may be Pr&tly, the aichor meais hwe a ready-release feature for a plurty of the arms an that these i be reedify released individually, e.g. if they haus become 4htly entangled they i be unhooked new the top, disentangled, aid then re-anchored indiduafty on the support, etewr it is, that has been used for the apparatus, m order to aue any entanglement that might interfere wIth training.

Thus, n an embodiment, the target member balls asU be captie on the separate amis aid able to move awnd, above and below each other wIthout their arms having to be disentangled, except possibly at long intervals. The bails aid their arms thould be able to curve around one another, substaritiedy In all dkections and recoil, and not rapidly entangle.

They require a means to inhibit entanglement The inhibiting means may conçrlse a suitable stiffening of the arms to rnhihit the entanglement wInile stiff allowIng the taget renters to move around one another.

Accordng to another asped of ervention, there is provided a haining or exercise apparatus onnipriming aichor otherwise) mounted to the anchor means, at least one target member mounted to each arm (remote) away from the aichor means, the apparatus having means for reducing or Inhibiting tendency of the arms to entangle wIth one another. The apparatus may have particular appication to medial and like arts.

A said (or each) arm may ccnnse a chain but preferably congeses an elastic cord. Preferably, a said (or each) arm co.spflses a flexible corn member, e.g. said chain or elastic cord. running through a sleeve of semi-stiff rederial.

Preferably, the easy corrwises a relatively thidi-walled material (tube) with a relatively narrow bore to receive said core member. Preferably, said material is a flexible elastoineric material, preferably spongy, e.g. a sponge ribber, morn paticularfy a semi-abif sponge ribber, e.g. flexible, closed-cell, elastomeric nibile rubber. Preferably, each am convnses a plurality of segments articulated together. Prefrably, the sleeve is broken or interrupted at the, or each, articutation. The apparatus may be adapted to be suspended independently of the punch objed, or adapted to be suspended from a supporting suspension of a punch object, and may have target members of differing waights aid/or sizes.

In a preferred embodiment, this is a martial ads, boxing arid sirdler disciplines Pabning apparatus wfnich hones the aspeds of agirdy, balance, axuracy, power and speed in all of the adle of striking, blocking and evading sbikes, as waif as helping the user to perfect his techniques. ft coroposes plastic balls (as targets) that are suspended from the supporting chains of a punchbag. The balls we suspended on the ends of elastic cords. The elastic cords are run through the flexible dosed-cell elastomeric nitrite ribber Insulation described above (effectively, sponge rubber tubes); this prevents the elastic cords from becoming entangled with each other, wtnile allowing the eledic to rebsin, avalable for use by the user, a lot of its properties, e.g. its recoil arid flexibility. The rubber tubes we not in one piece but we broken spat at intervals into segments to give more flexibility (the length of tube for each arm is made up of separate pieces). A detachable coupling is mono possible scenano, the user may begin by hanging twa balls, one at head height the other at calf height Then, alter a period of time (winch may be during one prachee session or after several practice sessions, e.g. for warm-up, for practice, or aber becoming experienced), may hang a third at knee height, then again another at chest height Thus, new pats can be added ththeptheuse?sski9sjwqwove. Thebellscaihepunched, kdeusev'theyc,atsobe bloched aid duetad from when they tecod. AU maya n be practhed in taridom nbinelions. The contrel pundtheg i be utilised at üfleivals to hone teclmue. Eventuelly, the breln and body are trelned to cope idth the fast.dianging demandeantielartsorboxing,spanngo,nng scenario.

attadiedatanetime.

d,e.g.iongfothebetbbeinthemn,shoot Thus, th embodiment provides a sparta etc trelnrng or exerase sppa'etus that develops costhnation aid trains reflexes, which can be used by, for example, at sports trainees to develop reflexes and co-ordination but is espedaty useful as a mantel arts or boxing training eppa-atus, which cons of one or mare ta-gets or bells suspended on arms such that entanglement of the bells or targets does not interfere wIth trainIng. ft ca be suspended on its osei or hung on a punthbag.

E ortarget on relates to adderent pat of the body.

