U.S. patent application number 13/324739 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for football training aid and method.
Invention is credited to Christopher J. Gallo.
Application Number | 20120157243 13/324739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46235108 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120157243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gallo; Christopher J. |
June 21, 2012 |
FOOTBALL TRAINING AID AND METHOD
Abstract
A training aid is attached to the rear region of a user's helmet
and alerts the player with an audible beep when the player's head
drops into a downward unsafe or improper position. A printed
circuit board containing a horn, battery and tilt switch is located
within a protective housing attached by an adhesive to the rear
region of the player's helmet. An external switch enables the
player to manually turn the circuit ON or OFF.
Inventors: |
Gallo; Christopher J.;
(North Canton, OH) |
Family ID: |
46235108 |
Appl. No.: |
13/324739 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61423731 |
Dec 16, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/438 ;
473/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0002 20130101;
A63B 2071/0627 20130101; A42B 3/046 20130101; A63B 2243/007
20130101; A63B 71/10 20130101; A63B 2102/14 20151001; A63B 2220/16
20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 71/0054 20130101; A63B
2230/625 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/438 ;
473/422 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06 |
Claims
1. A training aid comprising: a helmet including a protective outer
shell having two side regions, a rear region and a front region,
said front region being formed with an opening to provide a field
of vision for a wearer; and a signaling device attached to the
helmet to provide a signal to the wearer when the front region of
the helmet is in a downwardly facing direction.
2. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling device
is positioned in the rear region of the helmet.
3. The training aid defined in claim 2 wherein the signaling device
is attached on an exterior surface of the rear region of the
helmet.
4. The training aid defined in claim 2 wherein the signaling device
is mounted within an interior of the helmet adjacent the rear
region.
5. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signal is an
audible signal.
6. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling device
includes a tilt switch.
7. The training aid defined in claim 6 wherein the tilt switch is a
MEMS tilt switch.
8. The training aid defined in claim 6 wherein the signaling device
includes a battery and a signaling horn; and in which the tilt
switch upon reaching a predetermined angle actuates an electrical
circuit between the battery and signaling horn.
9. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling device
includes a printed circuit board containing a tilt switch, a
battery and an audible horn; and wherein said printed circuit board
is located within a protective housing attached to the rear region
of the helmet.
10. The training aid defined in claim 9 wherein the protective
housing is attached to the rear region of the helmet by an
adhesive.
11. The training aid defined in claim 9 wherein an external switch
is mounted on the housing for controlling an ON/OFF condition of
the signaling device.
12. The training aid defined in claim 9 wherein the protective
housing has a generally dome-shaped configuration.
13. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling
device is mounted between two and three inches above a bottom edge
of the helmet on an exterior surface of the rear region.
14. The training aid defined in claim 1 wherein the signaling
device is actuated upon the helmet moving downwardly through the
angle approximately 90.degree. or more from vertical.
15. A method of training a football player not to drop the player's
head prior to contact with another player including the steps of:
mounting a signaling device on a helmet being worn by the player;
actuating the signaling device automatically upon the player
tilting his head into a critical downward position; and sounding an
audible alarm upon actuating the signaling device to warn the
player to keep his head in an up position.
16. The method defined in claim 15 including the steps of placing
the signaling device in a protective housing formed of an impact
resistant plastic; and mounting the protective housing on a rear
region of the helmet.
17. The method defined in claim 16 including the step of mounting
the protective housing on an exterior surface of the helmet with a
pressure sensitive adhesive.
18. The method defined in claim 15 including the step of mounting
the signaling device within the interior of the helmet adjacent a
rear region of the helmet.
19. The method defined in claim 15 including the step of providing
the signaling device with a manually operated ON/OFF switch.
20. The method defined in claim 15 including the steps of providing
the signaling device with a tilt switch and completing an electric
circuit upon the player's head moving downwardly approximately
90.degree. or more from an upright vertical position.
