U.S. patent application number 13/373843 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-06 for pop-up tackling practice machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles P. Forrest, SR.. Invention is credited to Charles P. Forrest, SR..
Application Number | 20130143693 13/373843 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48524407 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130143693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forrest, SR.; Charles P. |
June 6, 2013 |
Pop-up tackling practice machine
Abstract
A pop-up tackling practice machine has a base with a peripheral
tube curved at each end for safety, and a plate covering an opening
formed by the tube. Outside the tube, two inverted ears are
centrally located on the base and extend upwardly and outwardly at
oblique angles with respect to the plate. A bracket allows
pivotable mounting of a T-shaped handle that may be grasped by a
coach standing on the plate. A further bracket is also mounted on
the plate to which a multiple use pad may be mounted. The further
bracket is vertically adjustable for height adjustment, pivotable
with respect to the plate, and the bracket permits rotation with
respect to the plate. The underside of the plate has an elongated
roller.
Inventors: |
Forrest, SR.; Charles P.;
(Spanish Fort, AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Forrest, SR.; Charles P. |
Spanish Fort |
AL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48524407 |
Appl. No.: |
13/373843 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/444 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/345 20130101;
A63B 2071/026 20130101; A63B 2071/0063 20130101; A63B 2243/007
20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/444 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/34 20060101
A63B069/34 |
Claims
1. A pop-up tackling practice machine, comprising: a) a base
including a peripheral hollow tube having an arcuate forward end
and a rearward end, and a plate attached over said tube and at
least partially covering an opening formed by said tube; b) a
bracket mounted on said plate forward of said rearward end of said
tube and supporting a pad for pivoting movements about a horizontal
axis with respect to said plate; c) a pair of ears mounted on
opposed sides of said base and extending upwardly therefrom; and d)
said machine having a low center of gravity, whereby when said
machine is tipped on a side thereof, one of said ears limits the
degree of tipping and due to said low center of gravity, said
machine automatically rights itself; and e) a chamber on said
machine selectively fillable with a material to adjust weight of
said machine.
2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said tube is bent upward at said
forward end thereof.
3. The machine of claim 2, wherein said plate is correspondingly
bent upward.
4. The machine of claim 1, wherein said bracket supports said pad
for rotative movements about a vertical axis with respect to said
plate.
5. The machine of claim 1, further including a roller mounted on an
underside of said plate.
6. The machine of claim 1, wherein each of said ears comprises an
inverted U-shaped tube.
7. The machine of claim 6, wherein said ears extend angled
outwardly with respect to said peripheral hollow tube.
8. The machine of claim 1, wherein said peripheral hollow tube
defines said chamber, and a fill port in said tube facilitating
filling a portion of said chamber with said material.
9. The machine of claim 8, wherein said material comprises a
mixture of water and antifreeze.
10. The machine of claim 1, further including a further bracket on
said plate forward of said bracket, and a handle mounted on said
further bracket.
11. The machine of claim 10, wherein said handle is pivotably
mounted on said further bracket.
12. The machine of claim 1, wherein an elevation of said pad on
said brackets is height adjustable.
13. The machine of claim 8, further including a cap releasably
attached to said fill port.
14. The machine of claim 4, further including a further bracket on
said plate forward of said bracket, and a handle mounted on said
further bracket.
15. The machine of claim 14, wherein said handle is pivotably
mounted on said further bracket.
16. The machine of claim 15, further including a roller mounted on
an underside of said plate.
17. A pop-up tackling practice machine, comprising: a) a base
including a peripheral hollow tube having an arcuate forward end
and a rearward end, and a plate attached over said tube and at
least partially covering an opening formed by said tube, said tube
and plate being bent upward at said forward ends thereof, and a
roller mounted under said plate; b) a bracket mounted on said plate
forward of said rearward end of said tube and supporting a pad for
pivoting movements about a horizontal axis and rotative movements
about a vertical axis, with respect to said plate; c) a pair of
ears mounted on opposed sides of said base and extending upwardly
therefrom; d) said machine having a low center of gravity, whereby
when said machine is tipped on a side thereof, one of said ears
limits the degree of tipping and due to said low center of gravity,
said machine automatically rights itself; and e) a chamber on said
machine selectively fillable with a material to adjust weight of
said machine.
