Abstract:
A lighted roping assembly is presented, with a roping target in the form of an animal head which may be lighted from the inside or outside, but preferably from the inside. Replaceable and interchangeable horns are provided, as well as adjustable and retractable legs for roping practice.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority date of the provisional application entitled “Lighted Roping Dummy” filed by Tony Brackens on Jun. 28, 2007 with application Ser. No. 60/946,876. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to an apparatus for roping training comprising a simulated steer, calf, or domestic animal head with internal lighting, and more particularly to an invention designed specifically to provide a training device that can be used in different environments that range from no light to lighted conditions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Roping dummies are used for a variety of activities, which include roping training and practice, roping demonstrations, and roping competitions. Roping dummies generally consist of a head and torso of a one of many types of livestock, be it a calf, cow, steer, bull, sheep, horse, goat or other type of livestock. 
         [0004]    Traditionally roping dummies started as rudimentary devices having the general shape of a particular type livestock. Roping dummies are used in many environments be it in an indoor arena or other enclosure, outdoors in a corral or field, or other similar environments. The roping dummy has evolved into a more sophisticated device having very similar shapes to the particular livestock represented, and even remotely moveable parts such as the torso and head. 
         [0005]    Due to varied environments in which the roping dummies are used, there are times when the roping dummy needs to be highly visible as a target for the roper and for spectators. At dusk and dawn is it often difficult to see a roping dummy. Additionally, if the roping dummy is used when it is cloudy or storming, the dummy may be hard to see. Indoor environments can also prove to create difficulty in viewing a roping dummy if the lighting is low or insufficient. There is a need in the field of art for a roping dummy which stands out and is easy to see in all environments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a roping dummy that may be embodied in many shapes, be it a shape of traditional livestock or other shapes useful in roping. The shape may be and non-animal representative shapes that may still serve as a roping dummy. The shape of the device may even be decorative. The roping dummy disclosed herein has an illumination means. This may be in the form of an attached light or a roping dummy with a translucent body housing an illumination source. This design allows the roping dummy to be highly visible in a variety of conditions. 
         [0007]    The materials used in the roping dummy can be any variety of materials including plastic, wood, metal, or a composite of materials. The roping dummy may have a single illumination source within the translucent body or it may have numerous illumination sources. 
         [0008]    The entire body of the roping dummy may be translucent. The roping dummy may be designed such that it only has selected regions with translucent characteristics. The selection of translucent regions on the roping dummy will depend on the intended use of the device. The roping dummy may also have detachable and interchangeable components which may be selectively differ in size, strength characteristics, shape, color, illumination capability, or translucent and non-translucent materials. An example of interchangeable components may be horns and legs 
         [0009]    The illumination sources within the roping dummy may be electrical or chemical powered. An example of a chemical light source might be a glow stick, phosphorescent material, or other chemo or bio-luminescent devices. If the illumination is electrical, either incandescent illumination or light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be employed. If the source of the illumination is electrical, the power source may be portable and housed within the roping dummy, or the roping dummy may be wired for an external power source. There may be a singular light source or a plurality of light sources within the body of the roping dummy, dependent on the needs of the user. 
         [0010]    The roping dummy may selectively have a hollow body with detachable legs or a tripod or other such support device. The detached legs may be stowed within the hollow body for portability. Alternatively, the legs or tripod may be retractable within the body so that the device is easily stored and moved. In another embodiment, the roping dummy may have retention spikes that allow it to be hung on a bale of hay or other such agricultural material. 
         [0011]    The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0012]    Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the lighted roping dummy of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is side view of the lighted roping dummy of the invention mounted on a hay bale. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is side view of the lighted roping dummy of the invention mounted on a tripod assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
         [0017]    In the field of roping, there have long been used roping dummies for ropers to practice, demonstrate, train and compete using their skills in roping. The field of art has seen many variations on the shape and design of the roping dummy. However, there exists a need for a roping dummy that is highly visible in a variety of conditions. Roping dummies are used indoors and outdoors, in both high and low lighting. Currently, there still exists a need for a roping dummy that is visible in all conditions. 
         [0018]    The invention disclosed herein is an illuminated roping dummy that may be constructed of a variety of materials and embodied in many shapes that are useful in roping. The invention may be illuminate through the use of an internal light source or a light source located on the surface of the roping dummy. The light source of the roping dummy may be powered by an energy source within the roping dummy or from an external energy source. 
         [0019]    In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention as a roping dummy  10  having the shape of a steer. Note that many shapes useful in the field of roping are capable of use in the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the roping dummy  10  is constructed of a composite of plastic, wood, and metal in the shape of a steer. The roping target  12  is constructed of a translucent plastic  34  formed into the shape of a steer head. The neck  16  of the roping target  12  is attached to the dummy body  14 . A light source  22  is provided within the neck  16 . Additionally,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exterior light source  24  on the roping dummy  10 , as a collar slung around the steer&#39;s neck. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  also illustrates a pair of horns  20  attached to the roping target  12 . The horns are detachable and may be replaced with horns having greater or lesser length. The horns  20  are translucent and allow light emitted from the interior light source  22  to emit through the surface of the horns. This aids a roper in viewing the roping target  12  and getting the rope around the roping target. 
         [0022]    A pair of front legs  36  and a pair of rear legs  24  are attached to the dummy body  14 . The front legs  36  and rear legs  24  are detachable from the dummy body  14  and storable within the dummy body. The dummy body  14  may be configured such that only the front legs are attached the rear are detached, if the roper desires. Additionally, the legs may come in varying lengths in order to vary the height of the roping dummy  10 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the roping dummy  10 , where the roping target  12  is the head of steer. In this embodiment, the head of the steer is constructed of a translucent material and contains a light source within the roping target  12 . Attached to the neck  16  of the roping target is a mounting spike  28 . In  FIG. 2 , the mounting spike is driven into a hay bale and the roping dummy may be used from such placement. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 3  illustrates the roping dummy  10  configured as a steer head. The steer head is constructed as of translucent material  34  and is mounted to a tripod assembly  32 . The translucent steer head serves as the roping target  12  and contains a light source  22  so that that a roper may see the roping target  12  in all lighting conditions. 
         [0025]    The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, while the exemplary embodiments illustrate a steer, the invention is not limited to use with steer shape and may be used with other animals or shapes useful in roping. While the invention is not limited to use with roping, it is expected that various embodiments of the invention will be particularly useful in roping. Hence, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims. 
         [0026]    While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.