Patent Publication Number: US-2021187378-A1

Title: Football Throwing System and Method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/192,940 filed on Feb. 28, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/812,581 filed on Apr. 16, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a football throwing system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a football throwing system comprising a route input system, a launch controller, a display, and a football throwing device. A user can input a specific route, and the processor will retrieve data corresponding to said route from a storage media. The data includes a visual representation of the route which is sent to a display. Additionally, the football throwing device is adjusted by a launch controller in accordance with the launch variables corresponding to the specific route inputted by the user. Once adjusted into the proper configuration, one or more footballs may be thrown in succession by the football throwing device. 
     Sports teams commonly utilize automated throwing machines during practice. Such devices are useful in simulating a thrown football which allows receivers to practice catching the hall. Otherwise, a quarterback would have to continually throw passes to the receivers during practice which may result in the quarterback suffering a strained arm or other injury. Further, the quarterback may not be able to accurately throw a series of passes and may become fatigued after throwing several passes in succession. Typical football throwing machines solve the problem of relying on a quarterback to throw passes, but traditional football throwing machines have limited capabilities and must be manually controlled by a coach or assistant in order to launch the footballs. Tasked with operating the machine, the coach is prevented from being actively involved in practice. 
     Some football machines include software and hardware for altering the flight path of the projected football. However, these machines lack the ability to track and display the route run by the player to compare it to the displayed route for accuracy and improvement. They also lack a display with auto-adjustment capabilities to correspond to the throwing angle of the football, allowing a user to maintain accurate visuals of the display at all times. Thus, a device that, improves upon existing football throwing machines is desired. 
     In order to address the above concerns, the present invention provides a football throwing system comprising a route input means, a launch controller, a display, and a football throwing device, in operation, a player inputs the route that, the player wishes to practice, and the launch controller adjusts the launch variables of the football throwing device in accordance with the route selected by the player The display screen as adjustable manually or can be adjusted to follow the launch angle of the football for optimum visibility. The route input system comprises a user input means, a central processing unit, a main memory, a storage media, and the display. The display demonstrates the route that the receiver is supposed to run, and the route displayed corresponds to the users input. A sensor is configured to determine the actual route ran by the runner, such that it can be plotted on the display screen to compare to the selected route path to monitor accuracy. Further, the storage media comprises data corresponding to the launch variables of the football throwing device for each route. The football throwing device comprises a pair of coacting wheels adapted to propel a football, a storage receptacle for holding footballs, and a loading mechanism for moving the footballs from the storage receptacle to the coacting wheels. The football throwing device further comprises an adjustable support adapted to allow footballs to be thrown at various angles and in various directions. 
     In light of the football throwing systems disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing football throwing systems and methods. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of football throwing systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new football throwing system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when throwing a series of footballs at a desired trajectory, and tracking progress using an automated and adjustable display. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved football throwing system that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a football throwing system that can be operated without close supervision by a coach, so that the coach is free to more actively participate in football practice. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that automatically adjusts so as to throw the football in accordance with the route selected by a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that can throw a series of footballs without the need for an operator to manually load footballs into the football throwing device. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that displays a visual representation of the route selected by the user so as to enable the user to visualize the pattern to be executed. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that tracks the actual route ran by the user and displays it on the display screen so that the user can track their progress. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that includes a display screen that moves along with the angle and position of the launch device so that the screen is always visible to the user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a football throwing system that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic of the operation of the football throwing system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic of the data retrieval system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the football throwing device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of the football throwing device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the loading bay and loading mechanism of the football throwing device. 
         FIG. 6  shows a view of a graphic user interface on the display. 
         FIG. 7  shows a view of a visual representation of a route on the display. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the football throwing system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a football throwing system that tracks the user&#39;s motions and plots them on an adjustable display to compare their motion to the selected route for accuracy. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic representation of the operation of the route input system of the football throwing system of the present invention. The route input system  11  comprises a user input means  12 , a central processing unit  13 , a main memory  15 , a storage media  14 , and a display  17 . The user input means  12  allows a user to select a route from a pre-set list of routes, and may include a touch-screen display, a remote control unit, or an input terminal positioned on the football throwing device. 
     Once a user selects a route, the data retrieval system  18  comprising the central processing unit (CPU)  13 , storage media  14 , and main memory  15  retrieves data from the storage media  14  corresponding to the selected route. The data corresponding to each route includes a set of launch variables and a visual representation of the selected route. The visual representation is output on a display  17 , while the launch variables are transmitted to the launch controller  16 . The launch controller  16  adjusts the football throwing device in accordance with the launch variables corresponding to the particular route selected by the user. In some embodiments, the launch controller  16  is connected to the display  17 , such that the display  17  moves along with the adjustments made by the launch controller. This allows the user to easily view the display  17  from any angle. 
