Interactive boxing training device

• US 8,348,815 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Signorino
• Original Assignee: John Signorino
• Inventors: Signorino, John
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/880,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 482 81- 90, 482 1- 9, 482/148, 463/47.4
• US Class Current: 482/83
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 Boxing
• 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 69/24 mounted on, or suspended from, a movable support
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/26 attached to the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/023 Supports, e.g. poles

Abstract

An interactive boxing training device is made up of an inner tube, an outer tube and a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand. A retraction system returns the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke. The inner tube is mounted in a housing at a pivot point which allows 360 degrees of freedom of movement. The housing is itself mounted on an upright rail which allows the housing to have a vertically adjustable height. The retraction system is made up of one or more elastomeric elements which are stretched as the outer tube moves to the extended position and which are relaxed as the outer tube moves back to the retracted position. The housing is also removable from the upright rail so that the device can be pointed at a boxing trainee in order to simulate punches thrown at the boxing trainee.

Claims

1. An interactive boxing training device, comprising:

a stationary support;

an inner tube;

an outer tube received over the inner tube in telescoping fashion;

said outer tube is shaped as an elongate cylinder, the cylinder having a flexible foam cover;

a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand;

a retraction system to return the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke.

2. The interactive boxing training device of claim 1, wherein the fluid propulsion system is a source of compressed air and an air delivery system.

3. The interactive boxing training device of claim 2, wherein the inner tube is mounted in a housing at a pivot point which allows 360 degrees of freedom of movement.

4. The interactive boxing training device of claim 3, wherein the housing is itself mounted on an upright rail which allows the housing to have a vertically adjustable height.

5. The interactive boxing training device of claim 1, wherein the retraction system comprises one or more elastomeric elements which are stretched as the outer tube moves to the extended position and which are relaxed as the outer tube moves back to the retracted position.

6. The interactive boxing training device of claim 4, wherein the housing is removable from the upright rail so that the device can be pointed at a boxing trainee in order to simulate punches thrown at the boxing trainee.

7. The interactive boxing training device of claim 1, wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are provided with a friction reducer.

8. The interactive boxing training device of claim 1, wherein the outer tube is capable of reaching speeds of up to 17 mph at 125 psi of fluid pressure.

9. The interactive boxing training device of claim 1, wherein the outer tube weighs less than 10 ounces.

10. An interactive boxing training device, comprising:

an inner tube;

an outer tube received over the inner tube in telescoping fashion;

said outer tube is shaped as an elongate cylinder, the cylinder having a flexible foam cover;

a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand, the fluid propulsion system comprising a source of compressed air and at least one air supply tube for supplying a burst of compressed air to an interior region between the inner and outer tubes for propelling the outer tube to the extended position, and wherein the fluid propulsion system further comprises an electronic controller and at least one associated solenoid valve, the controller being operable to send a DC voltage to the solenoid valve at selected intervals determined by a user to control the supply of air in the fluid propulsion system;

a retraction system to return the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke.

11. The interactive boxing training device of claim 10, wherein the electronic controller is programmable to send the DC voltage at random intervals to operate the fluid propulsion system.

12. A method of training a boxer using an interactive boxing training device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an assembly comprising an inner tube and an outer tube received over the inner tube in telescoping fashion, the outer tube having an outer extent which acts as a punching member for simulating sparring with a boxing opponent;

the outer tube being shaped as an elongate cylinder, the cylinder having a flexible foam cover;

providing a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand;

providing a retraction system to return the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid propulsion system includes a source of compressed air and at least one air supply tube for supplying a burst of compressed air to an interior region between the inner and outer tubes for propelling the outer tube to the extended position, and wherein the fluid propulsion system further comprises an electronic controller and at least one associated solenoid valve, the controller being operable to send a DC voltage to the solenoid valve at selected intervals determined by a user to control the supply of air in the fluid propulsion system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inner and outer tubes and associated fluid propulsion system are mounted at a fixed station location.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the inner and outer tubes and associated fluid propulsion system are contained in a mobile component arrangement which allows a trainer to hold the components and move the components about while sparring with a trainee.