Self-restoring kicking practice apparatus

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a primary base adapted to rest on a support surface;
• a freestanding support frame having first, second and third separate laterally spaced-apart upstanding stationary portions disposed in a generally triangular arrangement and connected to said primary base;
• an impact-receiving member;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member to said first portion of said support frame such that said member extends in cantilever fashion generally outwardly from said first frame portion and away from said second and third frame portions and is pivotable relative to said first frame portion within a plane extending transversely thereto in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past said pivot means and interconnecting said impact-receiving member with said second and third frame portions so as to impose a restoring force on said impact-receiving member and a dampening force on said pivot means for maintaining said impact-receiving member at an initial rest position and returning said impact-receiving member to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said first frame portion after pivoting of said impact-receiving member in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said member;
• a reinforcing structure;
• said upstanding members being rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure;
• a secondary base;
• a plurality of bracing members extending between and interconnecting said secondary base with said primary base and said reinforcing structure to provide supplemental support for said upstanding members;
• and,
• wherein each of said bracing members is composed of a plurality of short segments having an externally-threaded portion on one end and an internally-threaded portion on an opposite end for connecting said segments end-to-end to form said members.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a primary base adapted to rest on a support surface;
• a freestanding support frame having first, second and third separate laterally spaced-apart upstanding stationary portions disposed in a generally triangular arrangement and connected to said primary base;
• an impact-receiving member;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member to said first portion of said support frame such that said member extends in cantilever fashion generally outwardly from said first frame portion and away from said second and third frame portions and is pivotable relative to said first frame portion within a plane extending transversely thereto in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past said pivot means and interconnecting said impact-receiving member with said second and third frame portions so as to impose a restoring force on said impact-receiving member and a dampening force on said pivot means for maintaining said impact-receiving member at an initial rest position and returning said impact-receiving member to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said first frame portion after pivoting of said impact-receiving member in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said member;
• a reinforcing structure;
• said upstanding members being rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure;
• a plurality of pivot joints, each joint connecting one of said upstanding members at its lower end to said primary base;
• and
• a lock sleeve slidably fitted about said each upstanding member and adjustable therealong between a locking position in which said lock sleeve surrounds said pivot joint for locking said upstanding member in a generally upright position and an unlocking position in which said lock sleeve is displaced from said pivot joint for permitting said upstanding member to pivot at said joint relative to said primary base.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a primary base;
• a freestanding support frame having first, second and third laterally spaced-apart stationary portions disposed in a generally triangular arrangement and connected to said primary base;
• an impact-receiving member;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member to said first portion of said support frame such that said member extends in cantilever fashion generally outwardly from said first frame portion and away from said second and third frame portions and is pivotable relative to said first frame portion within a plane extending transversely thereto in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction;
• and,
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past said pivot means and interconnecting said impact-receiving member with said second and third frame portions so as to impose a restoring force on said impact-receiving member and a dampening force on said pivot means for maintaining said impact-receiving member at an initial rest position and returning said impact-receiving member to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said first frame portion after pivoting of said impact-receiving member in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said member;
• wherein said resiliently yieldable flexible members include a set of first interconnecting flexible members which extend in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot means and interconnect said impact-receiving member with said second and third frame portions, said first interconnecting members being in a substantially relaxed condition when said impact-receiving member is at said initial rest position, one or the other of said first interconnecting members stretching from said relaxed condition upon pivoting of said impact-receiving member in one or the other of said directions so as to generate said restoring force to return said impact-receiving member to said initial rest position;
• wherein said resiliently yieldable flexible members also include a set of second interconnecting flexible members which extend in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with the pivot means and interconnect said impact-receiving member with said second and third frame portions, said second interconnecting members being in a stretched condition about a portion of said pivot means when said impact-receiving member is at said initial rest position, so as to generate a part of said restoring force for maintaining said impact-receiving member at said initial position, one or the other of said second interconnecting members stretching even further from said stretched condition about an increasing portion of said pivot means upon pivoting of said impact-receiving member in one or the other of said directions so as to proportionally increase said restoring force and said dampening force for returning said impact-receiving member to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation;
