Hinged Martial Arts Training Apparatus with Foam Mats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current martial arts training targets lack ease of use, safety, reusability, and cost-effectiveness, often posing injury risks when struck inaccurately and requiring time-consuming reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A hinged martial arts training apparatus comprising two square foam mats with aligned openings, a paper target between them, and optional lighting or sound mechanisms to indicate accurate strikes, ensuring safety and quick target replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If re-breakable boards are used to provide resistance for punching and striking, then cost-effectiveness and reusability are improved, but safety deteriorates because inaccurate strikes can cause injury to the student
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing a thick foam mat behind the paper target. This cushioning layer is positioned in advance to catch students who miss the paper target, preventing injury from inaccurate strikes while maintaining the reusability and cost-effectiveness of the re-breakable board system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary foam mat between the student and the hard re-breakable board. This intermediary layer absorbs the impact of missed strikes, allowing the system to maintain resistance training benefits while eliminating the harmful injury risk associated with direct contact with rigid boards
2Ease of manufacture
If re-breakable boards are used for training, then reusability is improved, but time consumption increases due to the need to re-assemble boards for the next student
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the training target into a permanent foam mat component and a consumable paper target. The foam mat with pre-attached paper sections can be quickly flipped or rotated to present a fresh target surface, eliminating the time-consuming reassembly process while maintaining reusability of the main structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by using disposable paper targets attached to a reusable foam mat. When the paper target is broken, it is discarded and replaced with a new paper section, while the foam mat structure is recovered and reused, significantly reducing reassembly time compared to traditional breakable boards
3Productivity
If traditional targets are used for martial arts training, then training effectiveness is improved through resistance, but safety deteriorates when students miss the target during punching and striking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning a thick foam mat behind the paper target before training begins. This pre-positioned cushioning ensures that any missed strikes are safely absorbed, allowing students to train with full intensity and focus on training effectiveness without safety concerns
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a martial arts training apparatus that includes a first mat having an opening, a second mat having an opening and a pair of handles pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the first mat. At the base of the handles are lateral extensions used to secure the first and second mats together in mating relation to secure a target between the first and second mat openings. In an unlocked position, the handles extend laterally from the sides of the first mat. In a locked position, the handles are pivoted to a position substantially perpendicular to a front side of the first mat. The handle extensions engage a back side of the second mat to lock the first and second mats together.