Rotating training device for measuring kicking force

Abstract

A training device for a person to practice kicking including a stationary base, platform, kicking target, and means for measuring the kicking force. The base is configured to be supported on a supporting surface and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface. The platform is disposed above the base, rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, and configured to support a person on a top side of the platform. The kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform. The platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training device for a person to practice kicking, the training device comprising:
 a stationary base configured to be supported on a supporting surface disposed below the base and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface, a platform disposed above the base and rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, wherein the platform is configured to support a person on a top side of the platform;   a kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform;   wherein the platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target; and   a means for measuring the kicking force.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for measuring the kicking force includes at least one numbering pattern fixed relative to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the platform includes a pointer to align with the numbering pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the platform includes a cutout to expose the numbering pattern in the upward direction through the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the platform includes an opening to expose the numbering patter in the upward direction through the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the numbering pattern includes a sequential series of numbers. 
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an additional kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis in a direction opposite to the kicking target, and disposed on the top side of the platform;   wherein the platform and person both rotate about the rotation axis in an opposite direction relative to the base after the person applies an subsequent kicking force to the additional kicking target; and   a means for measuring the subsequent kicking force.   
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 7 , wherein the means for measuring the kicking force and the subsequent kicking force include two separate numbering patterns fixed relative to the base. 
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the two separate number patterns includes a sequential series of numbers arranged in ascending order in opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the platform includes two pointers, each of which is positioned to align with one of the two separate numbering patterns. 
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the platform includes two cutouts, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the platform includes an opening to expose both of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 9 , wherein the platform includes two openings, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform. 
     
     
         14 . A method of practicing kicking, the method comprising:
 supporting a platform on a supporting surface;   supporting a person on a top surface of the platform;   planting a foot of the person on a contact point of the platform;   applying a kicking force with a non-planted foot of the person to a kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;   rotating with the kicking force the platform and person in a direction about a rotation axis passing through the contact point; and   measuring the kicking force.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 maintaining the non-planted foot in contact with the kicking target throughout the rotation of the platform.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 planting an opposite foot of the person on the contact point of the platform;   applying a subsequent kicking force with an opposite non-planted foot of the person to an additional kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;   rotating with the subsequent kicking force the platform and person in an opposite direction about the rotation axis; and   measuring the subsequent kicking force.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 aligning a pointer of the platform onto a numbering pattern to measuring the kicking force.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 exposing upwardly a numbering pattern through a hole or a cutout in the platform to measure the kicking force.