Ring-shaped punchbag with inner punchball

Abstract

Training equipment is described, and in particular training equipment that can be punched for exercise or for training, e.g., by boxers. The training equipment includes an outer ring-shaped punchbag and an inner punchball positioned within an inner opening of the punchbag. The punchball is connected to the punchbag by a pair of flexible elongate members that can be elasticated cords, for example.

Claims

1. Training equipment comprising: an outer ring-shaped punchbag defining an inner opening, the punchbag having a longitudinal axis; and an inner punchball positioned in the inner opening and connected to the punchbag by at least one flexible elongate member; wherein the punchbag further comprises a first securing location specifically adapted such that the training equipment is suspended in use with the longitudinal axis of the punchbag substantially horizontal.

2. The training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the inner opening is substantially circular.

3. The training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the punchbag is spaced apart from the punchball by an annular gap.

4. The training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the punchball is connected to the punchbag at a second securing location by a first flexible elongate member and at a third securing location by a second flexible elongate member.

5. The training equipment according to claim 4, wherein the second and third securing locations are substantially diametrically opposed across the inner opening.

6. The training equipment according to claim 4, wherein the first and second flexible elongate members are elasticated.

7. The training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible elongate member is elasticated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of training equipment according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the training equipment of FIG. 1 along line A-A.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the training equipment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an item of training equipment 1 according to the present invention includes an outer ring-shaped punchbag 2. The punchbag 2 has a substantially rectangular cross-section (see FIG. 2) and a substantially circular overall shape when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). The punchbag 2 defines a substantially circular inner opening 4. It will be readily appreciated that the punchbag can have other cross-sections (e.g., substantially circular), other overall shapes, and can define an inner opening that is not substantially circular. The punchbag 4 comprises an outer layer of material that is filled with a suitable filler. The punchbag may also be hollow.

(5) An inner punchball 6 is positioned in the inner opening 4 of the punchbag 2. It will be readily appreciated that although the punchball 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is round, it can have any suitable shape, e.g., it can be egg-shaped or dumbbell-shaped. The punchball 6 comprises an outer layer of material that is either filled with a suitable filler or an inflatable bladder.

(6) The punchbag 2 comprises a first securing location 10a that allows the training equipment 1 to be suspended in use by a cord, strap or chain 14. The training equipment 1 may be suspended from a ceiling or from a training frame, for example. The first securing location 10a is adapted such that the training equipment 1 is suspended in use with the longitudinal axis L of the punchbag 2 substantially horizontal. The longitudinal axis L represents the line passing through the centroid of the cross-section of the punchbag 2 or the training equipment as a whole, for example.

(7) The punchball 6 is connected to the punchbag 2 by two elasticated cords 8a, 8b such that it is suspended freely within the inner opening 6 and is spaced apart from the punchbag 2 as shown. A first elasticated cord 8a extends between a second securing location 10b on the punchbag 2 and a first securing location 12a on the punchball 6. Similarly, a second elasticated cord 8b extends between a third securing location 10c on the punchbag 2 and a second securing location 12b on the punchball 6. The second and third securing locations 10b, 10c on the punchbag 2 are substantially diametrically opposed across the inner opening 4. The elasticated cords 8a, 8b permit the punchball 6 to undergo erratic movement within the inner opening 4 when punched by the boxer or trainer to improve timing and hand eye coordination. The boxer or trainer can use the outer punchbag 2 in much the same way as a “conventional” cylindrical punchbag.

(8) Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.