Abstract:
The towed roping dummy shock absorption apparatus provides for an apparatus designed to be inserted between a pulling vehicle and a towed roping dummy when practicing team roping from horseback. The apparatus provides for modulation of jerks and forces on the dummy that cause strain on the vehicle, dummy and horse, as well as providing for more consistent speed when being towed.

Description:
This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. Nos. 61/574,247 and 61/663,342, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     Applicant&#39;s invention relates to a device for a towed roping dummy shock absorption apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a device that reacts to applied pressure and forces on a roping dummy as it is towed and roped. 
     Background Information 
     Roping cattle from horseback is a historical process that many recognize. Branding and doctoring the cattle necessitated that cowboys capture the animals, and early ranches where this process completed without the benefit or aid or pens and specialized shoots necessitated a very specific skill of the cowboys, as well as necessitating specialized equipment. Part of this specialized equipment included development of the western saddle. These skills and equipment in practice in many places yet today. 
     Many people are also familiar with the transition that was made of the various roping styles to rodeo events. One of the roping styles that found its way to the rodeo arena, and continues to grow in popularity, is the sport of team roping. Team roping, as its name implies, is an event that is completed by two ropers. The first roper, called the header, ropes the animals first and either ropes the animal around the neck or, more preferably, around the horns. The second roper, called the healer, waits for the header to slow the animal and turn the animal at an approximate 90-degree angle before roping the animal&#39;s hind legs. 
     In a typical rodeo run, the steer is placed in a starting gate called a shoot. Behind the shoot is a three-sided area called the box in which the header and healer start on their horses. Traditionally, the header and healer were in a double-box to the rear and on the right side of the steer. However, in the last few decades, it has become most common that the header starts in a box to the rear and on the left side of the steer, while the healer starts in a box to the rear and on the right side of the steer. The header calls for the steer to be released by nodding his head or otherwise indicating his readiness. The steer is given a designated head start, called a score, and the ropers (or at least the header) are required to wait in the box until the steer reaches a certain point, at which time they can leave the box in pursuit of the steer. 
     Once the ropers leave the box, their horses chase the steer an attempt to close the distance between the animals. As the header gets closer to the steer, he generally attempts to arrive to the rear of the animal close enough to rope it and slightly to its left. Meanwhile, the healer rates his horse back and to the right of the steer such that he is ready to close the gap after the header ropes, but also he can attempt to help keep the steer from ducking to the right. 
     Once the roper has gotten close enough to the steer to rope, he ropes the steer around the horns or neck and pulls his slack to tighten the loop around the steer&#39;s horns. He then takes a couple of wraps around his saddle horn with the free end of the rope (the “dally”) so that the steer is effectively attached by the rope to the saddle of the horse and rider. The header then signals his horse to slow which also slows the steer slightly. Then he turns his head horse off to the left at approximately a 90-degree angle such that the steer is then pulled to the left as well. Once the steer changes directions, the healer is then allowed to take his throw at the heels of the steer. He attempts to rope both hind feet, although roping one hind foot is a legal catch as well, albeit one with a penalty. Once the healer ropes the hind feet, he dallies his rope as well and stops his horse. The header continues until he takes the slack out of his rope, and then turns his horse to face the steer, leaving the steer immobilized between the two horses. 
     The western saddle was traditionally, and is still, used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. They are the “cowboy” saddles familiar to movie viewers and rodeo fans. The western saddle is characterized as allowing great freedom of movement to the horse, and security to the rider and strong control of the horse. One extremely functional item is virtually always identified with the western saddle—the saddle “horn.” 
     As is evident from the description of team roping above, the saddle horn is integral to roping cattle, whether it is in team roping as described above, or in branding, doctoring, tie-down calf roping, or other instances in which an animal is roped and snubbed to the roper&#39;s saddle. The saddle horn allows cowboys to control cattle by use of a rope around the neck, horns, or legs of the animal, tied or dallied around the horn. A “dally” is the term for when the rope is wrapped around the horn, without a knot, to cinch the bovine to the saddle. The free end of the rope is wrapped around the horn and held by the cowboy. 
     As in any sport, practice is a big part of learning and perfecting a roper&#39;s abilities. Practicing in a “live” situation—roping steers from horseback in a rodeo arena—is generally considered the best type of practice. However, for a variety of reasons various types of mechanical aids have been developed. One of the most popular is a roping “dummy.” Many variations of roping dummies have been developed. One of these types is a towed dummy. Generally, a towed dummy is pulled by a motorized vehicle, such as an ATV, tractor, or the like, although they can also be towed by a horse or other towing vehicle. 
     Towed roping dummies are designed to more accurately duplicate a live roping run than a stationary dummy, but providing a controlled environment for horse training and roping practice. Because the dummy may be towed at a desired speed, the run may be tailored to the skill or desire of the individual roper or horse. It also allows the roper to practice in a more controlled environment and complete multiple realistic practice runs without using live cattle. 
     The towed dummy allows the roper to follow the dummy on his or her horse at a given speed, rope the heels of the dummy, then stop the horse. The forward motion of the dummy applies tightening pressure on the dummy and resistance to the horse until the towing vehicle stops, just as in a live run. However, unlike a live run, the power of the towing vehicle and the inelastic nature of the mechanical devices (towing vehicle and dummy) tend to exert a strong pull on the horse as it stops. Further, in order to mimic a live roping run, the towing vehicle will generally drive in an arc or “L” shaped pattern. This turn causes jolts and jerks on the dummy rather than a smooth, more life-like team roping run. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a shock absorbing device design to smooth the towing and roping of a towed roping dummy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber. 
         FIG. 2 . is a cut-away, exploded, perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber. 
         FIG. 3 . is a perspective view of the springs of the roping dummy shock absorber. 
         FIG. 4 . is a front, perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber. 
         FIG. 5 . is a perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber as it would be connected to the dummy and the towing vehicle. 
         FIG. 6 . a perspective view an alternative embodiment of the roping dummy shock absorber as it would be incorporated into the dummy. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Object 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Roping Dummy Shock Absorber 
               
