Abstract:
This present invention is a sports device for practicing hitting a ball/ball-like object/puck, comprising an arm member mounted rotatably and substantially horizontal on a base in hitting practice mode, with the ball/ball-like object/puck positioned at the outer end of the arm member by a plurality of elastic members. The height of the ball/ball-like object/puck from the surface the hitter stands on is easily adjusted by a plurality of height adjusting members. The preferred embodiment of the arm member is multi-sectional. With the base substantially contiguous to the surface the hitter stands on, the present invention is used to practice driving and chipping in golf; and slap-shot and back-hand in ice hockey; and shooting in field hockey. When practicing hitting in golf and hockey, the player is free from constantly bending to position or retrieve the ball/ball-like object/puck.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    There are many types of sports where practicing hitting involves striking a ball/ball-like object/puck with extreme force. The present invention primarily relates to a sports device with which players can practice their swings in golf. The present invention can also quite easily be utilised in the sport of both ice hockey and field hockey. With this present invention, the ball/ball-like object/puck is attached to the sports device which can be used indoors or outdoors regardless of the surface; with the hitter being able to predict the trajectory the ball/ball-like object/puck would have taken after being hit; and by the number of times the ball/ball-like object/puck rotates, how powerful the swing was. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. In sports such as golf and hockey beginners seek to learn to swing, non-beginners strive to perfect their swings. In practicing hitting in golf and hockey, it is most helpful for elderly players if they do not have to constantly bend down to position the ball/ball-like object/puck. For beginners it is very desired if they can maximise the number of swings in a given period of time. For serious players, they would like to maintain their swings. Various hitting practice devices have been developed over the years. Golf prior art relevant to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 1,091,985 to Thompson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,961 to Schroeder; U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,933 to Van Kinkle; U.S. Pat. No. 1,690,158 to Currie; U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,503 to Nishazawa; U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,661 to Johanson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,809 to Newton; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,741,536 and 4,955,612 to Tai. The commonality of the present invention with prior art quoted is they seek to allow the player to practice in a small space by having the ball/ball-like object/puck attached to an arm which rotates around the upright member of a base. The present invention diverges from such prior art most importantly in the following ways: (1) With the present invention, the method of relieving stress on the arm when the ball/ball-like object/puck is hit is to have the arm itself hollow and in a substantially horizontal position in hitting practice mode, housing a plurality of elastic members conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck. When the ball/ball-like object/puck is hit, the stress is transferred to the plurality of elastic members instead of the arm. (2) Paramount in the design and usage of the present invention is safety. A plurality of safety members also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck acts as a safety should the arm break or the plurality of elastic members break or the ball/ball-like object/puck is no longer conjoined to the plurality of elastic members. (3) Should the arm itself break it is very simple to replace it. (4) The upright member of the base is subjected to serious centrifugal forces. Should it bend, it is very simple to replace it. Altogether, these four factors contribute to the safety and longevity of the present invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used to practice hitting in golf and hockey without the need for a net. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device with which the hitter does not have to constantly bend to position the ball/ball-like object/puck when practicing hitting in golf and hockey. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device which can withstand the extreme forces applied when practicing hitting in golf and hockey. 
         [0008]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device with which any broken part can easily be replaced. 
         [0009]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used equally indoors and outdoors by both right handed and left handed players to practice hitting in golf and hockey with the sports device being portable and collapsible. 
         [0010]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used to practice hitting with the ball/ball-like object/puck placed stationary at any one time among a plurality of positions. 
