RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/188,124, filed Aug. 6, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to heavy bags used in boxing and the martial arts, and for other athletic purposes, and in particular for a mounting and dampening system for a heavy bag. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Certain punching bags are known as heavy bags and are used in boxing, martial arts, and other athletic activities. The most common heavy bag is generally cylindrical in shape and up to six feet in length. It is filled with stuffing material, most commonly in the form of cut up rags, which are densely stuffed into the outer liner. However, the bag may sometimes be filled with sand, liquid gel, foam, or any other suitable energy absorbing material. Thus the heavy bag is of significant weight. 
         [0006]    Since the heavy bag is subjected to repeated blows not only by the hands, but also by the feet, knees, and other body portions utilized by boxers, martial artists, and extreme sports athletes, the heavy bag experiences significant stress, as does its mounting structure. The heavy bag is normally hung vertically, and vibrations from its being struck can be transmitted upwardly through its support to its mount and into support structure and beyond. 
         [0007]    The heavy bag is typically mounted from horizontal or vertical surfaces comprised of steel, wood or other structural members to insure that it can support its weight and absorb the stresses from use without tearing loose from its mount. 
         [0008]    Many athletes, both amateur and professional, who practice boxing, martial arts, or other athletic activity which may involve the use of the heavy bag, would like the option of installing a heavy bag in their residences so that they could practice their athletic activity without the need to travel to a gym or other athletic facility. The mounting of such a heavy bag in a standard residential structure presents difficulties because of the stresses involved and the potential need to modify structural elements causing damage to a finished ceiling, support beam, or the like, which would likely be anticipated. 
         [0009]    Applicant&#39;s mount and dampening assembly allows for the mounting and installation of a heavy bag in a gym, training facility, or residential dwelling in a secure manner which allows for an individual to practice all of the athletic uses associated with the heavy bag without subjecting support structure to undue forces. 
         [0010]    The system also minimizes and mitigates shock, motion and vibration from heavy bag resulting in a substantial reduction in forces that might otherwise transmit into the structure and disturb individuals in adjacent rooms or in the same or adjacent structures. The system also relieves stresses on the bag which prevent accelerated wear, tear, and bag settling, as well as reducing wear and tear on joints of the hands, wrists, and feet of the user. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    An object of the present invention is to provide for a dampening system which can be mounted to a horizontal or vertical structural mounting surface from which a heavy bag may depend. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel mounting bracket which is easily installed and secured without causing significant damage to the ceiling. 
         [0013]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel mounting system which also incorporates a dampening mechanism which significantly lessens the transmission of any stress placed upon the heavy bag from being transmitted to the mounting structure. 
         [0014]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel mounting bracket and dampening mechanism which is easily installed and uninstalled. 
         [0015]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel dampening system which significantly lessens harsh and unwanted bag motion allowing user to have a more productive workout by reducing the amount of time and frequency user spends resetting bag or waiting for bag to return to neutral position. 
         [0016]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a system which reduces stresses and wear and tear to the joints of the user&#39;s body engaged in training activity through the mitigation of forces which the heavy bag cannot absorb being in excess of heavy bag&#39;s design limits. 
         [0017]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel mounting and dampening system which relieves and minimizes stresses to the heavy bag resulting in reduction of wear, tear, and internal settling of the bag contents, resulting in extended bag life. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    A mounting bracket and dampening assembly for mounting a heavy bag, a first portion of the mounting bracket mounted horizontally in relation to mounting surface, a second portion of the mounting bracket depending downwardly forming a support surface for a securing means for supporting the heavy bag in combination with a dampening means in the form of upper and lower bushings in combination with a rod and spring assembly to lessen the transmission of stress, shock and vibration and to reduce the motion, both lateral and vertical, of the heavy bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a heavy bag with the mounting and dampening system of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side partially exploded view of the mounting bracket and dampening system of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a second embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a partial side view of the second embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the third embodiment of the mounting bracket of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of an inline dampener utilizing a support eyebolt; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a fixed mount dampener which may be used with mounting brackets illustrated in  FIGS. 2-8 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a second embodiment of an inline dampener; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a third embodiment of an inline dampener; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is another embodiment of a fixed mount dampener. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical heavy bag  5  which is generally cylindrical in shape and formed of an outer shell of canvass, leather, or the like. The heavy bag can vary in size, but is normally up to six feet long. The heavy bag contains a plurality of flexible supports  7  which extend upwardly from the top of the heavy bag for mounting or hanging the heavy bag from a support, in this case as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a ceiling. 
