US20130274072A1

US20130274072A1 - Training apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20130274072A1
Application number: US13/861,863
Authority: US
Inventors: Brenda Flanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-12
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2013-10-17

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a training apparatus. The apparatus includes a first member, a second member, and a biasing member. The first member has a concave engagement end opposite an extension end. The concave engagement end includes a recess defining an at least partially spherical engagement receiving space. The second member includes a convex engagement end disposed opposite an extension end. The convex engagement end has a substantially convex surface which is matingly receivable within the engagement receiving space of the first member. The biasing member is engaged with the first member and biases the engagement receiving space of the first member in a mating engagement within the convex engagement end of the second member. The convex engagement end of the second member is laterally displaceable from within the engagement receiving space in the first member in response to a displacing pressure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/623,302 entitled “TRAINING APPARATUS” and filed on Apr. 12, 2012 for Brenda Flanders, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to martial arts and more particularly relates to a training apparatus for training a martial artist in breaking a joint.

BACKGROUND

In martial arts (karate, judo, etc.) individuals are trained to inflict injuries on others. Obviously, inflicting injury on another individual makes martial arts training difficult because such infliction knee would be injurious to the other individual. A common attack point is the user's knee and martial artists train in the proper way to inflict injury to their opponent's knee. One technique, known as a knee joint kick, is a stomping kick aimed at the opponent's knee. This technique requires very little force to break the user's knee, typically less than 20 lbs of pressure. Because of the extreme risk to an opponent's knee, the technique should not be practiced with another human.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that trains a martial artist in proper technique. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would train the martial artist without risking injury to the martial artist or his/her opponent.
The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available training apparatus. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for martial arts training that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.
The training apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a first member, a second member, and a biasing member. The first member has a concave engagement end disposed opposite an extension end. The concave engagement end includes a recess having a substantially concave surface defining an engagement receiving space. The engagement receiving space is at least partially spherical. The second member includes a convex engagement end disposed opposite an extension end. The convex engagement end has a substantially convex surface and the substantially convex surface is at least partially spherical. The convex engagement end of the second member is matingly receivable within the engagement receiving space of the first member. The biasing member is engaged with the first member. The biasing member biases the engagement receiving space of the first member in a mating engagement within the convex engagement end of the second member. The convex engagement end of the second member is laterally displaceable from within the engagement receiving space in the first member in response to a displacing pressure applied to one of the first member and the second member.
In certain embodiments, the biasing member is coupled to a coupling member at a first end of the biasing member with the coupling member extending through a first orifice disposed through the first member and a second orifice disposed through the second member. In such an embodiment, the coupling member engages the first member to bias the convex engagement end of the second member within the engagement receiving space of the first member.
In other embodiments, at least one of the first orifice and the second orifice has an axial area sufficient to allow lateral displacement of the first member with respect to the second member without interfering with the coupling member.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a supporting member and a base member. The supporting member is positioned between the base member and the second member with the base member supporting the supporting member. The biasing member biases the first member in a direction of the supporting member. In one embodiment, the biasing member is coupled to a base member that is engaged with a floor surface. In another embodiment, the base member is weighted.
In certain embodiments, a biasing force of the biasing member is adjustable. In such an embodiment, adjustment of the biasing force adjusts the displacing pressure required to laterally displace the convex engagement end of the second member is from within the engagement receiving space.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a protective membrane covering the first member and the second member. The protective membrane protects an appendage of a user when the displacing pressure is applied to one of the first member and the second member. In an exemplary embodiment, the protective membrane is a material having a durometer sufficient to absorb a blow from a user without injuring the user. In another embodiment, the protective membrane is shaped substantially similar to at least a portion of a human.
In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame structure and a protective membrane. The frame structure is coupled to the first member and includes at least one extending member extending to a height of approximately an average adult's chest. The frame structure supports the protective membrane and the protective membrane is shaped substantially similar to an adult's chest, torso, and legs.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a medial view of a human knee joint in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a training apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 depicts a cutaway view taken along line A-A of the training apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged cutaway view of one embodiment of a re-breakable joint in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter; and

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a re-breakable joint in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
In martial arts (karate, judo, etc.) individuals are trained to inflict injuries on others. Obviously, inflicting injury on another individual makes martial arts training difficult because such infliction knee would be injurious to the other individual. Accordingly, the present subject matter is directed to a martial arts training device which may be used to train the martial artist in the proper technique. The device, as further described below, simulates a particular body part of a human such as a human's knee. The device can be used over and over again without risk of injury to an opponent.