18. The machine of claim 17, wherein said peripheral hollow tube
defines said chamber, and a fill port in said tube facilitating
filling a portion of said chamber with said material and a cap
releasably attached to said fill port.
19. The machine of claim 17, further including a further bracket on
said plate forward of said bracket, and a handle mounted on said
further bracket.
20. The machine of claim 19, wherein said handle is pivotably
mounted on said further bracket.
21. A pop-up tackling practice machine, comprising: a) a base
including a peripheral hollow tube having an arcuate forward end
and a rearward end, and a plate attached to said tube and at least
partially covering an opening formed by said tube, said peripheral
hollow tube defining an internal chamber, and a fill port in said
tube facilitating filling a portion of said chamber with liquid; b)
a bracket mounted on said plate forward of said rearward end of
said tube and supporting a pad; c) a pair of ears mounted on
opposed sides of said base and extending upwardly therefrom; and d)
said machine having a low center of gravity, whereby when said
machine is tipped on a side thereof, one of said ears limits the
degree of tipping and due to said low center of gravity, said
machine automatically rights itself.
22. A pop-up tackling practice machine, comprising: a) a base
including a peripheral hollow tube having an arcuate forward end
and a rearward end, and a plate attached to said tube and at least
partially covering an opening formed by said tube, said tube being
bent upward at said forward end thereof, and a roller mounted under
said plate, said peripheral hollow tube defining an internal
chamber, and a fill port in said tube facilitating filling a
portion of said chamber with liquid and a cap releasably attached
to said fill port; b) a bracket mounted on said plate forward of
said rearward end of said tube and supporting a pad for pivoting
and rotative movements with respect to said plate; c) a pair of
ears mounted on opposed sides of said base and extending upwardly
therefrom; and d) said machine having a low center of gravity,
whereby when said machine is tipped on a side thereof, one of said
ears limits the degree of tipping and due to said low center of
gravity, said machine automatically rights itself.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved pop-up tackling
practice machine. Applicant is the originator of the concept that a
tackling sled can right itself automatically without the need for
any exertion of force on the part of a player or coach. In
Applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,696, a pop-up tackling
practice machine was disclosed having triangular upright arms that
engaged the ground when the machine is tipped to the side and with
a center of gravity causing the machine to automatically right
itself. The machine described and claimed in Applicant's earlier
patent has become a staple of high school, college and professional
football programs, all of which have seen the need to have such a
machine in their inventory to enhance the efficiency of
practice.
[0002] Subsequently, Applicant came up with a new design for the
same machine and obtained U.S. Patent Nos. D466,963; D469,142; and
D478,954 to cover the ornamental appearance of that improved
design. The improved design replaced the triangular upright arms
with a single hoop that performed the same function.
[0003] Others have devised football training sleds that have
similar structure to that of Applicant's earlier Utility patent.
Thus, three patents issued to Neil F. Gilman that disclose football
training sleds. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,727,089; 7,955,223; and 7,972,224
all disclose football training sleds having upright arms triangular
or rectangular that are incorporated into those devices. While
similar in appearance to the teachings of Applicant's earlier
Utility patent, these devices are not intended to perform the same
function nor do they.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. D562,417 to Noojin discloses an athletic
training sled having a central upright post apparently provided to
be grasped by a user. The Noojin patent does not teach the concept
of a football tackling sled that automatically rights itself.
[0005] As football practices have evolved and become more
efficient, a need has developed for a more efficient, and easier to
use and operate pop-up tackling practice machine. It is with this
need in mind that the present invention was developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to an improved pop-up tackling
practice machine. The present invention includes the following
interrelated objects, aspects and features:
[0007] (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a
base having an elongated tube at its periphery bent up at the
forward end and curved at each end for safety, and a central plate
that covers a central opening formed by the tube. Outside the tube,
two short inverted U-shaped ears are centrally located on the base
and extend upwardly and outwardly at oblique angles with respect to
the plate.
[0008] (2) A fill port is provided on the peripheral tube to allow
the tube to be partially filled with water or other liquid
including a mixture of water and antifreeze in cooler climates to
allow the base to be weight adjustable when the dummy is hit on the
rise as would a tackler. As the base is moved, the water moves
within the tube to shift the weight back and forth to increase
difficulty of tipping the machine over.