         [0011]    The design of the present invention achieves these objectives by departing from prior art devices as follows. In the present sports device, the ball/ball-like object/puck is conjoined to a plurality of elastic members housed in an arm member which is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a base in hitting practice mode. A plurality of safety members also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck acts as a safety. When hit, the ball/ball-like object/puck rotates around an upright member of the base. The height of the ball/ball-like object/puck is easily adjusted by a plurality of height adjusting members. Finally, the ball/ball-like object /puck can be in a plurality of positions prior to hitting. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, it is an object of this application to illustrate the preferred embodiments and to broadly state the methodologies that may be used with this sports device to practice hitting. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Referring to the attached drawings which form part of this original disclosure: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention used in practicing hitting in golf; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   a  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object/puck positioned at an end of the arm member;  FIG. 2   b  is a Top view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the first section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 4   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 5   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 5   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a Perspective view of a third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 6   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 6   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a Perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 7   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 7   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 7   c  is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 8   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the second embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 8   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the second embodiment of the arm member; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a Perspective view of a third embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 9   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the third embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 9   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the third embodiment of the arm member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a Perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,  FIG. 10   a  is an exploded view of the first end of the fourth embodiment of the arm member,  FIG. 10   b  is an exploded view of the second end of the fourth embodiment of the arm member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a Perspective view of the base of the present invention used in practicing golf; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12   a  is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member;  FIG. 12   b  is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member with a disc;  FIG. 12   c  is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member with a ring; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention used to practice hitting in hockey. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown, in hitting practice mode, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sports device  10  used to practice hitting in golf, the sports device  10  comprising an arm member  15  at the end of which is positioned a ball/ball-like object/puck  50 . The arm member  15  is mounted on the base  60  and as disclosed herein is detachable from the base  60  and is easily mounted on any type of base, whether stationary or portable. 
         [0029]    Referring first to  FIG. 2   a , therein is shown the perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15 , the preferred embodiment being multi-sectional comprising a first section  20  and a second section  30 . A ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned at an end of the arm member  15 .  FIG. 2   b  shows the top view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown the perspective view of the first section  20  of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15 . The cross section of the first section  20  can be of any geometrical shape. However, the preferred embodiment has a upper and a lower longitudinal face  21 ,  21 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  22 ,  22 ′, and a first end  23  and a second end  23 ′. A recess  24  runs substantially symmetrical through the longitudinal axis of the first section  20 , opening in the longitudinal faces  21 ,  21 ′ and opening in the first end  23 . A hole  25  in substantially the longitudinal axis of the first section  20 , opening in the upper and lower longitudinal faces  21  and  21 ′, and located in the proximity of the closed end of the recess  24  allows the multi-sectional arm member  15  to be secured rotatably and substantially horizontal around an upright member of the base in hitting practice mode, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member, and also to move up and down the upright member. Substantially concentric and congruent holes  26   a  and  26   b,  with the hole  26   a  opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face  22  and ending in the recess  24 ; and the hole  26   b  opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face  22 ′ and ending in the recess  24  facilitate the connection between the first section  20  and the second section  30 . Substantially concentric and congruent holes  27   a  and  27   b,  with the hole  27   a  opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face  22  and ending in the recess  24 , and the hole  27   b  opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face  22 ′ and ending in the recess  24  house a support member  28  (not shown), with the support member  28  running substantially perpendicular to the first and second lateral faces  22 ,  22 ′ of the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15  and spanning the recess  24 . In hitting practice mode, the second section  30  of the multi-section arm member  15  resides over the support member  28  positioning the second section  30  substantially horizontally. The support member  28  can be a bolt secured by a nut. It can equally be a length of flexible material such as surgical tubing. A suitable material for the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15  to be made of is teflon as it is light, strong and will not rust. 