         [0034]    The support provided a heavy bag in a gymnasium or training center normally does not present a problem in that the ceiling is fabricated from steel girders or the like, or a separate steel support structure can be fabricated within the building from which to hang the heavy bag. However, more and more people are seeking to exercise and work out with a heavy bag, and oftentimes desire to position a heavy bag in their home, be it the basement, garage, or a room. In such a situation, the striking of the heavy bag with the fists, feet, or other anatomical parts of the bodies as accomplished by a martial artist, will cause vibration and shock to be transmitted to the structure from which the heavy bag is depending. It is therefore desirable to have a mounting system which dampens the vibration and shock that can be transmitted to the overlying structure when the heavy bag is struck. 
         [0035]    Applicant&#39;s mounting system consists of a dampened mounting bracket  10 , as more fully discussed hereafter, and an inline dampening mechanism  80 , as more fully described hereafter, which can be used in conjunction with bracket  10  to form the entire mounting system, or the inline dampening mechanism  80  may be incorporated in other undampened mounting brackets to reduce motion, shock and vibration. As such it is an integral part of the system, but also can be a stand alone item for use with other types of mounting brackets. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the preferred mounting bracket of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a side view of the preferred mounting bracket of the present invention, together with additional dampening mechanisms. 
         [0037]    Mounting bracket  10  comprises a planar ceiling plate  12  having a lower surface  15  and an upper surface  11 . Integrally formed to the central portion of ceiling plate  12  is a transverse U-shaped section member  16  which depends from the lower surface  15  of planar ceiling plate  12  and is secured to planar ceiling plate  12  by welding or other suitable means. Planar ceiling plate  12  is formed with a plurality of slotted apertures  20  for the selective positioning of fasteners  25  in the forms of bolts or heavy duty screws to be inserted into the ceiling joists as discussed hereafter. Slotted apertures  20  allow for the installer to locate the positioning of ceiling joists  30  so that the fasteners may be secured thereto. 
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket  10  would be installed perpendicular to the direction of the ceiling joists  30  so that the weight of the heavy bag is distributed over two or more ceiling joists. Depending upon the length of the ceiling bracket  12 , and the length of the slotted apertures  20 , the mounting bracket  10  can be secured to at least two parallel ceiling joists  30 , but depending on the spacing of the ceiling joists  30 , and the size of mounting bracket  10 , and in particular the ceiling plate  12 , more than two ceiling joists may be engaged by the fastening means to secure mounting bracket  10 . The preferred embodiment is designed to be used in situations with finished ceiling. 
         [0039]    Transverse U-section member  16  is formed with an aperture  32  in its mounting plate  34  for receipt of a securing means. Mounting plate  34  is also formed with an integral annular wall  13  and  14  on its upper and lower surface for receipt of dampening means. 
         [0040]    The dampening system associated with mounting bracket  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises several elements. Initially, the fasteners  25  are fitted with a washer  27  abutting the head of fastener  25 . A dampening bushing  36  is then juxtaposed washer  27 , dampening bushing  36  having a nose piece  38  which corresponds to the thickness of the ceiling plate  12  and sits within respective slot  20 . In this configuration the fastener is then positioned through a slot  20  and a second dampening bushing  40  is positioned on fastener  25 . Fastener  25  is then secured to the ceiling joist  30  or overhead support. In this configuration it can be seen that the ceiling plate  12  as a result of the positioning of dampening bushings  40  is offset from the actual surface of the ceiling. 
