SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THROWING A FOOTBALL

Abstract

An automated football throwing system includes a route input system and display, a launch controller, and a football throwing device. In operation, a user inputs a route desired to be executed. A processor accesses a visual illustration of the route from a storage media and displays the visual illustration on the display. A data retrieval system accesses data regarding launch variables which include a lateral orientation, an angle of elevation, and an output speed corresponding to a selected route. The display plots a motion of a runner determined by a sensor to compare to the route for accuracy. The launch controller adjusts the football throwing device and the display screen in accordance with the launch variables for the specific route. The football throwing device includes a pair of coacting wheels to propel a football, separated by a space in which a football is inserted from a loading mechanism.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a football throwing system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a football throwing system that includes a route input system, a launch controller, a display, and a football throwing device.

A user inputs a specific route, and a processor will retrieve data corresponding to the route from a storage media. The data includes a visual representation of the route which is sent to a display. Additionally, the football throwing device is adjusted by a launch controller in accordance with launch variables corresponding to the specific route inputted by the user. Once adjusted into the proper configuration, one or more footballs are thrown in succession by the football throwing device.

Sports teams commonly utilize automated throwing machines during practice. Such devices are useful in simulating a thrown football which allows receivers to practice catching the ball. Otherwise, a quarterback would have to continually throw passes to the receivers during practice which may result in the quarterback suffering a strained arm or other injury. Further, the quarterback may not be able to accurately throw a series of passes and may become fatigued after throwing several passes in succession. Typical football throwing machines solve the problem of relying on a quarterback to throw passes, but traditional football throwing machines have limited capabilities and must be manually controlled by a coach or assistant in order to launch the footballs. Tasked with operating the machine, the coach is prevented from being actively involved in practice.

Some football machines include software and hardware for altering the flight path of the projected football. However, these machines lack the ability to track and display the route run by the player to compare it to the displayed route for accuracy and improvement. They also lack a display with auto-adjustment capabilities to correspond to the throwing angle of the football, allowing a user to maintain accurate visuals of the display at all times. Thus, a device that improves upon existing football throwing machines is desired.

In order to address the above concerns, the present invention provides a football throwing system that includes a route input, a launch controller, a display, and a football throwing device.

In operation, a player inputs the route that the player wishes to practice, and the launch controller adjusts the launch variables of the football throwing device in accordance with the route selected by the player. The display screen is adjustable manually or may be adjusted to follow the launch angle of the football for optimum visibility.

The route input system includes a user input means, a central processing unit, a main memory, a storage media, and the display. The display demonstrates the route that the receiver is supposed to run, and the route displayed corresponds to the user's input. A sensor is configured to determine the actual route ran by the runner, such that it may be plotted on the display screen to compare to the selected route path to monitor accuracy. Further, the storage media includes data corresponding to the launch variables of the football throwing device for each route. The football throwing device includes a pair of coacting wheels adapted to propel a football, a storage receptacle for holding footballs, and a loading mechanism for moving the footballs from the storage receptacle to the coacting wheels. The football throwing device further comprises an adjustable support adapted to allow footballs to be thrown at various angles and in various directions.

In light of the football throwing systems disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing football throwing systems and methods. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of football throwing systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new football throwing system wherein the same may be utilized for providing convenience for the user when throwing a series of footballs at a desired trajectory, and tracking progress using an automated and adjustable display.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved football throwing system that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a football throwing system that is operated without close supervision by a coach, so that the coach is free to more actively participate in football practice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that automatically adjusts so as to throw the football in accordance with the route selected by a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that throws a series of footballs without the need for an operator to manually load footballs into the football throwing device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that displays a visual representation of the route selected by the user so as to enable the user to visualize the pattern to be executed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that tracks the actual route ran by the user and displays it on the display screen so that the user may track their progress.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that includes a display screen that moves along with the angle and position of the launch device so that the screen is always visible to the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that includes a display screen that may be removed or amended to say the display screen is there so users may record themselves running routes and then connect their phone or device or the like to the display screen to watch the playback.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that is readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that each route has a designated time the receiver has to run a route.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that a computer will be programmed with the specific timing of said routes to deliver the football to the designated spot at the end of each route.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that has the ability to move-up/turn-up to an approximate 25 degree angle from facing forward.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that will throw all routes at the correct speed to the correct spot after the receiver runs the set route.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the operation of a football throwing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the data retrieval system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a football throwing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the football throwing device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a loading bay and loading mechanism of the football throwing device.

