Device for self-defense training

• US 4,088,315 A
• Filed: 07/21/1976
• Issued: 05/09/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Schemmel
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Schemmel
• Inventors: Schemmel, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, T.
• Application Number:
  US05/707,361
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 272/76, 272/77, 272/78, 272/98, 273/55 R, 273/55 A, 273/1 F
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/104 Judo
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/106 Karate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/215 Anthropomorphic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/322 to instruct user where to strike
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/10 Telescoping systems for vertically adjustable chairs A47C3/20; telescopic steering columns B62D1/18; for scaffolding E04G25/04; telescopic masts, poles or the like E04H12/182; telescopic door or window holders E05C17/30; telescope props for mining E21D15/14 - E21D15/46; stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon F16M11/26
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/105 locking in discrete positions, e.g. in extreme extended position
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/52 Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture with walking sticks A45B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0052 measuring forces due to impact G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/008 Force sensors integrated in an article or a dummy workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

An improved device for use in self defense training, as in karate and the like, includes a life-like articulated training dummy supported in an upright position on a post and having a plurality of separate pressure receptors disposed at various target locations in the dummy. The receptors are interconnected to a signal such as individual lights in a remote display panel so that hits on the receptors can be separately displayed by the panel. The panel can include a timer, hit sequence counter, hit sequence programmer, printed readout, and hit sequence replayer, as well as a warning signal, visual and/or audible, and other safety and training aids. The receptors can be made to distinguish between light and heavy blows. The support post can be rotated at high speed to cause the dummy to simulate an attack when activated by weight detectors in a base around the post. The weight detectors are also disposable in the base in a mode to facilitate stance training. The dummy and post can be provided with shock absorbing elements to protect them from heavy hits during practice. Preferably the dummy includes a tough, resilient surface layer for further protection of the dummy and trainee (one using the dummy) and for toughening the hands of the trainee. The device provides unique advantages in the art of self defense training.

Claims

1. An improved device for use in self defense training, said device comprising, in combination:

a. a training dummy having a human appearance and configuration;

b. means movably supporting said dummy, said means including a base having weight detecting means to detect the presence of a person standing thereon and to activate means to move said dummy in response to weight detection;

c. pressure responsive means disposed at various target locations within said dummy adjacent the surface thereof; and

,

d. signaling means interconnected to said pressure response means for signaling when said pressure responsive means are hit during practice with said dummy.

2. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said dummy has jointed and articulated limbs movable to and lockable in desired positions.

3. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said dummy comprises a frame and resilient material disposed over said frame, and wherein said signaling means are remote means connected to said pressure responsive means by leads passing through said support means.

4. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said support means includes a flexible extendible post and said dummy is rotatable thereon.

5. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said support means includes a generally vertical post connected at one end to the lower portion of said dummy and at the opposite end to said base which is generally horizontally extending.

6. The improved device of claim 5 wherein said post is flexible, wherein shock absorbing means are connected to said post and base, and wherein said dummy is articulated at its waist portion.

7. The improved device of claim 2 wherein shock absorbing means are disposed in said dummy to protect at least one of its appendages.

8. The improved device of claim 7 wherein said appendages include the head of said dummy, and wherein shock absorbing means are also disposed in said dummy in its waist region and connected to said support means which comprises a post.

9. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said pressure responsive means in said dummy include means for discriminating between light pressure and hard pressure hits thereon during practice with said dummy.

10. The improved device of claim 9 wherein each of said pressure responsive means includes a movable pressure receptor and a pair of contacts spaced along the path of movement of said receptor upon receiving a blow, said contacts being connected to said signaling means.

11. The improved device of claim 10 wherein said signaling means comprises an electrically operated remote display panel having a plurality of separate lights activated by said individual contacts to indicate the location and intensity of said blows.

12. The improved device of claim 11 wherein said panel includes means for controlling the response of said lights to said contacts, relative to the desired mode of use of said dummy.

13. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said pressure responsive means in said dummy include individual movable pressure receptors and a separate contact for each receptor activatable when said receptor is moved by a blow into contact therewith, said contacts being individually connected to said signaling means.

14. The improved device of claim 13 wherein said signaling means comprises an electrically operated remote display panel having a plurality of separate visual display means activatable by said individual contacts to indicate the location of said blows.

15. The improved device of claim 14 wherein said contacts are connected to a resettable hit counter in said panel.

16. The improved device of claim 14 wherein said panel includes programming means to demonstrate visually through said signaling means a programmed sequence of blows, as in instructional aid.

17. The improved device of claim 15 wherein said contacts are connected to a resettable hit timer in said panel.

18. The improved device of claim 17 wherein said timer and counter are interconnected to provide indication of the number of hits/unit time.

19. The improved device of claim 17 wherein said panel includes printed readout means to record a blow sequence transmitted to said panel from said contacts.

20. The improved device of claim 19 wherein said panel includes visual playback means to visually replay a blow sequence recorded by said panel.

21. The improved device of claim 17 wherein said panel includes warning means and sequence means, the latter being connected to said visual display means, said time and said warning means and programmable to provide a hit sequence which must be followed during use of said dummy with a preset time in order to avoid activating said warning means.

22. An improved device for use in self defense training, said device comprising, in combination:

a. a training dummy having a human appearance and configuration, and jointed and articulated limbs movable to and lockable in desired positions;

b. means movably supporting said dummy, said means including a generally vertical post connected at one end to the lower portion of said dummy and at the opposite end to a generally horizontally extending base, said base including weight detecting means to detect the presence of a person standing thereon and to activate means to move said dummy in response to weight detection;

c. pressure responsive means disposed at various target locations within said dummy adjacent the surface thereof; and

,

d. Signaling means interconnected to said pressure responsive means for signaling when said pressure responsive means are hit during practice with said dummy.

23. The improved device of claim 22 wherein said base is divided into a plurality of independent segments, each of which includes separate weight detection means.

24. The improved device of claim 23 wherein said weight detecting means are connected to remote at least one of control means and remote signal means.

25. The improved device of claim 24 wherein said post is connected to power means for rapidly rotating said post, wherein said power means are connected to said remote control means wherein said segments radiate from said post, wherein said separate weight detection means are connected to said remote control means to cause said power means to rapidly rotate said post so as to cause said dummy to face a given segment when said segment bears a predetermined weight, as when a person stands thereon.

26. The improved device of claim 25 wherein said device includes safety cut-out means disposed in the leg articulations of said dummy and connected to said weight detection means, said control means and said power means to inactivate said power means to when at least one of said legs is extended and weight is placed on one of said segments in the path of said extended leg during said rotation.

27. The improved device of claim 23 wherein said segments comprise a pair of circles, one spaced within the other and both around said post, wherein said remote signal means give a signal when both said circles are stood upon, as by 1 foot in each circle, and the distribution of weight placed on said circles is between predetermined adjustable limits.

28. The improved device of claim 22 wherein said post is connected to power means for rapidly rotating said post, wherein said weight detecting means and power means are connected to remote control means and remote signal means programmable to provide an alert signal before sudden rotation of said post when a person is standing on said weight detecting means, whereby sudden attacks are simulated with said dummy.

29. The improved device of claim 22 wherein said weight detecting means are connected to remote programmable timing means and remote signal means for practice of rapid self defense action when a person activates said weight detecting means by standing on said base.