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[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. No. 60/235,266, entitled “Leg Stretching and Kick Exercise Device,” filed Sep. 25, 2000. The disclosure in that provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to kicking exercise devices and methods for exercising and stretching leg muscles.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] Fitness training has become a fixture in today's society. The health benefits and enjoyment that fitness training provides make it a priority for many people. Martial arts training in particular is the activity of choice for a significant segment of the exercising public, and is steadily growing in popularity. Martial arts training often involves kicking, and muscle training for kicking movements is typically performed on structures that support that tend to be large, immobile and relatively expensive. In addition, the structures generally do not provide a convenient way to vary the height of the target, or to measure fitness progress over time.
[0006] Various prior art devices have addressed the issue of martial arts training. U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,433 to Bruner discloses a universal martial arts training apparatus that provides multiple training stations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,465 to Hautamaki discloses a device for mounting striking pads on a vertical standard. These devices are relatively large, and are primarily suited for gyms or other public exercise facilities.
[0007] The growing need for martial arts training devices is not limited to large machines used at commercial gyms, but extends to devices that can be used safely by individuals in their homes or in motels while traveling. The demands of modern life are such that time, travel and family constraints often prohibit or severely limit the ability of the individual to participate in an fitness regimen on a regular basis. Therefore, a need exists for an exercise device that is inexpensive, reliable, mobile and suitable for individual use in a wide range of environments. A further need exists for an exercise device that can be used by a participant in the martial arts to perform leg-stretching exercises and to measure improvements and flexibility over time.
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a kicking exercise apparatus and method which can be used substantially anywhere rather than being limited to use in a gym or other public exercise facility.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a kicking exercise apparatus and method that readily permit the progress of the user to be monitored.
[0010] The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a portable device for permitting leg stretching exercises includes a clamp or other anchoring device adapted to be secured to the top or side edge of a conventional open door. A support rod is adapted to have one end secured to the clamp and have a cord, string or other similar element suspended from its other end. A target, such as a ball or other object is secured the cord and positioned at a height that is adjustable. Height adjustability is preferably achieved by selecting an appropriate clamp position along the side edge of the open door. Progress is monitored by noting the height on the door to which the clamp can be raised while permitting the user of the device to still reach the target with his/her foot using a martial arts kicking motion. In a floor mounted model of the invention a weighted anchoring structure has a post inserted therein in a vertical orientation. The post is provided with a vertically oriented series of apertures, each adapted to receive one end of a support rod to project horizontally from the post. The other end of the rod is secured to a cord, or the like, which suspends a kicking target at a height determined by the aperture in which the rod is secured. Progress is monitored by noting the aperture to which the rod is secured. Alternative embodiments include anchoring the post to the top edge of a door by using support tabs, or by bolting the post into the wall.
[0012] The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following definitions, descriptions and descriptive figures of specific embodiments thereof wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. While these descriptions go into specific details of the invention, it should be understood that variations may and do exist and would be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the descriptions herein.
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019] Referring specifically to
[0020] The connector block
[0021] In operation, support rod
[0022] The springy metal section of support rod
[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
[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the device may be supported on the floor or ground as shown in
[0026] In the embodiment shown in
[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.