         [0041]    The second dampening means associated with the mounting bracket  10  comprises a pair of doughnut-shaped dampening bushings  44  and  46 . These bushings are fitted within the annular walls  13  and  14  formed on the upper and lower surface of mounting plate  34 . In the preferred embodiment, a clevis  50  and bolt  52  is utilized to secure these bushings. Initially, a washer  54  is inserted onto the clevis bolt  52  and the clevis bolt is inserted through the aperture  32  in mounting plate  34  extending upwardly and through the doughnut-shaped bushings  44  and  46 . An upper washer  56 , a lock washer  58 , and a nut  60 , are then secured to the upper end of the clevis bolt  52  and secured so as to compress the doughnut-shaped dampening bushings  44  and  46 . 
         [0042]    The clevis  50  supports a transverse roller  64  supported upon a shaft  66 . 
         [0043]    Roller  64  supports an inline dampening member referred to generally as  80  which provides additional dampening to the system. The inline dampener  80  comprises housing member  82 , which in the preferred embodiment includes a segmented cylindrical side wall  84  having a plurality of windows  86 , a removable top member  88  secured to the cylindrical side wall, the top member  88  having an eyebolt  90  secured thereto which is securable to roller  64  depending from mounting bracket  10 . The lower end  92  of the inline dampening member  80  is removable and is secured to the cylindrical sidewall. A second clevis and bolt assembly  94 , the bolt portion extending upwardly through an inline dampener bushing  96  which may be positioned both above and below the bottom wall  92  of the inline dampener. The bolt portion of the clevis and bolt assembly  94  extends further upwardly within the housing member  84  through a helically biased spring member  98 . The threaded end portion of the bolt is fixed with a spring cap  102 , a friction reducing thrust washer bearing  100 , and nut member  104 , which is accessed through the plurality of windows  86  in the housing member  82 . The nut member  104  is selectively loosened or tightened to adjust the dampening of the inline dampener. Washer  100  allows bolt to rotate without torquing spring. 
         [0044]    The clevis  94  is again fitted with a roller member  108  mounted on a shaft member  110  extending between the arms of the clevis  94 . The upstanding supports  7  of the heavy bag  5  terminate with a ring member  9 , which ring member is positioned on the roller  108  of the clevis member  94  which depends from the inline dampener  80 . 
         [0045]    In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the roller members  64  and  108  could be fashioned of any material, but would preferably be an elastomeric material to further enhance the overall dampening system. All of the dampening bushings identified with respect to the preferred embodiment, could be fabricated of any suitable elastomeric, rubber material or encapsulated gas, gel, encapsulated liquids or biasing means. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the mounting bracket  10 A, and  FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the mounting bracket  10 A of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway view of the mounting plate of the second embodiment. Mounting bracket  10 A functions in the same manner as mounting bracket  10  of the preferred embodiment. The differences include the fact that the transverse U-shaped support member  16 A is not integral with the ceiling plate  12 A, but rather is bolted onto the ceiling plate  12 A using fasteners. It has the same configuration as the preferred embodiment and like reference numerals identify elements including slots  20 A. This embodiment shows an alternative eyebolt  120  assembly with the associated washers and nut to secure the doughnut-shaped dampening bushings within the annular wall receptacles  13 A and  14 A. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are a third embodiment of a mounting bracket  10 B in which the annular walls  13 B and  14 B are positioned directly on the ceiling plate  12 B. The ceiling plate contains the respective slots  20 B for securing it to the ceiling joists utilizing the same dampening bushing system as described with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This embodiment is designed to be used in situations when there is no finished ceiling. Upper bushing, clevis bolt and fastening hardware project above plane line allowing maximum space between floor and mount. