Sparring dummy

Abstract

A movable joint for use in a sparring apparatus. The joint includes a first member and a second member. The first member has at least one ball bearing protruding therefrom. The second member has first and second indentations to releasably receive a portion of the at least one ball bearing therein. The at least one ball bearing is received by the first indentation when the joint is manipulated into a first position and the at least one ball bearing is received by the second indentation when the joint is manipulated into a second position.

1 . A movable joint for use in a sparring apparatus, the joint comprising:
 a female member having a slot housing at least one ball bearing protruding therefrom;   a male member coupled to the female member, the male member having a flange with a plurality of indentations to releasably receive a portion of the at least one ball bearing therein;   wherein the at least one ball bearing is received by a first indentation when the joint is secured in a first position and the at least one ball bearing is received by a second indentation when the joint is secured in a second position.   
   
   
       2 . The movable joint of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is frictionally coupled to the second member. 
   
   
       3 . The movable joint of  claim 1 , wherein the first member and second member are formed from a polymer. 
   
   
       4 . The movable joint of  claim 3 , wherein the first member and second member are formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. 
   
   
       5 . The movable joint of  claim 1 , wherein the ball bearing is mechanically biased. 
   
   
       6 . The movable joint of  claim 5 , wherein the first member further comprises a spring for biasing the ball bearing. 
   
   
       7 . The movable joint of  claim 6 , wherein the spring is secured within the first member by a setscrew. 
   
   
       8 . The movable joint of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is coated with a flexible polymer or elastomer. 
   
   
       9 . A sparring apparatus comprising:
 a body having at least one movable limb; and   an internal skeleton housed within the body, the internal skeleton comprising at least one movable joint that corresponds to the at least one movable limb;   wherein the joint is operable to be secured in a plurality of positions.   
   
   
       10 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the body comprises a size and shape that mimics a human body. 
   
   
       11 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a flexible polymer. 
   
   
       12 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the body comprises an elastomer. 
   
   
       13 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the elastomer is substantially transparent, such that the internal skeleton is visible through the body. 
   
   
       14 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one joint comprises:
 a first member having at least one biased ball bearing protruding therefrom;   a second member coupled to the first member, the second member having first and second indentations to releasably receive a portion of the at least one ball bearing therein;   wherein the at least one ball bearing is received by the first indentation when the joint is manipulated into the first position and the at least one ball bearing is received by the second indentation when the joint is manipulated into the second position.   
   
   
       15 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of movable limbs and movable joints. 
   
   
       16 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first member comprises a spring for biasing the ball bearing. 
   
   
       17 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises
 a stand for holding the body in a substantially upright position.   
   
   
       18 . The sparring apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the stand comprises a damper for absorbing energy transferred between a user and the body. 
   
   
       19 . A joint for use with a sparring dummy, comprising:
 a female member having a slot defined therein;   a male member having a flange extending therefrom, wherein the slot of the female member rotatably receives the flange of the male member; and   a locking mechanism for securing the joint in one of a plurality of positions.