A common attack point is the user's knee and martial artists train in the proper way to inflict injury to their opponents knee. One technique, known as a knee joint kick, is a stomping kick aimed at the opponents knee. This technique requires very little force to break the user's knee, typically less than 20 lbs of pressure. Because of the extreme risk to an opponent's knee, the technique should not be practiced with another human. Rather, the technique should be practiced with a “dummy” having a knee joint that simulates the movement and function of an actual human knee.
FIG. 1 depicts a medial view of one embodiment of a human knee joint 100 showing its anatomical features. A human knee joint 100 includes a lower extremity 102 of a femur bone 104 which rests on an upper extremity 106 of a tibia bone 108. Articular cartilage 110 and a meniscus 112 is positioned between the lower extremity 102 of the femur bone 104 and the upper extremity 108 of the tibia bone 108. A lateral collateral ligament 114 and a medial collateral ligament 116 hold the femur 104 in position with respect to the tibia 108 and keep the two bones from moving from side to side. An anterior cruciate ligament 118 and a posterior cruciate ligament 120 also hold the femur 104 in position with respect to the tibia 108 and keep the two bones from moving forward or rearward with respect to each other. The quadriceps tendon 126 and the patellar tendon 128 hold the patella 130 in place and provide some structural support to keep the tibia 108 in position with respect to the femur 104.
To inflict an injury to an opponent, an attacker may strike either the femur 104 or the tibia 108 from the side with sufficient force to cause either the femur 104 or the tibia 108 to be displaced with respect to the other bone in the direction of arrows 122. When attacked from the side, the victim may suffer serious injury to the lateral collateral ligament 114, the medial collateral ligament 116, or both. In certain circumstances, the displacement of the tibia 108 with respect to the femur 104 may also be sufficient to tear the anterior cruciate ligament 118 and/or the poster cruciate ligament 120.
A strike to the front or back portion of either the tibia 108 or the femur 104 may displace the tibia 108 or the femur 104 in the direction indicated by arrows 124. When attacked from the front or back, the victim may suffer an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament 118 and/or the posterior cruciate ligament 120. Such an attack may also result in an injury to the quadriceps tendon 126 and/or the patellar tendon 128.
In certain embodiments, an attack is not limited to striking the tibia 108 or the femur 104. For example, certain attacks may focus on the entire knee joint 100 itself. In such an attack, the attacker's foot, leg, elbow, hand, etc. may strike both the femur 104 and the tibia 108 to displace one or the other laterally.
The attacks described above typically involve displacing the tibia 108 or tibia 108 laterally. Arrows 122 and 124 indicate the displacement can be side to side, front to back, or back to front. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that in certain attacks, the tibia 108 or tibia 108 may be displaced in any of an infinite number of lateral directions i.e., 360° away from a common axis 1132 through the tibia 108 and femur 104. Accordingly, as used herein, lateral displacement includes laterally displacing one element with respect to another element in any lateral direction away from a common axis between the two elements.
As just described, proper martial arts techniques for inflicting injury to a victim's knee involve lateral displacement of either the victim's femur 104 or the victim's tibia 108. Thus, to properly train a martial artist in a proper attack technique, a training device should include replicated bones that are laterally displaceable as they are with the human knee joint 100.
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a training apparatus 200 in accordance with the present subject matter. In certain embodiments, the training apparatus 200 includes a base member 202, a bracing structure 203, a frame structure 302 (FIG. 3), a training dummy 206, and a protective membrane 204.
In certain embodiments, the base member 202 is a substantially planar piece of material (i.e., wood, metal, plastic, etc.) positionable on a floor or other flat surface. The bracing structure 203 includes a vertical member 208 and a horizontal member 210. The vertical member 208 is coupled to and extends vertically from the base member 202 to a position substantially higher than a height of the training dummy 206. The horizontal member 210 is coupled to the vertical member 208 at a position opposite the base member 202. The horizontal member 210 extends over the training dummy 206 such that the training dummy is positioned between the base member 202 and the horizontal member 210.