FIG. 6 shows a view of a graphic user interface on the display.

FIG. 7 shows a view of a visual representation of a route on the display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the football throwing system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a football throwing system that tracks the user's motions and plots them on an adjustable display to compare their motion to the selected route for accuracy. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic representation of the operation of a route input system 11 of the football throwing system 21 of the present invention.

The route input system 11 may include a user input 12, a central processing unit 13, a main memory 15, a storage media 14, and a display 17. The user input 12 may allow a user to select a route from a pre-set list of routes, and may include a touch-screen display 17, a remote control unit (not shown), or an input terminal positioned on the football throwing device 21.

Once a user selects a route, the data retrieval system 18 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 13, a storage media 14, and a main memory 15 that may retrieve data from the storage media 14 corresponding to the selected route. The data corresponding to each route may include a set of launch variables and a visual representation of the selected route. The visual representation may be an output on a display 17, while the launch variables may be transmitted to the launch controller 16. The launch controller 16 may adjust the football throwing device 21 in accordance with the launch variables corresponding to the particular route selected by the user. In some embodiments, the launch controller 16 is connected to the display 17, such that the display 17 moves along with the adjustments made by the launch controller 16. This allows the user to easily view the display 17 from any angle.

Once the proper adjustments have been made, the launch controller 16 may automatically signal the football throwing device 21 to retrieve a football from the storage receptacle, and activate the loading mechanism such that a football 30 will be thrown. Alternatively, after selecting a route the user may be required to enter an additional input signaling that the player is ready to begin executing the route. The additional input may be communicated to the launch controller 16, which would then signal the football throwing device 21 to retrieve a football from the storage receptacle and activate the loading mechanism.

A camera 102 and one or more sensors 103 may be operably connected to the launch controller 16. The one or more sensors 103 may be infrared sensors, optical sensors, motion sensors, or any other suitable sensors that are able to determine the relative position of an individual over time in conjunction with the camera 102. The positional data of the player may be gathered by the camera 102 and the sensor 103 may be processed by the CPU 13 and converted into visual media on the display 17. Once the launch controller 16 releases a football 30, the camera 102 and one or more sensors 103 may be activated and track the motion of the user as they run their selected route. This sensed information may be then displayed on the display 17 overlaying a visual representation of the selected route. In this way, the user may determine the accuracy of which they completed the route, and improve their route running accuracy over time using this information.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a diagram of how the data retrieval system may operate.

The storage media of the data retrieval system 18 contains a database of routes and each route's corresponding visual representation 20 and launch variables 19. Each route has a pre-determined set of launch variables 19 which describe the configuration and operation of the football throwing device 21. Launch variables 19 include but are not limited to the lateral orientation of the football throwing device 21, the angle of elevation of the football throwing device 21, and the output speed of the football throwing device 21.

For example, for a route such as a streak route in which a player is tasked with running straight down the field, the launch variables may include a high output speed so that the football will be propelled a sufficient distance, and an increased angle of elevation so that the ball has a lofting trajectory.

The launch variables retrieved from the storage media 14 are then communicated to the launch controller 16 which controls the mechanical components responsible for configuring the football throwing device 21 and the display 17. Additionally, the visual representation 20 retrieved by the data retrieval system 18 is output onto a display 17. This allows the user to see a preview of the route before they run it, and compare the selected route to the user's actual movement once that is displayed as well.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of the football throwing device 21 of the present invention.

The football throwing device 21 may include a pair of coacting, spinning wheels 22 which may be adapted to propel a football 30. The wheels 22 may be separated by a space 23 in which the football 30 may be inserted. One wheel 22 spins clockwise, while the other wheel spins 22 counterclockwise so that the wheels 22 create forward propulsion for a football 30 placed in the space 23 between the wheels 22. Various devices may be used to cause the wheels 22 to spin. An electrical motor 28 may be used to rotate the wheels 22, or a pneumatic or hydraulic system. One electrical motor 28 may be used to power both wheels 22, in which case both wheels 22 are able to spin at the same speed.

