DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a clamp 12 is mounted on vertical free edge a door or other similar panel-like structure. The clamp is conventional and may be constructed of metal, rubber, plastic, wood, or any other material capable of providing sufficient gripping force. The illustrated clamp 12, as best seen in FIG. 6, has a pair of pivotally engaged handles movable between open and closed pivot positions and resiliently biased in the closed position by a spring in a conventional manner. As shown, clamp 12 is adapted to grip an edge of the door to anchor the exercise device securely in place relative to the door. A mounting block 13 is secured to one of the clamp arms and is provided with a mounting aperture 15 adapted to receive one end of a support beam or rod 14 oriented to project horizontally from the door. The mounting aperture may have a depth of approximately 1 to 2 inches, and the mounting block distributes shear forces at the proximate end of the support rod. Alternatively, the mounting block may be eliminated and the aperture formed in one of the clamp handles. Support rod 14 may be of constant cross-sectional area throughout its length or have different cross-section, as desired, and is secured in aperture 15 by a force fit, snap fit, threaded engagement, attachment pins or any other suitable means. The support may be formed as a single piece or in sections, and may be constructed from any combination of materials. For example, the rod is best seen in FIG. 5 wherein the attachment end 32 of the rod may be formed from a rubber material, and may be connected to a springy metal section 33 which interfaces with a rubber connector sleeve 35 which in turn interfaces with plastic section 34. A connector block 37 is disposed at the distal end of rod 14, and is preferably constructed of rubber and molded to fit around the rod end to provide shielding for the interface of the support rod and the suspension cord.

[0020] The connector block 37 at the distal end of support beam 14 is attached to an end of a suspension cord 36 from which a kick target 38 is suspended. Suspension cord 36 and target 38 may be constructed from a variety of materials suitable for the purposes described herein, with suspension cord 36 being capable of returning to its quiescent vertical orientation after target 38 is kicked and the cord and target are displaced transiently displaced from the quiescent position. Target 38 may be a spherical object as shown, but any suitable kick target shape will suffice.

[0021] In operation, support rod 14 is inserted into aperture 15 so that target 38 is suspended by suspension cord 36. Clamp 12 is secured to a door edge or any other suitable structure to place the suspended target 38 at a desired height. The user may then kick target 38 in any desired manner in performing a martial arts exercise. In doing so the user stretches the involved leg muscles to gain greater flexibility. As increased flexibility is achieved, the clamp may be raised along the door edge to place the target 38 at successively higher locations, and the user can judge progress by noting the vertical location of the clamp on the door edge. In this regard, a strip with graduated markings thereon can be attached to extend vertically on the door to provide a visual measure of such progress.

[0022] The springy metal section of support rod 14 provides some resilience for the rod to minimize the possibility of the rod breaking due to the forces applied thereto when target 38 is kicked.

[0023] It should be noted that the device as described above may be used for other than kicking exercises. For example, the target may be suspended to permit a user to jump or leap to hit the target with his/her extended hand, thereby serving as a jumping trainer, particularly for children.

[0024] It is also to be noted that the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 can be readily mounted on virtually any door in a manner permitting the target to be projected horizontally away from the door and door frame, thereby providing spatial clearance for the user to kick the suspended target without contacting the door or frame. As a result, the device can be used almost anywhere.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the device may be supported on the floor or ground as shown in FIG. 2. Such a device is anchored by a base 22, which is shown having a semi-spherical shape but may be formed in any desired configuration. The base is filled with weighted material that may be solid or liquid. If preferred, the base itself may be made of a suitably heavy material to provide the desired stability. A lower portion of a post 24 is inserted into an aperture 25 in base 22 and secured by threaded engagement, snap fit, friction fit, etc. in a vertical orientation. Post 26 has a series of vertically spaced apertures 28 defined therein and configured to receive and engage the proximal end of a support beam or rod 29. The apertures may have any shape required to engage the support rod and are preferably marked with respective indicia that typically represent the height of each aperture above the base or the floor. If desired, the post apertures may be lined with a plasticized material to assure proper frictional engagement of the support rod. Support rod 29, a suspension cord 23 and a target 21 are similar in construction to the like components described in relation to FIG. 1. In operation, the device is used as described above in relation to FIG. 1 except that the height of the target is controlled by selecting a particular aperture 28 along the length of post 26 to set target 21 at the desired height. The user may refer to the sequential indicia along the post to measure progress over a period of time.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the device is attached to a wall by bolts inserted through mounting cross-arms 51. Alternatively, nails, screws, pins, staples, adhesives or any other reliable method of attachment may be employed to secure the post to the wall. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the device is mounted on the horizontal top edge of a door by support bracket 41. In this embodiment, the support bracket is an L-shaped member with a vertical element 43, and a horizontal element 45. Horizontal element 45 is attached to the topmost edge of post 47, defining a gap 49 between vertical element 43 and post 47. The device is mounted on a door such that a horizontal edge of the door slides into gap 49, thereby securing the device in an elevated position.

[0027] Thus, the invention is an exercise device which is versatile, inexpensive and effective. The device can be used at home, and is compact enough for travel and use in a hotel if desired.

[0028] Having described preferred embodiments of new and improved exercise method and apparatus, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.