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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to exercising devices and, more specifically, to a multi-function striking bag.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous exercise devices have been proposed including punching bag devices for boxing training and fitness workouts. Many such devices have limited capabilities for being modified and normally target a single type of workout. Other such devices that do provide for multiple types of workouts tend to be complex in construction and expensive to manufacture, as well as inconvenient to modify in a simple, quick and convenient way.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,890,696 discloses a punching bag apparatus that uses a plurality of springs at the lower end of a post to selectively allow the post to pivot about a ball on the base with orthogonal springs being attached to the portion of the post that extends below the ball into the base of the device. The post can be fixed at its lower end by sliding a cylindrical bolt into an aperture or recess in the base. In this condition, the unit acts more as a punching speed bag. However, when the bolt is raised and the post is released, the post can effectively flex at the base by rotating with the ball. The upper end of the post is provided with a spring that can flex and be telescopically received within the upper tubular end of the post. By retracting the spring into the hollow post it is prevented from flexing while extending it outside the post allows flexing. However, the upper spring is never immobilized but retracted into the upper end of the post, requiring compensating adjustments to the telescoping tubes to maintain a desired height of the punching bag. Also, anchoring the post to the base is not practical with plastic or sand-filled bases commonly used today to facilitate storage and shipping.

The use of a rigid cuff for surrounding a spring is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,835 to prevent or reduce flexing of the spring. However, the spring immobilizer is not permanently formed as a part of the device and is inconvenient to secure when desired. When the spring immobilizer is lost or misplaced, there is no way to immobilize or prevent the spring from flexing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function striking bag that overcomes the disadvantages of prior or known striking bags.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multi-function striking bag that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a multi-function striking bag that is portable and can be readily assembled and collapsed.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag that allows in-line springs to become immobilized without changing the height of a punching bag and therefore, avoiding the need to adjust the height of the post supporting the bag to compensate for movable springs.

It is a further object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag the height of which can be easily adjusted to accommodate users of different heights.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag as in the previous objects, that can be selectively configured to vary the range of and the speed at which the bag returns to the user in response to various types of blows to the bag for boxing or sparring practice.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag that allows a user to conveniently arrange the bag for rapid movements through relatively short arcs of movement or to arrange for slower movements through longer arcs of movement.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag that can be made to provide two or more flexing points to increase the flexibility and range of motions to accommodate specific exercise objectives.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide multi-function striking bag of the type under discussion in which the components for immobilizing the in-line springs are secured to the bag supporting post so they are always available when needed and cannot be misplaced or lost.

In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others that will become apparent hereafter, a multi-function striking bag in accordance with the present invention includes a base, an adjustable length elongate member having a lower free end and an upper free end. The lower free end is normally supported by the base in a substantially vertical orientation to define a vertical axis. A punching bag is supported at the upper free end of elongate member. At least two flexing members in the form of in-line helical springs are spaced from each other along the elongate member and arranged in line with said elongate member along said axis for providing a number of flexing points along said axis corresponding to the axial positions of said at least two flexing members. A flex-inhibitor is 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 to thereby preventing flexing point from being created at the associated flexing member. Each flex-inhibitor is in the form of rod that is slidably mounted axially within the elongate member and is movable between axial positions that selectively permit or prohibit flexing of an associated spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the improvements and advantages that derive from the present invention upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-function striking bag in accordance with the present invention, shown in its normal, static position when not in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the multi-function striking bag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmented view of the lower portion of the adjustable length elongate member shown in FIG. 1, shown in cross-section to illustrate details of assembly and operation of the flexing member or spring at the lower end of the striking bag;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the device shown in FIG. 3, illustrating the method of assembly and method of mounting of the elongate member to the base;

FIG. 5 is a detail shown in perspective of the upper end of the elongate member, with the internal rod in an upper-most position for inhibiting the flexing of an associated helical spring at the upper end of the elongate member;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing the position of the internal flex-inhibiting rod lowered or retracted into the elongate member when withdrawn from within the upper spring to enable flexing of the spring;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the upper end of the elongate member with the flex-inhibiting rod in its lowermost position as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, but showing the internal flex-inhibiting rod in its upper-most position received within the upper spring, corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a detail illustrating the locking mechanism for adjusting the length of or relative telescoping positions of the tubes forming the elongate member for adjusting the height of the punching bag;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing in solid outline the multi-function striking bag in its static position and showing in dash outlines positions that the post and punching bag can assume when the upper spring is immobilized and prevented from flexing while the lower spring is permitted to flex;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 but showing the elongate member or post in a fixed upright or vertical orientation when the lower spring is immobilized and the upper spring is permitted to flex to allow the punching bag to undergo rapid movements through short arcs;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, but showing the option in which both the upper and lower springs are permitted to flex so that the post and the punching bag can travel through longer arcs of movement relative to the base while, at the same time, the ball is arranged for rapid movements through relatively shorter short relative to the post;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the adjustable post shown in FIG. 1 with both the flex inhibitors within the lower and upper tubes in their innermost retracted, spring flex enabling positions;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate construction of a knob for setting and limiting the movements of a rod of a spring flex inhibitor shown at an extreme end of a slot to enable rotation of the knob to fix or release the rod, and shown in a position in which a cam secured to the treaded bolt prevents longitudinal movement of the knob along the slot;