A familiar example of said flexible dosed-cell elastomenc nittile rubber insulation inateilel suitable for covering the elastic cord is found as centrel heating pipe insuion, i.e. the ordinary dart grey tube-like soft insulation pipe covering which isused as aheatinsulronooppercentheatJng pipesin moathouse or'pipe.wap'assomecaftit Thisactual tubing has a slit along its whale length, aid each segment of it for the present spparahts is therefore prefarably emidided with a reinforcement of fastening (spa near each end of the segment but it should be borne in rind that this wee used for prototypes, aid in a production run closed tubing may be used, idthough the reinforcement could still be usetul. The elastic cord isodnafyelas*iccoidthatcai bebougMWthemcffth Inlocelhardeereord.i.y. stcres besirerigihaid resilience characteristics and its dimensions asi reedliy be chosen to be wite for this eppalatus. The type of coupling used to attach each am is net desoibed in futi duet, since what is inortait is only that it should be detachable etille firm when attached (dosed, as described herein). The target manters may comarnienfly be the same type as the children's plastic playing balls that one weuld find in a shop, diameter In the range 2Ocon to 40cm. However, b production, these target member bats may have to be manufactured with am actiment coupling to fasten the elastic cord dheddy to the bat.

The bells used in prototypes did nrA have this direct attachment so this diftilty wes overoome by potting each ball in a cover (e.g. net pouch or bag) aid attaching the cover to the elastic arm. &nltady, if an upetaiding pimdmbell is used as a surrounding the bell thereof. In any of these embodiments, the target mentets may be of ddeflng weights, types and sixes; orellothemcoldbequithtiexanm,, etofthemcothsenqutawechrnf upon the type of training required.

Thus, embodiments of the invention may be wmsiderad as *we Conventional kinds of apparebe known to the inventor do not cater for the ever-changing denxeids of the mantel ate or boxing nng, or they attempt to niche use of stands and rods in a effort to keep the moving targets apart whereas a lrshiee weuld benefit horn a numb& of moving targets that have the ebility to rebound aid move in a chaotic fashion, without any suspended targets quiddy becoming entangled with one aiother. Embodiments of the invention provide, in use, a number of suspended eatily-moving targets whkf can be used to develop reflexes and co-ordination in eli sports but are especiaty useful in natal arts aid boxing training where they amatate am opponent To nmninvze or aveid entanglement, the present embodiments provide any number of bells suspended on elastic cord with the elastic cord running through a soft, reatent stiffening materiel, e.g. pipe insulaton. The pipe insulator of each am is in separate pieces, articulated together so as to atlow for movement in at planes. Various properties of the pipe irulaton are inçortat The pipe insulation is a wide very light dureble pipe. ft has the ability to fthasathickvmsitlbrithasanarrowbore Thethidcgjye * 4 stiffness to prevent the anne coiling around each other this coiling would occur if the pipe had thin veils. The bore of the PIpe IS ICS enough to allow adequate movement of the elastlo COrd inside. This pipe also h some flexibility. Another Prop asi cord such as flexibility and elasticity and rebound are retained wlide the surrounding pipeinsulation tubing evenb entaiglement from intBrfering whIt the b'sirung. Any entanglement occurs at the top of the apparatus aid is slight aid can be dbyunhookngthea thetop fore lea theendofejeesson Thebaltscaibehungat any height and in any number. Sails cai be suspended at different heights to ban dirent pats of the body, e.g. knees, feet, hands. They allow punching, kQing, use of knees. blocking and evasive movements. They also rebound and provide the element of swprise. The balls move in all planes. Entaiglerrmnt of the apperatus does not occur so as to interfere with training. More bails can be added as the level of skifi increases As many balls as deemed necessary may be applied. It is a very light and easy4o.install opponent eitmilator. It cat be hung on a punchbag and conventional strikes to the punch -bag can be done in nmdian with this ball baring. It can be made very robust aid inexpensive, yet safe to use. ftreacbtothelevelofunensdyatwhchberngused;lstosayasbisefshis$pspof the balls increases, so the level of skill can be increased further theta/ore the user controls the levels of speed aid skill applied.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there can be provided a training device or apparatus which is.

or may be, suspended: * which consists of suspended balls or targets where the entanglement of the balls or targets does not interfere with training; * wiuchmaybeunhookedathepointofsuspeneion; * where each ann may be unhooked independendy; * where the arms consist of balls or targets suspended an elastic cord running through sections of a namw.bored wid pipe; * * which cat have balls or targets of different veights aid sias: * whidicanhaveoneormore bar talibteonanyoneanri; * with an easy-release system where the ams we unhooked near the top, disentangled, and then relocated individually again on the appaltus to prevent any entalglBment interfering with training; * where individual arms may be fixed to the seconday chain or bands of a pundibag.

