GB2490363A

GB2490363A - Humanoid robotic combat sport training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2490363A
Application number: GB1107211.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason John Bowman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-28
Filing date: 2011-04-28
Publication date: 2012-10-31
Also published as: GB201107211D0

Abstract

A training aid for martial arts, boxing or like combat sports comprises an upstanding frame with one or more powered limbs moveable relative to the remainder of the frame in order to simulate punching or kicking motions. The frame has a deformable outer layer which preferably comprises a shock absorbing, dense sponge material covered with PVC. The frame preferably resembles a human form with a head, torso, arms and legs, with the arms and legs being capable of movement simulating punching and kicking motions respectively. The frame may be capable of undertaking other combat sport movements, such as bobbing, ducking and swaying. Movement of the training aid parts may be provided via motors. The aid may include sensing means which detect impacts from a user kick or punch and cause motion of one or more parts of the training aid in response to the detected impact. The rate and type of motion undertaken by the training aid may be variable. The aid may be controlled using a computer.

Description

TRAINING AID

This invention relates to a training aid.

Punch bags and kick bags which are hung from a ceiling or a frame are well known as a training aid; however, they have the disadvantage of being entirely passive moving only when punched, kicked or pushed. As a result they do not enable fast flexible skills to be developed.

According to the present invention, a training aid includes an upstanding frame including one or more limbs, said frame having a deformable outer layer and said limbs being powered so as to move outwards with respect to the remainder of the frame in a punching and kicking motion.

Ideally the frame is constructed to resemble a human form, with head, arms, torso and legs, with the said limbs being one or both arms and legs undertaking a punching and kicking motion.

The deformable layer can be any suitable layer to absorb punches of a person training using the device by punching it. In its simplest form the layer could be a dense sponge covered with poly vinyl chloride, but any combination of a deformable material and cover could be used.

The mechanical elements of the device can be quite simple in basic design, and obvious to a designer of robotic devices. In a more elaborate device, the legs, torso, and head can be provided with motors to undertake bobbing, ducking and swaying movements with respect to one another.

In a further development, sensors are provided on the surface of the device, within the deformable layer or between the deformable layer and the frame to detect an impact caused by a training punch or kick and to set either a particular limb or body part into motion responsive to the punch or kick.

It is also possible to vary the rate of motion of the parts of the training aid so increase or reduce the rate at which a trainee has to work to avoid the movement of the training aid's limbs. Furthermore it would be possible to change to nature of the motion, either randomly, or in response to a particular point of impact, say from a limb which is behaving as an arm or leg undertaking a jabbing movement, to one where it under takes a swinging or a hooking movement. In a more sophisticated device these movements may be pre-programmed into a computer controlling the operation of motors moving the various parts of the aid.

Each of the schemes discussed above are capable of straightforward

I

implementation by a person of normal skill in robotics.

The upright frame mould normally be metal for ease of fabrication, but may be made of other suitable rigid materials.

Claims

Claims 1. A training aid characterised in that it comprises an upstanding frame including one or more limbs, said frame having a deformable outer layer and said limbs being powered so as to move outwards with respect to the remainder of the frame in a punching or kicking motion.
2. A training aid according to claim I resembling a human form, with head, arms, torso and legs, with the said limbs being one or both arms and legs undertaking a punching and kicking motion.
3. A training aid according to claim I or 2 additionally comprising in which the deformable layer may absorb punches or kicks of a person training using the device by punching or kicking it.
4. A training aid according to claim 3 in which the deformable layer is a dense sponge covered with poly vinyl chloride.
5. A training aid according to any preceding claim in which the frame is of human form and the legs, torso, and head can be provided with motors to undertake bobbing, ducking and swaying movements with respect to one another.
6. A training aid according to any preceding claim including one or a plurality of sensors to detect an impact caused by a training punch or kick and to set either a particular limb or body part into motion responsive to the punch or kick.
7. A training aid according to any preceding claim in which the rate of motion of one or more parts of the training aid may be varied so increase or reduce the rate at which a trainee has to work to avoid the movement of the training aid's limbs.
8. A training aid according to claim 7 in which the nature of the motion of a part of the aid may be varied.
9. A training aid substantially as hereinbefore described.