Practice Samurai Sword

Abstract

A practice sword simulating a Katana. The practice sword provides an affordable, safe practice weapon that correctly simulates the size, weight and curve of the Japanese sword with both simulated cutting and thrusting capabilities. The practice sword includes generally a handle, a handle guard, and a simulated blade. The blade is comprised of a plurality of flexible limbs. The limbs are interconnected at a proximal end, proximate the handle and handle guard. The distal end of each limb is limited to axial movement with respect to each other limb. The blade includes a plurality of flexible limbs. The proximal end of each flexible limb is fixed relative to each other proximate the handle guard. The distal end of each flexible limb is limited to axial movement with respect to each other flexible limb.

1 . A practice sword for simulating a Katana, said practice sword comprising:
 a handle;   a handle guard; and   a blade defining a proximal end and a distal end, said blade including a plurality of flexible limbs, wherein each of said plurality of flexible limbs defines a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of each flexible limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard, and said distal end of each of said plurality of flexible limbs being limited to axial movement with respect to each other of said plurality of flexible limbs.   
   
   
       2 . The practice sword of  claim 1  wherein said blade defines a taper from said proximal end of said blade to said distal end of said blade, said taper being defined in at least one of a lateral direction and a vertical direction. 
   
   
       3 . The practice sword of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of flexible blades includes:
 an upper limb, said upper limb defining an inverted substantially U-shaped configuration having a substantially flat top surface; and   a lower limb, said lower limb defining a substantially U-shaped configuration having an arcuate bottom surface.   
   
   
       4 . The practice sword of  claim 1  further comprising at least one retainer for maintaining a relative position between said plurality of flexible limbs. 
   
   
       5 . The practice sword of  claim 4  wherein said upper limb defines a first length, and wherein said lower limb defines a second length, said second length being longer than said first length, said upper limb and said lower limb being deformed to define an arcuate configuration such that said upper limb distal end and said lower limb distal end are brought into alignment, said at least one retainer including a distal end retainer carried at said distal end of said blade for maintaining said arcuate configuration of said blade. 
   
   
       6 . The practice sword of  claim 4  wherein said at least one retainer includes a proximal end retainer secured to said proximal end of said upper limb and said proximal end of said lower limb. 
   
   
       7 . The practice sword of  claim 4  wherein said at least one retainer includes at least one medial retainer secured to one of said upper limb and said lower between said blade proximal end and said blade distal end. 
   
   
       8 . The practice sword of  claim 7  wherein each of said at least one medial retainer defines a saddle portion configured to slidably receive said lower limb, said saddle portion defining opposing sides configured to engage and be secured to said upper limb. 
   
   
       9 . The practice sword of  claim 3  wherein said proximal end of said upper limb defines an extended portion, wherein said proximal end of said lower limb defines an extended portion, and wherein said handle guard defines a central opening, said upper limb proximal end extended portion and said lower limb proximal end extended portion cooperating to define said handle, said handle being received through said handle guard central opening. 
   
   
       10 . The practice sword of  claim 9  further comprising a handle insert configured to be received within said handle and secured to each of said upper limb and said lower limb, said handle insert being provided to prevent relative movement between said upper limb proximal end extended portion and said lower limb proximal end extended portion. 
   
   
       11 . The practice sword of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of flexible blades includes:
 an uppermost limb defining a proximal end and a distal end;   a medial limb defining a proximal end and a distal end, said medial limb proximal end being fixed relative to and spaced apart from said uppermost limb proximal end; and   a lowermost limb defining a proximal end and a distal end, said lowermost limb proximal end being fixed relative to and spaced apart from said medial limb proximal end.   
   
   
       12 . The practice sword of  claim 11  wherein said handle guard defines a central opening, and wherein said handle defines a proximal end and a distal end, said handle distal end defining first and second extended portions, said handle guard opening being configured to receive said handle first and second extended portions, said handle first and second extended portions being spaced apart to closely receive said medial limb proximal end, said uppermost limb proximal end being disposed above said handle first extended portion, said lowermost limb proximal end being received below said handle second extended portion, each of said uppermost limb proximal end, said medial limb proximal end and said lowermost limb proximal end being secured to said handle first and second extended portions. 
   
   
       13 . The practice sword of  claim 11  wherein each of said uppermost limb, said medial limb, and said lowermost limb is configured to define an upward curvature to allow said blade to bend backward as either a blow or thrust is struck, whereby the force of the strike is dissipated. 
   
   
       14 . The practice sword of  claim 11  wherein each of said uppermost limb, said medial limb, and said lowermost limb is fabricated from bamboo. 
   
