Martial arts demonstration staff

• US 7,625,289 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Fagliarone
• Original Assignee: John Fagliarone
• Inventors: Fagliarone, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce; William M
• Application Number:
  US11/443,854
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 463/47.2, 463/47.4, 135/910, 362/551, 362/555, 362/565, 362/577, 362/217, 362/219, 362/222, 362/223, 362/224, 362/225, 362/102, 446/219, 446/397, 446/401, 446/405, 446/216
• US Class Current: 463/47.2
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 15/02 Batons; Truncheons; Sticks; Shillelaghs

Abstract

A martial arts demonstration bong is formed of highly polished transparent plastic and provided with end mounted illumination means directed inwardly in line with the bong shaft. The bong is provided with rank indicating colored ring indicators at the ends of a handgrip section in an unstressed section and may be provided with a surface air current whistling device.

Claims

1. A martial arts demonstration staff comprised of:

(a) a solid substantially transparent elongated acrylic bo staff having a smooth outer surface, a center region that encompasses the midpoint of the staff, first and second regions adjacent the center region on both sides, and end regions adjacent said first and second regions, wherein said first and second regions are subjected to a lesser amount of stress than adjacent regions during use of the bo staff to demonstrate martial arts fighting techniques,

(b) at least one light fixture mounted to one of the end regions of the bo staff having a light source directed inwardly for evenly illuminating the length of said staff,

(c) one or more grooves provided in the outer surface of the bo staff and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the staff, wherein said grooves are parallel to each other and the position of which grooves is limited to being only in the first and second regions of the staff and are indicative of a level of accomplishment in a martial arts discipline, and

(d) a longitudinal bore extending inwardly from the end of said end region sized in which the light fixture is snugly received, and a transverse aperture extending between the outer surface of the bo staff and said longitudinal bore, said light fixture having a depressible on/off and mode changing switch projecting outwardly from its side surface that is sized to be received in said transverse aperture, the switch also serving as a retaining member for holding the light fixture in the longitudinal bore.

2. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 additionally comprising a longitudinal bore in both end regions of the staff, and a light fixture mounted in both of said longitudinal bores, whereby the mode of said light fixture is controlled by inserting a small tool in said transverse aperture and depressing the switch in order to change the mode, and whereby the light fixture is removable from said longitudinal bore by depressing the switch so that it no longer extends into said aperture.

3. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 additionally comprising one or more colored ring members dimensioned to be received in each of said grooves in accordance with a color coding system.

4. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 wherein the bo staff has a length of five feet, the center region has a width of approximately eighteen inches, and the first and second regions each have a width of approximately eight to ten inches.

5. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 wherein the bo staff has a length of six feet, the center region has a width of approximately eighteen inches, and the first and second regions each have a width of approximately eight to ten inches.

6. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 additionally comprising a means for creating a sound effect when said staff member is moved quickly through the air.

7. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 6 wherein several staggered square channels having sharp edges are provided in the outer surface and near the ends of said bo staff such that when the staff is twirled at a high rate of speed, a whistling noise is created.

8. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 wherein said light fixture is comprised of a light receptacle, a battery container, a light emitting element, and an activation means.

9. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 additionally comprising a cap member which is securable over the opening in the end region to said longitudinal bore.

10. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 wherein said grooves are coated with a light effervescing or phosphorescent material in accordance with said color coding system.

11. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 wherein said grooves are preferably placed at a distance of between 12-16 inches from the midpoint of a bo staff having an overall length of between five and six feet.

12. The martial arts demonstration staff of claim 1 additionally comprising knurled hand grip area in said center region.