     Once the proper adjustments have been made, the launch controller may automatically signal the football throwing device to retrieve a football from the storage receptacle, and activate the loading mechanism such that a football will be thrown. Alternatively, after selecting a route the user may be required to enter an additional input signaling that the player is ready to begin executing the route. The additional input would be communicated to the launch controller, which would then signal the football throwing device to retrieve a football from the storage receptacle and activate the loading mechanism. A camera  102  and one or more sensors  103  are operably connected to the launch controller  16 . The one or more sensors can be infrared sensors, optical sensors, motion sensors, or any other suitable sensors that are able to determine the relative position of an individual over time in conjunction with a camera. The positional data of the player gathered by the camera  102  and sensor  103  can be processed by the CPU and converted into visual media on the display  17 . Once the launch controller  16  releases a ball, the camera  102  and one or more sensors  103  are activated and track the motion of the user as they run their selected route. This sensed information is then displayed on the display  17  overlaying a visual representation of the selected route. In this way, the user can determine the accuracy of which they completed the route, and improve their route running accuracy overtime using this information. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a diagram of how the data retrieval system operates. The storage media of the data retrieval system  18  contains a database of routes and each route&#39;s corresponding visual representation  20  and launch variables  19 . Each route has a pre-determined set of launch variables which describe the configuration and operation of the football throwing device. Launch variables  19  include but are not limited to the lateral orientation of the device, the angle of elevation of the device, and the output speed of the device. For example, for a route such as a streak route in which a player is tasked with running straight down the field, the launch variables may include a high output speed so that the ball will be propelled a sufficient, distance, and an increased angle of elevation so that the ball has a lofting trajectory. 
     The launch variables retrieved from the storage media are then communicated to the launch controller  16  which controls the mechanical components responsible for configuring the football throwing device and the display. Additionally, the visual representation  20  retrieved by the data retrieval system  18  is output onto a display  17 . This allows the user to see a preview of the route before they run it, and compare the selected route to the user&#39;s actual movement once that is displayed as well. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a front view of the football throwing device of the present invention. The football throwing device  21  comprises a pair of coacting, spinning wheels  22  which are adapted to propel a football  30 . The wheels  22  are separated by a space  23  in which a football can be inserted. One wheel spins clockwise, while the other spins counterclockwise so that the wheels create forward propulsion for a football placed in the space  23  between the wheels. Various devices may be used to cause the wheels to spin. An electrical motor may be used to rotate the wheels, or a pneumatic or hydraulic system. One motor may be used to power both wheels, in which case both wheels are able to spin at the same speed. 
     In order for the football throwing device to throw a football in the manner of a forward pass, that is where the football is spinning about its longitudinal axis, the spinning wheels must impart such spin upon the football. No spin along the longitudinal axis of the football is imparted wherein both wheels are arranged in the same plane. However, by offsetting the wheels such that the wheels lie in different, planes, spin along the longitudinal axis of the football can be imparted. Thus, the spinning wheels are independently adjustable so as to allow a user to configure the wheels such that the desired amount of spin is achieved. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a front view of the football throwing device. The football throwing device  21  includes an adjustable support  28  positioned underneath the loading bay  24 . The adjustable support  28  is adapted to adjust the angle of elevation of the throwing assembly and also the lateral orientation of the throwing assembly. The adjustable support  28  allows for adjustment of the lateral orientation of the device by providing rotation about a vertical axis such that a ball can be thrown to the left, right, or central portion of a field. The adjustable support  28  allows for adjustment of the angle of elevation and allows for the loading bay  24  of the device to tilt about a horizontal axis so as to throw the football in a lofting trajectory, or so as to throw the football in a straight line. The adjustable assembly constrains the angle of elevation such that the football may only be thrown in a plane parallel to the ground, or at an angle above said parallel plane. In this way, the football throwing device is not able to throw a football downward towards the ground. Hydraulic or pneumatic systems may be used to provide the means by which the angle of elevation and lateral orientation of the throwing assembly may be adjusted. Alternatively, one or more electric motors may be used to allow for adjustment of the adjustable support. The adjustable support is disposed on a plurality of legs  29 . The legs  29  provide a stable support for the football throwing device and support the football throwing device at an elevated position above the ground. 
       FIG. 4  also shows an adjustable divider  110 . The adjustable divider  110  comprises a planar member with a pair of opposing edges that fractionally engage the interior edges of a storage receptacle  25 . The storage receptacle  25  includes an elongated L-shaped channel having a generally U-shaped cross section. The storage receptacle  25  is slightly elevated and angled such that a football  30  will slide from the upper end to the lower end of the storage receptacle  25 . The loading bay  24  positioned between the coacting wheels  22  is positioned beneath the lower end of the storage receptacle  25 , such that a football at the end of the line can easily drop into the loading bay  24  for launching. In some embodiments, the legs of the storage receptacle  25  can be adjustable in height to achieve a proper angle for the balls to automatically move down the line to be launched. 
     The adjustable divider  110  can be positioned anywhere along the storage receptacle to separate footballs into a desired number. For example, the user can place the adjustable divider  110  prior to three balls, such that the machine pauses after three routes runs are completed. The system can include multiple adjustable dividers  110  for dividing the footballs into different groupings as desired. 