               
                 12 
                 Tube 
               
               
                 14 
                 Moto-Side End Cap 
               
               
                 16 
                 Dummy-Side End Cap 
               
               
                 18 
                 Lubricant Nozzle 
               
               
                 20 
                 Rod 
               
               
                     20A 
                 Rod First Spring Set Section 
               
               
                     20B 
                 Rod Second Spring Set Section 
               
               
                     20C 
                 Rod Third Spring Set Section 
               
               
                 22 
                 Tang 
               
               
                 24 
                 Tang Aperture 
               
               
                 26 
                 Hitch 
               
               
                 28 
                 Hitch Aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 Turn Stop 
               
               
                 32 
                 Stop Bumper 
               
               
                 34 
                 Stop Bumper Connector 
               
               
                     36A 
                 First Spring-Stop 
               
               
                     36B 
                 Second Spring-Stop 
               
               
                 38 
                 Rod Endpiece 
               
               
                 40 
                 Rod Aperture 
               
               
                 50 
                 First Spring 
               
               
                 52 
                 Second Spring 
               
               
                 54 
                 Third Spring 
               
               
                 56 
                 Fourth Spring 
               
               
                 58 
                 Fifth Spring 
               
               
                 60 
                 Sixth Spring 
               
               
                 100  
                 Dummy 
               
               
                 102  
                 Sled 
               
               
                 104  
                 Tow Bar 
               
               
                 106  
                 Dummy Hitch 
               
               
                 108  
                 Moto Tang 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1 . illustrates a perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber. The roping dummy shock absorber  10  is comprised of a hollow tube  12  that is closed at the first open end—the end that would generally be nearest to the dummy hitch  106  when in use—by an attached first, or dummy-side, end cap  16 . The second open end of the hollow tube  12 —the end which would generally be nearest to the moto tang  108  when in use—is closed by an attached second, or moto-side, end cap  14 . A rod  20  extends from the inside of the tube  12  through a rod aperture  40 —which is sized to allow the rod to slide through it—in the dummy-side end cap  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the rod  20  is a shaft with a diameter or width of from ¼ inch to 1½ inches. On the first end of the rod  20  outside the tube  12 , a first hitch apparatus is attached. The first hitch apparatus is removably attachable to a hitch on a dummy  106 —where “removably attachable” is defined to mean that the operative purpose of the device is to attach and detach without damaging the device. The first hitch apparatus may be comprised of a tang  22  or other type of hitch that is removably attachable to the dummy hitch  106 . The tang  22  allows the roping dummy shock absorber  10  to be hitched to the dummy hitch  106 . As shown, the vehicle and dummy hitches are clevis type hitches, however it is anticipated that other styles of hitches could be incorporated. In order to allow a clevis pin to attach the tang  22  to the dummy hitch  106 , the tang  22  has a tang aperture  24  sized so as to allow a clevis pin (not shown) to slide through the tang aperture  24 . In a preferred embodiment the tang  22  is approximately ⅜ inch thick, flat steel and the tang aperture  24  has a diameter of approximately 9/16 inches. 
     On the vehicle side of the roping dummy shock absorber  10 , a second hitch  26  is attached to the moto-side end cap  14 . The second hitch  26  is shown as a clevis type hitch and has hitch apertures  28 , sized so as to allow a clevis pin (not shown) to slide through the hitch apertures  28 . In a preferred embodiment the hitch  26  is approximately ⅜ inch thick, flat steel and the hitch apertures  28  have diameters of approximately 9/16 inches. 