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14 but shows the knob and cam rotated or angularly displaced to allow the cam and attached rod to move from one end of an associated slot to the other end thereof;

FIG. 16 is a partial view of the post shown in FIG. 13, broken away to show an orientation of the cam to lock or block movement of the knob and associated rod from the lower position shown into the slot while enabling rotation of the knob;

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16, but shows the cam in an orientation to enable sliding but not rotation of the knob as it moves from a lower to higher ends of the slot;

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tube showing adjustment mechanism for a rod for an associated spring and the manner in which the knob is secured in place to the tube and prevented from being removed after assembly; and

FIGS. 19-21 show a sequence for unlocking a lower flex-inhibiting rod and moving the rod to an intermediate position before the rod is removed from an associated spring to allow flexing thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to Figures in which similar or identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and referring first to FIG. 1, multi-function striking bag in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

The multi-function striking bag 10 has a base 12 shown in the form of a hollow receptacle for receiving water or sand as ballast. Prior to being weighed down the base is lightweight and can be readily transported or shipped. While the base can assume any desired shape, it is shown as a cylindrical base having a central region 12a and a number of radial ribs 12b designed to strengthen the base when it has a thin wall and made of a material such as plastic to strengthen the upper portion of the base in order to resist cracking or other damage when exposed to stresses during use. The base 12 can be filled with sand or water, as noted, or any other suitable ballast material through an axial opening (not shown) in the central region 12a or through any other capped opening in the wall of the base.

An adjustable length elongate member 14 is provided that has a lower tube 14a and an upper tube 14b and formed as telescoping tubes that can be extended or retracted relative to each other to change the overall length of the elongate member 14. The elongate member or post 14 is normally supported by the base 12 in a substantially vertical orientation as shown to define a vertical axis A.

At least two flexing members are provided in spaced relation from each other in line along the elongate member 14 along the axis A for providing at least two flexing points along the axis corresponding to the positions of the flexing members. In the embodiment shown, two flexing members 16, 18 are in the form of helical springs having axes normally aligned with the axis A. The springs 16, 18 are preferably high tension springs that have spring constants or coefficients selected to provide the desired forces required for flexing or bending and restoring the springs. Clearly, the higher the spring constants, the stiffer the springs will be, the less they will flex when forces are applied and the quicker that they will revert to their straight un-flexed positions. The specific properties of the spring are not critical for the purposes of the invention and any suitable springs can be used for any given application, age, exercise level or strength of the user. The adjustable member or post 14 is provided with a height adjustment lock 14c for selectively securing or fixing the lower and upper tubes 14a, 14b relative to each other.

A support member 20 is attached to the central region 12a of the base 12. Referring to FIG. 4, the support member 20 includes a round, flat disc portion 20a provided with angularly displaced holes 20b. A cylindrical hub portion 20c is integrally formed with disc portion 20a as shown, and, optionally, enforcement ribs 20d extend between the flat disc portion 20a and the hub portion 20c to reinforce this support member against the stresses that are applied during use. Any suitable fasteners (not shown) can be used to secure the member 20 to the base 12 by extending through the holes 20b.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cylindrical hub portion 20c is provided with an internal, spiral groove 20e along the axis A that correspond to the dimensions and pitch of the turns of the spring 16 so that the spring 16 can be threadedly engaged with the hub portion 20d of the support member 20. Preferably, a finishing sleeve or cap 22 is provided to give a finished appearance to the top of the spring 16. The lower free end of the lower tube 14a is threaded at 32 to correspond to the pitch of the spring 16 so that the post can be secured to the spring by threading the free end 32 into the spring as shown in FIG. 3.

An in-line flex-inhibitor 24 associated with the lower spring 16 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The flex-inhibitor 24 includes an internal rod 24a having a lower end 24b that is configured to be received within the hollow cavity formed by the turns of the lower helical spring 16. The lower end 24b of the rod 24a may have a reduced diameter to facilitate insertion of the rod 24a into the spring 16 without engaging individual turns of the spring.