21. A training aid for mounting on a protective headgear
comprising: a protective housing having a generally dome-shaped
configuration; an alarm circuit containing a tilt switch, a
signaling device and a battery mounted within the protective
housing; and an attachment device for securing the protective
housing on a rear region of the headgear.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/423,731, filed Dec. 16, 2010, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The invention relates to a training aid primarily for
football players. More particularly, the invention relates to a
signaling device mounted on or in the helmet of the player to
signal the player with an audible sound that his head is in an
improper contact position.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Extreme contact occurs constantly in football and is an
integral part of the sport. Although the players are well protected
by various protective clothing and gear which helps substantially
to avoid serious injury, one area which is difficult to protect is
the cervical area and in particular the spine. Many of these
injuries occur during tackling and blocking caused by the player
dropping his head just prior to contact which is a reflexive
action. If the player lowers his head beyond a safe distance, the
force is exerted incorrectly on the player's neck, often resulting
in serious injury to the spine, such as temporarily or occasionally
full paralysis.
[0006] It is difficult to train a player to keep his head in an
upright position, that is, in a "safe" position upon blocking and
especially upon making a tackle on a moving player. The natural
reflex is to drop the head which results in the contact force on
the player's helmet being transferred to the neck, which is then in
an improper position. Also, the player is apt to make a better
block and tackle if he maintains his head in an upright position
where his field of vision is at an optimal position enabling him to
make the block or tackle. Players who consistently block, tackle
and run with their heads down have a limited field of vision. Also,
when a player limits his field of view, blocks and tackles are
missed and a player is easily controlled by his opponent. Also,
when a ball carrier runs head down, openings and opportunities are
also missed.
[0007] Various devices have been devised especially for football
players to prevent the head from moving to the unsafe position,
such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,123, which physically prevents
the player's head from dropping below the safe position. Although
these and similar devices have proved satisfactory for preventing
some injuries to the cervical area of the player, they may unduly
restrict the movement of the player's head resulting in most
players not wishing to use such devices. The present invention
attempts to solve the head down-type of tackle or block by training
or conditioning the player during practice sessions to keep his
head in the upright safe position without physically restraining
the movement of the player's head in any manner.
[0008] Although the present invention is designed for use primarily
for training of a football player, it is readily understood that it
is adaptable for use in training other individuals, and in
particular athletes depending upon the sport involved to enable the
athlete to keep his head in a proper upright position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides an improved training device
and method of use primarily by athletes and in particular by
football players to train and condition the player to keep his head
in an upright safe position at all times, and especially just prior
to impact with another player when blocking or tackling occurs.
[0010] The training device of the present invention achieves the
objectives and advantages by providing a signaling device contained
in a small protective housing which is removably mounted on the
rear region of a player's helmet, preferably by a pressure
sensitive adhesive, which device is intended to be used by the
player primarily during training and practice sessions, which will
provide an audible alarm or beep to the player upon the player's
head dropping below the safe position. By repeated warnings to the
player each time such an unsafe or improper condition occurs it
will help to condition the player to keep his head in a more
upright safe position at all times during a game, especially just
prior and during contact with another player.
[0011] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a
simple printed circuit board contained within the protective
housing which contains a tilt switch or similar sensor, which upon
excessive tilting of the player's head in a downward position will
close actuating an audible alarm powered by a small battery on the
printed circuit board. Preferably, the tilted switch or sensor acts
as a gate preventing the circuit from being completed until a
preset angle of the tilt switch occurs as a result of the downward
movement of the player's head and protective headgear. A further
feature of the present invention is to enable the training aid to
be easily removed and replaced on the user's helmet, enabling it to
be used only during training and practice sessions and not during
actual game conditions where such an external device may be
forbidden by game rules.
[0012] A further feature of the present invention is to provide the
training aid with an MEMS tilt switch incorporated into the control
circuit wherein the training aid is incorporated into the interior
of the helmet protected by the padding inside of the back of the
helmet to provide increased accuracy, reliability and rapid signals
to the player.
[0013] Another feature is to enable the battery used in the circuit
with the tilt switch to be replaceable enabling the training device
to be used throughout the season. The relatively low cost of the
device also enables the training aid to be disposed of at the end
of a season if desired, without incurring considerable expense to a
football team.