         [0031]    The preferred embodiment of the second section  30  of the preferred embodiment of the multi-section arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 4  and is comprised of a hollow shaft  31 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 4   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 4   b . The hollow shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  Riding over the hollow shaft  31  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  is the connection member  33  which connects the first section  20  and the second section  30 . The cross section of the connection member  33  can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in  FIG. 4   c , the preferred embodiment of the connection member  33  has a first and a second longitudinal face  34 ,  34 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  35 ,  35 ′, and an upper face  36  and a lower face  36 ′. The width of the longitudinal faces  34  and  34 ′ is less than the width of the recess  24  of the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15 . A hole  37  opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces  34 ,  34 ′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft  31  so allowing the hollow shaft  31  to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole  37 , forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers  38  and  39  which are affixed to the hollow shaft  31  on either side of the connecting member  33 . The outer diameter of the stoppers  38  and  39  is greater than the diameter of the hole  37  so preventing the hollow shaft  31  from slipping out of the connection member  33 . The stopper  39  also prevents the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  from coming into contact with the upright member to which the multi-section arm member  15  is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  moves towards the first section  20 . A hole  40  opens in the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section  20  and the second section  30  are hinged together by a pivotal member  41  passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes  26   a  and  26   b  in the first section  20  and the hole  40  thru the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′. The hollow shaft  31  can rotate freely within the recess  24  around the pivotal member  41 . The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned abutting the second end  31   b  of the hollow shaft  31  by a plurality of elastic members  51  conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , the plurality of elastic members  51  drawn taut thru the hollow shaft  31  and secured at the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member  53  that is contiguous to the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31 , then, knotted. The knot  52  of the plurality of elastic members  51  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The outer diameter of the restraining member  53  is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft  31 . A plurality of safety members  54 , also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  and drawn thru the hollow shaft  31 , is also secured at the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member  53 , then, knotted. The knot  55  of the plurality of safety members  54  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The plurality of safety members  54  is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members  51 . In the event the plurality of elastic members  51  breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of elastic members  51 , the plurality of safety members  54  will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the hollow shaft  31  is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to move freely. 
         [0032]    The second embodiment of the second section  30  of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 5  and is comprised of a first hollow shaft  31  and a second hollow shaft  32 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 5   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 5   b . The first hollow shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  The second hollow shaft  32  has a first end  32   a  and a second end  32   b.  The second hollow shaft  32  resides within the first hollow shaft  31 . Riding over the first hollow shaft  31  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  is the connection member  33  which connects the first section  20  and the second section  30 . The cross section of the connection member  33  can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in  FIG. 5   c , the preferred embodiment of the connection member  33  has a first and a second longitudinal face  34 ,  34 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  35 ,  35 ′, and an upper face  36  and a lower face  36 ′. The width of the longitudinal faces  34  and  34 ′ is less than the width of the recess  24  of the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15 . A hole  37  opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces  34 ,  34 ′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft  31  so allowing the first hollow shaft  31  to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole  37 , forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers  38  and  39  which are affixed to the first hollow shaft  31  on either side of the connecting member  33 . The outer diameter of the stoppers  38  and  39  is greater than the diameter of the hole  37  so preventing the first hollow shaft  31  from slipping out of the connection member  33 . The stopper  39  also prevents the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31  from coming into contact with the upright member to which the multi-section arm member  15  is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  moves towards the first section  20 . A hole  40  opens in the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section  20  and the second section  30  are hinged together by a pivotal member  41  passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes  26   a  and  26   b  in the first section  20  and the hole  40  thru the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′. The first hollow shaft  31  and second hollow shaft  32  can rotate freely within the recess  24  around the pivotal member  41 . The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned abutting the second end  31   b  of the first hollow shaft  31  by a plurality of elastic members  51  conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , the plurality of elastic members  51  drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft  32  and secured at the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member  53  that is contiguous to the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31 , then, knotted. The knot  52  of the plurality of elastic members  51  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The outer diameter of the restraining member  53  is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft  31 . A plurality of safety members  54 , also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  and drawn thru the second hollow shaft  32 , is also secured at the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member  53 , then, knotted. The knot  55  of the plurality of safety members  54  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The plurality of safety members  54  is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members  51 . In the event the plurality of elastic members  51  breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of elastic members  51 , the plurality of safety members  54  will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft  31  is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  thus allowing the second hollow shaft  32  to move freely within the first hollow shaft  31 . The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to move freely. 
