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.

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 imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a training device used in sports for improving balance and accuracy while hitting a target. The device has a partially filled tube with water or other liquid to adjust its weight and make it harder to tip over. The device also has a pivotable mounting bracket for a T-shaped handle and a multiple use pad that can be adjusted for height, rotation, and angle. The device can easily move on a ground surface with the help of a roller. Overall, the device provides a realistic and effective training experience for players.

Problems solved by technology

(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.

(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.

(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.

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