In order for the football throwing device 21 to throw a football 30 in the manner of a forward pass, that is where the football 30 is spinning about its longitudinal axis, the spinning wheels 22 must impart such spin upon the football 30. No spin along the longitudinal axis of the football 30 is imparted wherein both wheels 22 are arranged in the same plane. However, by offsetting the wheels 22 such that the wheels 22 lie in different planes, spin along the longitudinal axis of the football 30 may be imparted. Thus, the spinning wheels 22 are independently adjustable so as to allow a user to configure the wheels 22 such that the desired amount of spin is achieved.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a front view of the football throwing device 21.

The football throwing device 21 may include an adjustable support 28 positioned underneath the loading bay 24. The adjustable support 28 may be adapted to adjust the angle of elevation of the throwing assembly and also the lateral orientation of the throwing assembly. The adjustable support 28 may allow for adjustment of the lateral orientation of the football throwing device 21 by providing rotation about a vertical axis such that a football 30 may be thrown to the left, the right, or the central portion of a field. The adjustable support 28 may allow for adjustment of the angle of elevation and allows for the loading bay 24 of the football throwing device 21 to tilt about a horizontal axis so as to throw the football 30 in a lofting trajectory, or so as to throw the football 30 in a straight line. The adjustable assembly may constrain the angle of elevation such that the football 30 may only be thrown in a plane parallel to the ground, or at an angle above said parallel plane. In this way, the football throwing device 21 may not able to throw a football downward towards the ground. Hydraulic or pneumatic systems may be used to provide the means by which the angle of elevation and lateral orientation of the throwing assembly may be adjusted. Alternatively, one or more electric motors may be used to allow for adjustment of the adjustable support 28. The adjustable support 28 may be disposed on a plurality of legs 29. The legs 29 provide a stable support for the football throwing device 21 and support the football throwing device 21 at an elevated position above the ground.

FIG. 4 also shows an adjustable divider 110. The adjustable divider 110 may include a planar member with a pair of opposing edges that frictionally engage the interior edges of a storage receptacle 25. The storage receptacle 25 may include an elongated L-shaped channel having a generally U-shaped cross section. The storage receptacle 25 may be slightly elevated and angled such that a football 30 will slide from the upper end to the lower end of the storage receptacle 25. The loading bay 24 may be positioned between the coacting wheels 22 positioned beneath the lower end of the storage receptacle 25, such that a football 30 at the end of the line may easily drop into the loading bay 24 for launching. In some embodiments, the legs of the storage receptacle 25 may be adjustable in height to achieve a proper angle for the footballs 30 to automatically move down the line to be launched.

The adjustable divider 110 may be positioned anywhere along the storage receptacle 25 to separate footballs 30 into a desired number. For example, the user may place the adjustable divider 110 prior to three footballs 30, such that the machine pauses after three routes runs are completed. The system may include multiple adjustable dividers 110 for dividing the footballs 30 into different groupings as desired.

In FIG. 4, the camera 102 and sensor 103 are shown affixed to an upper crossbar that extends between the pair of coacting wheels 22. The camera 102 and sensor 103 may be positioned in such a way that the display screen (shown in FIG. 3) does not block their viewing range. As shown in FIG. 3, the display screen may be affixed to the adjustable support 28 such that it moves along with the adjustable support and orients itself toward the user in a manner corresponding to the route they select, which allows better visibility of the display screen. In other embodiments, the display screen may include its own electric motors and the like such that it adjusts in position independently from the adjustable support 28. The display screen may be removed or amended to say the display screen is there so users may record themselves running the routes and then connect their phone or device or the like to the display screen to watch a playback.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of the loading bay 24 and loading mechanism of the present invention.

The loading bay 24 may be adapted to receive a football 30 from the storage receptacle 25 and provides a surface 23 on which a football 30 may rest until the football 30 is brought into connection with the spinning wheels 22. The loading bay 24 may have a concave channel on its upper surface such that a football 30 may rest in the loading bay 24 without the risk of falling off of the sides of loading bay 24. Further, the concave channel may help to direct the footballs 30 toward the middle of the loading bay 24, allowing for proper entry into the space between the coacting wheels 22. As the football 30 falls from the storage receptacle 25 into the loading bay 24, the football 30 may be positioned along its longitudinal axis, such that a pointed end of a football 30 is directed towards the space 23 between the spinning coacting wheels 22.

