Patent US4565366A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4565366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Martial arts practice device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-02-01
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Granted: 1986-01-21
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Expires: 2004-02-01
Abstract
Abstract Accurate registration of the force of a blow delivered to a large-area padded target is achieved by supporting the target on a plurality of piston-and-cylinder units which are located outboard of the target outline. Resistance is provided by coil springs surrounding the pistons of the piston-and-cylinder units. Force is registered by a series of electrical switches operable by a stepped plate carried by the target. The switches actuate indicator lights through electronic delay circuitry which insures that blows, even though momentarily applied, are distinctly indicated.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Struss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/20; A63B69/22; A63B69/215; A63B69/32; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/04; G01L1/046; G01L5/00; G01L5/0052; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/50; A63B2220/51; A63B2220/53; A63B2244/00; A63B2244/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A device for use in practice of martial arts comprising: a rear support; a padded target having a strikable front surface defined by an outline at least one of the transverse dimensions of which exceeds approximately twelve inches; means for mounting the target on the support and constraining the target to linear movement toward and away from the support; resilient means connected between the target and the support for resisting movement of the target toward the support; and means, actuable by movement of the target toward the support, for establishing at least three ranges of positions of the target and for indicating the maximum extent of movement of the target when struck, by indicating in which of said ranges the target is positioned at the point of its maximum degree of movement toward the support; in which the means for mounting the target on the support comprises at least three piston and cylinder units, each being located exteriorly with respect to the outline of the strikable front surface of the target and in which an extension of an imaginary cylinder defined by the target outline upon said linear movement of the target falls substantially completely within a multi-sided figure formed by straight lines connecting the axes of said piston and cylinder units.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
212 words
A device for use in practice of martial arts comprising: a rear support; a padded target having a strikable front surface defined by an outline at least one of the transverse dimensions of which exceeds approximately twelve inches; means for mounting the target on the support and constraining the target to linear movement toward and away from the support; resilient means connected between the target and the support for resisting movement of the target toward the support; and means, actuable by movement of the target toward the support, for establishing at least three ranges of positions of the target and for indicating the maximum extent of movement of the target when struck, by indicating in which of said ranges the target is positioned at the point of its maximum degree of movement toward the support; in which the means for mounting the target on the support comprises at least three piston and cylinder units, each being located exteriorly with respect to the outline of the strikable front surface of the target and in which an extension of an imaginary cylinder defined by the target outline upon said linear movement of the target falls substantially completely within a multi-sided figure formed by straight lines connecting the axes of said piston and cylinder units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the piston of each piston-and-cylinder unit is rigidly secured to the target, and the cylinder of each piston-and-cylinder unit is rigidly secured to the rear support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the cylinder of each piston-and-cylinder unit includes two longitudinally spaced bushings, each having a cylindrical internal surface and in which the piston of each piston-and-cylinder unit extends through the bushings and has an exterior surface in sliding contact with the internal surface of the bushings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the resilient means comprises a coil spring surrounding the piston of each piston-and-cylinder unit, and being positioned so that it compresses when the target moves toward the support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the cylinder of each piston-and-cylinder unit comprises a stepped passage, and in which the piston of each piston-and-cylinder unit has a head engageable with the step of the passage of its cylinder for establishing a limit on movement of the target away from the support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the padded target is mounted on a board at least parts of which extend laterally beyond the outline of the strikable front surface of the target, and in which the piston and cylinder units are connected to said parts of the board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the means for establishing at least three ranges of positions for the target and for indicating the extent of movement of the target includes a plurality of momentary switches, means for actuating said switches successively as the target moves toward the support, an indicator light associated with each switch and electrically connected thereto for illumination of the light upon actuation of its associated switch, and electrical delay means, associated with each indicator light, for effecting continued illumination thereof for a predetermined time interval following actuation of its associated switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device according to claim 1 in which the means for mounting the target on the support includes at least three piston-and-cylinder units on one side of the outline of the strikable front surface of the target, and at least three piston-and-cylinder units on the opposite side of the outline of the strikable front surface of the target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1 in which one end of the cylinder of each piston-and-cylinder unit is rigidly secured to the rear support, and including rigid means interconnecting the other ends of the cylinders with one another, whereby the cylinders mutually reinforce one another.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for use in practice of martial arts comprising: a rear support; a padded target having a strikable front surface defined by an outline; means for mounting the target on the support and constraining the target to linear movement toward and away from the support; resilient means connected between the target and the support for resisting movement of the target toward the support; and means, actuable by movement of the target toward the support, for indicating the extent of movement of the target; in which the means for mounting the target on the support comprises a plurality of piston and cylinder units, each being located near the outline of the strikable front surface of the target; and in which the means for indicating the extent of movement of the target includes a plurality of momentary switches, means for actuating said switches successively as the target moves toward the support, an indicator light associated with each switch and electrically connected thereto for illumination of the light upon actuation of its associated switch, and electrical delay means, associated with each indicator light, for effecting continued illumination thereof for a predetermined time interval following actuation of its associated switch.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for use in practice of martial arts comprising: a rear support; a padded target having a strikable front surface defined by an outline; means for mounting the target on the support and constraining the target to linear movement toward and away from the support; resilient means connected between the target and the support for resisting movement of the target toward the support; and means, actuable by movement of the target toward the support, for indicating the extent of movement of the target; in which the means for mounting the target on the support comprises a plurality of piston and cylinder units, each being located near the outline of the strikable front surface of the target; and in which the means for indicating the extent of movement of the target includes a plurality of momentary switches, means for actuating said switches successively as the target moves toward the support, an indicator light associated with each switch and electrically connected thereto for illumination of the light upon actuation of its associated switch, and electrical delay means, associated with each indicator light, for effecting continued illumination thereof for a predetermined time interval following actuation of its associated switch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-20 | 1989-07-22 | 1990-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-20 | 1993-07-22 | 1994-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-20 | 1997-07-22 | 1998-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |