Flexible Swing Stick Impact Simulator and Muscle Trainer

Abstract

A flexible swing stick is provided comprising a hollow tube with a distal end and a proximal end wherein at least the distal end is closed by an integral seal. At least one slidably received weight is in the hollow tube with the weight disposed to move from the proximal end to the distal end when the flexible swing stick is swung through a range of motion. The proximal end is closed, preferably by an integral seal.

1 . A flexible swing stick comprising;
 a hollow tube comprising a distal end and a proximal end wherein at least said distal end is closed by an integral seal;   at least one slidably received weight in said hollow tube disposed to move from said proximal end to said distal end when said flexible swing stick is swung through a range of motion; and   wherein said proximal end is closed.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said proximal end is closed by a second integral seal. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said proximal end is closed by an end cap or plug. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said hollow tube comprises a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 4  wherein said hollow tube comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said hollow tube has a flexural modulus of 1,000 to 10,000,000 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 6  wherein said hollow tube has a flexural modulus of 100,000 to 400,000 psi. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said hollow tube has an outside diameter of at least 0.5″ to no more than 3″. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said hollow tube has wall thickness of at least 0.05″ to no more than 0.25″. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said hollow tube comprises a reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 10  wherein said reinforced polymer comprises a glass or carbon. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible spacer in said hollow tube. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 12  wherein said flexible spacer has a curvature. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 12  wherein said flexible spacer is between said proximal end and said slidably received weight. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  further comprising a rod in said hollow tube. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 15  wherein said rod has a stiffness or EI less than that of said hollow tube. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 16  wherein said rod has a stiffness or EI less than ½ of said hollow tube. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  wherein said slidably received weight is a ball. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 18  wherein said ball is a metal ball. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 19  wherein said ball is a stainless steel ball. 
     
     
         21 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 18  wherein said ball has a diameter of at least 0.154 to no more than 0.625. 
     
     
         22 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  further comprising a surface treatment. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 22  wherein said surface treatment comprises a wrap on an exterior surface of said hollow tube. 
     
     
         24 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 23  wherein said wrap is selected from peel-n-stick foil faced metal tape, adhesively bonded fabric tape and peel-n-stick spiral wrapped bat tape. 
     
     
         25 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 24  further comprising a tape over said wrap. 
     
     
         26 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  having a length of at least 10″ to no more than 70″. 
     
     
         27 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 26  wherein said length is at least 20″ to no more than 40″. 
     
     
         28 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 1  having a weight of at least 10 grams to no more than 2000. 
     
     
         29 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 28  having a weight of at least 225 grams to no more than 1000. 
     
     
         30 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 29  having a weight of at least 300 grams to no more than 700. 
     
     
         31 . The flexible swing stick of  claim 29  further comprising an end cap. 
     
     
         32 . A method for training comprising:
 grasping a flexible swing stick with at least one hand at a proximal end wherein said flexible swing stick comprises:
 a hollow tube comprising a distal end and said proximal end wherein at least said distal end is closed by an integral seal; 
 at least one slidably received weight in said hollow tube disposed to move from said proximal end to said distal end when said flexible swing stick is swung through at least a portion of a range of motion; and 
 wherein said proximal end is closed; 
 with said slidably received weight at said proximal end moving to said distal end upon swinging said flexible swing stick through said range of motion wherein said range of motion comprises a narrow portion; and 
 wherein said slidably received weight impacts said distal end within said narrow portion of said range of motion; 
 when swinging said flexible swing stick through at least a portion of said range of motion. 
   
     
     
         33 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A method for forming a flexible swing stick comprising:
 providing a hollow tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   forming an integral seal on at least said distal end;   sealing said proximal end; and   inserting at least one slidably receivable weight in said tube prior to either said forming of said integral seal or said sealing of said proximal end.   
     
     
         67 - 97 . (canceled)