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of an inline dampening member  80 , which includes housing member  82 , cylindrical side wall  84 , a top member  88  and an eye ring  90  secured thereto. The lower end  92  of the inline dampening member  80  is removably secured and has a depending eyebolt  93 . Eyebolt  93  extends upwardly through an inline dampening bushing  96  which includes a sleeve washer which is snap fit into the bottom wall and maintained by its own compression forces but may also be maintained in position by upper and lower washers  95  and  97 . The helical spring biasing means  98  is positioned on the eyebolt  93 , above upper washer  95 , through which the eyebolt extends, the eyebolt terminating in a friction reducing thrust washer, cap, and nut. In this embodiment, the clevis has been substituted with an eyebolt, but it will be recognized that either fastener/support could be utilized. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a fixed mount dampener utilizing a helical spring dampener incorporated into bushings  44  and  46 . This embodiment which may be utilized with brackets illustrated in  FIGS. 2-8 . The mounting plate  12  would be secured to the floor joists as previously discussed. The dampening doughnuts  44  and  46  would be positioned as previously discussed with them being capped with washers  54  and  56 . In this version, an eyebolt  51  is positioned through central aperture  32 . Eyebolt  51  has a washer positioned at its eye end, followed by a rebound dampener  53 , which encapsulates a lower cap member  75  with center aperture secured to tube  59 . Eyebolt  51  extends through cap  75  and tubular member  59  having sleeve bearings  61  and  63  at each terminus secured by an upper cap  76  with center aperture. Eyebolt  51  then extends through a helical biasing spring  65 , which is capped with spring cap member  67  friction reducing thrust washer  69  and nut  71 . In this version, the rebound dampener, and doughnut dampeners in cooperation with the helical biasing spring, absorb vibration, shock, and motion. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  is another version of the inline dampener  80 .  FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view in which the two support elements are completely encapsulated within an elastomeric material  140  or the equivalent. The upper member  142  has an eye ring  144 , secured to a shaft  146 , which is secured to a conical member  148 , the lower terminus of which form a cylindrical side wall  150  terminating with an annular base member  152 . The lower support member comprises an eye ring  154  with a shaft member  156  which terminates with a disc member  158 , the diameter of which is such that it extends and overlaps the annular base member  152  of upper member  142 , but is spaced apart there from by the elastomeric encapsulating material. 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  is another embodiment of the inline dampener  80 , which could be deemed identical to the inline dampener illustrated in  FIG. 9 , with the exception that there is an additional dampening system within the housing  82 . This dampening system comprises a downwardly depending adjustable fastener  160  extending through the upper cap member  88  terminating with an elastomeric dampener  162 . The upwardly depending clevis and/or eyebolt  93  has rotatably secured to its upper end, a threaded cap  164 , the caps selectively contacting each other so as to absorb shock, motion and vibration. 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  is a fixed mount dampener which is similar to the dampener illustrated in  FIG. 9 , as an inline dampener, but adapted to be a fixed mount dampener. A clevis or eyebolt  93  is utilized with the rebound dampener  170 , internal elastomeric dampener  172 , and helical biasing means  174 , with friction reducing thrust washer, cap, and nut. There is disposed within the housing  176  a disc member  178  having an aperture  180 , the aperture having disposed therein a bearing surface  182 . There is secured to the threaded end of the clevis or eyebolt a threaded cylindrical member  184  which extends through aperture  180 . In this configuration, the fixed mount dampener is mounted to the structural support. The force imparted onto the heavy bag supported by the fixed mount dampener is absorbed by the rebound dampener, elastomeric material, helical biasing spring, and the motion of cylindrical member  184  against the bearing surface  182 . This particular embodiment could be further dampened by substituting the opposing elastomeric dampener caps  162  and  164  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0053]    Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
A mounting bracket and dampening assembly for mounting a heavy bag, a first portion of the mounting bracket mounted horizontally in relation to mounting surface, a second portion of the mounting bracket depending downwardly forming a support surface for a securing means for supporting the heavy bag in combination with a dampening means in the form of upper and lower bushings in combination with a rod and spring assembly to lessen the transmission of stress, shock and vibration and to reduce the motion, both lateral and vertical, of the heavy bag.