Liquid-fillable heavy training bag

Abstract

A liquid-fillable heavy training bag includes a cylindrical flexible outer shell having top and bottom walls to form a generally closed cylindrical inner surface. Suitable support is provided for suspending the cylindrical outer shell from an upper support member, such as a ceiling. A generally cylindrical liquid-impermeable flexible liner is provided within the outer shell for receiving and containing a liquid medium such as water. The liner is configured and dimensioned to generally conform to the shape of the inner surface of the outer shell when the liner is fully expanded, such as when filled with water. An intermediate layer is provided made of compressible material and arranged between and contacting the outer shell and the liner when the liner is filled with liquid. The intermediate layer forms a cushion for absorbing external impacts to the outer shell and absorbs and attenuates shock waves imparted to the liquid medium within the liner to protect the liner and better simulate the feel of a conventional, non-liquid filled heavy bag.

1 . Liquid-fillable heavy training bag comprising a generally cylindrical flexible outer shell having top and bottom walls to form a generally closed cylindrical inner surface; support means for suspending said cylindrical outer shell from an upper support member; a generally cylindrical liquid-impermeable flexible liner for receiving and containing a liquid medium, said liner being configured and dimensioned to generally conform to the shape of said inner surface of said outer shell when said liner is fully expanded; and an intermediate layer of compressible material provided between and contacting said outer shell and said liner when said liner is filled with liquid said intermediate layer forming a cushion for absorbing external impacts to said outer shell and absorbing, and attenuating shock waves imparted to a liquid medium within said liner to protect said liner and better simulate the feel of a conventional, non-liquid filled heavy bag.  
   
   
       2 . A training bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said liner is provided with a liquid inlet generally facing said top wall of said outer shell and closure means for selectively opening said inlet for introducing or removing liquid into or out of said liner, said top wall of said outer shell being at least partially removably connected to provide access to said closure means.  
   
   
       3 . A training bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate layer includes a lateral annular shell conforming to said outer shell and spaced generally flat members conforming to the shapes of and proximate to said top and bottom walls, whereby said intermediate layer substantially surrounds and encloses said flexible liner.  
   
   
       4 . A training bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible outer shell is configured as a right circular cylinder.  
   
   
       5 . A training bag as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising additional support means provided between the portion of said liner facing said bottom wall and the portion of said intermediate layer contacting said bottom wall to fortify and strengthen the lower end of the bag to sustain a liquid-filled liner and reduce bulging deformation of the heavy bag at the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       6 . A training bag as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said inlet is movable between an upwardly extended position for filling or depleting liquid from said liner and a downwardly retracted position within a recess within said liner, to provide an upper substantially flat surface that can smoothly abut against that portion of said intermediate layer disposed between said flat surface of said liner and said top wall.  
   
   
       7 . A training bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate layer comprises a lateral annular side wall comprising a first outer layer and a second inner layer.  
   
   
       8 . A training bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said outer and inner layers are joined to each other.  
   
   
       9 . A training bag as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said outer and inner layers are bonded to each other.  
   
   
       10 . A training bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said outer layer is made of a foam material.  
   
   
       11 . A training bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said inner layer is made of a foam material.  
   
   
       12 . A training bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said outer layer is formed as a continuous annular member.  
   
   
       13 . A training bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said inner layer is formed by generally elongate members spaced from each other and extending in directions generally parallel to a vertical axis of said outer shell when suspended by said support means.  
   
   
       14 . A training bag as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said elongate members are generally uniformly spaced from each other.  
   
   
       15 . A training bag as defined in  claim 13 , wherein two differently configured elongate members alternate along said outer shell.  
   
   
       16 . A training bag as defined in  claim 15 , wherein one of said two members are in the form of vertical tubes.  
   
   
       17 . A training bag as defined in  claim 15 , wherein one of said two members are in the form of dog-bone shaped elements vertically spaced from one another along said vertical axis.  
   
   
       18 . A training bag as defined in  claim 15 , wherein one configuration comprises an elongate vertical tube and the other configuration comprising a plurality of a dog-bone shaped elements vertically spaced from each other along said vertical axis.  
   
   
       19 . A training bag as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the widths of said spaced elements are within the range of 3-5 times the diameters of said tubes.  
   
   
       20 . A training bag as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the external diameters of said tubes are approximately equal to the radial thicknesses of said dog-bone shaped elements.