Abstract:
The tackling dummy includes a slide having a ground-engaging skid and an upward extending frame configured to receive a channel formed in an anthropomorphic body having a front side and a relatively narrower profile side. The channel extends upwardly into the anthropomorphic body from a lower side thereof and engages the upwardly extending frame for positioning the anthropomorphic body in one of two primary configurations relative to the slide. These configurations are rotationally spaced about the longitudinal axis of the channel approximately 90° from one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed to a tackling practice device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an anthropomorphic tackling dummy having a channel for positioning the tackling dummy in multiple positions rotationally relative to one another. 
         [0002]    Tackling and blocking are some of the most important skills in football. A successful tackle can prevent a player on an opposing football team in possession of the football from scoring a touchdown. A successful block can prevent a member of an opposing team from being able to reach and tackle a quarterback while still in possession of the football prior to a throw. Tackling practice devices are well-known in the art and are designed to be used for the purpose of allowing a football athlete to practice both tackling and blocking techniques. A conventional tackling practice device, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,962,088 and 2,237,600, generally includes a frame having a padded surface on an upright portion. 
         [0003]    Conventional tackling devices, such as those described above, have certain disadvantages. For example, the padded surface may be nothing more than a padded rectangular block that fails to simulate an anthropomorphic shape. Even if the padded surface is in an anthropomorphic shape, the padded surface cannot be adjusted to simulate the stance of an opposing player in anything other than a frontal configuration. 
         [0004]    Various attempts have been made to overcome the problems associated with conventional tackling machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,188 discloses a resilient bag support having a frame with two skids, an upright structure and a pad resiliently mounted on a coil spring. While this tackling machine may simulate the actual reaction a player encounters when contacting an opponent in an actual game, the bag is non-anthropomorphic. The generally cylindrical shape of the bag does little to simulate the actual body of an opponent. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,724 discloses a football practice apparatus. This apparatus only includes padded dummies in a fixed orientation suitable only for simulating an opponent in a frontal configuration. In an additional example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,696 discloses a pop-up tackling practice machine. While this apparatus includes a padded dummy simulating an anthropomorphic shape, the dummy is in a fixed orientation suitable only for simulating an opponent in a frontal configuration. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a tackling apparatus having a dummy simulating an anthropomorphic shape. There is a further need for a tackling apparatus having a dummy that is adjustable into both frontal and sideways configurations. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The tackling dummy of the present invention includes a slide having a ground-engaging skid and an upwardly extending frame configured for slide-fit engagement with a channel extending upwardly into an anthropomorphic body having a front side and a relatively narrower profile side. The channel is configured to position the anthropomorphic body into one of two primary configurations relative to the slide. These configurations are rotationally spaced about the longitudinal axis of the channel approximately 90° from one another. Preferably, the anthropomorphic body includes a pad comprising foam, rubber or gel similar to that of football pads or other football gear. It is also preferable that the anthropomorphic body be angled between 45° and 90° when engaged to the frame. 
         [0007]    The frame is a substantially rectangular member comprising a lower portion connected to the slide, an angled intermediate portion and an upwardly extending top section for receiving the channel. In one embodiment, the channel is X-shaped and preferably configured for slide-fit engagement with the frame. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, the tackling dummy of the present invention may further include a strap extending from the lower side of the anthropomorphic body. The strap restricts vertical travel of the anthropomorphic body while engaged with the frame. The strap effectively prevents detachment of the anthropomorphic body from the frame during use. Accordingly, it is preferable that the strap be adjustable. A clip selectively connected to the strap secures the anthropomorphic body to the frame when the anthropomorphic body is in use. Detachment of the clip enables the anthropomorphic body to be removed and reconfigured on the upwardly extending frame of the slide. Preferably, the anthropomorphic body comprises plastic, metal or a polymeric composite. 
         [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a tackling dummy embodying the present invention, illustrating using the dummy for tackling practice; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tackling dummy of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the dummy in a sideways configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the tackling dummy of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an internal dummy positioning mechanism; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the tackling dummy of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of the tackling dummy of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the dummy in a frontal configuration; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the tackling dummy of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    As shown in the figures for purpose of illustration, the present invention resides in a tackling machine having a dummy in an anthropomorphic shape and adjustable between a front and profile configuration. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the tackling dummy  10  includes a generally rectangular sled or frame  12  and an upright dummy support  14  upon which a dummy  16  is removably mounted. The frame  12  includes a pair of tubular side members  18 ,  20 , a tubular rear end member  22 , a tubular front end member  24  and a tubular lateral support member  26 . The lateral support member  26  is connected to the frame  12  between the side members  18 ,  20 , toward the front end member  24 . 