In the event that at arm (e.g. only one or tao of the suspension meats, the beget member and/or the inhibiting means of the arm) becomes damaged, replacement arms will be avalalle on sale. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided, for use in any such training or exercise apparatus, a combination of a target member aid suspension meats for the same such that the target member and the target member of a similar combination cat move around one another when the combinations are suspended from a convnon point According to another aspect of the inwntion, there is provided, for use in tracing or exercise apparatus, a combination of a target member aid suspension means for the sane such that the target mentor aid the target member of a sin'ilw coritiMion cat move around one another when the combinations ate suspended from a ooainon point, the first-mentioned combination ooiopdsing inhibiling meats to inhibit taigfutg of the suspension meais for the get members during use.

According to another aspect of the invatbon, there is provided a method of training or exercise in which tore is used any such apparatus embodying the invention. In en throved method, target members ai added to the apparatus as exercise or training progresses.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings. In these: Figure 1 is a front view of an apparatus 21 (e.g. see Figure 3) embodying the invention, showing a user 14 training on the apparatus 21 as it hangs on a punchbag 7; Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus 21 in close-up, showing the anchor means 3 comprising a ring 3 (and loops 4) more cleaiiy; Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus 21, separated from the punchbag 7, showing the anchor ring 3 open and the apparatus 21 with inhibiting means 5 as it may look after a long training session, with arms 16 entangled but only at the top. The ring 3 can then be readily opened and loops 4 (forming part of the anchor means 3) at the tops of individual arms 16 can be removed for disentanglement; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 after the individual arms 16 have been removed from the ring 3 and disentangled, and their loops 4 relocated on the ring 3 for another training session; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of one arm 16, with the elastic cord shown (for the sake of clarity) much longer than it is in reality, so that the individual segments 18 of the sleeve 5 enclosing the arm 16 appear to be spaced apart on the elastic cord 8, whereas in reality they are contiguous, and therefore articulated to one another where they touch at the points 15, as shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows an alternative anchorage means 3, with individual arms 16 hanging directly from secondary chains 2 of a punchbag 7. The Figure also shows two target member balls 6 connected in line in a single arm 16.

Figures 7 and 8 are schematic explanatory front views of the apparatus 21, before training (untangled cords 8) and after training with consequent rapid tangling (tangled cords 9), if the apparatus 21 is provided without the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with the target balls 6 simply suspended on elastic cords 8; Figures 9 and 10 are similar views to Figures 7 and 8 if the apparatus 21 is provided with the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with the cords 8 running through pipe insulator-type sleeves 5. This shows how, despite the balls 6 moving and swinging around each other, the cords 8 do not become entangled; Figure 11 is similar to Figure 2, but shows the arms 16 suspended directly by their anchor loops 4 from the main, central supporting chain 1 of a punchbag 7; Figure 12 is a perspective view, close up, of a segment 18 of an arm 16; and Figure 13 is a close-up of part of the Figure 11 apparatus 21, for clarity showing only two arms 16 and these flung out in use, and showing how the arms 16 are connected directly to the central chain I of the bag 7, though they could equally be coupled to the bag 7 anywhere near, or on, its chain 1.

regarding the embodiment shown in figures 14, 15,16,l7and 18.

Figure 14 Here the eye of the suspension cord may be large enough to extend into the top of the tube thus forming a double layer when entanglement begins.

Figure 15 Here the cord is overlapped at the area of possible entanglement 23, Figure 16 Here the suspension cord is thicker at the area of possible entanglement than in the lower part of the suspension cord. This thicker area extends down a little Inside the top of pipe 5, Figure 17 Shows the apparatus with the much thicker cord at entanglement area 23, Figure 18 Here the elastic cord is shown much longer for clarity and shows how entanglement would occur during training with a punch bag.

Any one of the modifications shown in figurel4, 15 or 16 would enable the apparatus to automatically untangle this type of entanglement (in figure 17 and 18) without the trainee stopping to untangle it manually.

The arrangement at the top of the cord helps to untangle while the lower section of the elastic cord retains its thinner and therefore better rebound characteristics.

In the drawings, the items shown have the following references: * 1 = main chain or main suspension belt of punchbag 7 * 2 = secondary chains of punchbag 7 * 3 = anchor ring in the form of a collar 3 surrounding main suspension chain I of punchbag 7.