In certain embodiments, the bracing structure 203 includes an extension 212 that extends horizontally at right angles from the horizontal member 210. Chains 214 and 216 are coupled to the extension 212 at one end of the chains 214 and 216 and to the shoulders 218 and 220 of the training dummy 206 at the other end of the chains 214 and 216. While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 depicts the chains 214 and 216 as being attached to the shoulders 218 and 220 of the training dummy 206, one of skill in the art will recognize that in other embodiments, the chains 214 and 216 may be coupled to other portions of the training dummy 206. In certain embodiments, rather than two chains 214 and 216, a single chain (not shown) may be coupled to the horizontal member at one end of the chain and to the neck portion 238 of the training dummy 206 at the other end of the chain.
The cooperation of the base member 202, the bracing structure 203, and the chains 214 and 216 support the training dummy 206 and maintains it in a substantially upright position as shown in FIG. 2. For example, when the user attacks the training dummy 206 with a blow, the base member 202, the bracing structure 203, and the chains 214 and 216 keep the training dummy from tipping over in one of the directions indicated by arrows 222-228.
In certain embodiments, the apparatus 200 includes a plurality of fasteners (not shown) that couple the base member 202 to the floor. For example, in one embodiment, a fastener is positioned through the base member 202 at each corner of the base member 202 and fastened to the floor. In other embodiments, the base member 202 is made of a material having sufficient weight to keep the apparatus 200 positioned in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2. In yet another embodiment, external weights (not shown) are positioned on the base member 202 to keep the apparatus 200 positioned in an upright position.
In certain embodiments, each leg 230 and 232 of the training dummy 206 is coupled to the base member 202. Attachment of the legs 230, 232 of the training dummy 206 keeps the training dummy 206 from swinging when a user attacks the training dummy 206. In other embodiments, each leg 230 and 232 is weighted with sufficient weight to inhibit swinging of the training dummy 206 when the training dummy 206 is attacked by a user. In such an embodiment, the training dummy 206 may hang from the chains 214 and 216 without being coupled to the base member 202 at each leg 230, 232.
The training dummy 206, in one embodiment, includes a frame structure 302 (FIG. 3) covered with a protective membrane 204. A trained martial artist can kick at 30 to 40 miles per hour. Focusing the kick onto a relatively small area of contact, the kick can create forces in excess of 1000 pounds of pressure. One of skill in the art will recognize that a human bone can break with as little as 75 pounds of pressure. Accordingly, if the martial artist were to kick or punch the relatively rigid frame structure 302, the martial artists risks injury to themselves. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the frame structure 302 is covered with a protective membrane 204 that absorbs the force of the martial artists kick or other blow without injuring the martial artist.
In one embodiment, the material comprising the protective membrane 204 may be a foam material. One of skill in the art will recognize that there are three performance tests for foam materials, first the resiliency of the foam material, second the density rating of the foam, and third the indentation load deflection rating of the foam.
Because the training apparatus 200 is designed to be repeatedly struck by an individual, the material selected as the protective membrane 204 should have a high resiliency. As defined by the Joint Industry Foam Standards and Guidelines published by the Polyurethane Foam Association (“PFA”), high resilience foam is a foam that has a very rapid recovery from extreme compression and a fairly linear increase in resistance to compression per unit of penetration.
The density rating of a foam material is a measurement of how much weight in pounds the foam can handle per cubic foot. This measurement indicates the strength of the foam. As discussed above, a trained martial artist can kick with forces in excess of 1000 pounds of pressure. If a material is selected for the protective membrane 204 that has a lower density rating, the material may compress too much and the user may incur an injury by compressing the protective membrane 204 to the point that the user's leg, foot, arm, or first contacts the frame structure 302. Accordingly, the density rating for the material comprising the protective membrane 204 should have a density rating that can accommodate forces in excess of 1000 pounds of pressure.