         [0019]    The upright dummy support  14  has a narrow generally rectangular member with a corresponding rectangular cross-section. The upright dummy support  14  is made of a suitably resilient material (e.g., metal, plastic, composite material, or the like) for simulating the actual reaction a player encounters when contacting an opponent in an actual game. The upright dummy support  14  resists impact and returns energy from the impact back to the player. The upright dummy support  14  is preferably connected to the frame  12  and the lateral support  26 . The upright dummy support  14  extends away from the frame  12 , bending between forty-five to ninety degrees relative to a horizontal surface  28  ( FIG. 1 ) upon which the frame  12  rests. The tubular members  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  of the frame  12  may be made of a single tube bent into the configuration best shown in  FIGS. 2-6  and may be made of a suitable material such as metal, plastic, a composite material or the like. The lateral support member  26  may be suitably attached to the frame  12  by various mechanisms including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws or the like), welding or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the side members  18 ,  20  may angle upward toward the rear end member  22  of the frame  12  by the rear end member  22  relative to the horizontal surface  28  upon which the frame  12  rests. The upturned end is designed to prevent the tackling dummy  10  from plowing into the ground when the frame  12  is moved by a player during tackling practice. 
         [0020]    The dummy  16  is an anthropomorphic padded frame  30 . The padding material may include foam, rubber, gel and other materials designed to simulate the feel of a human body. The anthropomorphic padded frame  30  is designed to resemble the torso of a human, including a lower body portion  32 , an upper body portion  34  and two laterally extending arm/shoulder portions  36 . The padded frame  30  includes a generally cylindrical internal recess (not shown) on a lower end thereof into which an interconnecting mechanism  38  may be inserted and secured therein. The interconnecting mechanism  38  is designed to allow the dummy  16  to be removably mounted to the upright dummy support  14  in both frontal ( FIG. 6 ) and sideways ( FIG. 2 ) configurations. The dummy  16  is slidably received by the interconnecting mechanism  38  and thereafter received by the upright dummy support  14  by sliding a free end  40  of the interconnecting mechanism  38  thereover. A strap  52 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , is connected to the base of the interconnecting mechanism  38  to prevent inadvertent detachment of the interconnecting mechanism  38  from the upright dummy support  14  during use of the tackling dummy  10 . A looped end  54  of the strap  52  is connected to a retaining ring  56 . The retaining ring  56  is mounted to the bottom of the upright dummy support  14  via a connector  58 . When the connector  58  is engaged to the retaining ring  56  and the looped end  54  of the strap  52  ( FIG. 3 ), the vertical travel distance of the interconnecting mechanism  38  along the free end  40  of the upright dummy support  14  is accordingly restricted to prevent detachment of the interconnecting mechanism  38  from the upright dummy support  14 . The connector  58  is disengaged from the retaining ring  56  when the interconnecting mechanism  38  is to be removed from the upright dummy support  14 , as illustrated in exploded form in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0021]    The interconnecting mechanism  38  comprises a receptacle  42  including two intersecting generally rectangular channels  44  that fit into an X-shaped recess formed in the dummy  16 . The channels  44  are connected to an annular plate  46  having an X-shaped aperture (not shown) through which the free end  40  of the upright dummy support  14  can be inserted. A front side  48  of the dummy  16  is aligned with one channel  44  of the X-shaped recess and a pair of profile sides  50  of the dummy  16  are aligned with the other channel  44  of the X-shaped recess. In this manner, the dummy  16  can be lowered onto the free end  40  of the upright dummy support  14 . Accordingly, the free end  40  enters a selected rectangular channel  44  such that the dummy  16  can be positioned in either a sideways configuration ( FIG. 2 ) or a frontal configuration ( FIG. 5 ). The recess may also come in a variety of other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., ovoid, rectangular, square or the like) or a combination of such shapes with the cross-section of the free end  40  shaped accordingly. 
         [0022]    A fitted detachable jersey may also be attached to the dummy  16  to simulate the team colors of an opposing team. 
         [0023]    Although an embodiment has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.