Abstract:
A tackling machine capable of moving a 50-80 lb. tackling dummy down an overhead track to a junction point where the dummy will turn left, right, or continue straight forward. The operator of the machine controls the junction box with a lever to determine which way the dummy will turn, or go straight.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application asserts priority from provisional application 61/421,817 filed on Dec. 10, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention provides a tackling machine having a dummy which moves straight down a track before turning left, right or moving straight ahead for several more feet. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many tackling dummies are simple devices which the player can tackle. However these devices are stationary and provide no simulation of the real football game in which the opponent is making evasive maneuvers in an attempt to avoid being tackled. U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,051 provides a tackling dummy which a player may push along a straight track against variable resistance. The tackling dummy may be pushed back to its original position by a player pushing from the opposite side. Although this dummy provides linear motion after a tackle has been made, it provides no simulation of evasive action prior to the tackle. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,504 provides a tackling sled which the player may push rearward against the resistance provided by a weight which is lifted. The force required to push the sled back may be adjusted by changing the weight. Although this dummy provides linear motion after a tackle has been made, it provides no simulation of evasive action prior to the tackle. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,248 provides a training device which includes a dummy, two driving mechanisms configured to move the dummy in perpendicular direction within a plane, and a drifting mechanism configured to move the dummy in a vertical direction. Although this device can move the dummy in a variety of directions, it is not simple. There remains a need for a simple device which can simulate evasive maneuvers during tackling by making a sudden unpredictable turn. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention provides a tackling machine which simulates live tackling by projecting a spring loaded 50-80 lb. tackling dummy down an overhead track 6-8 miles per hour (8.8-11.7 feet per second) to a junction point, approximately 6-10 feet from the point of beginning, where the dummy will turn left, right, or continue straight forward for approximately an additional 3-8 feet. The dummy is affixed to the overhead track with a stiff rod, which is attached to pulley type wheels that roll down the track. The coach stands at the loaded end of the machine and controls the junction box with a lever to determine which way the dummy will turn, or go straight. The player stands at the other end of the machine and is unaware as to which way the coach has determined the dummy will go once it reaches the junction point. Once the junction box direction is set, the coach releases the spring with a lever and the player approaches the dummy coming straight at him. As the dummy reaches the junction point, the player must react to the new or maybe same straight-forward direction the dummy will travel after that point. Once determined, the player reacts and drives through the dummy and returns it to its original spring-loaded position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the tackling machine with the dummy bag suspended from the track. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an overview of the track on which the dummy travels. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows an overview of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  shows a view along the track of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of the tackling machine with dummy suspended from the track. The carriage ( 1 ) is supported on a track (not seen). The dummy ( 3 ) is held up by a bar ( 2 ) which is attached to the carriage ( 1 ). The track is supported on side rails ( 5 ). The side rails ( 5 ) are held up by vertical supports ( 4 ). 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an overview of the track on which the dummy travels. The vertical supports ( 4 ) support the side rails ( 5 ). The track on which the carriage supporting the bag travels is supported by the side rails ( 5 ). The track has several components: An initial track ( 7 ) straight track ( 8 ), a left track ( 9 ) and a right track ( 10 ). At the junction point where the straight track ( 8 ), left track ( 9 ), and the right track ( 10 ) diverge, there is a cylinder ( 15 ). The cylinder ( 15 ) has a straight selector track ( 11 ), a left selector track ( 12 ), and right selector track ( 13 ). The cylinder may be turned by a selector wheel ( 14 ). The operation of the device begins with the dummy (not shown) at the origin ( 16 ). 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an overview of an alternative embodiment of the track on which the dummy travels. The vertical supports ( 17 ) support the side rails ( 18 ). The track on which the carriage supporting the bag travels is supported by the side rails ( 18 ). The track has several components: An initial track ( 19 ) straight track ( 20 ), a left track ( 21 ) and a right track ( 22 ). At the junction point where the straight track ( 20 ), left track ( 21 ), and the right track ( 22 ) diverge, there is a cylinder ( 23 ). The cylinder ( 23 ) has a straight selector track ( 24 ), a left selector track ( 25 ), and right selector track ( 26 ). These are arranged around the cylinder. The cylinder may be turned by a selector wheel ( 27 ). Turning the selector wheel brings the different tracks into play. There is a carriage ( 28 ) which supports the dummy (not shown). The carriage ( 28 ) is propelled by two torsion springs ( 29 ) supported on two spring support bars ( 30 ). At the end of each spring support bar there is a pulley wheel ( 31 ) which holds cable ( 32 ) attached to carriage ( 28 ). The operation of the device begins with the dummy (not shown) at the origin ( 33 ). 