The indentation load deflection or indentation force deflection (“IFD”) rating of a foam is defined by the PFA as the amount of force, in pounds, required to indent a fifty square inch, round indentor foot into a predefined foam specimen a certain percentage of the specimen's total thickness. The IFD of a particular foam is specified as a number of pounds at a specific deflection percentage on a specific height foam sample, e.g., 25 pounds/50 square inches at 25% deflection on a four inch thick piece of foam. The IFD is a measurement of a foams firmness or stiffness. One of skill in the art will recognize that the material chosen for the protective membrane 204 should be firm enough to absorb the force of the user's kick or punch without compressing to the point that the user's leg, foot, arm, or first contacts the frame structure 302. Similarly, one of skill in the art will recognize that if the material that makes up the protective membrane 204 is too firm, the user risks injury from the protective membrane 204 itself. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the material of the protective membrane 204 is selected to reduce the risk of injury from the frame structure 302 and from the protective membrane 204 itself.
In certain embodiments, the protective membrane 204 is shaped substantially similar to at least a portion of a human. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the protective membrane 204 is shape like a chest 234, torso 236, and legs 230, 232 of a human. In other embodiments, the protective membrane 204 may include arms, hands, feet, and a head. In yet another embodiment, the protective membrane may be shaped to only include a specific body part. For example, in one embodiment, the protective membrane 204 may be shaped like a single leg, a single arm, or any other portion of a human.
FIG. 3 depicts a cutaway view taken along line A-A of one embodiment of a training apparatus 200 in accordance with the present subject matter. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the bracing structure 203 has been removed for clarity. In certain embodiments, the training apparatus 200 includes a training dummy 206 having a frame structure 302 with a re-breakable joint 314 and a protective membrane 204.
In one embodiment, the frame structure 302 includes a plurality of vertical supports 304 and a plurality of horizontal supports 306. In certain embodiments, the vertical supports 304 and the horizontal supports 306 may be solid elongated support rods made of material such as metal, wood, plastic, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical supports 304 and the horizontal supports 306 may be pipes or tubular members made of conventional materials such as metal, ABS or vinyl plastics, etc. In either embodiment, the vertical supports 304 and the horizontal supports 306 should be made of a material having a structural integrity sufficient to maintain the training dummy 206 in a substantially upright position and should withstand the blows administered to the training dummy 206 without breaking.
In certain embodiments, the vertical supports 304 and the horizontal supports 306 are coupled to one another by welding, gluing or otherwise coupling each support to another support as is known in the art. In another embodiment, the vertical supports 304 and the horizontal supports 306 are coupled to one another by a number of pairing members 308. For example, in certain embodiments, vertical support 304 b is coupled to vertical support 304 c by pairing member 308 a. Vertical supports 304 b and 304 c are also coupled to horizontal support 306 a by pairing member 308 a. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, pairing member 308 a is a T-type pairing member that facilitates coupling two supports (i.e., vertical support 304 b and vertical support 304 c) along a common longitudinal axis 310 of the supports (304 b and 304 c) and that facilitates coupling a third support (i.e., horizontal support 306 a) at a right angle to the common longitudinal axis 310 of the first two supports (i.e., vertical support 304 b and vertical support 304 c).
In one embodiment, vertical supports 304 b and 304 c and horizontal support 306 a may be dry fit within pairing member 308 a such that vertical supports 304 b and 304 c and horizontal support 306 a are removably coupled to pairing member 308 a. In other embodiments, vertical supports 304 b and 304 c and horizontal support 306 a may be glued, welded, or otherwise permanently affixed to pairing member 308 a.
In certain embodiments, pairing member 308 d is a minor image of pairing member 308 a. That is, pairing member 308 d is also a T-type pairing member that facilitates coupling two supports (i.e., vertical support 304 d and vertical support 304 e) along a common longitudinal axis 312 of the supports (304 d and 304 e) and that facilitates coupling a third support (i.e., horizontal support 306 a) at a right angle to the common longitudinal axis 312 of the first two supports (i.e., vertical support 304 d and vertical support 304 e).
Pairing members 308 b and 308 c are elbow-type pairings that facilitate coupling two supports (i.e., vertical support 304 c and horizontal support 306 b and/or vertical support 304 d and horizontal support 306 b) at right angles to one another. In certain embodiments, vertical support 304 c and horizontal support 306 b and/or vertical support 304 d and horizontal support 306 b may be dry fit within the respective pairing members 308 b and 308 c such that vertical support 304 c and horizontal support 306 b and/or vertical support 304 d and horizontal support 306 b are removably coupled. In other embodiments, vertical support 304 c and horizontal support 306 b and/or vertical support 304 d and horizontal support 306 b may be glued, welded, or otherwise permanently affixed to respective pairing members 308 b and 308 c.