[0009] (3) On the plate, a bracket is located that allows pivotable
mounting of a T-shaped handle that may be grasped by a coach
standing on the plate and may be pivoted to a desired orientation
for use in offensive as well as defensive line drills. A further
bracket is also mounted on the plate to which a multiple use pad
may be mounted. The further bracket is vertically adjustable for
height adjustment, pivotable with respect to the plate, and the
bracket permits rotation with respect to the plate. In this way,
the rotative and vertical orientation of the pad can be adjusted or
a player can move the pad to a variety of rotative orientations
when hitting the pad during drills.
[0010] (4) The underside of the plate has mounted thereto an
elongated roller that allows more easy movement of the sled over a
ground surface once the pad has been hit by the player.
[0011] As such, it is a first object of the present invention to
provide an improved pop-up tackling practice machine.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
such a device in which a peripheral tube may selectively be filled
with water or other liquid such as a water-antifreeze mixture to
adjust the weight of the base and make the machine harder to drive
as weight balance moves with moving liquid, particularly when the
pad is hit and the roller is lifted off the ground.
[0013] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a device with obliquely angled short inverted U-shaped
ears that facilitate righting the base when it has been turned to
the side by a player.
[0014] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a device including a pad mounted on a bracket that may
be height adjusted or pivoted and rotated either when hit by a
player or positioned in a particular rotative and pivoted
orientation.
[0015] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a device in which a T-shaped handle is pivotably
mounted on a plate mounted within an opening formed by the
peripheral tube.
[0016] These and other objects, aspects and features of the present
invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction
with the appended drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a rear side exploded perspective view of the
inventive machine.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a right side view thereof.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a right rear perspective view with the pad
removed to show detail.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a view from the front of the inventive
machine.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a right side view with the pad installed.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a left front perspective view with the pad
installed.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a rear view with the pad installed.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a right side view with the pad installed and
with the machine partially tipped.
[0025] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show views with the pad installed and
the machine completely tipped to reveal (in FIGS. 9A and 9B) the
roller underneath.
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a left side schematic exploded
representation.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a rear exploded view.
[0028] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 shows a right side schematic view of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 shows a view looking from the rear of the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 shows a front view of the T-shaped handle of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the pad bracket.
[0033] FIG. 17 shows a side view of the pad bracket.
[0034] FIG. 18 shows a front view of the pad bracket.
[0035] FIG. 19 shows a view of shock absorbers for the pad bracket
and the fill cap for the tube.
[0036] FIG. 20 shows the pad rotated with respect to the base.
[0037] FIG. 21 shows a bracket shock absorber.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1-9 where the pop-up
tackling practice machine is generally designated by the reference
numeral 10 and includes a base or sled made up of a peripheral tube
11 that is internally hollow and has a fill port 13 that may
selectively be opened to allow filling of material such as water or
a water-antifreeze mix facilitating adjustment of the weight of the
inventive machine. Within the opening 15 defined by the peripheral
tube, an elongated plate 17 is provided. As seen in the figures, at
the end of the tube 11 distal from the pad bracket, the tube angles
upwardly. As seen, the plate 17 has a portion 19 that
correspondingly angles upwardly so that the entirety of the plate
17, 19 mimics the angulation of the tube 11 and provides a platform
on which a coach or player may stand.
[0039] Centrally located on the plate 17 is a T-shaped handle 21
including a rod 23 and a grasping handle 25. The T-shaped handle 21
is mounted on a bracket 27 welded or otherwise suitably attached to
the plate 17. As seen in FIG. 15, the rod 23 includes a pull pin 29
that interfaces with the bracket 27 to allow either locking of the
rod 23 in the position shown, for example, in FIG. 1, or pivoting
of the rod to a desired orientation such as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and
8. As also shown in FIG. 15, a threaded fastener 31 is provided at
the bottom of the rod 23 and that fastener 31 is also seen
extending through the bracket 27 to pivotably mount the rod 23
thereon.
