Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
  • A63B69/20—Punching balls, e.g. for boxing; Other devices for striking used during training of combat sports, e.g. bags
  • A63B69/32—Punching balls, e.g. for boxing; Other devices for striking used during training of combat sports, e.g. bags with indicating devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
  • A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
  • A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2214/00—Training methods
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/50—Force related parameters
  • A63B2220/56—Pressure
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
  • A63B2220/83—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor characterised by the position of the sensor
  • A63B2220/833—Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2244/00—Sports without balls
  • A63B2244/10—Combat sports
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2244/00—Sports without balls
  • A63B2244/10—Combat sports
  • A63B2244/102—Boxing

Definitions

• the invention relates to an exercise apparatus, system and associated method of using an exercise apparatus or system. More specifically, the invention relates to a boxing or martial arts apparatus, system and associated method of exercise.
• a problem with these known boxing apparatus is that the sensor configuration may be unreliable and/or not have the longevity to withstand repeated impacts of a boxer.
• the cover includes a pocket which is arranged to align with and span with aperture, the pocket being shaped to receive at least a portion of the flexible surface of the pressure sensor.
• the body includes a core assembly which supports the striking portion and the pressure sensor.
• the striking portion has a thickness with is substantially equal to the thickness of the pressure sensor.
• the core assembly includes a sponge assembly and a support layer fitted between the pressure sensor and the sponge assembly, the support layer being having increased resilience relative to the sponge assembly.
• the support layer is formed from a neoprene material.
• the sensor assembly includes a pressure switch in fluid communication with the pressure sensor, the pressure switch being configured to provide the impact signal.
• the pressure switch is configured for communication with a recording unit to record the impact signal.
• the apparatus includes the recording unit and the recording unit is electrically connected with the pressure switch.
• the recording unit includes at least one of a display and an alarm configured to indicate when the impact sign signal has been received.
• the recording unit includes a computing device in communication with at least one of the display and alarm.
• the recording unit includes at least one user input in communication with the computing device.
• the apparatus includes at least two pressure sensors, the at least two of the pressure sensors positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, the at least two pressure sensors being associated with at least two pressure switches so as to enable the recording unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two pressure sensors.
• the apparatus includes at least two pairs of pressure sensors, the at least two pairs of the pressure sensors are positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, wherein each of the at least two pairs pressure sensors is associated with a respective at least two pressure switches so as to enable the recording unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two pairs of pressure sensors.
• one of the least two pairs of the pressure sensors is positioned above the other of the at least two pairs of the pressure sensors.
• an exercise system including a body for adapted receiving a strike and a control unit configured to record impact of the strike, wherein the body includes a sensor assembly having a pressure sensor in communication with a pressure switch, and the control unit is configured to communicate with the pressure switch, wherein the pressure sensor includes a fluid filled housing with a resilient surface and is positioned within a striking portion of the body such that impact of the strike on the striking portion deflects the resilient surface so as to generate an impact signal from the pressure switch which is recordable by the control unit.
• the apparatus includes at least two pressure sensors, the at least two of the pressure sensors being positioned at least partially within the striking portion of the body, the at least two pressure sensors being associated with at least two corresponding pressure switches so as to enable the control unit to independently record impact signals associated with each of the at least two pressure sensors.
• control unit includes a user interface having a display, the control unit being configured to indicate on the display a number of impact signals received from each of the at least two pressure sensors.
• control unit is configured to display a time period and display the total number of impact signals received over the time period.
• control unit includes a computing device having a processor and memory.
• the computing device is at least one of a programmable logic module, a hand held computing device or a remote computing device in communication with the pressure switch.
• a method of exercise using a system having an impact receiving body and a recording unit for counting the number of strikes impacted on the body including the following steps: a user striking the apparatus within a strike portion of the body so as to deflect a surface of a pressure sensor located within the strike portion; providing an impact signal to the control unit, the impact signal being provided by a pressure switch which is configured to generate the impact signal when the surface of the pressure sensor is deflected; counting the received impact signals, the control unit being configured to determine a number of received impact signals and output a first tally to a display in communication with the control unit.
• the method further includes the steps of: Actuating a user interface to provide a user input, the control unit being configured to receive the user input, and wherein the user input includes a selection of at least one of a time period, a number of impacts and a pre-determined routine.
• the pre-determine routine includes a series of exercise periods and rest periods, and wherein the recording unit is configured to indicate the exercise period and rest period to the user via at least one of the display and an alarm.
• the striking portion of the body include an upper pressure sensor and a lower pressure sensor
• the method includes the steps of: a user striking the striking portion so as to deflect the surfaces of at least one of the upper pressure sensor and lower pressure sensor, the upper and lower pressure sensors being in communication with respective pressure switches so as to provide impacts signals associated with each of the upper and lower pressure sensors; counting, via the recoding unit, impacts signal associated with the upper sensor to provide a second tally and counting impacts signal associated with the upper sensor to provide a third tally.
