Abstract:
A vertically oriented shaft has a vertically oriented central axis. A lower plate has a configuration with an upper surface integrally formed with the lower end of the shaft. An upper plate has a geometric configuration with a periphery, a lower surface integrally formed with the upper end of the shaft, and an upper surface. A base plate has a center located on the central axis of the shaft. The base plate has an upper surface in facing contact with and separably coupled to the lower surface of the lower plate. The system has a reduced center of gravity for maximum safety, particularly for preteen users.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 12/804,218 filed Jul. 16, 2010, which in turn is based upon Provisional Patent Application No. 61/226,362 filed Jul. 17, 2009, the subject matter of which applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a cheerleader support system and more particularly pertains to receiving and holding a cheerleader in a predetermined position while practicing athletic routines requiring flexibility, balance and stamina, the receiving and holding being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner, particularly for pre-teen users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the types of support systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved cheerleader support system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a cheerleader support system. First provided a vertically oriented shaft has a vertically oriented central axis. A lower plate has a configuration with an upper surface integrally formed with the lower end of the shaft. An upper plate has a geometric configuration with a periphery and having a lower surface integrally formed with the upper end of the shaft and having an upper surface. A base plate has a center located on the central axis of the shaft. The base plate has an upper surface in facing contact with and separably coupled to the lower surface of the lower plate. The system has a reduced center of gravity for maximum safety, particularly for pre-teen users. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system which has all of the advantages of the prior art support systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system which is of durable and reliable constructions. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system which is susceptible to a low cost of Manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such cheerleader support system economically available to the buying public. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a cheerleader support system for receiving and holding a cheerleader in a predetermined position while practicing athletic routines requiring flexibility, balance and stamina, the receiving and holding being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner, particularly for pre-teen users. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cheerleader support system for receiving and holding a cheerleader in a predetermined position while practicing athletic routines requiring flexibility, balance and stamina. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated primary and preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a cheerleader support system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the system being illustrated while in use. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged side elevational view, partially exploded, of the cheerleader support system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the system taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the system taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of the system resting on a support surface such as a floor prior to usage and illustrating the system supported during storage. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved cheerleader support system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     The present invention, the cheerleader support system  10  is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a vertically oriented shaft, a lower plate, an upper plate and a base plate. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. 
     First provided is a vertically oriented central shaft  14 . The central shaft has an upper end. The central shaft has a lower end. The central shaft has a vertically oriented central axis. The central axis is provided between the upper and lower ends. The preferred length of the central axis is 9 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. 
     A lower plate  18  is provided. The lower plate has a configuration with a center. The center is located on the central axis of the central shaft. The lower plate has a flat upper surface. The upper surface is integrally formed with the lower end of the central shaft. The lower plate has a diameter. The preferred diameter is 4.625 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. The lower plate has a flat lower surface. Apertures, preferably four, are provided in the lower plate. 
     Provided next is an upper plate  24 . The upper plate has a generally rectangular configuration. The upper plate has short sides. The upper plate has concave long sides. The upper plate has a flat lower surface. The lower surface is integrally formed with the upper end of the central shaft. The upper plate has a maximum length. The preferred maximum length is 9 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. The upper plate has a maximum width. The preferred maximum width is 3.6 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. The upper plate has a center. The center is located on the central axis of the central shaft. The upper plate has a flat upper surface. In this manner a foot of the cheerleader is received. Further in this manner a foot of the cheerleader is held in a predetermined position while practicing athletic routines requiring flexibility, balance and stamina. 
     Further provided is a base plate  28 . The base plate has a circular configuration. The base plate has a center. The center is located on the central axis of the central shaft. The base plate has a flat upper surface. The upper surface is provided in facing contact with the lower surface of the lower plate. The base plate has a diameter. The preferred diameter is 18 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. The lower plate has a flat lower surface. The lower surface is positionable upon a floor. The base plate is axially aligned with the lower plate. The lower surface of the base plate has a cylindrical recess  32 . The cylindrical recess has a diameter. The preferred diameter is 4.5 inches, up to 20 percent greater. 
     Provided next is a retainer disk  36 . The retainer disk has a diameter. The preferred diameter is 4.5 inches, down to 20 percent less. The preferred depth is 0.5 inches, plus or minus 20 percent. The retainer disk is located within the recess. The retainer disk has apertures axially aligned with apertures of the lower plate and the base plate. Bolts  40  are provided. Four apertures and four bolts are the preferred numbers. The bolts are inserted through the apertures of the disk, base plate and lower plate. In this manner the system is threadedly joined for use. 
     The preferred height of the system is between 7 and 11 inches and the diameter of the base plate is between 16 and 20 inches. The system has a height to width ratio of 1 to 2. 
     Lifting holes  44  are formed in the base plate. The preferred number of lifting holes is two. Each arcuate lifting hole is adapted to receive a peg  46  extending from a wall for supporting the system at an elevated location for storage. Note  FIG. 5 . 
     Lateral braces extend between the upper plate and the lower plate. In the preferred embodiment, the lateral braces include two wide braces  48  and two narrow braces  50 . Reducing apertures  52  are formed in the wide braces adjacent to the upper plate. The preferred number of reducing apertures is two. The reducing apertures function to lower the center of gravity of the system so as to maximize safety through abatement of unintended tipping. 
     A friction sheet  54  in next provided. The friction sheet includes an upper surface and a lower surface and a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the upper plate. The lower surface has an adhesive  56  attaching the friction sheet to the upper plate. The upper surface has a pattern of anti-skid material  58 , preferably grit, to increase friction between the system and the cheerleader during use. 
     Lastly, pilot holes  60  extend into the base plate in a concentric, circular configuration radially spaced from the shaft. The preferred number of pilot holes is eight. The pilot holes are adapted to receive and support elastomeric pads extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base plate to abate sliding of the system during use. 
     The present invention is a cheerleader balancing and core strengthening, height-sensitive training system. It provides a safe, stable platform. It is preferably fabricated of high-strength extruded alloy T-6063 aluminum, corrosion-dipped, electrostatic powder-coated for maximum durability. It is a safe and stable platform for an inexperienced beginner and cheerleaders in general which allows the building of skills at any level. It is stable, allowing the athlete to practice aligning his/her point of contact. The present invention has a non-skid top and rubberized foot to maintain solid contact with the shoe and floor at all times. It is ergonomically designed for weight to be distributed to outer perimeters of the foot for maximum weight distribution. 
     The present invention is designed for portability allowing the cheerleader to train anywhere without needing assistance from a teammate. The design is unique and effective duplicating and replicating a cheerleader&#39;s true motion of being lifted in the air. It allows a cheerleader to fine-tune his/her flying skills. It mimics being lifted by a teammate, making the user rely on only one foot, not both as if on the ground. It allows the athlete to use the other foot for making figures/stylistic movements/skills/stunts/acrobatic motion as is required in an actual performance. It allows cheerleaders to use either foot to balance their training on both sides of their body equally. It increases muscle-sensory and vertical-height awareness. It gives control and confidence to the athlete. The design is flexible. It can be accessorized with vinyl and decorative deals, allowing the cheerleader&#39;s individuality to be expressed. Teams can add their team colors. The present invention can be used as a seat while waiting. It can be used as a leg-stretching appratus, training leg-dips. Two put together can be used to do deep push-ups. It can be used as a night/day stand, a shoe shining stool, a table-top, and a stepping stool. It is light weight making easy to carry. It is strong allowing a person of any size, i.e. coach/parent, to get on it to instruct and demonstrate a certain movement or pose. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.