• and,
• wherein said dampening force is at least in part in the form of frictional force generated between said pivot means and said first frame portion which increases in magnitude as one or the other of said second interconnecting flexible members stretches even further when said impact-receiving member is pivoted in either direction away from said rest position.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a freestanding support frame including a primary base, a reinforcing structure, and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends on said primary base and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure, said upstanding members extending generally parallel to one another and being composed of a pair of spaced-apart rear members and a front member disposed between and forwardly of said rear members to provide said members in a generally triangular arrangement;
• an impact-receiving member including an elongated arm having opposing inner and outer ends, an impact-receiving padded target, and means releasably mounting said target on said outer end of said arm;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member arm at its inner end to said front upstanding member of said freestanding support frame such that said arm extends generally outwardly in cantilever fashion from said front upstanding member and away from said rear upstanding members and is pivotable relative to said front member within a plane extending in generally transverse relation thereto and in clockwise and counterclockwise directions thereabout, said pivot means including a sleeve rotatably fitted about said front upstanding member and rigidly connected to said impact-receiving member arm at said inner end thereof;
• and
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot sleeve and slidingly connected to said pair of spaced-apart rear members and interconnecting said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members so as to impose a restoring force on said arm and a dampening force on said pivot sleeve for maintaining said arm at an initial rest position and returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said front upstanding member after pivoting of said arm in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said impact-receiving padded target on said arm.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a freestanding support frame including a primary base, a reinforcing structure, and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends on said primary base and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure, said upstanding members extending generally parallel to one another and being composed of a pair of spaced-apart rear members and a front member disposed between and forwardly of said rear members to provide said members in a generally triangular arrangement;
• an impact-receiving member including an elongated arm having opposing inner and outer ends, an impact-receiving padded target, and means releasably mounting said target on said outer end of said arm;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member arm at its inner end to said front upstanding member of said freestanding support frame such that said arm extends generally outwardly in cantilever fashion from said front upstanding member and away from said rear upstanding members and is pivotable relative to said front member within a plane extending in generally transverse relation thereto and in clockwise and counterclockwise directions thereabout, said pivot means including a sleeve rotatably fitted about said front upstanding member and rigidly connected to said impact-receiving member arm at said inner end thereof;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot sleeve and interconnecting said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members so as to impose a restoring force on said arm and a dampening force on said pivot sleeve for maintaining said arm at an initial rest position and returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said front upstanding member after pivoting of said arm in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said impact-receiving padded target on said arm;
• a secondary base adapted to rest on the support surface;
• a plurality of bracing members extending between and interconnecting said secondary base with said primary base and said reinforcing structure to provide supplemental support for said upstanding members;
• and,
• wherein each of said bracing members is composed of a plurality of short segments having an externally-threaded portion on one end and an internally-threaded portion on an opposite end for connecting said segments end-to-end to form said members.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a freestanding support frame including a primary base, a reinforcing structure, and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends on said primary base and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure, said upstanding members extending generally parallel to one another and being composed of a pair of spaced-apart rear members and a front member disposed between and forwardly of said rear members to provide said members in a generally triangular arrangement;
• an impact-receiving member including an elongated arm having opposing inner and outer ends, an impact-receiving padded target, and means releasably mounting said target on said outer end of said arm;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member arm at its inner end to said front upstanding member of said freestanding support frame such that said arm extends generally outwardly in cantilever fashion from said front upstanding member and away from said rear upstanding members and is pivotable relative to said front member within a plane extending in generally transverse relation thereto and in clockwise and counterlockwise directions thereabout, said pivot means including a sleeve rotatably fitted about said front upstanding member and rigidly connected to said impact-receiving member arm at said inner end thereof;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot sleeve and interconnecting said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members so as to impose a restoring force on said arm and a dampening force on said pivot sleeve for maintaining said arm at an initial rest position and returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said front upstanding member after pivoting of said arm in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said impact-receiving padded target on said arm;
• a plurality of pivot joints, each joint connecting one of said upstanding members at its lower end to said primary base;
• and