A ring is used here for clarity, a rope tether may be used in reality * 4 = loop of elastic cord 8 of arm 16 * 5 = pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting) tubing (sleeve) * 6 = target ball * 7 = punchbag * 8 = elastic cord * 9 = entangled cords * 10 = thick (wide) wall * 11 = narrow bore * 12 = direct attachment anchor ring of individual ami 16 (similar to collar 3 but smaller) * 13 = arm with two target balls 6 in line * 14 = trainee or user * 15 = articulation points of the arms 16 where the pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting) tube 5 is broken or interrupted, or articulated to balls 6, or where the arm 16 is articulated to the anchor means 312 * 16=arm * 17 = net pouch to hold ball 6 to elastic cord 8 * 18 = segments of tubing 5 * 19=slitintubing5 * 20 = reinforcement tape around tubing 5 * 21 = the apparatus, which may (Figure 2) or may not (Figure 3) include the punchbag 7 * 22 = suspension bands around the top of the punchbag 7.

* 23 = Area of possible entanglement Thus, suspendable training or exercise apparatus 21 comprises suspension means 3, 8 and target members 6 to be contacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the suspension means 38, the suspension means 3, 8 being such that the target members 6 can move around one another, the apparatus 21 comprising inhibiting means 5 to inhibit tangling of the suspension means 3,8 for respective target members 6 during use.

The suspension means 3,8 are adapted for connection to, or above, the top of a (main) punch object 7, e.g. being suspended from the suspension chains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7 or bands 22 around the top of the punchbag. The adaptation for connection comprises anchor means 3, 4 to anchor the suspension means 3, 4, 8 to, or above, the top of the punch object 7. The anchor means comprise loop means 4, Figure 2, hook means (not shown), and/or a collar 3. The suspension means 3, 8 comprise a plurality of flexible arms 16, and include the anchor means 3, 4, or may be considered to depend from the anchor means 3 considered as a separate ring 3. At least one said target member 6 is mounted to each arm 16. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, there is a plurality of the target members 6, one after another, in line, along a said arm 13; these target members 6 are remote (or away) from the anchor means 12.

As shown in Figure 2, anchor means 3,12 are adapted to be detachably anchored to a point of suspension (the bottom of chain 1) on a support (here the main chain 1 of a punchbag 7). Each arm 16 independently of the others is adapted to be anchored to, so as to be detachable from, the said point of suspension. The anchor means 3 have a ready-release feature (in the form of a latched-opening ring 3) for a plurality of the arms 16 so that these can be readily released individually, for the reasons described above with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

Thus, the target member balls 6 are captive on the separate arms 16 and able to move around, above and below each other without their arms 16 having to be disentangled, except possibly at long intervals. This is achieved by using a means 5 to inhibit entanglement, which comprises a suitable stiffening 5 of the arms 16 to inhibit the entanglement while still allowing the target members to move around one another.

Thus, this training apparatus 21 comprises anchor means 3 to anchor the apparatus 21 to, or above, the top of a punch object 7, a plurality of flexible arms 16 mounted to the anchor means 3, at least one target member 6 mounted to each arm 16 (remote) away from the anchor means 3, the apparatus 21 having means 5 for reducing or inhibiting tendency of the arms 16 to entangle with one another.

Each arm 16 comprises an elastic cord 8, which is a flexible core member 8 running through a sleeve 5 of semi-stiff material, which is a relatively thick-walled material (wall 10) with a relatively narrow bore 11 to receive said core member 8, that is a flexible, closed-cell, elastomenc nitrile semi-stiff sponge rubber. Each arm 16 comprises a plurality of segments 18 articulated together at points 15, where the sleeve 5 is broken or interrupted.

The apparatus 21 comprises plastic balls 6 (as targets 6) that are suspended from the supporting chains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7 on the ends of elastic cords 8 of arms 16. The elastic cords 8 are run through the flexible closed-cell elastomenc nitrile rubber insulation 5 described above, effectively, sponge rubber tubes 5 with a reinforcement 20 of fastening tape 20 near each end of each segment 18 thereof; this prevents the elastic cords 8 from becoming entangled with each other, while allowing the elastic 8 to retain, available for use by the user, a lot of its properties, eg. its recoil and flexibility. The rubber tubes 5 are not in one piece but are broken apart at intervals, i.e. at points 15 into segments 18 to give more flexibility; thus, the length of tube 5 for each arm 16 is made up of separate pieces 18. A detachable coupling 3 is fitted at the top end of each arm 16 and each arm 16 is detachably attached separately to the chain 1,2 of a punchbag 7. In one possible scenario, the user may begin by hanging two balls 6, one at head height, the other at calf height, and then (as described above) a third at knee height, then again another at chest height Thus, new parts (arms 16 including balls 6) can be added to the apparatus as the user's skills improve. The length of the cord 8 (arm 16) depends on what part of the body the user 14 wants to practise with or defend, e.g. a long cord 8 for the balls 6 to be in the region of his legs, short for his head.