     Two opposing turn stops  30  are attached to the moto-side end cap  14 . The turn stops  30  prevent the dummy  100  from “jack-knifing” or turning into a too extreme angle with the towing vehicle. In effect, the turn stops restrict the horizontal rotation of the shock absorption apparatus in relation to the towing vehicle. The turn stops  30  may have stop bumpers  32  attached to them via stop bumper connectors  34 . The stop bumpers  32  pad contact between the moto-tang  108  and the roping dummy shock absorber  10 , and are generally rubber or other elastic material. 
     In order to aid movement inside the tube  12 , one or more lubricant nozzles  18  may be provided along the tube  12 . The lubricant nozzles  18  are in operative communication with the interior of the tube and provide a path for lubricants to be inserted into the interior of the tube  12  while preventing the lubricants from escaping from the tube  12 , or dirt or debris from entering the tube  12 . 
       FIG. 2 . shows a cut-away, exploded, perspective view of the roping dummy shock absorber. It is preferable that the rod  20  does not rotate during operation. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment the tube  12  is a hollow, non-circular or square tube. Other tube shapes could be used that have angles sufficient for the corners of the rod endpiece  38  to stop rotation of the rod  20 . It is also anticipated that “stops” could be inserted into the tube  12  to contact the rod  20 , or pieces attached to the rod  20 , or the rod  20  and the rod aperture  40  shaped and sized to prevent rotation of the rod  20 . However, it is likewise anticipated that the tube  12  could be round and the rod  20  allowed to rotate. The rod  20  is inserted through the rod aperture  40  and into the interior of the tube  12 . Rod  20  has an interior portion with a first end inside the interior of the tube  12 , and an exterior portion with a second end outside of the tube  12 . Inside the tube  12 , a rod endpiece  38  is attached to the end of the rod  20 . The rod endpiece  38  provides a wall for the springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) to push against. Further, the rod endpiece  38  is sized and shaped to fit into and slide within the tube  12 , but also to prevent the rod  20  from rotating. In the preferred embodiment, the tube  12  is constructed from 3 inch×3 inch hollow steel tube, and the rod endpiece  38  is constructed from 3/16 inch thick flat steel that is approximately 2¾ inches square. 
     Along the interior portion of the rod  20 , inside the tube  12 , a first spring-stop  36 A and a second spring-stop  36 B are slidably attached around the diameter of the rod  20 . The first spring-stop  36 A and the dummy-side end cap  16  create a rod first spring set section  20 A. The first spring-stop  36 A and the second spring-stop  36 B create a rod second spring set section  20 B. And the second spring-stop  36 B and the rod endpiece  38  create a rod third spring set section  20 C. The rod spring set sections  20 A,  20 B and  20 C are sections along the length of the interior portion of rod  20 . Springs  50  and  52  are placed about rod spring set section  20 A. Springs  54  and  56  are placed about rod spring set section  20 B. Springs  58  and  60  are placed about rod spring set section  20 C. The dummy-side end cap  16 , the spring-stops  36 A and  36 B, and the rod endpiece  38  provide solid supports against which the coiled springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) may compress and push. The spring-stops  36 A and  36 B are able to slide along the interior portion of rod  20 . 
       FIG. 3 . illustrates the straight, coiled springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) of the roping dummy shock absorber. The springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) are inserted around the rod  20 . The springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) have varying spring rates or spring constants. This allows the roping dummy shock absorber  10  to provide varying force against the pull of the dummy on the towing vehicle based upon how hard the dummy is towed and pulled when roped. In a preferred embodiment, springs ( 50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 ) have the following characteristics: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Spring 
               