• a lock sleeve slidably fitted about said each upstanding member and adjustable therealong between a locking position in which said lock sleeve surrounds said pivot joint for locking said upstanding member in a generally upright position and an unlocking position in which said lock sleeve is displaced from said pivot joint for permitting said upstanding member to pivot at said joint relative to said primary base.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a freestanding support frame including a primary base, a reinforcing structure, and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends on said primary base and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure, said upstanding members extending generally parallel to one another and being composed of a pair of spaced-apart rear members and a front member disposed between and forwardly of said rear members to provide said members in a generally triangular arrangement;
• an impact-receiving member including an elongated arm having opposing inner and outer ends, an impact-receiving padded target, and means releasably mounting said target on said outer end of said arm;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member arm at its inner end to said front upstanding member of said freestanding support frame such that said arm extends generally outwardly in cantilever fashion from said front upstanding member and away from said rear upstanding members and is pivotable relative to said front member within a plane extending in generally transverse relation thereto and in clockwise and counterclockwise directions thereabout, said pivot means including a sleeve rotatably fitted about said front upstanding member and rigidly connected to said impact-receiving member arm at said inner end thereof;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot sleeve and interconnecting said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members so as to impose a restoring force on said arm and a dampening force on said pivot sleeve for maintaining said arm at an initial rest position and returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said front upstanding member after pivoting of said arm in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said impact-receiving padded target on said arm;
• wherein said resiliently yieldable flexible members include a set of first interconnecting flexible members which extend in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with the pivot sleeve and interconnect said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members, said first interconnecting members being in a substantially relaxed condition when said arm is at said initial rest position, one or the other of said first interconnecting members stretching from said relaxed condition upon pivoting of said arm in one or the other of said directions so as to generate said restoring force to return said arm to said initial rest position;
• wherein said resiliently yieldable flexible members also include a set of second interconnecting flexible members in the form of elastic cords which extend in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with the pivot sleeve and interconnect said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members, said second interconnecting members being in a stretched condition about a portion of said pivot sleeve, when said arm is at said initial rest position, so as to generate a part of said restoring force for maintaining said arm at said initial position, one or the other of said second interconnecting members stretching even further from said stretched condition about an increasing portion of said pivot sleeve upon pivoting of said arm in one or the other of said directions so as to proportionally increase said restoring force and said dampening force for returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible oscillation about said front upstanding member;
• and,
• wherein said dampening force is at least in part in the form of frictionally force generated between said pivot sleeve and said front upstanding member which increases in magnitude as one or the other of said second interconnecting flexible members stretches even further when said arm is pivoted in either direction away form said rest position.

A kicking practice apparatus, comprising:

• a freestanding support frame including a primary base, a reinforcing structure, and a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding members mounted at their lower ends on said primary base and rigidly interconnected at their upper ends by said reinforcing structure, said upstanding members extending generally parallel to one another and being composed of a pair of spaced-apart rear members and a front member disposed between and forwardly of said rear members to provide said members in a generally triangular arrangement;
• an impact-receiving member including an elongated arm having opposing inner and outer ends, an impact-receiving padded target, and means releasably mounting said target on said outer end of said arm;
• pivot means pivotally mounting said impact-receiving member arm at its inner end to said front upstanding member of said freestanding support frame such that said arm extends generally outwardly in cantilever fashion from said front upstanding member and away from said rear upstanding members and is pivotable relative to said front member within a plane extending in generally transverse relation thereto and in clockwise and counterclockwise directions thereabout, said pivot means including a sleeve rotatably fitted about said front upstanding member and rigidly connected to said impact-receiving member arm at said inner end thereof;
• a plurality of resiliently yieldable flexible members extending in opposing relation to one another past and in contact with said pivot sleeve and interconnecting said impact-receiving member arm with said rear upstanding members so as to impose a restoring force on said arm and a dampening force on said pivot sleeve for maintaining said arm at an initial rest position and returning said arm to said rest position with occurrence of only negligible osillation about said front upstanding member after pivoting of said arm in either said clockwise or counterclockwise directions in response to an impact being applied to said impact-receiving padded target on said arm;
• wherein said pivot sleeve is slidably adjustable along said front upstanding member to vary the distance of said arm from said primary base;
• and,
• a connector releasably attached to each of said rear upstanding members and coupled to each of said flexible members, said connectors being slidably adjustable along said rear upstanding members to displace them at a distance from said primary base which corresponds to the distance that said pivot sleeve is displaced from said base.