Interactive Martial Arts Training Unit

Abstract

An interactive hitting pad for a martial arts trainer is provided which includes a base; a hitting pad platform having a hitting pad; and a plurality of linear actuators, wherein each of the linear actuators includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the base, and wherein the second end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the hitting pad platform, to form a parallel manipulator. A control system is connected to the plurality of linear actuators adapted to control the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform, and one or more sensors are operatively connected to the hitting pad platform and in communication with the control system for sensing impacts to the hitting pad by a user. A martial arts training system using the interactive hitting pad, as well as a method of training, are also provided.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An interactive hitting pad device for a martial arts training system, comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a hitting pad platform having a hitting pad;   (c) a plurality of linear actuators, each of the linear actuators having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the base, and wherein the second end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the hitting pad platform, to form a parallel manipulator;   (d) a control system connected to the plurality of linear actuators adapted to control the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform; and   (e) one or more sensors operatively connected to the hitting pad platform and in communication with the control system for sensing impacts to the hitting pad by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a mount adapted to attach the device to a stationary frame. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the linear actuators is an electrically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the linear actuators is a pneumatically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the linear actuators is a hydraulically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the linear actuators includes a shock absorption rate adjustment controlled by the control system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is in communication with a remote electronic device, and wherein the remote electronic device is used to change operational parameters of the control system. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is in communication with an accelerometer, or gyroscope, or both, attached to the hitting pad platform to measure the forces and vibration imparted to the hitting pad by the user. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a safety override system in communication with the control system to prevent undesired contact between the user and the hitting pad. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the safety override system includes a capacitive touch sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the safety override system is in communication with an accelerometer, or gyroscope, or both, to sense movement of the hitting pad. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of linear actuators includes at least three linear actuators. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of linear actuators includes at least six linear actuators. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected between the base and the hitting pad platform by first and second universal joints. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform is adjusted in response to hits imparted to the hitting pad by the user. 
     
     
         16 . A martial arts training system, comprising:
 a frame having a plurality of parallel manipulators, wherein each parallel manipulator comprises:
 (i) a base attached to the frame; 
 (ii) a hitting pad platform having a hitting pad; 
 (iii) a plurality of linear actuators, each of the linear actuators having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the base, and wherein the second end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the hitting pad platform, to form a parallel manipulator; 
 (iv) a control system connected to the plurality of linear actuators adapted to control the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform; and 
 (v) one or more sensors operatively connected to the hitting pad platform and in communication with the control system for sensing impacts to the hitting pad by a user. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the linear actuators is an electrically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the linear actuators is a pneumatically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the linear actuators is a hydraulically powered linear actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the linear actuators includes a shock absorption rate adjustment controlled by the control system. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the control system is in communication with a remote electronic device, and wherein the remote electronic device is used to change operational parameters of the control system. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the control system is in communication with an accelerometer, or gyroscope, or both, attached to the hitting pad platform to measure the forces and vibration imparted to the hitting pad by the user. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , further including a safety override system in communication with the control system to prevent undesired contact between the user and the hitting pad. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the safety override system includes a capacitive touch sensor. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the safety override system is in communication with an accelerometer, or gyroscope, or both, to sense movement of the hitting pad. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of linear actuators includes at least three linear actuators. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of linear actuators includes at least six linear actuators. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected between the base and the hitting pad platform by first and second universal joints. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform is adjusted in response to hits imparted to the hitting pad by the user. 
     
     
         30 . A method of martial arts training, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an interactive martial arts training system, comprising:   a frame having a plurality of parallel manipulators, wherein each parallel manipulator comprises:
 a base attached to the frame; 
 a hitting pad platform having a hitting pad; 
 a plurality of linear actuators, each of the linear actuators having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the base, and wherein the second end of each of the linear actuators is articulatably connected to the hitting pad platform, to form a parallel manipulator; 
 a control system connected to the plurality of linear actuators adapted to control the position and orientation of the hitting pad platform; and 
 one or more sensors operatively connected to the hitting pad platform and in communication with the control system for sensing impacts to the hitting pad by a user; 
   (b) defining an initial set of operational parameters in the control system, including the position, orientation, and shock absorption rate of each of the hitting pads;   (c) causing the user to hit each of the hitting pads; and   (d) adjusting the operational parameters of the control system to match or respond to subsequent hits imparted by the user to each of the hitting pads.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising continuing to adjust the operational parameters during a training session by a user in response to progress of the user. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising adjusting the operational parameters by a remote electronic device in communication with the control system.