[0014] These features and advantages are obtained by the training
aid of the present invention, the general nature of which may be
stated as including a helmet having a protective outer shell with
two side regions, a rear region and a front region, wherein the
front region is formed with an opening to provide a field of vision
for a wearer; and a signaling device attached to the rear region of
the helmet which provides a signal to the wearer when the front
region of the helmet is in a downwardly facing direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the
best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles,
is set forth in the following description and is shown in the
drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set
forth in the appended claims.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the
training aid of the present invention mounted on the rear region of
a football helmet.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the
correct impact position of the player's head and helmet.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2
showing the incorrect impact position of the player's head and
helmet and actuation of the signaling alarm.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the training aid
removed from the helmet.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the training aid of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the printed circuit board
signaling device of the training aid.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate signaling
device of the training aid.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the training aid
mounted within the interior of a football helmet.
[0024] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The training aid or device of the present invention is
indicated generally at 1, and is shown mounted on helmet 3 in FIGS.
1-3. Training aid 1 is shown particularly in FIGS. 4-6 and consists
primarily of an electrical circuit indicated generally at 4, having
a printed circuit board 5, which includes as its main components a
replaceable battery 7, a tilt sensor or switch 9, an audible alarm
or horn 11, and an externally accessible ON/OFF switch 13 forming
an alarming system. Switch 13 is electrically connected with
battery 7 and enables a player to manually switch the training aid
ON for use and OFF when not in use. The alarming system preferably
is located within a protective housing 15 which may take various
configurations, one of which is shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and
5. Housing 15 has a dome-shape to avoid any sharp corners which
could injure other players during the use of the training aid.
Housing 15 preferably is formed of an impact resistant plastic such
as a polycarbonate and preferably has a plurality of slots to
enable the audible beep produced by horn 11 to be heard by the
player. External switch 13 extends through an opening in housing 15
for easy access by the player.
[0026] Protective housing 15 is mounted on an oval or circular base
19 which may be formed of a flexible material enabling it to
conform to the shape of helmet 3. A layer of pressure sensitive
adhesive 21 preferably is attached to the bottom of base 19
enabling the player to attach it easily to the rear region of the
helmet, yet which enables the housing to be easily removed when no
longer needed or during the playing of a game where such external
devices may not be permitted. It is readily understood that housing
15 can have various shapes and be formed of various other materials
without affecting the concept of the present invention. Likewise,
the configuration of printed circuit board 5 can have other
components so long as some type of signal is sent to a player upon
his head and consequently the helmet, reaching a predetermined
incorrect position as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. Although
the signal provided to the player preferably is an audible beep,
other types of sensory signals could be utilized without affecting
the concept of the present invention.
[0027] Training aid 1 preferably is mounted on rear region 25 of
helmet 3 as shown in FIG. 1, with the bottom edge of housing 15
being located a distance "D" which is approximately two to three
inches, from the bottom edge 24 of the helmet, with the upper edge
of housing 15 being approximately six inches (distance D.sub.1)
from helmet edge 24.
[0028] The method of using training aid 1 is shown particularly in
FIGS. 1-3. Helmet 3 can be of numerous configurations and designs
and usually will consist of an outer rigid shell 23 having a rear
region 25 on which training aid 1 will be attached, and will have a
pair of opposed side regions 27 which protects the side area of the
player's head and face and a front region 29 which protects the
forehead area of the user. The helmet usually will be provided with
some type of face mask 31, protecting a front opening 33 which
provides a field of vision indicated at 35, enabling the player to
adequately see the surrounding area without materially affecting
his view. It is readily understood that other helmet configurations
can be utilized with training aid 1, with helmet 3 shown and
described above being the standard helmet presently in use by both
amateur and professional football players. Furthermore, helmet 3
need not be limited to a football helmet but could be a lacrosse
helmet, baseball helmet, bicycle helmet or other protective
headgear.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, a player's head will normally tilt
slightly forward during impact with an opposing player, in which
position the force of the blow indicated at 37, is absorbed by the
helmet without undue force being placed on the spine 39 or neck
area of the wearer. Also, in this position, the player's field of
view is correct enabling him to see the oncoming player prior to
and during impact. Also, the position of FIG. 2 is the preferred
position to enable a player to make a correct block or tackle on
the opposing player.
[0030] However, many players just prior to contact will immediately
lower his head to a position as shown in FIG. 3 out of natural
instinct, causing the force of impact to be transmitted to the
player's cervical area and spine which is at an undesirable angle
and unable to satisfactorily absorb the impact force occasionally
resulting in serious injury and possible paralysis. Also, the
player's field of view 35 as shown in FIG. 3, is at an improper
position for making a proper block or tackle on the opposing
player.