In certain embodiments, vertical support 304 b is coupled to a re-breakable joint 314 at an end of vertical support 304 b opposite the end of vertical support 304 b that is coupled to the pairing member 308 a. In one embodiment, vertical support 308 a is coupled to the re-breakable joint 314 at an end of the re-breakable joint 314 opposite the end of the re-breakable joint 314 that vertical support 308 a is coupled to the re-breakable joint 314. The re-breakable joint 314 is further discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
In an exemplary embodiment, a diameter of vertical supports 304 a and 304 b may be less than a diameter of the components that make up the re-breakable joint 314. Accordingly, in one embodiment a reducer 316 a may be positioned between vertical support 304 a and the components that that make up the re-breakable joint 314 to facilitate coupling between vertical support 304 a and the components that that make up the re-breakable joint 314. Similarly, a reducer 316 b may be positioned between vertical support 304 b and the components that that make up the re-breakable joint 314 to facilitate coupling between vertical support 304 b and the components that that make up the re-breakable joint 314.
In certain embodiments, vertical support 304 a, by virtue of its position within the training dummy 206, simulates the tibia bone 108 (and fibula bone) of a human. Similarly, vertical support 304 b, by virtue of its position within the training dummy 206, simulates the femur bone 106 of a human.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 depicts the training apparatus 200 as having a re-breakable joint 314 in the right leg 230 of the training dummy 206. In other embodiments, the training apparatus 200 may include a re-breakable joint 314 in the left leg 232 of the training dummy 206. In another embodiment, both legs 230 and 232 of the training dummy 206 may include re-breakable joints 314. In yet another embodiment, the training dummy 206 may include additional re-breakable joints 314 such as shoulder, elbow, or wrist joints.
FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged cutaway view of one embodiment of the re-breakable joint 314. FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of the re-breakable joint 314. In certain embodiments, the re-breakable joint 314 includes a first member 402, a second member 404, and a biasing member 408.
The first member 402, in one embodiment, includes a concave engagement end 410 positioned opposite an extension end 412. The concave engagement end 410 includes a recess 414 (FIG. 5) having a substantially concave surface 416 defining an engagement receiving space 418 (FIG. 5). In certain embodiments, the engagement receiving space 418 is at least partially spherical.
The second member 404, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a convex engagement end 420 disposed opposite an extension end 422. The convex engagement end 420 having a substantially convex surface 424. The substantially convex surface 424 is at least partially spherical and the convex engagement end 420 of the second member 404 is matingly receivable within the engagement receiving space 418 of the first member 402. That is, in certain embodiments, the convex surface 424 of the second member nests with the substantially concave surface 416 defining the engagement receiving space 418 of the first member 402.
In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first member 402 having the engagement receiving space 418 is depicted above the second member 404 having the convex surface 424. One of skill in the art will recognize that in certain embodiments, the position of the first member 402 and the second member 404 may be reversed. That is, in one embodiment, the top member may include a convex surface and the bottom member may include a concave engagement receiving space.
A biasing member 408 is engaged with the first member 402 and biases the engagement receiving space 418 of the first member 402 in a mating engagement with the convex engagement end 420 of the second member 404. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the biasing member 408 is depicted as a spring. In other embodiments, the biasing member may be an elastomeric material that is able to stretch and then regain its original shape.
In certain embodiments, the biasing member 408 is coupled to a first coupling member 426 (a first eyebolt) that extends through an orifice 428 in the second member 404 and through an orifice 430 in the first member 402. A washer 432 and a nut 434 are threadedly engaged with threads 436 on the first coupling member 426 to engage the first coupling member 426 with the first member 402. The washer 432 and nut 434 keeps the first coupling member 426 from being removed from orifices 428 and 430 in the first and second members 402 and 404 respectively.