The storage receptacle 25 may be adapted to hold a plurality of footballs 30, and the storage receptacle 25 may be used to supply footballs 30 into the loading bay 24 so that footballs 30 may be thrown in succession without the need for a user to have to continually load a football 30 into the loading bay prior to each throw.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the storage receptacle 25 may include a channel and wall members so that a series of footballs 30 may be arranged end-to-end therein. Once a first football 30 is moved from the storage receptacle 25 to the loading bay, the next football 30 in the storage receptacle is moved into position so that it may be moved to the loading bay once the first football 30 has been launched.

In some embodiments, the movable divider shown in FIG. 4 may be mechanically operated so as to push the series of footballs forward once a first football 30 is loaded into the loading bay. Once a football 30 is thrown, the next football 30 may be retrieved from the storage receptacle 25 after a pre-set period of time so that footballs 30 are launched periodically. Alternatively, once a football 30 is thrown, the next football 30 may be retrieved from the storage receptacle 25 only after a user enters an additional input signaling that the user is ready for a football 25 to be thrown.

The shown embodiment further includes a loading mechanism 26 that is operably connected to the launch controller, such that the loading mechanism 26 loads footballs 30 according to user input. The loading mechanism 26 is shown as a linear reciprocating loader with a cup 27 that contours to the end shape of the football 30. This ensures that the loading mechanism 26 places the ball between the coacting wheels 22 at a proper angle for the launching the football 30 to the end of the selected route.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a graphical user interface 31 on the display of the football throwing system 11 of the present invention.

A graphical user interface (GUI) 31 is projected on the display. The GUI 31 may provide the user with a list of pre-set routes 32. An indicator 33 may be displayed on the screen to allow the user to manipulate the input means and select a route from the list provided on the GUI 31. Once the user selects a route, the data retrieval system 18 accesses the data corresponding to that route. The storage media 14 contains a database of routes and the launch variables and visual representation for each route. Each route has a particular set of launch variables, such as the lateral orientation of the football throwing device 21, the angle of elevation of the football throwing device 21, and the output speed of the football throwing device 21. The visual representation for the route selected is output onto the display. Additionally, the launch variables may be transmitted to the launch controller so that the launch controller may make the appropriate adjustments to the football throwing device 21.

Since the player may want some time to review the visual representation of the route prior to attempting to run the route, the user may be required to provide an additional input into the football throwing device 21. For example, the user may be required to press a “Start” button 36 on a touch-screen display before running the selected route. Alternatively, a countdown timer may be provided that gives the user a pre-set amount of time to review the route displayed on the display 17, and once the timer expires the user must begin executing the route. A menu or return button may also be included to allow a user to return to the list of routes to be executed, so as to allow the user to select a new route to practice.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a visual representation of a selected route and actual runner movement on the display of the present invention.

Once a user selects a route 35, the name of the route 35 is displayed on the screen to inform the player as to the route being demonstrated, and the visual illustration 34 of that route 35 is projected on the display 17. This enables the player that is going to run the route 35 to visualize how the route should be executed. The visual illustration 34 may include an arrow 38 superimposed onto a football field indicating the direction or pattern of the route 35, and any turns or cuts the user should make throughout the course of the route 35. The visual illustration 34 may further include a recording of a player 37 running the selected route to better enable the player 37 to understand how the route 35 is to be executed. By selecting a route 35, the football throwing machine 11 may be automatically adjusted so that it will deliver a football 30 to the location the player should reach after successfully executing the selected route.

Additionally, the camera and sensors are adapted to track the player 37 as they run their selected route. This sensed information is processed by the CPU 13 and displayed as a plot 201 overlaying the displayed selected route path 38. The display 17 may include different labels for the selected route and the detected player path, shown here labeled as “selected” and “actual” so that the player may determine what they are seeing. Further, the two types of paths may have different designs, for example one having an arrow and one not, in order to further make clear to the player what is being shown on the display. The player may use their displayed running path 201 by comparing it to the selected running path 38 for accuracy. This allows the player to iteratively improve their route accuracy over time, thus further improving the present invention over prior art football throwing devices.

