Patent Grant
8439772
This invention is directed toward a training device. More specifically, and without limitation, this invention is directed toward a training device for football.
In the game of football reducing and/or eliminating fumbles is desirable. To achieve this, various methods and devices have been employed to simulate game conditions. These methods involve having other players attempt to strip the ball from the ball carrier or having the ball carrier run through a device where he encounters various moving obstacles designed to dislodge the ball from his arms. While helpful, these methods and devices either require other individuals to operate the device or cannot be used remotely. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these needs.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to simulate game-time conditions wherein players of the opposite team attempt to strip the football.
Another object of the invention is to provide a training device which helps train players how to prevent fumbles.
These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the specification and the claims.
A football training device and system is presented that simulates game-time conditions wherein players of the opposite team attempt to strip the ball carrier of the ball. The football training device has a football with at least one cord attached to each end of the football. The cord is connected to a housing which is attached to the player's body by a strap. As the player carries the football a remote control device is used to activate the housing to retract the cord which acts to strip the football from the players hands.
Referring to the Figures, a training device system 10 includes a football 12 with a pair of cords 14 attached to each end of the football 12. The cords 14 are attached in any conventional manner and preferably include a fastening member 16 having a butterfly member 18 with an extending O-ring 20 sewn or glued to each end of the football 12. The cord 14 is of any material and preferably is made of nylon.
The opposite ends of the cords 14 are retractably attached to a recoil member 22. In its simplest form the cords 14 are bungee cords attached to the recoil member 22 where constant tension is applied to the ends of the football 12. In this arrangement, recoil member 22 is attached to an attachment member 24 such as a strap having a an adjustable fastening member 25, a belt, a backpack, a clip or any other device which attaches football 10 to the player's body or an article of the player's clothing so as to provide a position from which tension is generated. Alternatively, attachment member 24 is connected to a static position, such as the ground through the use of a stake or other member, or to a static object such as a goal post, vehicle, another player, a blocking instrument, or any other object. After attaching or mounting the attachment member 24, the length of the cords 14 are adjusted using the recoil member 22 such that there is tension on the football 12 when held in the players hands.
In another embodiment the recoil member 22 includes a housing 26 with a pair or plurality of spring loaded pulleys 28 rotatably mounted on one or more shafts 30. The cords extend through one or more openings 32 in the housing 26 with the cords 14 connected to separate pulleys 28 or a plurality of pulleys 28. In one arrangement the cords 14 mounted to each end of the football 12 are connected together outside of housing 26 such that only one cord is retracted by housing 26. Alternatively, in another arrangement, cords 14 are connected to each end of the football 12 and each cord 14 enters into housing 26 individually, and therefore each end of the football is controlled individually by housing 26. Alternatively, a cord 14 is connected to each end of the football 12 and each cord has its own dedicated housing 26.
Mounted within the housing 26 is at least one stop 34 that limits movement of the pulleys 28 and at least one sensor 36. Also, one or more activators 38 are attached to the pulleys 28 or the shafts 30 to selectively and independently activate the pulleys 28. Rotatably mounted within housing 26 is spool 39 upon which cord 14 is wound. Spool 39 has gear teeth 39A at its peripheral edges so as to effectuate, stop and control spooling of cord 14 thereon. Spool 39 is mounted to a tension member 39B having a articulating arm 39C rotatably mounted on a pivot point 39D. A plurality of tension springs 39E connect articulating arm 39C to the housing 26. This arrangement allows for some give in the system when tension is applied to football 12 as the tension springs 39E will extend and retract allowing articulating arm 39C to rotate upon pivot point 39D thereby affecting the length of cord 14 allowed to exit housing 26.
Attached to either the attachment member 24 or the housing 26 is a controller 40 that is in electronic communication with the activators 38 and sensors 36. The controller 40 has a transmitter 42, a receiver 44, a processor 46, and a display 48. A remote control device 50 having an input member 52, transmitter 54, receiver 56, and display 58 is in wireless communication with the controller 40.
In operation, the recoil member 22 is attached to the football carrying player using the attachment member 24, such as a strap or belt around the player's waist, and fastening member 25, such as VELCRO® or a buckle, such that the football 12 is held in the ball carrying player's arm(s) with some tension on the cords 14. The length of the cords 14 can be adjusted in this position to adjust the amount of initial tension on the football 12. Using the remote control device 50 one, both or a plurality of the pulleys 28 are activated to increase the load on one or more of the cords 14. Activation occurs by inputting a command using the input member 52 of the remote control device 50 and sending a signal from the remote control device 50 to the controller 40 of the housing. The controller 40 receives the signal and sends a signal to the activators 38 which in turn rotate the pulleys 28, and/or spool 39 adding load to the cords 14. The sensors 36 monitor either the rotation of the pulley(s) 28 or the distance traveled by the cord(s) 14 and sends a signal to the controller 40. The controller 40 stores the sensed information in its memory and displays the stored information on display 48. Alternatively the processor 46, using the received information calculates whether a fumble occurs. This information is likewise stored and/or displayed on display 48. All information is also transmitted to the remote control device 50 where it is also stored and displayed on the display 58.
From the above discussion it will be appreciated that provided is a football training device that provides a new, useful and nonobvious apparatus and means of simulating football game conditions wherein players attempt to strip the ball from the ball carrier. Accordingly, the apparatus and means presented herein is an improvement and offers many advantages over the prior art. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/358,193 filed Jun. 24, 2010.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20110319202 A1 | Dec 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 61358193 | Jun 2010 | US |
