Programmable sparring partner

• US 20050181913A1
• Filed: 02/16/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pao Chua Vang, Tom Fruchey
• Original Assignee: Pao Chua Vang, Tom Fruchey
• Inventors: Fruchey, Tom, Vang, Pao Chua
• Application Number:
  US10/780,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20050181913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/83
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/215 Anthropomorphic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/224 mounted on a resilient foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/24 mounted on, or suspended from, a movable support
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/322 to instruct user where to strike
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/145 Boxing gloves

Abstract

A sparring apparatus comprises a striking target attached to a rotating mechanism for rotating the striking target substantially about a substantially vertical axis. The striking target has sensors which detect a blow to the striking target.

Claims

1. A sparring apparatus comprising a striking target attached to a rotating mechanism for rotating the striking target substantially about a substantially vertical axis, the striking target having sensors which detect a blow to the striking target.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the motor is a servo motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the servo motor is selected from the group consisting of:

variable reluctance stepping motors, permanent magnet stepping motors, and hybrid stepping motors.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor has an angular resolution of greater than 90 degrees per step.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor has an angular resolution of less than 0.72 degrees per step.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motor is controlled by a control unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit is selected from the group consisting of computer, PLC, CPU, chip prom, and single chip micro-processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control unit includes a program to move the motor in pre-designed sequences of movements.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control unit includes a program to move the motor in sequences of movements determined by a random number generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the random number generator generates values for determining the direction of the movement, the degrees of rotation of the movement, the time interval of the movement.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target includes a portion resembling at least a portion of a human form.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one elongate member extends from the striking target.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target includes specific targets.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the striking target can rotate over 360 degrees.

16. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein sensors are disposed within sparring gloves and sparring shoes, the sensors capable of being identified by the control unit such that a record can be made of which foot or which hand struck the striking target.

17. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the control unit initiates a timer upon sending a movement command to the motor, the timer designed to stop when the striking target is struck, the time between the sending of the movement command and the striking of the striking target capable of being recorded by the control unit or printed.

18. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein sensors communicating to the control unit are disposed within the striking apparatus at certain locations in order to record the location struck on the striking target by a user.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sensors communicate to the control unit through wires or through a wireless system.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sensors communicate to the control unit through wires or through a wireless system.

21. A sparring apparatus resembling a human torso and head comprising a striking target and a programmably controlled mechanism for rotating the striking target about a substantially vertical axis.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the mechanism is a stepping motor.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the stepping motor is controlled to run in half-steps or microsteps.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the mechanism is controllably programmed to randomly execute specific sequences of moves.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein sensors are disposed within the striking target, sparring gloves and sparring shoes, the sensors capable of being identified by the apparatus such that a record can be made of which portion of the target was struck and which foot or which hand struck the striking target.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the striking target is programmed to speak.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the striking target is affixed to a rotating base.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the rotating base has a friction reducing portion.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the friction reducing portion is selected from the group consisting of rolling units, coasters, ball bearings, balls, wheels, liquid lubricant, gel lubricant, or graphite.