The football throwing system has a designated time the receiver has to run a route. The football throwing system has a computer will be programmed with the specific timing of said routes to deliver the football to the designated spot at the end of each route. The football throwing system has the ability to move/turn-up to a 25 degree angle from facing forward. The football throwing system will throw all routes at the correct speed to the correct spot after the receiver runs the set route.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, 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. An automated football throwing system, comprising: a CPU operably connected to a user input, a memory, and a launch controller;a plurality of football routes stored on said memory;said plurality of football routes each include a lateral orientation, a launch angle, and a launch speed;wherein said plurality of football routes include a slant, a drag, a corner, a post, and a streak;a football throwing device, comprising: a storage receptacle adapted to hold a plurality of footballs;a loading bay adjacent the storage receptacle, the loading bay adapted to hold one of the footballs received from said storage receptacle at a lower height;a pair of coacting wheels positioned on opposing sides of the loading bay and adapted to propel one of the footballs positioned in the loading bay;a loading mechanism adapted to move one of the footballs placed in said loading bay into said space between said pair of coacting wheels;an adjustable support operably connected to said launch controller, the adjustable support housing said loading bay;wherein said adjustable support is adapted to adjust the positioning and orientation of the football throwing device corresponding to a football route selected from the plurality of football routes;a camera and a sensor operably connected to the CPU and the launch controller, the camera and the sensor configured to sense a position over time of a user; anda display operably connected to the CPU and the launch controller, such that adjustment of the launch controller in a particular orientation or direction results in a corresponding adjustment of the orientation or direction of the display;wherein the display is configured to show a visual representation of a football route of said plurality of football routes overlaid with a visual representation of the sensed position over time of the user.

2. The football throwing system of claim 1, further comprising a user input device operably connected to said memory, the user input device configured to allow said plurality of football routes to be accessed by the user.

3. The football throwing system of claim 2, wherein the user input includes a touchscreen interface.

4. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said memory includes a database of a plurality of routes and one or more launch variables corresponding to the plurality of routes.

5. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein the CPU accesses data in said memory corresponding to a user input selection of a particular route, and communicates said data regarding the lateral orientation, the launch angle, and the launch speed to the launch controller.

6. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support is adapted to adjust said football throwing device by means of one or more pneumatic systems.

7. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support is adapted to adjust said football throwing device by one or more hydraulic systems.

8. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said adjustable support is adapted to adjust said football throwing device by one or more electric motors.

9. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said loading mechanism includes a linearly reciprocating device adapted to move one of the footballs located in said loading bay into said space between said pair of coacting wheels.

10. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said loading bay has a concave upper surface.

11. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said storage receptacle is further adapted to feed one or more footballs into said loading bay.

12. The football throwing system of claim 1, further comprising a movable divider configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the storage receptacle.

13. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein said visual representation of one of said selected football routes includes a recording of a simulated football player demonstrating a selected football route.

14. The football throwing system of claim 13, wherein said selected football route has a designated time a receiver has to run the selected football route.

15. The football throwing system of claim 13, wherein said CPU will be programmed with the specific timing of said routes to deliver the football to the designated spot at the end of each route.

16. The football throwing system of claim 13, wherein said football throwing system moves or turns-up to a 25 degree angle from facing forward.

17. The football throwing system of claim 13, wherein the football throwing system that will throw all routes at a correct speed to a correct spot after the receiver runs the set route.

18. The football throwing system of claim 1, wherein the display screen is removed or amended to say the display screen is there so the users record themselves running the routes and then connect to the display screen to watch a playback.

19. A method for launching a football with an automated football throwing system, comprising: providing an automated football throwing system;receiving a route selection via a user input of the automated football throwing system;adjusting an angle and position of a display and a launch device via a launch controller;displaying the route on the display;launching one of the footballs from a loading bay via the coacting wheels;sensing via a camera and a sensor, a position over time of a user; anddisplaying the position over time of the user on the display overlaying the displayed route.