         [0033]    The third embodiment of the second section  30  of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 6  and is comprised of a solid shaft  31 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 6   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 6   b . The solid shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  Within the solid shaft  31  is a plurality of safety members  54 . Riding over the solid shaft  31  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  is the connection member  33  which connects the first section  20  and the second section  30 . The cross section of the connection member  33  can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in  FIG. 6   c , the preferred embodiment of the connection member  33  has a first and a second longitudinal face  34 ,  34 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  35 ,  35 ′, and an upper face  36  and a lower face  36 ′. The width of the longitudinal faces  34  and  34 ′ is less than the width of the recess  24  of the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15 . A hole  37  opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces  34 ,  34 ′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the solid shaft  31  so allowing the solid shaft  31  to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole  37 , forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers  38  and  39  which are affixed to the solid shaft  31  on either side of the connecting member  33 . The outer diameter of the stoppers  38  and  39  is greater than the diameter of the hole  37  so preventing the solid shaft  31  from slipping out of the connection member  33 . The stopper  39  also prevents the first end  31   a  of the solid shaft  31  from coming into contact with the upright member of the base to which the multi-section arm member  15  is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  moves towards the first section  20 . A hole  40  opens in the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section  20  and the second section  30  are hinged together by a pivotal member  41  passing the substantially concentric and congruent holes  26   a  and  26   b  in the first section  20  and the hole  40  thru the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′. The solid shaft  31  can rotate freely within the recess  24  around the pivotal member  41 . The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment the second end  31   b  of the solid shaft  31  is affixed within a ball/ball-like object/puck  50 . 
         [0034]    The fourth embodiment of the second section  30  of the preferred embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 7  and is comprised of a first hollow shaft  31  and a second hollow shaft  32 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 7   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 7   b . The first hollow shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  The second hollow shaft  32  has a first end  32   a  and a second end  32   b.  The first hollow shaft  31  resides over the second hollow shaft  32 . Riding over the second hollow shaft  32  in the proximity of the first end  32   a  is the connection member  33  which connects the first section  20  and the second section  30 . The cross section of the connection member  33  can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in  FIG. 7   c , the preferred embodiment has a first and a second longitudinal face  34 ,  34 ′, and a first and a second lateral face  35 ,  35 ′, and an upper face  36  and a lower face  36 ′. The width of the longitudinal faces  34  and  34 ′ is less than the width of the recess  24  of the first section  20  of the multi-section arm member  15 . A hole  37  opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces  34 ,  34 ′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  so allowing the second hollow shaft  32  to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole  37 , forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers  38  and  39  which are affixed to the second hollow shaft  32  on either side of the connecting member  33 . The outer diameter of the stoppers  38  and  39  is greater than the diameter of the hole  37  so preventing the second hollow shaft  32  from slipping out of the connection member  33 . The stopper  39  also prevents the first end  32   a  of the second hollow shaft  32  from coming into contact with the upright member of the base to which the multi-section arm member  15  is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  moves towards the first section  20 . A hole  40  opens in the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section  20  and the second section  30  are hinged together by a pivotal member  41  passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes  26   a  and  26   b  in the first section  20  and the hole  40  thru the lateral faces  35 ,  35 ′. The first hollow shaft  31  and second hollow shaft  32  can rotate freely within the recess  24  around the pivotal member  41 . The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned abutting the second end  32   b  of the second hollow shaft  32 , with the second end  31   b  of the first hollow shaft  31  within said ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , by a plurality of elastic members  51  conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , the plurality of elastic members  51  drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft  32  and secured at the first end  32   a  of the second hollow shaft  32  by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member  53  that is contiguous to the first end  32   a  of the second hollow shaft  32 , then, knotted. The knot  52  of the plurality of elastic members  51  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The outer diameter of the restraining member  53  is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft  32 . A plurality of safety members  54 , also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  and drawn thru the second hollow shaft  32 , is also secured at the first end  32   a  of the second hollow shaft  32  by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member  53 , then, knotted. The knot  55  of the plurality of safety members  54  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The plurality of safety members  54  is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members  51 . In the event the plurality of elastic members  51  breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of elastic members  51 , the plurality of safety members  54  will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft  31  is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  thus allowing the second hollow shaft  32  to move freely within the first hollow shaft  31 . The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to move freely. 
