Hand Guard for Striking Targets

Abstract

Devices which facilitate safe martial arts target striking are disclosed. In an aspect, a hand guard device comprising a blocking surface, a grip, and a stabilizer is disclosed. The hand guard device may assist a holder in holding a striking target, such as a board, while protecting a holder hand from wild blows from an individual attempting to strike the striking target. The hand guard device provides a rigid protective barrier for all portions of the holder hand which would normally be exposed, including the thumb.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hand guard device for protecting exposed portions of a holder hand from strikes during martial arts exercises when a striking target is held, the hand guard device comprising:
 a rigid blocking surface configured to protect exposed portions of a holder hand positioned at a front striking target surface of a striking target when the holder hand grips the striking target, the blocking surface comprising:
 a left side extension portion, extending laterally in a left direction, configured to protect a holder left thumb; 
 a right side extension portion, extending laterally in a right direction, configured to protect a holder right thumb; and 
 a top extension portion, extending vertically for protection in a vertical direction; 
   a grip configured to receive at least a portion of the holder hand; and   a stabilizer configured to contact the striking target.   
     
     
         2 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is an L-shaped member configured to contact the front striking target surface and a side striking target surface. 
     
     
         3 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the blocking surface is constructed of at least one of: ABS plastic, metal, and wood. 
     
     
         4 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the hand guard device is constructed of at least one of: ABS plastic, metal, and wood. 
     
     
         5 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the blocking surface is curved 
     
     
         6 . The hand guard device of  claim 5 , wherein a bottom blocking surface portion positioned opposite the top extension portion is configured to contact the front striking surface of the striking target. 
     
     
         7 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is a cavity configured to receive fingers of the holder hand. 
     
     
         8 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the top extension portion is configured to protect fingers of the holder hand. 
     
     
         9 . The hand guard device of  claim 1 , wherein the hand guard device is configured to facilitate gripping the striking target between the stabilizer and a holder hand heel. 
     
     
         10 . The hand guard of  claim 1 , the stabilizer further comprising at least one retaining lip configured to retain the striking target. 
     
     
         11 . A hand guard device for protecting exposed portions of a holder hand from strikes during martial arts exercises when a striking target is held, the hand guard device comprising:
 a rigid, curved blocking surface configured to protect exposed portions of a holder hand positioned at a front striking target surface of a striking target when the holder hand grips the striking target, the blocking surface comprising:
 a left side extension portion, extending laterally in a left direction, configured to protect a holder left thumb; 
 a right side extension portion, extending laterally in a right direction, configured to protect a holder right thumb; 
 a top extension portion, extending vertically for protection in a vertical direction, configured to protect fingers of the holder hand; and 
 a bottom blocking surface portion positioned opposite the top extension portion is configured to contact the front striking surface of the striking target; 
   a grip configured to receive at least a portion of the holder hand; and   a stabilizer configured to contact the striking target;   wherein the stabilizer is an L-shaped member configured to contact the front striking target surface and a side striking target surface.