The lower flex-inhibitor 24 includes the rod 24a, as noted, and a knob 24c that is fixed to an externally threaded bolt B that extends through a spacer or pressure pad 24d provided with a flat surface facing the knob 24c and an arcuate surface facing the tubular member 14a that conforms to the outside surface of the tube as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and 9. The pressure pad 24d is not threaded and the bolt B extends through the spacer with clearance for free movement therethrough. When the knob 24c is rotated to the locking position, it advances into the rod 24a until pressure is applied on the pressure pad 24d, which is captured between the knob 24c and the post 14. Tightening of the knob 24c causes the pressure pad 24d to bear against the outside surface of the tube 14a while, at the same time, drawing the rod 14a against the inside surface of the tube to effectively squeeze the tube and apply a press-fit to prevent relative sliding movements between the rod 24a and the tube 14a. When the knob 24c is loosened, the bolt B can slide up or down within a vertical slot 34, the position and length of the slot being selected so that when the knob 24c and the bolt B are at the lowermost end of the slot 34, the rod 24a is fully inserted within the helical spring as shown in FIG. 3. However, when the knob 24c and the bolt B are raised to the uppermost position of the slot 34, the rod 24a is withdrawn from the interior of the lower helical spring 16 to clear it and allow the spring 16 to flex along its entire exposed axial length. In the lower position shown in FIG. 3, the rod 24a acts as a flex-inhibitor for preventing the spring 16 from flexing or deviating from the vertical axis A.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the flex-inhibitor 26 for the upper spring 18 is illustrated in its retracted and extended positions. The flex-inhibitor 26 similarly has a knob 26a secured to a screw or bolt 26b threaded through a slot 38 into a threaded hole 40a within a rod 40. At the upper end 40b there is provided a cylindrical plug 42, preferably has a smooth low-friction surface and made of a material such as plastic, Teflon or the like. The plug 42 is dimensioned to have a diameter less than the smaller diameter of the upper helical spring 18 to ensure smooth insertion without undesired engagement with the individual turns of the spring.

The upper end of the tube 14b is threaded at 36 to threadedly engage or mesh with the interior of the helical turns of the helical spring 18 so that the spring 18 can be mounted on the post 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the punching bag 30 is attached to the top of the elongate member or upper tube 14b and has an upper rounded or spherical portion 30a and a neck portion 30b rigidly attached to the tube 14b by means of a threaded stud 30c as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The stud 30c is arranged to be threadedly screwed into the upper helical spring 18 and be supported thereby. A soft resilient cylindrical collar 28, formed of a foam or other shock absorbing material, is dimensioned to cover and totally surround the upper helical spring 18. Preferably, the collar 28 is at least semi-permanently attached to the spring 18, such as with adhesive, so that it does not inadvertently slip and move down and off of the spring. The collar 28 is configured and designed to absorb the shock to a user who may inadvertently miss the punching bag 30 and hit the spring 18.

With the rigid stud 30c engaged with the upper turns of the helical spring 18 and the upper tube 14b threadedly meshed with the lower turns of the helical spring 18, there remains an exposed length l_s of turns that remain unthreaded at the axial ends and that are able to flex. The length l_r of the rod 40 and the length of the slot 28 are selected so that such movement of the rod 40 to the upper-most position occupies the length l_s to thereby immobilize the turns of the spring 18 and prevent it from flexing.

Referring to FIG. 9, a height adjustment lock 14c includes a knob 44 at the upper end of the lower, larger diameter tube 14a. The upper end of the lower smaller diameter tube 14b is telescopically received within the lower tube 14a. The high adjustment knob 44 is fixed to an externally threaded bolt 46 that is supported by an internally threaded nut 48 welded or otherwise fixed to the tube 14a. By rotating the knob 44 to a locking position, the screw or bolt 46 is advanced into engagement against the inner tube 14b to frictionally prevent movements of the tubes relative to each other. To change the relative positions of the tubes, and therefore, the height of the punching bag 30, the knob 44 is unscrewed to release the inner tube 14b at which time it can be lowered or raised as desired and then locked in place.

The presently preferred embodiment, as shown and described, has two in-line helical springs 16, 18 and two in-line flex-inhibitors 24, 26 having associated axial sliding rods for entering or being removed from the associated helical springs. It should be evident that additional in-line helical springs and associated flex-inhibitors can be provided as desired, to increase the potential number of flexing points to thereby increase the potential for customizing the multi-function striking bag to the function(s) desired such as different flexing options, responsiveness or speed of the punching bag.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the multi-function striking bag in its static position, in solid outline, and showing in dash outlines positions that the post and punching bag can assume when the upper spring is immobilized and prevented from flexing while the lower spring is permitted to flex;

FIG. 11 shows the elongate member or post in a fixed upright or vertical orientation when the lower spring is immobilized and the upper spring is permitted to flex to allow the punching bag to undergo rapid movements through short arcs.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, but shows the option in which both the upper and lower springs are permitted to flex so that the post and the punching bag can travel through longer arcs of movement relative to the base while, at the same time, the ball is arranged for rapid movements through relatively shorter arcs relative to the post.