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  shows a view along the track of an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the carriage ( 36 ) rides on magnetic rails ( 39 ) which are inside the track ( 35 ). The dummy ( 38 ) is suspended from rod ( 37 ) which is attached to carriage ( 36 ). 
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  shows a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 4A . In this embodiment the carriage ( 36 ) rides on magnetic rails ( 39 ) which are inside the track ( 35 ). The dummy ( 38 ) is suspended from rod ( 37 ) which is attached to carriage ( 36 ). 
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the carriage ( 36 ) rides the track ( 35 ). The dummy ( 38 ) is suspended from rod ( 37 ) which is attached to carriage ( 36 ). Lever ( 40 ) may be used to assist in returning the dummy to the origin. 
         [0019]    The tackling machine is used to increase a person&#39;s tackling skills. The tackling machine provides a dummy ( 3 ) which moves down a track, and then moves to the left, straight, or to the right. The person who is attempting to tackle the moving dummy ( 3 ) does not know in advance which way the dummy will move, but instead must react quickly to whatever move the dummy makes. If the person is successful in tackling the dummy, he then pushes the dummy ( 3 ) back toward the origin ( 16 ). 
         [0020]    The tackling machine is supported on a framework comprising vertical supports ( 4 ) and side rails ( 5 ). The tackling machine is subject to rather heavy forces as the dummy is tackled by the person. Accordingly, the support structure must be rather strong to withstand the forces of tackling. The preferred material for the support structure is steel, which may be bolted or welded together. The vertical supports ( 4 ) and side rails ( 5 ) may be in the form of I-beams, round tubes, square cross section tubes, or rectangular cross section tubes. The preferred material is steel I-beams. 
         [0021]    The dummy ( 3 ) rides on a carriage ( 1 ) which is supported by the tracks ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 ). The tracks ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 ) may be circular tubes with the wheels of the carriage ( 1 ) riding on the tube. However, it is preferred that the tracks be I-beams with the wheels of the carriage ( 1 ) riding on the lower lip of the I-beam. The tracks are below a cylinder ( 15 ). The cylinder ( 15 ) may be rotated using selector wheel ( 14 ). Rotation of the cylinder moves a straight selector track ( 11 ), a left selector track ( 12 ), or right selector track ( 13 ) into conjunction with the initial track ( 7 ). By turning the cylinder ( 15 ) using the selector wheel ( 14 ) the coach, who is helping to train the person to tackle, may select whether the dummy will proceed down left track ( 9 ) straight track ( 8 ), or right track ( 10 ). The person who is learning to tackle does not know what choice the coach has made, and accordingly must react quickly to the motion of the dummy after it gets to the juncture point. 
         [0022]    To begin operation of the tackling machine, the dummy ( 3 ) is pushed back to the origin ( 16 ). The carriage ( 1 ) on which the dummy is supported compresses a spring (not shown) and is retained by a latch. There is a latch release lever (not shown) which may be pulled to allow the compressed spring (not shown) to act upon the carriage and cause the dummy ( 3 ) to move down the track ( 7 ) to the junction point. The initial track ( 7 ) is 6 to 10 feet long. After the dummy ( 3 ) is latched, the coach selects a direction for travel of the dummy ( 3 ) by turning selector wheel ( 14 ). The person being trained stands in front of the tackling machine at the end farthest from the origin ( 16 ). The coach releases the latch, and the dummy ( 3 ) begins moving along initial track ( 7 ). The person watches the dummy until it arrives at the junction point. At this point the dummy ( 3 ) moves to the left, right, or goes straight. The left track ( 9 ) straight track ( 8 ), or right track ( 10 ) section are each 6 to 8 feet long. The person tackles the dummy, and then pushes the dummy back to the origin ( 16 ) where the carriage latches. 
         [0023]    The carriage ( 1 ) rides on tracks ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 ). The tracks may be round bars or I-beams. If the tracks ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 ) are in the form of a round bar, the carriage ( 1 ) could have wheels above the bar, or it could have wheels above and below the bar. Having wheels above and below the bar adds greater stability to the carriage, and is preferred. If the tracks ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 ) are in the form of I-beams, the carriage may have wheels above the flange of the I-beam, or both above and below the flange of the I-beam. Having wheels above and below the I-beam flange adds greater stability to the carriage, and is preferred. The carriage ( 1 ) may have either two wheels or four wheels if the wheels are only on the top of the bar or I-beam flange. The carriage ( 1 ) may have four or eight wheels if the wheels are both above and below the bar or I-beam flange. The latch mechanism on the carriage ( 1 ) may be any simple metal device having an opening which may be held by a hook. For example, the latch mechanism could be a U-bolt attached to the carriage ( 1 ), and a hook attached to the frame of the tackling machine. The hook may be moved by a lever to alternately engage the U-bolt, or not engage the U-bolt. When the tackling dummy ( 3 ) is pushed back to the origin ( 16 ), the hook is moved to engage the U-bolt, and the carriage is latched. When the lever is moved, the hook disengages from the U-bolt, and the spring (not shown) forces the tackling dummy to move along initial track ( 7 ). 
