Abstract:
An athletic striking apparatus that includes at least an impact member supported by a base. The preferred embodiment further includes a plurality of predetermined angular settings provided by the base. The impact member preferably oscillates in one of at least two distinct predetermined frequencies. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiments, a method of using an athletic striking apparatus that includes at least the steps of providing an impact member supported by a base. A step of striking the impact member supported by the base preferably follows the providing step. The base further preferably provides a plurality of predetermined angular settings for the impact member. Also in an alternative preferred embodiment, the impact member oscillates in at least two distinct predetermined frequencies in response to an impact.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to athletic equipment, but not by way of limitation, to the field of sports and fitness training. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The ability to efficiently undertake a variety of sports and fitness exercises with a single piece of athletic equipment has been a goal of the fitness industry for years. 
     Historically, numerous separate pieces of equipment were needed to conduct certain sports and fitness exercises. While the separate pieces of equipment are functional, the added space needed to store the equipment in conjunction with the inconvenience of frequently moving to a new piece of equipment hinders the effectiveness of sport and fitness training. 
     Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved equipment and methods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiments, an athletic striking apparatus that includes at least an impact member is provided. The impact member is preferably supported by a base that provides a plurality of predetermined angular settings for the impact member. In a preferred embodiment, the impact member oscillates in one of at least two distinct predetermined frequencies in response to an impact. 
     Preferably, the present inventive athletic striking apparatus includes at least the steps of providing an impact member supported by a base that includes a plurality of predetermined angular settings, placing the base adjacent to a base anchor, wherein the base anchor provides an angular control member capable of communicating with a select one of the predetermined angular settings, to present the impact member at a predetermined angle with respect to the base anchor, and striking the impact member supported by the base to induce at least one of two distinct predetermined frequencies of oscillation. 
     These and various other features and advantages which characterize the claimed invention will be apparent from reading the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of the athletic striking apparatus in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the operation of the athletic striking apparatus in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the athletic striking apparatus in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the athletic striking apparatus in an alternate preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section view of a portion of the athletic striking apparatus in an alternate preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a view in perspective of the athletic striking apparatus in an alternate preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the athletic striking apparatus in a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the athletic striking apparatus in an alternate preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an athletic striking apparatus configured to facilitate sports and fitness training. Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Additionally, the numbering of components in the drawings is consistent throughout the application, with the same components having the same number in each of the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the athletic striking apparatus  100  preferably includes an impact member  104 , which can be engaged by a user  102 . Preferably, the impact member  104  is supported by a base  106 . Further in a preferred embodiment, the base  106  is secured adjacent to a base anchor  108  with a selectable latch  110 . The base  106  in conjunction with the base anchor  108  preferably allows the user  102  to reasonably strike the athletic striking apparatus  100  without knocking it over. Likewise, the low center of gravity provided by the securement of the base  106  to the base anchor  108  allows a user  102  to strike the impact member  104  in a variety of locations without tipping the apparatus  100  over. 
       FIG. 2  displays a side view showing a preferred reaction of the athletic striking apparatus  100  to an impact. The athletic striking apparatus  100  preferably includes an impact member  104  and base  106  secured adjacent the base anchor  108  by a latch  110 . Further in a preferred embodiment, the impact member  104  will react to an impact by oscillating in one of at least two distinct frequencies. One skilled in the art will easily understand that the frequency of the impact member  104  means the number of times the member  104  transverses a midpoint. The preferred two distinct frequencies result in a range of motion that is greater for some portions of the impact member  104  than others. A greater range of motion  112  preferably occurs when the impact member  104  oscillates at the lower of two predetermined frequencies. Conversely, a lesser range of motion  114  preferably occurs when the impact member  104  oscillates at the higher of two predetermined frequencies. Sign number  113  identifies the junction of the disparate ranges of motion  112  and  114 . 
     The illustration of  FIG. 3  shows an exploded isometric view of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in a preferred embodiment. The base is preferably displayed with a raised portion  116  to facilitate a single oscillating frequency when an excess of a threshold amount of force is applied to the impact member  104 . When the base  106  is not secured to the base anchor  108 , the raised portion  116  will preferably maintain a vertical presentation of the impact member  104  when force below a predetermined threshold is applied. However, an application of force to the impact member  104  above a predetermined threshold will preferably result in a single oscillating frequency. Further in a preferred embodiment, the base  106  comprises a mass that allows the base  106  and impact member  104  to self-right after force is applied to the impact member  104 . Likewise, the base  106  consistently maintains a free standing vertical position due in part to the preferred embodiment of the base  106 . 