         [0035]    The second embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 8  and is comprised of a hollow shaft  31 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 8   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 8   b . The hollow shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  A hole  56  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  allows the arm member  15  to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned abutting the second end  31   b  of the hollow shaft  31  by a plurality of elastic members  51  conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , the plurality of elastic members  51  drawn taut thru the hollow shaft  31  and secured at the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member  53  that is contiguous to the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31 , then, knotted. The knot  52  of the plurality of elastic members  51  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The outer diameter of the restraining member  53  is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft  31 . A plurality of safety members  54 , also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  and drawn thru the hollow shaft  31 , is also secured at the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member  53 , then, knotted. The knot  55  of the plurality of safety members  54  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The plurality of safety members  54  is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members  51 . In the event the plurality of elastic members  51  breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of elastic members  51 , the plurality of safety members  54  will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the hollow shaft  31  is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to move freely. 
         [0036]    The third embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 9  and is comprised of a first hollow shaft  31  and a second hollow shaft  32 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 9   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 9   b . The first hollow shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b . The second hollow shaft  32  has a first end  32   a  and a second end  32   b.  The second hollow shaft  32  resides within the first hollow shaft  31 . The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft  31  is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  thus allowing the second hollow shaft  32  to move freely within the first hollow shaft  31 . A hole  56  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  of the hollow shaft  31  allows the arm member  15  to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. The hole  56  does not penetrate the second hollow shaft  32  so enabling the second hollow shaft  32  to move unrestricted within the first hollow shaft  31 . In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is positioned abutting the second end  31   b  of the first hollow shaft  31  by a plurality of elastic members  51  conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 , the plurality of elastic members  51  drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft  32  and secured at the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member  53  that is contiguous to the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31 , then, knotted. The knot  52  of the plurality of elastic members  51  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The outer diameter of the restraining member  53  is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft  31 . A plurality of safety members  54 , also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  and drawn thru the second hollow shaft  32 , is also secured at the first end  31   a  of the first hollow shaft  31  by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member  53 , then, knotted. The knot  55  of the plurality of safety members  54  is greater than the aperture of the restraining member  53 . The plurality of safety members  54  is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members  51 . In the event the plurality of elastic members  51  breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of elastic members  51 , the plurality of safety members  54  will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft  32  is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to move freely. 
         [0037]    The fourth embodiment of the arm member  15  is shown in  FIG. 10  and is comprised of a solid shaft  31 . Exploded view of the first end is shown in  FIG. 10   a . Exploded view of the second end is shown in  FIG. 10   b . The solid shaft  31  has a first end  31   a  and a second end  31   b.  Within the solid shaft  31  is a plurality of safety members  54 . A hole  56  in the proximity of the first end  31   a  of the solid shaft  31  allows the arm member  15  to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. In this embodiment the second end  31   b  of the solid shaft  31  is affixed within a ball/ball-like object/puck  50 . 