The apparatus 21 can be suspended on its own or hung on a punchbag 7. Each balI 6 thus provides a target position relating to a different part of the body, i.e. the user's body and the theoretical opponent's body.

Details have been discussed above of tubing 5, elastic cord 8, types of coupling 3 used to attach each arm 16, and target members 6 (and their covers 17).

The apparatus 21 provides a number of suspended readily-moving ball targets 6 that have the ability to rebound and move in a chaotic fashion, without any suspended targets 6 quickly becoming entangled with one another. Any number of the balls 6 are suspended on elastic cord 8 running through a soft, resilient stiffening material 5, possibly made from pipe insulation 5, in separate pieces 18, articulated together at points 15 so as to allow for movement in all planes. Various important properties of the pipe insulation 5 have been discussed above, as also properties of the elastic cord 8, methods of dealing with any slight entanglement, and methods of hanging and suspending balls 6 in different ways and adding to their number. The apparatus 21 can be hung on a punchbag 7.

The embodiments provide a training device or apparatus 21 which is, or may be, suspended: * which consists of suspended balls 6 or targets 6 where the entanglement of the balls or targets 6 does not interfere with training; * which may be unhooked at the point of suspension 3; * where each arm 16 may be unhooked independently; * where the arms 16 consist of balls 6 or targets 6 suspended on elastic cord 8 running through sections of a narrow-bored wide-walled pipe 5; * which can be suspended on its own or on the chains 1,2 of a punchbag 7; * which can have balls 6 or targets 6 of different weights and sizes; * which can have one or more balls 6 or targets 6 in line on any one arm 16; * with an easy-release system where the arms 16 are unhooked (from opened ring 3) near the top, disentangled, and then relocated individually again on ring 3 of the apparatus to prevent any entanglement interfering with training; * where individual arms 16 are fixed to the secondary chain 2 or bands of a punchbag 7.

And also regarding the embodiment shown in figure 14, flgurel5,and figurel6 ( the tube 5, is drawn transparent here apart from outhne to enable the suspension cord to be seen).

The apparatus may have a suspension cord that is thicker at the area of possible entanglement 23, than at the lower part of the suspension cord (fig 16).

* or the cord may be overlapped in this area ( fig. 15).

* or the eye of the suspension cord may be large enough to extend into the top of the tube(fig. 14).

* or the material of the suspension cord may be different ( made of a more suitable material to enable disentanglement) in this area 23, than in the rest of cord.

These modifications enable the apparatus to automatically untangle itself during training without the trainee stopping to untangle it whenits entangled as in fig. 17 and fig. 18.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particutarisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

LP

CLAIMS

1. Training or exerase apparatus comprising suspension means aid target members to be contacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the suspension means, the suspension means being such that the target members can movo around one another, the apparatus comprising inhibiting means to inhibit tangling of the suspension means for respective target members during use.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the said suspension means are adapted for connection to, or above, the top of a punch ob$ct.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the said suspension means comprise anchor means to effect the said connection.

4. Apparatusasdaimedindam3,inwhichtheanchormeanscompiiseloopmeans,hook meansand/oracoIlar.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the target members are remote from the anchor means.

6. Appaasdalrnedinanyoneofdaims3bs, inwhichtheanctiormeaflsareadaptedtobedetachabjy anchored to a point of suspension.

7. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of daims 1 to 6, in wtuch the suspension means comprise a plurality of flexible amis.

8. Apparatus as darned in claim 7, in which each arm independentty of the other/s is adapted to be anchored to, so as to be detachable from, a point of suspension.

9. Apparatus as claimed in dam 7 or 8, in which at least one said target member us mounted to each arm.

10. Apparatusasdamedinayoneofdanis7to9,inwhithinwln, chthereisapturalityofthetargetmembers,one after another, in line, along a said arm.

11. Appartusasdaimedinanyoneofdaime7tolO,inwhithasaidarmcompnsesanelastjccord. 

12. Apparatus as daimed in daim ii, in which a said target member is suspended on a said elastic cord.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, in which the inhibiting means compose a suitable sliffenin9 of the arms to inhibit the entanglement while still allowing the target members to move around one another.

