Abstract:
A kicking exercise device includes a frame adapted to be held by a first user. A head portion is carried by the frame through a coil spring. When a blow is delivered by a second user, the head portion deflects relative to the frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention generally relates to exercise devices, more particularly, to exercise devices especially adapted for practicing martial arts.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In the martial arts there are numerous maneuvers that are carried out, some of which involves the arms and hands, whereas some others involve the legs and feet. Whatever martial arts maneuvers are contemplated, it is a good idea for a martial arts practitioner to carry out exercises that help build strength and endurance for carrying out the maneuvers. Particularly, kick boxing, which involves striking blows with one&#39;s feet, requires extensive practice.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,597, titled “Martial Arts Exercise Apparatus”, teaches a martial arts training device for gripping by a user. A target assembly can be attached to a frame by a series of linking bars that are locked to position the target at a desired position. The target is used for kick practice.  
           [0006]    While workable, improvements are desired, particularly by making the target react more realistically to practice blows.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to a kicking exercise device. This device advantageously includes a frame adapted to be held by a user, a coil spring and a head portion carried by the frame through the coil spring. When a blow is delivered, the head portion deflects relative to the frame.  
           [0008]    This device further advantageously includes a frame having a stock for abutting against a user and a central portion with a pair of handles; a coil spring mounted to a forward end of the frame; a neck portion with a rearward end being connected to the coil spring; and a head portion attached to a forward end of the neck portion. The stock advantageously has a longitudinal axis and the neck portion extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the stock.  
           [0009]    The present invention is further directed to a method of practicing kicking. A practitioner would deliver a blow to a head portion carried by a frame held by an assistant. The head portion is rigidly joined to a neck portion, which is connected to the frame through a coil spring.  
           [0010]    The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the martial arts exercise device in accordance with the invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 shows the same perspective view of FIG. 1 and the device being held by a user t to the practitioner) in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the martial arts practice device  10  preferably has a tubular frame including a stock  12  with its rearward end being placed against an assistant and a pair of handles  11  and  13 . Two handles  11 ,  13  are positioned at the forward end of the stock and extend in the plane of the stock in opposite directions. The top handle  11  and bottom handle  13  are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stock  12 , with the top handle  11  being closer to the rearward end of the stock than the bottom handle  13 .  
         [0015]    The martial arts practice device  10  also preferably has a neck portion  17  having forward and rearward ends with the rearward end being closer to the tubular frame. A coil spring  15  is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the stock  12  and connects the neck portion  17  at the rearward end thereof to the stock  12 . The neck portion  17  preferably extends upward relative to the longitudinal axis of the coil spring  15  forming an obtuse angle of about 150 degrees.  
         [0016]    The martial arts practice device  10  also preferably has a head portion  19 . The head portion  19  is rigidly attached to the neck portion  17  at the forward end of the neck portion. The head portion  19  is generally spherical with flattened portions  21  on the forward side and both lateral sides. Flat portions  21  are preferably circular and raised on conical platforms from the spherical portion of the head portion  19 . The flat portions  21  on the lateral sides are parallel to each other. A line normal to the flat portions  21  on the forward side is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stock. The coil spring  15  is preferably stiff and resilient enough to maintain the head portion  19  in position where delivering a blow would cause the head portion  19  to deflect.  
         [0017]    In operation, an assistant grasps the top and bottom handles  11  and  13  in his hand and holds the stock about his hip level or against his shoulder. This places the head portion  19  about the average height of a person&#39;s head. A practitioner tries to kick or punch the head portion  19 , while the assistant moves the device  10  in various ways to simulate one ducking or moving his head to avoid being kicked or punched. The coil spring  15  located on the neck portion  17  allows for the simulation of human head movement and absorbs the shock of any kick or punch. Additionally the coil spring  15  lets the head portion  19  deflect laterally and up and down relative to the stock  12 . This device can also be turned over and used invertedly with the neck portion  17  extending downward for lower level practice.  
         [0018]    Besides martial arts, the above device can be used for practicing kickboxing, boxing, or simply hitting something for fun. This device is designed for the purpose of assisting both children and adults with their kicking and punching exercises. A toy version of the practice device will be lightweight for mobility yet heavy duty enough to absorb any kick or punch.  
         [0019]    While the invention has been shown in only a few of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.