         [0024]    The support bar ( 2 ) may be made from a variety of metals including aluminum and steel. Steel is the preferred metal. For a steel support bar the preferred diameter is ½ to 1½ inches. The tackling dummy ( 3 ) may weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. It may be covered in a variety of materials, such as canvas, leather, vinyl, or nylon reinforced vinyl. The inner material may be a firm, but not hard material which offers some degree of resiliency. Materials suitable for upholstery use would be suitable for use inside the tackling dummy ( 3 ). The preferred stuffing for the tackling dummy ( 3 ) is firm foam. The tackling dummy ( 3 ) should be a suitable size for tackling, for example, 36 inches long and 18 inches in diameter. 
         [0025]    In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a torsion springs is used instead of a compression spring. The term “spring” refers to a single compression spring or two torsion springs. The track lengths are the same in both the first embodiment and the alternative embodiment. Other than the differences created by having torsion springs, rather than a compression spring, the operation of the two embodiments is the same. In the alternative embodiment the dummy also rides on a carriage ( 28 ) which is supported by tracks ( 19 ,  20 ,  21 , and  22 ). The tracks ( 19 ,  20 ,  21 , and  22 ) may be circular tubes with the wheels of the carriage ( 28 ) riding on the tube. However, it is preferred that the tracks be I-beams with the wheels of the carriage ( 28 ) riding on the lower lip of the I-beam. The tracks are below a cylinder ( 23 ). The cylinder ( 23 ) may be rotated using selector wheel ( 27 ). Rotation of the cylinder ( 23 ) moves a straight selector track ( 24 ), a left selector track ( 25 ), or a right selector track ( 26 ) into conjunction with the initial track ( 19 ). By turning the cylinder ( 23 ) using the selector wheel ( 27 ), the coach, who is helping to train the person to tackle, may select whether the dummy will proceed down left track ( 21 ) straight track ( 20 ), or right track ( 22 ). 
         [0026]    To begin operation of the tackling machine, the dummy is pushed back to the origin ( 33 ). The carriage ( 28 ) on which the dummy is supported draws on cable ( 32 ). This causes rotation of the pulley wheels ( 31 ) which in turn rotates the torsion springs ( 29 ). At the origin ( 33 ) the carriage is retained by a latch. There is a latch release lever (not shown) which may be pulled to allow the torsion spring to act upon the cable ( 32 ) and cause the dummy to move down the initial track ( 19 ) to the junction point. Other than the difference in the type of spring, the alternative embodiment operates exactly like the first embodiment. 
         [0027]    In the spring-driven embodiments of the invention it can become difficult to force the dummy back to the origin where it can be latched. In order to assist the players in returning the dummy to the starting position an optional lever ( 40 ) may be provided. This is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The carriage ( 36 ) is pushed back behind lever ( 40 ). Pulling back on lever ( 40 ) forces the carriage back to the origin where it can be latched. 
         [0028]    In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the motive force to cause the dummy to move is provided by electromagnetic rails ( 39 ). The electromagnetic rails ( 39 ) have multiple segments from the front to the back of the rail. The segments are energized sequentially so that the carriage is pulled forward. The velocity of the dummy as it proceeds along the track can be varied by varying the way in which the magnetic segments are energized. For example, if the segments at the beginning of the track provide small magnetic pulses, while those at the front provide stronger magnetic pulses, the dummy will accelerate. 
         [0029]    Similarly, the dummy could be made to decelerate, or vary speed in more complex manners. The ability to change the speed of the tackling dummy makes it even more realistic. 
       EXAMPLE I 
       [0030]    A tackling machine was constructed from 4″ I-beams. The frame is 7′4″ high, 11′10″ long, and 10′0″ wide. The track that the tackling dummy travels on is a 4″ steel I-beam. The junction cam which transfers the track is a 5″ diameter steel cylinder with 3 pieces of 4″ steel I-beam welded to it. This cam is controlled by a 1″ steel spring-loaded rod. The dummy is attached to the steel track by a 1″ diameter steel rod and dual 6″ long steel housings which also contain 3″ diameter carbon wheels which transport the dummy down the track.