         [0038]    Rubber is a suitable material for both shafts  31  and  32  as it is flexible and has great tensile strength. A suitable material for the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  to be made of is polyurethane which has rubber-like properties. However, there are other materials that will equally fit the specification. The plurality of elastic members  51  can either be bungee cords or surgical tubings. The plurality of safety members  54  can be polyurethane cords. The plurality of safety members  54  can equally be of material that is strong and elastic in nature. The preferred manner of conjoining the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  with plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  is to mould the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 . The parts of both the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  within the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  are splayed to ensure greater adhesion of the plurality of elastic members  51  and the plurality of safety members  54  to the ball/ball-like object/puck  50 . The pivotal member  41  is a bolt and a nut and is removable. In the event the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  is damaged, or the plurality of elastic members  51  is broken, or the second section  30  is damaged, or the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  releases from the plurality of safety members  54 , the second section  30  together with the ball/ball-like object/puck  50  positioned at the second end of the second section  30  can be replaced. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  shows the base member  60  used in practicing golf, with the base member  60  comprised of a plate member  61 , an upright member  62 , a plurality of wing members  63 , a plurality of spike members  64  (not shown), a plurality of weight members  65  (not shown) and a plurality of height adjustment members  66 . All or substantially all of the boundary of the plate member  61  is within the circumference of a circle whose radius is the length of the arm member  15  and whose centre is the upright member  62 . In substantially the centre of the plate member  61  is the upright member  62 . The upright member  62  is first welded substantially perpendicular to a metal plate member  67 . Thru a hole  68  in substantially the centre of the plate member  61  the upright member  62  is inserted. The metal plate member  67  is bolted contiguously to the plate member  61  by a plurality of bolts  69 . This allows for the upright member  62  together with the metal plate member  67  to be replaced as over time the centrifugal force exerted to the upright member  62  may bend it. The top of the upright member  62  is threaded and has a locking mechanism  70 . At the corners of the lower face of the plate member  61  the plurality of wing members  63  is fastened rotatably by a plurality of rivets  72 . At substantially the end of each wing members  63  is a hole  71 . In hitting practice mode the plurality of wing members  63  is rotated away from the plate member  61 . Outdoors the wing members  63  are spiked thru the holes  71  by a plurality of spike members  64  (not shown) to the surface the hitter stands on to immobilise the plate member  61 . Indoors the wing members  63  are weighted a plurality of weight members  65  (not shown) to the surface the hitter stands on to immobilise the plate member  61 . An ideal material for the plate member  61  is plastic as it will not rust. However, depending on the type of plastic used, the plastic base may warp when the weather is hot. As such, the lower sides of the base may have to be trimmed with metal strips. The plurality of weight members  65  is a set of saddle bags shipped empty to be filled with sand or similar heavy material by the user. The wing members  63  can be made of flat steel bars as the weight will increase the immobility of the plate member  61  in hitting practice mode. The upright member  62  is a steel bolt. The locking mechanism  70  of the upright member  62  is a wing nut. The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows it to be collapsible, light enough to be easily portable, and easily assembled and disassembled. 
         [0040]      FIG. 12   a  shows the preferred embodiment of the height adjusting member  66 . The preferred manner of adjusting the height of ball/ball-like object/puck  50  relative to the surface the hitter stands on is with a plurality of height adjustment members  66 . Each of the height adjusting members  66  has an upper face  73  and a lower face  73 ′ and can be of any cross section, and is of different height. In substantially the centre of each height adjusting member  66  is a channel  74  running lengthwise, with the channel  74  fitting snugly over the upright member  62  in hitting practice mode.  FIG. 21   b  shows a second embodiment of the height adjusting member  66  in which it is affixed to a disc  75 . In this embodiment the disc  75  is contiguous with the plate member  61  with the channel  74  fitting snugly over the upright member  62  in hitting practice mode.  FIG. 21   c  shows a third embodiment of the height adjusting member  66  in which it is affixed to a ring  76  by means of a cross  77 . In this embodiment the cross  77  is contiguous with the plate member  61  with the channel  74  fitting snugly over the upright member  62  in hitting practice mode. An ideal material for the height adjusting members  66  is teflon as it will not rust and its surface is smooth allowing for smooth rotation of the arm member  15 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  shows the arm member  15  mounted on a base  60  used in practicing hitting in hockey. All or substantially all of the boundary of the base  60  is outside the circumference of a circle whose radius is the length of the arm member  15  and whose centre is the upright member  62 . 
         [0042]    This invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred embodiment with a certain degree of peculiarity; it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.