[0031] A player utilizing the training aid of the present invention
when installed on the back of his helmet assists in maintaining his
field of view where he can see approaching obstacles. The training
aid is constantly monitoring the helmet and wearer's head position
and is always ready to interact with the player if his helmet drops
to a critical position. The training aid will normally be used
during practice, and when a player approaches a block or tackle
with his head tilted correctly maintaining a good field of view to
see approaching obstacles, the training device is active but no
alert is sounding. In this position, most collisions can be
avoided, and if a blow is received to the front of the helmet, the
spinal cord is in a forgiving position and compression and serious
damage is unlikely. When the helmet drops below a preset critical
angle, the training aid immediately sounds an audible beep. With a
quick lift of the head of the player, it returns the helmet to the
safe zone regaining the player's field of view and stops the
audible beep. Continued use of the training aid will quickly
condition the player to use safer heads up tackling, blocking and
running techniques. Players can constantly condition their behavior
through the audible tone training provided by the training aid of
the present invention and can greatly revolutionize training
techniques and significantly lower the need for analysis-based
systems.
[0032] In accordance with the invention, upon the helmet and
wearer's head reaching an improper unsafe position as shown in FIG.
3, tilt switch 9 will close connecting the circuit between battery
7 and horn 11 immediately providing an audible signal or beep to
the player. Movement of the player's head downwardly approximately
90 degrees or more from a usual upright vertical position 40 to
position 42 as shown by a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3, is believed
to place the cervical area and particular the spine in a position
which is more susceptible to injury. Training aid 1 attempts to
prevent this from occurring.
[0033] A player after repeatedly hearing this signal will start to
automatically return his head to a proper position as shown in FIG.
2. Thus, by repeated use during practice, the constant beep upon
the player's helmet and head reaching an unsafe position of FIG. 3,
will condition the player to maintain his head in an upright safe
position as shown in FIG. 2, which will assist in preventing
serious injuries, and in addition improve the player's blocking and
tackling techniques. Preferably, training aid 1 is intended to be
used by a player during practice before the season starts and even
during the season, yet removed for actual game conditions. However,
the constant reminder to a player during practice that his head is
dropping below the safe position will gradually condition the
player not to drop his head to this unsafe position and to maintain
it at a correct impact position for his own safety as well as to
improve his blocking and tackling techniques. It is anticipated
that after a season is concluded, training aid 1 being a low cost,
can be discarded, or at the least replace battery 7 with a new
battery prior to the start of the next training season. Thus, the
training aid of the present invention and its method of use
enhances the safety of the player by training him to keep his head
at the correct impact position at all times during a game and
especially just prior to impact with another player or even a
foreign object in the playing area.
[0034] A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7
and 8. FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic circuit indicated generally at
41 which is similar to the alarming system described with respect
to the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 6. The main difference is
the use of an MEMS tilt switch 43 in place of a generic-type tilt
sensor 9. The manner of operation of the alarming system shown in
FIG. 7 using a MEMS tilt switch 43 is the same as that discussed
above with respect to the alarming system shown on printed circuit
board 5. The MEMS tilt switch provides pre-programmable angle
thresholds and is more accurate than many tilt switches. The
circuitry of FIG. 7 would be the preferred embodiment for mounting
in a more permanent manner inside of a helmet 44 (FIG. 8) where it
is permanently affixed preferably by a pressure sensitive adhesive
45 to the inside surface 46 in the rear region 47 of helmet 44.
This modified circuitry would be protected by the surrounding
cushioning pads 48 used in most helmets.
[0035] It is readily understood that training aid 1 could be used
by other athletes and mounted on other types of helmets as
discussed above. For example, it will enable a bicyclist to keep
his head in the proper upright position to provide a safe field of
view especially during racing situations; by tennis players to keep
their head in the proper upright position especially when serving
the ball wherein the training aid could be mounted on a head band
of the tennis player or other type of strap worn by the tennis
player during training sessions. These are just two other examples
in which the improved training aid could be utilized and need not
be limited only to football players, although the believed present
primary use will be in the sport of football.
[0036] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0037] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described.
* * * * *