               
                 Ref. 
                 Coil 
                 Spring 
                 Outer 
                 Inner 
                 Wire 
                 Free 
                 Solid 
                 Rate 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Shape 
                 Pitch 
                 Diameter 
                 Diameter 
                 Diameter 
                 Length 
                 Height 
                 lbs/in 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 50 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 2.34 
                 1.84 
                 0.25 
                 3.0 
                 1.5 
                 153 
               
               
                 52 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 1.94 
                 1.44 
                 .25 
                 6 
                 3.22 
                 108 
               
               
                 54 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 1.23 
                 .901 
                 .162 
                 4 
                 2.05 
                 78 
               
               
                 56 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 1.94 
                 1.52 
                 .207 
                 6 
                 2.41 
                 53 
               
               
                 58 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 1.4 
                 1.05 
                 .177 
                 5 
                 2.32 
                 69 
               
               
                 60 
                 Straight 
                 Constant 
                 2.34 
                 1.84 
                 0.25 
                 3.0 
                 1.5 
                 153 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     When a force is placed upon the rod  20  which tends to pull the rod  20  outwardly through the rod aperture  40 , the springs act in opposition to the force. The multiple springs provide variable resistance and spring rate as the rod  20  extends or retracts from the tube  12 . It is anticipated that alternatives to coiled springs could be used in the roping dummy shock absorber  10 , such as elastomers, air or gas, or oil or minimally compressible fluid in order to provide variable resistance, rebound and damping in similar force as the coiled springs. 
       FIG. 4 . illustrates the rod&#39;s  20  insertion into the roping dummy shock absorber  10  through the rod aperture  40 . 
       FIG. 5 . illustrates the roping dummy shock absorber  10  as it would be connected between the dummy  100  and the towing vehicle (not shown). It is also anticipated that the roping dummy shock absorber  10  could be reversed in relation to the towing vehicle (not shown) and dummy  100 . In other words, the rod  20  would attach to the towing vehicle (not shown) while the hitch  26  or moto end of the tube  12  would be attached to the tow bar  104 . 
       FIG. 6 . shows a first alternative embodiment in which the roping dummy shock absorber  10  is incorporated into the tow bar  104 , thus making the roping dummy shock absorber  10  part of the manufacture of the dummy  100 . In such an alternative embodiment, the tube  12  or moto-side end cap is connected to the tow bar  104 , or the end of the tow bar  104  would serve as the tube  12 . 
     In a second alternative embodiment, it is anticipated that the roping dummy shock absorber  10  could be incorporated into the tow bar  104 , by incorporating rod  20  into the tow bar  104 , such that the end of the tow bar  104  would serve as rod  20 . 
     In each of these alternative embodiments, it is anticipated that certain modifications to the configurations of the parts of the roping dummy shock absorber  10  would be required, however basic elements would remain. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.