     In  FIG. 4 , The camera  102  and sensor  103  are shown affixed to an upper crossbar that extends between the pair of coacting wheels  22 . The camera  102  and sensor  103  are positioned in such a way that the display screen (shown in  FIG. 3 ) does not block their viewing range. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display screen is affixed to the adjustable support  28  such that it moves along with the adjustable support and orients itself toward the user in a manner corresponding to the route they select, which allows better visibility of the display screen. In other embodiments, the display screen can include its own motors and the like such that it adjusts in position independently from the adjustable support  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective view of the loading bay and loading mechanism of the present invention. The loading bay  24  is adapted to receive a football  30  from the storage receptacle  25  and provides a surface  23  on which a football  30  can rest until the football is brought into connection with the spinning wheels  22 . The loading bay  24  has a concave channel on its upper surface such that a football  30  can rest in the loading bay  24  without the risk of failing off of the sides of loading bay  24 . Further, the concave channel helps to direct the footballs toward the middle of the loading bay  24  allowing for proper entry into the space between the coacting wheels  22 . As the football falls from the storage receptacle  25  into the loading bay  24 , the football is positioned along its longitudinal axis, such that a pointed end of a football is directed towards the space  23  between the spinning coacting wheels  22 . 
     The storage receptacle  25  is adapted to hold a plurality of footballs, and the storage receptacle is used to supply footballs into the loading bay  24  so that footballs can be thrown in succession without the need for a user to have to continually load a football into the loading bay prior to each throw. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the storage receptacle comprises a channel and wail members so that a series of footballs can be arranged end-to-end therein. Once a first football is moved from the storage receptacle to the loading bay, the next football in the storage receptacle is moved into position so that it may be moved to the loading bay once the first football has been launched. In some embodiments, the movable divider shown in  FIG. 4  may be mechanically operated so as to push the series of footballs forward once a first football is loaded into the loading bay. Once a football is thrown, the next football may be retrieved from the storage receptacle after a pre-set period of time so that footballs are launched periodically. Alternatively, once a football is thrown, the next, football may be retrieved from the storage receptacle only after a user enters an additional input signaling that the user is ready for a football to be thrown. 
     The shown embodiment further includes a loading mechanism  26  that is operably connected to the launch controller, such that the loading mechanism  26  loads footballs according to user input. The loading mechanism  26  is shown as a linear reciprocating loader with a cup  27  that contours to the end shape of the football. This ensures that the loading mechanism  26  places the ball between the coacting wheels  22  at a proper angle for the launching the ball to the end of the selected route. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a graphical user interface on the display of the football throwing system of the present invention. A graphical user interface (GUI)  31  is projected on the display. The GUI provides the user with a list of pre-set routes  32 . An indicator  33  may be displayed on the screen to allow the user to manipulate the input means and select a route from the list provided on the GUI. Once the user selects a route, the data retrieval system accesses the data corresponding to that route. The storage media contains a database of routes and the launch variables and visual representation for each route. Each route has a particular set of launch variables, such as the lateral orientation of the football throwing device, the angle of elevation of the football throwing device, and the output speed of the football throwing device. The visual representation for the route selected is output onto the display. Additionally, the launch variables are transmitted to the launch controller so that the launch controller may make the appropriate adjustments to the football throwing device. 
     Since the player may want some time to review the visual representation of the route prior to attempting to run the route, the user may be required to provide an additional input into the system. For example, the user may be required to press a “Start” button  36  on a touch-screen display before running the selected route. Alternatively, a countdown timer may be provided that gives the user a pre set amount of time to review the route displayed on the display, and once the timer expires the user must begin executing the route. A menu or return button may also be included to allow a user to return to the list of routes to be executed, so as to allow the user to select a new route to practice. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a visual representation of a selected route and actual runner movement on the display of the present invention. Once a user selects a route  35 , the name of the route is displayed on the screen to inform the player as to the route being demonstrated, and the visual illustration  34  of that route is projected on the display. This enables the player that is going to run the route to visualize how the route should be executed. The visual illustration may comprise an arrow  38  superimposed onto a football field indicating the direction or pattern of the route, and any turns or cuts the user should make throughout the course of the route. The visual illustration may further include a recording of a player  37  running the selected route to better enable the player to understand how the route is to be executed. By selecting a route, the football throwing machine is automatically adjusted so that the system will deliver a football to the location the player should reach after successfully executing the selected route. 
     Additionally, the camera and sensors are adapted to track the player as they run their selected route. This sensed information is processed by the CPU and displayed as a plot  201  overlaying the displayed selected route path  38 . The display can include different labels for the selected route and the detected player path, shown here labeled as ‘selected’ and ‘actual’ so that the player can determine what they are seeing. Further, the two types of paths may have different designs, for example one having an arrow and one not, in order to further make clear to the player what is being shown on the display. The player can use their displayed running path  201  by comparing it to the selected running path  38  for accuracy. This allows the player to iteratively improve their route accuracy overtime, thus further improving the present invention over prior art football throwing systems. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.