The multi-function striking bag 10 can be used, for example, for cardio boxing and fitness workouts. It is also useful to increase reflex speeds, hand and eye coordination as well as leg conditioning. In one apparatus, therefore, multiple functions, workouts and benefits can be achieved.

Referring to FIGS. 13-21, an alternate embodiment is shown that has a number of additional benefits. With the first described embodiment it is possible to tighten the knobs 24c and 26a in intermediate positions of the slots 34, 38, respectively, resulting in partial insertion of the rods 24a, 40 within associated springs. This could result in the springs excessively bending and stressing over shorter axial lengths to cause permanent deformations and damage to the springs. In order to avoid such potential damage, the modified embodiment is structured to ensure that the knobs 24c, 26a can only be tightened when the associated flex inhibiting rods are either fully retracted and withdrawn from a spring, permitting flexing over the exposed axial length of the spring, or fully extended and inserted into an associated spring to prevent any flexing of the spring. This is achieved by providing a cam 26e on the inwardly facing surface of the hub 26d between the hub and the portion of the bolt 26b containing the threads 26c. The cam 26e has a thickness and is positioned to project into and be effectively coextensive with and substantially having the same thickness as the slots 34, 38. However, the cam 26e is formed to be substantially rectangular, with rounded corners, as shown, and to have a longer width dimension W at its widest dimension and a smaller dimension w at its smallest dimension, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The smaller dimension w is selected to be substantially equal to the width of the slots 34, 38 so when properly orientated in alignment with the slots, they can freely slide within the slot with clearance. However, when the cam 28e is not axially aligned with the slot, it assumes a larger dimension than the slot up to the maximum dimension W, when it is orientated transversely to the slot, and this prevents the knob 26a from sliding along the slot but can freely rotate within the larger lower and upper openings 38a, 38b within the tubes 14a, 14b. This is also illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 in relation to the slot 38, shown in phantom outline.

To prevent removal and possible misplacement and loss of knobs 24c, 26a an arresting lock nut 52 is provided that has a hub 52a that is internally threaded to receive the threads 26c and a rear surface 52b provided with a hex opening 52c. In assembly, a flex inhibiting rod, shown as an upper rod 40 in FIGS. 18-21, is lowered to align the circular opening 38a with the threaded hole 48 within the upper rod. The rod 40 is also provided with a rear opening 40c that is aligned in this condition with a rear hole 14d within the upper tube 14b. During such aligned positions a hex wrench or other appropriate tool 54 may be inserted through the holes 14d, 40c to engage with the hex opening 52c. The arresting lock nut 52 is fixed in relation to the knob 26a by fixing one and rotating the other relative thereto. The arresting lock nut 52 may be securely engaged onto the threads 26c for secure engagement. The arresting lock nut 52 is also sufficiently threadedly engaged to prevent excessive radial movements of the cam 26e and assure that it remains substantially coextensive within the thickness of the upper tube 14b in order to be maintained within the circular opening 38a or the slot 38. Once fully engaged and fixed, the tool 54 may be removed. In order to ensure that the arresting lock nut 52 remains fixed to the threads 26c any conventional methods may be used including press fit connection, surface adhesives, Teflon tape, etc. Any of these and other approaches may be used to retain the arresting lock nut 52 in place, with different degrees of advantage. It will be clear that once the arresting lock nut 52 has been fixed in place, the knob 26a is limited or restricted in potential radial movements and this ensures that the cam 26e always interacts with the slot in the upper tube 14b.

The construction shown in FIGS. 13-21 ensures, therefore, that the knob 26a can only be tightened when the cam 26e is arranged within one of the circular openings 38a, 38b. When the cam is arranged within the slot 38, the knob cannot be rotated and, therefore, the upper rod 40 cannot be secured in place. When located within one of the circular openings 38a, 38b the knob 26a can rotate causing the arresting lock nut 52 to bear pressure against the upper rod 40 as a result of the rotation of the threaded hole 40a in the upper rod 40. By applying radially outward pressure on the upper rod 40, the rod is secured to the upper tube 14b as a result of the friction between these two members.

Since the arresting lock nut 52 rotates with the rotation of the knob 26a, the lock nut 52 cannot rotate in a relation to the threads 26c and cannot be separated from the knob 26a. This prevents the knob from being inadvertently removed, as could be the case with the first described embodiment, and this ensures that the knob 26a does not become misplaced or lost. Importantly, also, is that by ensuring that the knob 26a can only be rotated when the cam 26e is within one of the circular openings 38a, 38b the rod 40 can only be tightened in its upper most or lower most positions to prevent any flexing of its associated spring or to enable the spring to flex over its entire exposed axial length thus preventing possible damage to the spring.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

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.