• a method of operation of a system having a strike receiving body and a computer device for counting the number of strikes impacted on the apparatus the computer device being configured to undertake the following steps: monitoring a pressure switch for an impact signal, the impact signal being generated from a pressure sensor which includes deflectable surface positioned within a strike portion of the body so to generate the impact signal when the deflectable surface is deflected by a user impacting the striking portion; receiving the impact signal and determining a first tally of the total number of impact signals received; displaying the first tally, via a display in communication with the computer device.
• the method further includes the steps of: initiating a predetermine routine stored on a memory device in communication with the computer device, the pre-determined routine including a series of exercise time periods and rest time periods, wherein the computer device is configured to record the impact signals received during each of the exercise time periods and provide a second tally of the number of impact signal received during each of the exercise time periods.
• the striking portion of the body includes an upper pressure sensor and a lower pressure sensor in communication with respective pressure switches, and wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving, via the computer device, impact signals impacts signals associated with each of the upper and lower pressure sensors; displaying, on the display, a third tally of the impacts signal associated with the lower pressure sensor and a fourth tally associated with the upper pressure sensor.
• the method includes the steps of: determining, in the computer device, the first tally by adding the third tally and to the fourth tally.
• the method includes the steps of: storing, via a memory device of the computing device, exercise data including at least the first tally.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus in an assembled condition
• Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a body of the apparatus with a cover removed
• Figure 3 is a top view showing the body of the apparatus with the cover removed;
• Figure 4 is a perspective exploded parts view of the body of the apparatus showing a strike portion, a sensor assembly and the sponge assembly;
• Figure 5 is a side exploded parts view of the body of the apparatus showing a strike portion, a sensor assembly and the sponge assembly;
• Figure 6 is a top exploded parts view of the body of the apparatus showing a strike portion, a sensor assembly and the sponge assembly;
• Figure 8 is a side exploded parts view of the sponge assembly and the frame
• Figure 9 is a top exploded parts view of the sponge assembly and the frame
• Figure 10b is another side view of the pressure sensor
• Figure 10c is a top view of the pressure sensor
• Figure 11 is a front view of the apparatus with the cover removed to show the configuration of the pressure sensors
• Figure 12 is a side view of the apparatus with the cover removed to show the configuration of the pressure sensors
• Figure 13 is a top view of the apparatus with the cover removed to show the configuration of the pressure sensors
• Figure 14 is a top view of part of the sensor assembly showing the pressure sensor connected to a pressure switch by a conduit and T-piece arrangement;
• Figure 15 is a side perspective view of part of the sensor assembly showing the pressure sensor connected to the pressure switch by the conduit and the T-piece arrangement;
• Figure 16 is a perspective view of the control or recording unit.
• Figure 17 is a functional block diagram of a system including the pressure sensor and the control or recording unit.
• FIG. 1 to 3 there is shown an apparatus 10 for exercise in which a user, such as a boxer or martial artist, strikes the apparatus 10.
• the apparatus 10 including: a body 12 having a striking portion 14 and a sensor assembly 16 located at least partially within the body 12.
• the sensor assembly 16 includes a series of pressure sensors 18 which may be communicated with a recording or control unit 20 for recording or counting strike impacts of the user on the striking portion 14.
• the body 12 includes a top 40, a bottom 42 and opposing sides 46, 48.
• the body 12 includes a rear side 38 which is mounted with a frame 29, in use, to a wall or other supporting structure (not shown), and a front side 25 which at least partially incorporates the striking portion 14 which is impacted upon during use.
• the body 12 includes a core assembly 22 formed substantially from an impact absorbing material such as a sponge or foam material, and a cover 24 which fits substantially over the core assembly 22 of the body 12.
• the striking portion 14 may be considered as an outer part of the core assembly 22 and may include the part of the underlying core assembly 22 in which the pressure sensors 18 are located so as to be impacted by strikes of the user during use.
• the striking portion 14 may also be considered to include an impacted portion of the cover 24 beneath which the sensors 18 are located.
• the cover 24 is shown as being removable. However, in other examples, the cover 24 may be integrally formed with the underlying core assembly 22 and therefore simply be an outer layer or skin of the core assembly 22.
• the striking portion 14 includes apertures or cut-outs 30 in which the pressure sensors 18 are located.
• the striking portion 14 includes a central section 32 which is aligned generally parallel with a wall (not shown) to which the apparatus 10 may be supported, and angled sections 34, 36 which extend from opposing sides of the central section 32.
• the angled sections 34, 36 are angled back toward the rear side 38 of the body 12.
• the angle of the angled sections 34, 36 may be in the range of about 30° to about 60° relative to the central section 32.
• the striking portion 14 is a 10mm thick foam or sponge material which has been cut to size and in which the apertures or cutouts 30 have been formed.