[0040] With further reference to FIGS. 1-9, it is seen that a
further bracket 33 is provided that supports a pad bracket 35 for
pivotable movement about a pivot rod 37. The pad bracket 35 is also
so mounted that it is able to be rotated with respect to the plate
17 by actions of a player blocking the pad 30. This rotatable mount
is best seen with reference to FIG. 10 which shows a lower portion
36 of the bracket 35 with circular cross section and received for
relative rotation within a circular opening 40 of the block 38 that
pivots about pivot rod 37. FIG. 20 shows the pad 30 rotated with
respect to the base. As shown in FIG. 21, the bracket 35 may have a
shock absorber 42 mounted between it and a mounting block 44. The
shock absorber 42 absorbs shocks when a player strikes the pad 30.
Additionally, another shock absorber 48 (FIG. 19) may be coupled to
bracket 35 by fitting 56. The shock absorber 48 consists of a coil
spring 54 captured within cups 50 and 52, with the fitting
extending centrally within the spring 54 coils. The shock absorber
48 absorbs shocks from hitting the pad 30 laterally from either
side thereof.
[0041] As seen with particular reference to FIGS. 4-9, the bracket
35 has mounted thereon the pad 30. As seen in FIG. 7 in particular,
the pad 30 consists of an upper pad portion 39 and a lower pad
portion 41. These portions may be assembled and may be movable with
respect to one another. The pad 39 includes laterally extending
arms 43 and 45, while the lower pad 41 has laterally extending arms
47 and 49.
[0042] As best seen with respect to FIGS. 16-18, a portion of the
pad bracket 35 includes an upper inverted U-shaped tube 51
connected to a lower attachment member 53 that has a plurality of
holes 55 therein which can be aligned with holes 57 in a lower
bracket portion 59 and whereby pins may be inserted in the aligned
holes 55, 57 to vertically adjust the vertical position of the
U-shaped member 51 with respect to the lower portion 53. Additional
pins 61, 63, particularly shown in FIG. 17, are also useful in
adjusting the vertical position of the bracket portion 51 with
respect to the lower portion 53. A pull pin may be located behind
the lower pad to facilitate quick height adjustment.
[0043] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, extending obliquely from the
sides of the tube 11 are two inverted U-shaped arms or ears 67 and
69. The angulation of these arms with respect to the tube 11 is
best seen in FIG. 4. FIG. 14 also shows the arms 67 and 69 and
notes a preferred angulation with respect to the horizontal of
45.degree.. The arms 67 and 69 are provided to prevent the
inventive device 10 from completely tipping over in use. Once the
device is tipped over as shown in FIG. 9, the arm 67 or 69
precludes further movement of the device 10, whereupon its low
center of gravity causes it to pop back to the position shown in
FIGS. 1-7.
[0044] With particular reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, it is seen
that the underside of the plate 17 reveals a roller 77 rotatably
mounted on a bracket 79, 81. The roller rotates on an axle and the
bracket allows vertical adjustment of the elevation of the roller
77 with respect to the plate 17 a distance of about 4'' to 6''.
This is also seen with reference to FIG. 12. The roller 77 permits
the device 10 to more easily glide along the ground when it is not
being tipped over to one side or the other. The roller 77 may be
vertically adjusted with respect to the plate 17.
[0045] FIG. 13 also shows the location of the roller 77.
[0046] The present invention other than the pad is preferably made
of metal components including steel tubing, steel plates, and steel
rods as well as strong metal fasteners. The fill port may include a
valve or a screw on cap 14 releasably attachable on a tube 13.
[0047] Through use of the present invention, a player or coach may
stand on the plate 17 and grasp the handle 21 to make sure they are
secure on the plate 17 when the device 10 is moved by a player. The
bracket 35 is vertically adjustable to adjust the vertical location
of the pad 30. The bracket 35 is also rotatable with respect to the
plate 17, either through adjustment or impact on the pad 30 by a
player. The rod 23 is pivotable with respect to the bracket 17 to
allow it to be laid down flat as shown, for example, in FIG. 4.
[0048] As best seen with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, the inventive
device 10 may be pivoted sideways. Based on its low center of
gravity, it will automatically right itself to the orientation
shown in FIGS. 1-7.
[0049] Accordingly, an invention has been disclosed in terms of a
preferred embodiment thereof which fulfills each and every one of
the objects of the invention as set forth hereinabove, and provides
a new and useful improved pop-up tackling practice machine of great
novelty and utility.
[0050] Of course, various changes, modifications, and alterations
in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by
those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit
and scope thereof.
[0051] As such, it is intended that the present invention only be
limited by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *