Martial arts practice apparatus

• US 5,722,920 A
• Filed: 07/02/1996
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vernon E. Bauer
• Original Assignee: Vernon E. Bauer
• Inventors: Bauer, Vernon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US08/677,337
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 482/83-90, 473/441-445
• US Class Current: 482/83
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1681 for anchoring between horizontal surfaces, e.g. the floor and the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/22 mounted on, or suspended from, a fixed support

Abstract

A martial arts practice apparatus (12) comprising a support member (14). A facility (16) is for positioning the support member (14) vertically in a stationary manner. At least one target member (18) is provided. A structure (20) is for suspending the at least one target member (18) outwardly from the support member (14) in a height adjustable manner. An assemblage (22) between the suspending structure (20) and the at least one target member (18) is for returning the at least one target member (18) back to its original position after being struck and kicked by a martial artist (24).

Claims

1. A martial arts practice apparatus comprising:

a) a support member;

b) means for positioning said support member vertically in a stationary manner;

c) at least one target member;

d) means for suspending said at least one target member outwardly from said support member in a height adjustable manner;

e) means between said suspending means and said at least one target member for returning said at least one target member back to its original position after being struck by a martial artist;

f) said suspending means including;

i) a collar which fits upon said support member in a sliding manner;

ii) a setscrew in said collar to hold said collar in a fixed position upon said support member; and

iii) at least one stud extending outwardly from said collar to engage with said returning means; and

g) said returning means including;

i) a sleeve to fit over said stud;

ii) a setscrew in said sleeve to hold said sleeve in a fixed position on said stud;

iii) a coil spring;

iv) a flexible cylindrical accordion cover over said coil spring and connected at a first end to said sleeve; and

v) a setscrew in a second end of said flexible cover to hold an end of said focus pad in a fixed position in said second end of said flexible cover.

2. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said support member is an elongated cylindrical column.

3. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said positioning means includes:

a) a base assembly on a bottom end of said support member, wherein said base assembly sits upon a floor;

b) a height adjustment unit on a top end of said support member; and

c) a head assembly on said height adjustment unit, wherein said head assembly will butt against a ceiling by manipulation of said height adjustment unit.

4. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one target member is a focus pad made out of a strong soft padded material.

5. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said base assembly includes:

a) a floor plate; and

b) a column plate fixed onto said floor plate, said column plate having an aperture to receive the bottom end of said support member.

6. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said height adjustment unit includes:

a) said support member having an internally threaded bore in the top end;

b) a threaded shank to engage with said internally threaded bore, said threaded shank having a transverse hole therethrough near a top end; and

c) a turn handle rod to fit into said transverse hole, so as to rotate said threaded shank in said internally threaded bore.

7. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said head assembly includes:

a) a shank plate; and

b) a ceiling plate fixed onto said shank plate.

8. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said positioning means includes:

a) a base assembly on a bottom end of said support member, wherein said base assembly sits upon a floor;

b) a height adjustment unit on a top end of said support member; and

c) a head assembly on said height adjustment unit, wherein said head assembly will butt against a ceiling by manipulation of said height adjustment unit.

9. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said at least one target member is a focus pad made out of a strong soft padded material.

10. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said base assembly includes:

a) a floor plate; and

b) a column plate fixed onto said floor plate, said column plate having an aperture to receive the bottom end of said support member.

11. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said height adjustment unit includes:

a) said support member having an internally threaded bore in the top end;

b) a threaded shank to engage with said internally threaded bore, said threaded shank having a transverse hole therethrough near a top end; and

c) a turn handle rod to fit into said transverse hole, so as to rotate said threaded shank in said internally threaded bore.

12. A martial arts practice apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said head assembly includes:

a) a shank plate; and

b) a ceiling plate fixed onto said shank plate.