     Preferably, the impact member  104  comprises a first oscillation member  118  connected to a second oscillation member  120  of smaller diameter. While the oscillation members  118  and  120  function to dampen an impact, an alternate preferred embodiment includes the first oscillation member  118  having a larger diameter than the second oscillation member  120 . Furthermore, the oscillation members  118  and  120  can be composed of similar or dissimilar materials, including but not limited to spring metal, titanium-nickel alloys, composite polymers, graphite impregnated polymers, and alternate materials selected to allow distinct predetermined oscillation frequencies for each of the oscillation members  118  and  120 . In a preferred embodiment, the oscillation members  118  and  120  operate to dissipate force applied to the impact member  104  through oscillating at distinct frequencies. Moreover, the predetermined oscillating frequencies are preferably configured to be the resonant frequencies of each oscillation member  118  and  120  to most efficiently dissipate energy transferred to the impact member  104 . Therefore, each oscillation member  118  and  120  will attain a distinct oscillation frequency to efficiently dampen energy transferred to the impact member  104 . 
     Further in a preferred embodiment, the impact member  104  comprises a connection member  122  configured to maintain a connection between the base  106  and a unitary padded cover  124 . The unitary padded cover  124  is preferably constructed of an energy absorbing material such as, but not limited to, polymers, rubber, fabric, and other textiles. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the unitary padded cover  124  is composed of various materials strategically placed on the impact member  104 . Similarly, an alternate preferred embodiment has the unitary padded cover  124  having separate portions that can be manipulated to present unique obstacles for a user  102  (of  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 4  displays an elevation view of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in an alternate preferred embodiment. The preferred base anchor  108  is shown providing an angular control member  126  that supports the base  106  and impact member  104  in an angular position with respect to the anchor base  108 . Further in an alternate preferred embodiment, the angular control member  126  can be configured in a multitude of angular positions to support the base  106  and impact member  104 . The base  106  is preferably configured to maintain the impact member  104  in a free standing angular position after force is applied. That is, the angular control member  126  supports the base  106  and impact member  104  allowing the impact member  104  to oscillate in at least one of two predetermined frequencies as a result of impact. Likewise, the base  106  is preferably maintained in a selected angular position after force is applied to the impact member  104 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a partial cross-section view of a portion of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in an alternate preferred embodiment. The base anchor  108  preferably provides the angular control member  126  in supporting relation to the base  106  by interacting with one or more angular settings  128 . In an alternate preferred embodiment, the angular control member  126  engages the angular settings  128  in two areas of the base  106 . However, one skilled in the art would understand that the angular control member  126  can support the base  106  in fewer or more numerous locations without deviation from the current embodiment. Similarly, the angular settings  128  are preferably notches located adjacent to the raised portion  116  of the base  106 , but can comprise extrusions, depressions, and attachment means such as magnets, hook and loop, and buttons. 
       FIG. 6  displays a view in perspective of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in an alternate preferred embodiment. The anchor base  108  is shown providing the angular control member  126  that supports the base  106  in an angular position with respect to the anchor base  108 . The capability of positioning the impact member  104  preferably includes an angular position that is conducive to a user  102  applying force to the impact member  104  from a seated position. Similarly, the angular position of the base  106  can manipulated to facilitate efficient low height exercises such as, but not limited to, kicking and kneeing. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the impact member  104  will oscillate at one distinct predetermined frequency in response to an impact while being configured in an angular position. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side plan view of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in a preferred embodiment. The base anchor  108  is preferably illustrated adjacent to the base  106 . The preferred embodiment of the impact member  104  includes at least a first oscillation member  118  and a second oscillation member  120 . The diameter of the first oscillation member  118  is preferably less than the diameter of the second oscillation member  120 . However, the diameters can be substantially the same or be configured with the second oscillation member  120  having a greater diameter than the first oscillation member  118  in an alternate preferred embodiment. Further, the first oscillation member  118  has a length less than the second oscillation member  120  in a preferred embodiment. In contrast, alternate preferred embodiments comprise the first oscillation member  118  and second oscillation member  120  being substantially the same or the first oscillation member  118  having a length greater than that of the second oscillation member  120 .  FIG. 7  further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the impact member  104  includes at least the unitary padded cover  124  enclosing the first and second oscillation members ( 118 ,  120 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an elevation view of the athletic striking apparatus  100  in an alternate preferred embodiment. The base anchor  108  is shown preferably providing the angular control member  126  that supports the base  106  through its interaction with the angular settings  128 . In a preferred embodiment, the angular settings  128  are located on opposite sides of the raised portion  116  of the base  106  providing at least two engagement areas for the angular control member  126  to support the base  106 . However, other alternate preferred embodiments can include greater or fewer numbers of angular settings  128  in various areas on the base  106  for support. Furthermore, the angular control member  126  can be configured to engage the base  106  at a number of locations greater or less than two in alternate preferred embodiments. 
     It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed by the appended claims.