Cheerleading stunt practice device

Abstract

A practice device for simulating a cheerleading stunt includes a frame that has a base plate and a top plate; a tubular shaft that extends between the base and top plates; a weight that is disposed in the tubular shaft; a spring that is disposed in the tubular shaft and that contacts and biases the weight; a shoe structure; and a mount that supports the shoe structure at one end thereof and that is constructed and arranged to be disposed within the tubular shaft with the spring disposed between the weight and the mount.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A practice device for simulating a cheerleading stunt comprising:
 a frame that includes a base plate and a top plate;   a tubular shaft that extends between the base and top plates;   a weight that is disposed in the tubular shaft;   a spring that is disposed in the tubular shaft and that contacts and biases the weight;   a shoe structure; and   a mount that supports the shoe structure at one end thereof and that is constructed and arranged to be disposed within the tubular shaft with the spring disposed between the weight and the mount.   
     
     
         2 . The practice device of  claim 1  wherein the frame also includes a pair of tubular members that also extend between the base and top plates with the tubular shaft being disposed at an intermediate position of the base and top plates and the respective tubular members being disposed at opposed sides of the base and top plates. 
     
     
         3 . The practice device of  claim 2  including further weights that are each disposed in respective tubular members. 
     
     
         4 . The practice device of  claim 3  wherein the further weights are adjustable as to their position in the tubular member and each include a bumper at each end thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The practice device of  claim 1  including a grasping ball disposed over the top plate of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The practice device of  claim 5  including at least one additional weight that is arranged over the top plate of the frame, and a support rod for retaining the at least one additional weight and having the grasping ball supported at a top end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The practice device of  claim 6  including at least two additional weights stacked against each other. 
     
     
         8 . The practice device of  claim 1  wherein the frame also includes a pair of tubular members that also extend between the base and top plates with the tubular shaft being disposed at an intermediate position of the base and top plates and the respective tubular members being disposed at opposed sides of the base and top plates; including further weights that are each disposed in respective tubular members; wherein the further weights are adjustable as to their position in the tubular member and each include a bumper at each end thereof; including a grasping ball disposed over the top plate of the frame; including at least one additional weight that is arranged over the top plate of the frame, and a support rod for retaining the at least one additional weight and having the grasping ball supported at a top end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A practice device for simulating a cheerleading stunt comprising:
 a frame that includes a base plate and a top plate;   a tubular shaft that extends between the base and top plates;   a weight and spring combination that is disposed in the tubular shaft;   a shoe structure;   a mount that supports the shoe structure from a base end of the tubular shaft; and   a grasping ball supported from and disposed over the frame;   a user of the practice device having the capability of supporting the practice device overhead by holding in the hand either the grasping ball or the shoe structure.   
     
     
         10 . The practice device of  claim 8  wherein the weight and spring combination is constructed and arranged to be disposed within the tubular shaft with the spring disposed between the weight and the mount. 
     
     
         11 . The practice device of  claim 8  wherein the frame also includes a pair of tubular members that also extend between the base and top plates with the tubular shaft being disposed at an intermediate position of the base and top plates and the respective tubular members being disposed at opposed sides of the base and top plates. 
     
     
         12 . The practice device of  claim 10  including further weights that are each disposed in respective tubular members. 
     
     
         13 . The practice device of  claim 11  wherein the further weights are adjustable as to their position in the tubular member and each include a bumper at each end thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The practice device of  claim 8  including at least one additional weight that is arranged over the top plate of the frame, and a support rod for retaining the at least one additional weight and having the grasping ball supported at a top end thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The practice device of  claim 13  including at least two additional weights stacked against each other. 
     
     
         16 . The practice device of  claim 8  wherein the weight and spring combination is constructed and arranged to be disposed within the tubular shaft with the spring disposed between the weight and the mount; wherein the frame also includes a pair of tubular members that also extend between the base and top plates with the tubular shaft being disposed at an intermediate position of the base and top plates and the respective tubular members being disposed at opposed sides of the base and top plates; including further weights that are each disposed in respective tubular members; wherein the further weights are adjustable as to their position in the tubular member and each include a bumper at each end thereof; including at least one additional weight that is arranged over the top plate of the frame, and a support rod for retaining the at least one additional weight and having the grasping ball supported at a top end thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method for practicing the simulation of a cheerleading stunt comprising, providing a practice device that includes a frame supporting a grasping ball at one end thereof, supporting a shoe structure at an opposed end thereof and a biased weight disposed adjacent the opposed end of the frame, said practice device being operated by a user to, in one position thereof, engage the grasping ball to lift the practice device, and, in another position, to engage the shoe structure to lift the practice device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the biased weight provides a resistance to simulate the lifting of a cheerleader in performing a cheerleading stunt. 
     
     
         19 . The practice device of  claim 18  including providing the frame with base and top plates and a tubular shaft that is disposed between the base and top plates, the biased weight being constructed and arranged to slide within the tubular shaft to shift the weight distribution in the practice device. 
     
     
         20 . The practice device of  claim 18  including adding additional weight over the frame.