A second coupling member 438 (a second eyebolt) is coupled to the base member 202 with a washer 442 and a nut 444 threadedly engaged with threads 446 on the second eyebolt 438. The second coupling member 438 is also coupled to the biasing member 408. Because the second coupling member 438 is coupled to the base member 202 and the biasing member is coupled to both the first coupling member 426 and the second coupling member 436, the biasing member 408 pulls the first coupling member 426 in the direction indicated by arrow 440. The first eyebolt 426 in turn pulls the first member 402 downward in the direction indicated by arrow 440. Vertical support 304 a (a supporting member) supports the second member 404 and keeps it from being pulled downward. Thus, the convex surface 424 of the second member 404 is forced into the concave surface 416 of the engagement receiving space 418 in the first member 402 by pressure from the biasing member 408. The biasing force applied by the biasing member 408 may be adjusted by threadedly adjusting either nut 434 on the first coupling member 426, nut 444 on the second coupling member 436, or both.
In certain embodiments, one or both of the orifice 428 in the second member 404 and the orifice 430 in the first member 402 may be substantially larger than the diameter of the first coupling member 426 to allow the second member 404 and or the first member 402 to move laterally with respect to one another as indicated by arrows 446. That is, in one embodiment, at least one of the first orifice 430 in the first member 402 and the second orifice 428 in the second member 404 has an axial area sufficient to allow lateral displacement of the first member 402 with respect to the second member 404 without interfering with the first coupling member 426.
The first member 402 and/or the second member 404 are laterally movable in response to pressure applied to vertical support 304 a, vertical support 304 b, and/or the re-breakable joint 314 itself. Such pressure may come from a kick or punch to vertical support 304 a, vertical support 304 b, and/or the re-breakable joint 314. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the convex engagement end 420 of the second member is laterally displaceable from within the engagement receiving space 418 in the first member 402 in response to a displacing pressure applied to one of the first member 402 and the second member 404. Such displacing pressure may be directly applied to the first or second member 402, 404, or may be transferred from pressure applied to the vertical supports 304 a and 304 b.
Once the pressure is removed, the biasing member 408 pulls the first member 402 back into alignment with the second member 404 such that the convex surface 424 of the second member 404 is positioned within the concave surface 416 of the engagement receiving space 418 in the first member 402.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A training apparatus comprising:

a first member comprising a concave engagement end disposed opposite an extension end, the concave engagement end comprising a recess having a substantially concave surface defining an engagement receiving space, wherein the engagement receiving space is at least partially spherical;

a second member comprising a convex engagement end disposed opposite an extension end, the convex engagement end having a substantially convex surface, wherein the substantially convex surface is at least partially spherical, the convex engagement end of the second member matingly receivable within the engagement receiving space of the first member;

a biasing member engaged with the first member, the biasing member biasing the engagement receiving space of the first member in a mating engagement within the convex engagement end of the second member; and

wherein the convex engagement end of the second member is laterally displaceable from within the engagement receiving space in the first member in response to a displacing pressure applied to one of the first member and the second member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is coupled to a coupling member at a first end of the biasing member, the coupling member extending through a first orifice disposed through the first member and a second orifice disposed through the second member, wherein the coupling member engages the first member to bias the convex engagement end of the second member within the engagement receiving space of the first member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first orifice and the second orifice has an axial area sufficient to allow lateral displacement of the first member with respect to the second member without interfering with the coupling member.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a supporting member and a base member, the supporting member positioned between the base member and the second member with the base member supporting the supporting member, wherein the biasing member biases the first member in a direction of the supporting member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the biasing member is coupled to a base member that is engaged with a floor surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base member is weighted.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a biasing force of the biasing member is adjustable and wherein adjustment of the biasing force adjusts the displacing pressure required to laterally displace the convex engagement end of the second member is from within the engagement receiving space.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective membrane covering the first member and the second member, the protective membrane protecting an appendage of a user when the displacing pressure is applied to one of the first member and the second member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the protective membrane comprises a material having a durometer sufficient to absorb a blow from a user without injuring the user.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the protective membrane comprises a shape substantially similar to at least a portion of a human.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame structure and a protective membrane, the frame structure coupled to the first member, wherein the frame structure comprises at least one extending member extending to a height of approximately an average adult's chest, the frame structure supporting the protective membrane, the protective membrane comprising a shape substantially similar to an adult's chest, torso, and legs.