14. Apprsasdaimedinanyoneofdaims7to13,winenappefldatdireoreytom3,inwhthe arms are mounted to part or all of the anchor means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the anchor means have a ready-release feature for a plurality of the arms so that these can be readily released individually.

16. Apparatusasdaimedinanyoneofdains7tol5, inwhithasaidarmcompnsesaflexlbtecorememberwnning through a sleeve of semi-stiff material.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which a said core member comprises a said elastic cord.

18. Apparatus as darned in claim 16 or 17, in which said sleeve comprises relatively thick-walled material with a relatively narrow bore to receive said core member.

19. Apparatus as darned in claim 18, in which said material comprises a flexible etastomenc material.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in which said material comprises a spongy material.

21. Apparatus as dairned in claim 20, in which said material comprises a sponge rubber.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which said material comprises a semi-stiff sponge rubber 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, in which said material comprises flexible, closed-cell, etastomenc nibtie rubber.

24. Apparatusasdaimedinaiyoneofdalmslto23, inwhichasaidarmcomprisesapluralftyofsegmenb articulated together. ((

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25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, in which said sleeve is broken or interrupted at the, or each, articulation.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 25, which is adapted to be suspended independently of the punch object 27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of daims 1 to 25, which is adapted to be suspended from a supporting suspension of a punch object 28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 27, which has target members of differing weights and/or sizes.

29. A martial and like arts training or exercise apparatus comprising anchor means to anchor the apparatus to, or above, the top of a punch object, a plurality of flexible arms mounted to the anchor means, at least one target member mounted to each arm away from the anchor means, the apparatus having means for reducing or inhibiting tendency of the arms to entangle with one another.

30. Training or exercise apparatus substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

31. Training or exercise apparatus substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 31, including a punch object.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32, in which the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 31, is mounted to the punch object 34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 33, comprising indMdual arms attached to bands or one or more secondary chains of a punch object 35. A method of exercise and/or training in which there is used apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35, in which target members are added to the apparatus as exercise or training progresses.

37. A method of exercise and/or training, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

38. A method of exercise and/or training, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. For use in training or exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 34, a combination of a target member and suspension means for the same such that the target member and the target member of a similar combination can move around one another when the combinations are suspended from a common point.

40. For use in training or exercise apparatus, a combination of a target member and suspension means for the same such that the target member and the target member of a similar combination can move around one another when the combinations are suspended from a common point, the first-mentioned combination comprising inhibiting means to inhibit tangling of the suspension means for the target members during use.

41. Training or exercise apparatus comprising suspension means and target members to be contacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by the suspension means such that the target members can move around one another.

42. Training or exercise apparatus comprising a plurality of target members to be contacted or avoided by the body suspended on respective arms that are able to move around one another and comprising inhibiting means to inhibit tangling of the arms with one another during use.

43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 42, in which the inhibiting means comprise stiffening of the arms sufficient to inhibit the tangling while insufficient to prevent the arms from moving around one another.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claim 42 or 43, in which the inhibiting means comprise a sleeve of flexible material on a core of cord, chain or other material able to flex non-resiliently, 45. Apparatus as claimed in claim 44, in which said core is stretchable.

46. Apparatus as claimed in claim 45, in which said core comprises an elastic cord.

47. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 44 to 46, in which said sleeve comprises resilient material.

48. Apparatus as claimed in claim 47, in which said sleeve comprises foam material.

49. Apparatus as claimed in claim 48, in which said foam material comprises pipe-Insulating material.

50. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 44 to 49, in which the sleeve has a longitudinal split 51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 50, in which the sleeve is provided with fastening means in the region of the ends of the split.

52. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 51, in which the sleeve comprises a longitudinal series of at least two sections along the core.

53. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52, in which at least two of the sections on a cord are separate from one another.

54. Apparatus as claimed in claim 52 or 53, in which at least two successive ones of the sections on a cord are separated from one another.

55. apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims I to 54 in which the eye of the suspension cord extends into the tube to enable automatic disentanglement of arms.

56. apparatus as claimed in any one of the claim I to 54 in which the suspension cord is oveilapped to extend into tube at the place of entanglement to enable automatic disentanglement of arms.

57. apparatus as claimed in any one of the claim 1 to 54 in which the suspension cord is thicker at the place of entanglement to enable automatic disentanglement of arms.

58. apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims I to 54 in which the suspension cord is made of any material at the place of entanglement that enables the arms to automatically disentangle.