A punch bag device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a punch bag device comprising a vertical columnar body, a network connectivity means, one or more movement sensor and one or more impact sensor. The punch bag provides

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a punch bag device, in particular a device for training or exercising through punching or kicking. Background It is well recognised in many societies that boxing, kick-boxing and similar activities are increasingly seen as an effective and enjoyable way to keep fit. Added to this many people increasingly enjoy training in such sports, for professional or amateur purposes. Punchbags can be less effective when used incorrectly, and not all users have the knowledge and oversight to learn to use the punchbag effectively. Prior Art ES 2 742 573 (RACO et al) discloses a method for the evaluation of the impacts received by a punching bag, by means of a portable computing device fixed to the bag, which at least integrates a processing unit, a memory, an interface and a threedimensional accelerometer, comprising at least the stages of record in memory the accelerations suffered by the bag through the accelerometer, determine the acceleration of the bag associated with each impact by the processing unit, determine the energy of the impacts received by the bag by the processing unit, from the accelerations associated with these impacts and show the user information related to the impacts through the interface. US 2016 0 287 939 (DEOCHAND et al) discloses a method of providing interactive performance feedback for a user during a session of using exercise equipment, the method comprising: measuring user input during the session using at least one sensor to gather sensor data; transmitting the sensor data to a processing device; evaluating the sensor data utilizing the processing device to determine at least one of a force metric, a frequency metric, and an accuracy metric; comparing the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric to at least one predetermined performance goal; and providing feedback to the user during the session based on the comparison of the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric with the at least one predetermined performance goal. US 2009 0 048 069 (SHEEDY) discloses a boxing device comprising: a substrate; at least one impact sensor carried by said substrate for detecting impacts from the at least one user; a user input device for receiving personal characteristic data for the at least one user, the personal characteristic data comprising at least one of age data and weight data; and a controller coupled to said impact sensor and said user input device for determining performance data based upon detected impacts, and weighting the performance data based upon the personal characteristic data of the at least one user. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a punch bag device comprising a vertical columnar body, a network connectivity means, one or more movement sensor and one or more impact sensor. In this way the device of the present invention provides a means of learning how to use the punchbag more effectively, providing information and data on its usage, for later and / or remote analysis or storage. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a wired connection extending vertically through a hanging means for the body, so as to enable a connected device, with external computing power, and / or a network of connected devices. A wired connection may ensure stable and reliable connectivity. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a wireless connectivity transceiver, so as to enable use of portable electronic equipment for example such as a smartphone or similar. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a first movement sensor which is located towards top of body. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a second movement sensor which is located towards bottom of body. The combination of a plurality of sensors, for example at top and bottom of the body, may provide a means of analysing how the body moves during punching, and thereby provide greater detail on the user’s strike, momentum and impetus thereof. In some embodiments of the device the movement sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit for this purpose, or a plurality thereof. It may be envisaged that the device may comprise and accelerometer, inclinometer, gyroscope, as a movement sensor, and / or a strain gauge type, vibration sensor, pressure sensor or any other type of sensor making it possible to detect an impact and / or to measure its force. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a plurality of the impact sensor. In some embodiments of the device the impact sensor is comprised by a sleeve around the body, wherein it may be envisaged that the sleeve may accept and recognise impacts in a substantial whole of the sleeve, for example comprising electrical connectors such as pressure sensing sheet or polymeric foil. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a vertical hanging mount, enabling hanging from a ceiling or similar, as is known in the art. Other embodiments may comprise floor portable mounted devices. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a monitoring means providing information from the sensors at independently provided electronic device. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of devices according to any of the preceding claims in a connected network. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing an exercise regime comprising one or more of the devices. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in use. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the embodiment of the device shown in the figures there is shown an embodiment of a punch bag device 99 generally comprising a vertical columnar body 8, a network connectivity means, and two movement sensors 9,19 and one impact sensor 14. With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a cylindrical body of a form known in the art, which has a flat bottom end and a flat top face, wherein the top face provides an exit for a wire 1. The wire is arranged to pass through the body and out of a circular inset housing formed in rigid plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. This housing is inset into the top face and comprises a top plate 7 with a central spigot for passage of the wire, and an embedded tray holder 11 comprising an upstanding perimetric lip. The tray holder comprises a central indentation, for receipt of a cylindrical movement sensor module 9. The top end of the body is provided with four hanging straps 5, each sewn to the outer face of the body, and each supporting a stainless steel D ring 6. The D rings are used for stainless steel carabiner clips 4 which clip onto the D rings, and which extend from the ends of stainless steel link chains 3. These four chains in turn terminate at their distal ends on a further central stainless steel carabiner 2, which is hung on a ceiling rose or similar. The hanging straps are formed in a leather or similar material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as is the outer surface of the body formed by a sleeve 15. Below the outer surface sleeve 16 is a layer of padding 15, for example plastic closed cellular structure foam or similar. The padding covers cover a layer forming the impact sensor 14, which is arranged to extend all under the outer sleeve and which comprises a Velostat (RTM) pressure sensing sheet or similar polymeric foil (polyolefins) impregnated with carbon black to make it somewhat electrically conductive or other technology arranged to recognise impacts, for example a dual level of electrically conductive materials or grid of embedded wires. In this way the padding and outer sleeve may protect damage to the sensor. It may be envisaged that more padding may be provided below the sensor in some other embodiments, or the sensor may be located above the padding for maximal impact registration. Internally the pictured embodiment comprises three stacked cylindrical modules 12 of scrap fabric stuffing for weight and impact absorption, with a casing 13. A second movement sensor 19 is located at the bottom of the body, embedded in the 5 lowest module. The movement sensors comprise inertial measurement units, which provide separate measurements that are correlated together by a control means to establish the swing or momentum of the body when impacted, which information is correlated in turn with 10 the impact sensor information and used to provide feedback and training data on a user’s use of the device. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 15 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A punch bag device comprising a vertical columnar body, a network connectivity means, one or more movement sensor and one or more impact sensor.

2. A punch bag device according to claim 1 comprising a wired connection extending vertically through a hanging means for the body.

3. A punch bag device according to claim 1 comprising a wireless connectivity transceiver.

4. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim wherein a first movement sensor is located towards top of body.

5. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim wherein a second movement sensor is located towards bottom of body.

6. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim wherein the movement sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit.

7. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of the impact sensor.

8. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim wherein the impact sensor is comprised by a sleeve around the body.

9. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim comprising a vertical hanging mount.

10. A punch bag device according to any preceding claim comprising a monitoring means providing information from the sensors at independently provided electronic device.

11. A plurality of devices according to any of the preceding claims in a connected network.

12. A method of providing an exercise regime comprising a plurality of networked devices according to claim 11.

Images