• the sensor assembly 16 is shown as including a plurality of conduits 70 which are connected to the each of the pressure sensors 18.
• the conduits 70 are interconnected by T-junctions 72 to pressure switches 74.
• the support layer 71 allows the pressure sensor 18 to receive the impact of the strike with sufficient force to record the strike. If support layer 71 is not sufficiently resilient, then the pressure sensors 18 may simply be pressed into the sponge assembly 76 and the pressure sensors 18 may not be sufficiently compressed to provide enough pressure at the pressure switch 74 to generate the impact signal to record the strike.
• the sponge assembly 76 is shown in more detail and includes a main large foam block 81 having cutouts 82 on the back upper and lower edges. Smaller supporting foam blocks 84 are fitted within the cutouts 82 so as to at least partially occupy the cutouts 82. This arrangement provides space for the pressure sensor assembly 16.
• the flexible surface 93 of the bellows 19 may be substantially aligned with the striking surface 28 of the striking portion 14.
• the flexible surface 93 of the bellows 19 may be slightly recessed within the cutouts 30.
• the thickness of the striking portions 14 is similar to overall thickness of the bellows 19.
• the positioning of the flexible surfaces 93 of the bellows 19 relative the striking surface 28 of the striking portion 14 should be such that impacts on the targets 60 are able to deflect flexible surface 93 of the bellows 19 so as to ultimately generate the impact signal for recording by the recording or control unit 20.
• the bellows 19 have a diameter in the range of about 10cm to 15cm so as to be about the same size as a fist of a user impacting the below 19.
• the pressure sensor 18 in the form of the bellow 19 is connected via the conduit 70 to the T-junction 72. Further conduits 70 then connect the T-junction 72 to the pressure switch 74 which is configured to generate an electrical impact signal when the air bellow 19 is impacted due to a strike of a user.
• the pressure switch 74 includes a set of electrical contacts which are electrically connected to the recording unit 20. Accordingly, when the impact electrical signal is generated from the pressure switch 74 the recording unit receives a corresponding input signal which is then recorded by the recording unit 20 and may be displayed as is further described below.
• the conduits 70 may be in the form of 4 mm air tubes and the pressure switches 74 may be in the form of pneumatic latching switches.
• the programmable electronic recording module or computing device 100 includes a processor 106 in communication with a memory device 108.
• the processor 106 is configured for communication with the digital display 102 via an output 111 and is in communication with the user interface buttons 104 and the pressure switch 74 via input 113.
• the electronic recording module or computing device 100 may be configured by a computer program which is stored in the memory device 108 and executed by the processor 106.
• the computer program may configure the module or computing device 100, more specifically the processor 106, to undertake various tasks such as recording, counting and calculating the impact signals communicated to the module or computing device 100 from the pressure sensor assembly 16.
• the computer program may also configure the module or computing device 100 to undertake a number of different timing routines whereby the number of impact signals received in a particular time period are recorded.
• the number of impact signals received may be displayed via the display 102.
• these impact signals are displayed on the display 102 in real time alongside a time measure such as elapsed time or total time.
• buttons 104 To begin the pre-programmed routine, the user actuates a respective one the buttons 104 to select the desired pre-programmed routine. The user may then actuate another one of the input buttons 104 to initiate or start the routine. For example the user may select a 2 minute routine having three rounds or stages: (1) 60 seconds of impacting the lower targets 60 so as to trigger the lower pressure sensors 45; (2) 15 seconds rest; and (3) 45 seconds of impacting the upper targets 60 so as to trigger the upper pressure sensors 44.
• the user may continue to impact the targets 60 of the impact portion
• the sequence of exercise and rest periods may continue in a variety of sequences.
• the rest periods may become longer toward the end of the routine to provide the user with longer recovery time.
• the exercise routines may require body shots on the lower pressure sensors 45 for one time period, say 30 seconds, and then upper body shots on the upper pressure sensors 44 for another time period, say 30 seconds or even a required number of upper and lower body shots over a particular time period or round.
• the apparatus may be included within a system having an electronic control module or computer which is in communication with each of the air bellows via a pressure switch.
• the electronic control module or computer may be preprogrammed to record and display the impact signal is received from the pressure switch.
• the electronic control module may be preprogrammed with a number of exercise routines such as interval training routines which guide a user through a series of pre-determined exercise routines over a particular time period.
• the electronic control module may display exercise data such as time period and the number of impact signals received in real time and/or record and store the exercise data for analysis or display at a later time.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=51353415

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2013
  • 2013-02-14 AU AU2013200783A patent/AU2013200783A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-11-18 US US14/767,027 patent/US20150375079A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-11-18 AU AU2013378670A patent/AU2013378670A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-11-18 WO PCT/AU2013/001326 patent/WO2014124480A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-11-18 EP EP13874929.6A patent/EP2956219A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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