Apparatus for holding a martial arts board and related methods

Abstract

Fixtures are provided for holding one or more martial arts boards while resisting undesired contact with the holder's hands. A pair of fixtures will each have a manually engageable handle secured to a base and adjustable strap structure to receive at least one breakable or re-breakable board and intimately secure the same. The base is preferably fixedly secured to the handle with a portion of the adjustable strap therebetween. A related method is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding a martial arts board to be fractured by a martial artist comprising
 a pair of fixtures each having a manually engageable handle secured to a base, and   an adjustable strap structured to receive at least one said board and secure the same to said fixtures with said fixtures disposed on the opposite side of said at least one board from the surface which will be struck by the martial artist.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including said fixtures each having said base fixedly secured to said handle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  including said adjustable straps each having a portion interposed between a said handle and a said base. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  including said fixtures each having said base secured to said handle by adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including said fixture bases each having a friction enhancing surface on the side of said base opposite said handle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including said fixtures adjustable straps having portions containing hook and loop fasteners, whereby when a board is secured within said closed loop, it will be retained in intimate contact therewith through engagement of the hook and loop portions of said adjustable straps. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including said fixtures having handles which are closed to resist contact between martial artists and the board holding individual. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including said board being a re-breakable board. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  including said base secured to said handle by mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  including said mechanical fasteners being screws. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for holding a martial arts board which is to be fractured by a martial artist comprising
 a pair of fixtures each having a manually engageable handle secured to a base and an adjustable strap structured to receive at least one said board and secure the same to said fixtures,   said fixtures disposed in relatively spaced relationship with respect to each other,   said board having a front face which will be hit by the martial artist and a rear face, and   said fixture handles and base being in contact with the rear surface of said at least one board, whereby the hands of the holder when engaging said handles will be out of the path of movement of the martial artist when striking the board.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  including said fixtures having said bases secured to said handles by mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  including said fixtures having said bases secured to said handles by adhesives. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  including said bases having a friction enhancing surface in contact with said rear surface of said board. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  including said each adjustable strap having a portion secured between a said base and a said handle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  including said adjustable straps having portions which are hook and loop fasteners, whereby tightening to said adjustable strap around said at least one board will permit firm securement of the board to said fixtures while permitting subsequent removal of said board therefrom. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  including said mechanical fasteners being screws. 
     
     
         18 . The method of manually holding a martial arts board during a martial artist's attempt to break the board comprising
 providing a pair of manually engageable fixtures each having a manually engageable handle secured to a base, and   a pair of relatively spaced adjustable straps extending around said board to effect intimate securement of said board to said fixtures.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  including said base having a friction enhancing surface in contact with said rear surface of said board. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  including said board being a re-breakable board with a weakened connection between two components thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  employing hook and look fasteners on said strap to facilitate securement of said straps in intimate contact with said board. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  including said handles being closed and so shaped that manual engagement thereof by the person holding said board will keep the individual's hands out of contact with the portion of the striking surface of said board.