   
       15 . The practice sword of  claim 11  further comprising an end spacer disposed at said distal end of said blade and secured to said uppermost limb distal end, and a distal end cover received over said distal end of said blade, said end spacer defining a distal end wall and first and second spacing elements extending from said distal end wall, said first spacing element being received between said uppermost limb distal end and said medial limb distal end, and said second spacing element being received between said medial limb distal end and said lowermost limb distal end, whereby as a blow or a thrust is struck, said medial limb distal end and said lowermost limb distal end are limited to axial movement with respect to each other and said uppermost limb distal end. 
   
   
       16 . A practice sword for simulating a Katana, said practice sword comprising:
 a handle;   a handle guard;   a blade defining a proximal end and a distal end, said blade defining a taper from said proximal end of said blade to said distal end of said blade, said taper being defined in at least one of a lateral direction and a vertical direction, said blade including:
 an upper limb defining a first length and having a proximal end and a distal end, said upper limb defining an inverted substantially U-shaped configuration having a substantially flat top surface, said proximal end of said upper limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard; and 
 a lower limb defining a second length and having a proximal end and a distal end, said lower limb defining a substantially U-shaped configuration having an arcuate bottom surface, said proximal end of said lower limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard, said distal end of said lower limb being limited to axial movement with respect to said distal end of said upper limb, said second length being longer than said first length, said upper limb and said lower limb being deformed to define an arcuate configuration such that said upper limb distal end and said lower limb distal end are brought into alignment; 
   a proximal end retainer secured to said proximal end of said upper limb and said proximal end of said lower limb;   at least one medial retainer secured to one of said upper limb and said lower between said blade proximal end and said blade distal end, each of said at least one medial retainer defining a saddle portion configured to slidably receive said lower limb, said saddle portion defining opposing sides configured to engage and be secured to said upper limb; and   a distal end retainer carried at said distal end of said blade for maintaining said arcuate configuration of said blade.   
   
   
       17 . The practice sword of  claim 16  wherein said proximal end of said upper limb defines an extended portion, wherein said proximal end of said lower limb defines an extended portion, and wherein said handle guard defines a central opening, said upper limb proximal end extended portion and said lower limb proximal end extended portion cooperating to define said handle, said handle being received through said handle guard central opening. 
   
   
       18 . A practice sword for simulating a Katana, said practice sword comprising:
 a handle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said handle distal end defining first and second extended portions;   a handle guard defining a central opening configured to receive said handle first and second extended portions;   a blade defining a proximal end and a distal end, said blade including:
 an uppermost limb defining a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said uppermost limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard, said uppermost limb proximal end being disposed above and secured to said handle first extended portion, said uppermost limb being configured to define an upward curvature to allow said blade to bend backward as either a blow or thrust is struck, whereby the force of the strike is dissipated, said uppermost limb being fabricated from bamboo; 
 a medial limb defining a proximal end and a distal end, said medial limb proximal end being fixed relative to and spaced apart from said uppermost limb proximal end, said proximal end of said limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard, said distal end of said medial limb being limited to axial movement with respect to said uppermost limb, said handle first and second extended portions being spaced apart to closely receive said medial limb proximal end, said medial limb proximal end being secured between said handle first and second extended portions, said medial limb being configured to define an upward curvature to allow said blade to bend backward as either a blow or thrust is struck, whereby the force of the strike is dissipated, said medial limb being fabricated from bamboo; and 
 a lowermost limb defining a proximal end and a distal end, said lowermost limb proximal end being fixed relative to and spaced apart from said medial limb proximal end, said proximal end of said limb being secured to said practice sword proximate said handle guard, said distal end of said lowermost limb being limited to axial movement with respect to said medial limb, said lowermost limb proximal end being received below said handle second extended portion, said lowermost limb being configured to define an upward curvature to allow said blade to bend backward as either a blow or thrust is struck, whereby the force of the strike is dissipated, said lowermost limb being fabricated from bamboo; 
   an end spacer disposed at said distal end of said blade and secured to said uppermost limb distal end, said end spacer defining a distal end wall and first and second spacing elements extending from said distal end wall, said first spacing element being received between said uppermost limb distal end and said medial limb distal end, and said second spacing element being received between said medial limb distal end and said lowermost limb distal end; and   a distal end cover received over said distal end of said blade, whereby as a blow or a thrust is struck, said medial limb distal end and said lowermost limb distal end are limited to axial movement with respect to each other and said uppermost limb distal end.