Multi-function striking bag

Abstract

A multi-function striking bag includes a base and an adjustable length elongate member or post having lower and upper free ends. The lower free end is normally supported by the base in a substantial vertical orientation defining a vertical axis. A punching bag is supported on the upper free end. Two helical springs are spaced from each other along the post in-line with the post for providing flexing points where the springs are positioned. A flex-inhibitor is associated with each spring for selectively enabling an associated spring to flex and provide a flexing point or preventing flexing to prevent a flexing point. Each flex inhibitor includes a rod that is slidably mounted within the post and selectively movable between axial positions to engage or clear an associated helical spring.

What we claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-function striking bag comprising
 a base;   an adjustable length elongate member having a lower free end and an upper free end, said lower free end being normally supported by said base in a substantial vertical orientation defining a vertical axis;   a punching bag supported on said upper free end of said elongate member;   at least two flexing members spaced from each other along said elongate member and in line with said elongate member along said axis for providing a number of flexing points along said axis corresponding to said at least two flexing members; and   a flex-inhibitor associated with each of said at least two flexing members for selectively enabling an associated flexing member to flex and provide a flexing point or preventing flexing of an associated flexing member from flexing to thereby prevent a flexing point, each flex inhibitor being in the form of a rod that is slidably mounted within said elongate member and is movable between axial positions that selectively engage or clear an associated flexing member.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base is a hollow receptacle that can be filled with ballast material such as water or sand. 
     
     
         3 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable length elongate member comprises a pair of telescoping tubes. 
     
     
         4 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising locking means for locking said telescoping tubes relative to each other to set and maintain a desired height of said punching bag above a surface supporting said base. 
     
     
         5 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein two flexing members are provided. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 5 , wherein one flexing member is located at one end of said elongate member proximate to said base and one flexing member is located at another end of said elongate member proximate to said punching bag. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each flexing member comprises a helical spring having a spring axis that is coincident with said vertical axis when the striking bag is not in use. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said punching bag has an external threaded mounting stud dimensioned to be threadedly screwed into upper turns of an upper helical spring for supporting said punching bag. 
     
     
         9 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said upper free end is provided with an external thread dimensioned to be threadedly screwed into lower turns of an upper helical spring for supporting said upper helical spring. 
     
     
         10 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a support member having a flat disc attachable to said base and an integrally formed hub provided with an internal thread dimensioned to threadedly engage lower turns of a lower helical spring to support said lower helical spring in relation to said base. 
     
     
         11 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said lower free end is provided with an external thread dimensioned to be threadedly screwed into upper turns of a lower helical spring for supporting said elongate member. 
     
     
         12 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each flex-inhibitor includes a rigid rod slidably mounted for movement within said elongate member along said axis. 
     
     
         13 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 12 , wherein each flexing member comprises a helical spring and said rigid rod associated with each flex-inhibitor has a length and is arranged to be movable to a position coextensive with all turns of said helical spring that can be flexed to prevent flexing of the spring and to be retracted from said helical coil to clear said turns to allow flexing. 
     
     
         14 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising locking means for selectively locking each rigid rod in positions to allow or inhibit flexing of said turns. 
     
     
         15 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said locking means comprises a vertical slot in a wall of said elongate member; a gripping member including a threaded screw extending through said vertical slot threadedly secured to said rigid rod, said gripping member being variably spaced from said elongate member as a function of a degree of rotation of said gripping member relative to said rigid rod; and a pressure pad interposed between said gripping member and an associated portion of said elongate member, whereby movement of said gripping member to a release position allows said rigid rod to move freely within said elongate member while movement of said gripping member to a lock position draws said gripping member closer to said elongate member to apply pressure on said pressure pad to create friction between said pressure pad and said elongate member to immobilize said rod and prevent axial movements of said rod from a locked axial position. 
     
     
         16 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said pressure pad has a generally flat surface facing said gripping member and a contact surface that conforms to an outside surface of said elongate member to which it makes contact to increase surface contact area and provide more reliable securement of said rigid rod in a locked condition to thereby ensure continued immobilization of an associated flexing member by maintaining a rigid rod within an associated helical spring. 
     
     
         17 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said elongate member comprises a circular cylindrical tube having a predetermined diameter and said contact surface defines a circular surface having a diameter that is substantially equal to said predetermined diameter. 
     
     
         18 . A multi-function striking bag as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a shock absorbing member surrounding a flexing member arranged proximate to said punching bag. 
     
     
         19 . A multi-function striking bag comprising
 a base;   an adjustable length elongate member having a lower free end and an upper free end, said lower free end being normally supported by said base in a substantial vertical orientation defining a vertical axis;   a punching bag supported on said upper free end of said elongate member;   at least two helical springs spaced from each other along said elongate member and in line with said elongate member along said axis for providing a number of flexing points along said axis corresponding to each location of a helical spring; and   a flex-inhibitor associated with each of said at least two helical spring for selectively enabling an associated helical spring to flex and provide a flexing point or preventing flexing of an associated helical spring from flexing to thereby prevent a flexing point, each flex inhibitor being in the form of a rod that is slidably mounted within said elongate member and is movable between axial positions that selectively position a rod within a helical spring to prevent flexing thereof or axially beyond turns of a helical spring that can flex to enable flexing thereof.   
     
     
         20 . A multi-function striking bag comprising
 a base;   an adjustable length elongate member formed of telescoping tubes having a lower free end and an upper free end, said lower free end being normally supported by said base in a substantial vertical orientation defining a vertical axis;   a punching bag supported on said upper free end of said elongate member;   at least two helical spring spaced from each other along said elongate member and in line with said elongate member along said axis for providing a number of flexing points along said axis corresponding to positions of said helical springs; and   a flex-inhibitor associated with each of said at least two flexing members for selectively enabling an associated helical spring to flex and provide a flexing point or preventing flexing of an associated helical spring from flexing to thereby prevent a flexing point, each flex inhibitor being in the form of a rod that is slidably mounted within said elongate member and is movable between axial positions that selectively position a rod within a helical spring to prevent flexing thereof or axially beyond turns of a helical spring that can flex to enable flexing thereof without changing the length of said telescoping tubes and without changing a selected height of said punching bag.