Patent Publication Number: US-2005124439-A1

Title: Football kicking holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention generally relates to a football kicking holder for left or right footed kickers, for supporting an American or Canadian football as well as a rugby ball, in an upright or angled or angled position without the need of human assistance.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In the game of American or Canadian football, one player assists the kicker by supporting the ball during and extra point or field goal attempt, in an upright or angled or angled position, pressing the ball&#39;s upper tip downward with an index finger, with the opposite tip resting on the playing surface or a kicking tee.  
      Proficiency in placekicking is attained through hours of practice throughout the year, both in the typical playing season and out of season. The ideal practice condition is to have another person snap the football to a second person whom holds the snapped ball for the kicker. However, it is inefficient use of personnel to dedicate players simply to snap and hold the ball for the kicker. If the kicker were to practice by themselves, a snapper and holder for the football would not be available to assist.  
      A simple, lightweight, effective football kicking holder that can be used by the place kicker during practice, without the assistance another person to hold the ball, is a significant tool for all types of individual practice sessions.  
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is the object of the present invention to provide a football kicking holder that takes the place of a human holder during kicker&#39;s practice session.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a football kicking holder that holds the ball in an upright or angled or angled position by pressing down on the ball&#39;s upper tip while the opposite tip is supported by the ground, thereby simulating a human holder.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a football kicking holder that is compact and lightweight-for carrying around and for storage.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a football kicking holder that is relatively simple to set-up, operate and adjust.  
      It is still another object of the invention to provide a football kicking holder that is inexpensive to manufacture.  
      It is another object of the invention to provide a football kicking holder, which accommodates different sizes of footballs and possibly Rugby balls.  
      These and other objects of the invention become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the football kicking holder in accordance with the present invention, shown supporting a football for kicking.  
       FIG. 2  is the football kicking holder of  FIG. 1 , shown in a disassembled form for storing or carrying.  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the third leg, second end portion, cut to mirror the football apex.  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of  FIG. 1 , showing first and second legs, second portion, in their permanent, angled and supporting position.  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the ell fitting used for securing first, second and third legs of the football kicking-holder of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A football kicking holder R made in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in  FIG. 1 . The football kicking holder R is used to hold a football  1  in an upright or angled position for kicking by a football kicker. The tee R comprises three legs  2 ,  4  and  6 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The legs  2 ,  4  and  6  are preferably equal in lengths, with leg  6  being of smaller diameter to legs  2  and  4 .  
      The leg  4  is permanently secured to the ell fitting  7 , and leg  2  is removable from the ell fixture. Legs  2 .and  4  form an inverted “V” as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . Leg  6  is removable from its deployed position where it is substantially parallel to the ground to its stored position separate from legs  2  and  4  and ell fixture as in  FIG. 2 .  
      The pivot structure  8  includes an angle bracket  7 , which is substantially “L”-shaped in cross-section ( FIG. 4 ) and a “U”-shaped bracket  14  integrally connected to bracket  7  at  13 , as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
      The ell fitting shown in  FIG. 5  holds legs  2 ,  4  and  6  in their holding configuration, and leg  2  in the stored or carrying configuration ( FIG. 2 ).  
      The first end portion ( 4 ) of leg  6  is threaded to screw into the pivot structure  8 . The second end portion ( 2 ) of leg  3  is cut or molded to match the contour of an American or Canadian football tip ( 3 ).  FIG. 3  shows an enlarged view of the contour. The second end portion of leg  6  is also coated with a rubbery, gripping substance, which is bonded to the contoured portion of the leg. This coating helps simulate the friction imposed by a human holder&#39;s finger.  
      A portion of legs  2  and  4  near  9 , 13  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) the second end portions, are angled away from the leg  6  contoured tip ( 2 ), as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . This angle ( 9 ,  13 ) is produced via a heated molding process, and occurs approximately six inches from the second end portions of legs  2  and  4 , at an approximately 22 degrees inside measurement, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Outdoor grade PVC end caps  10 , and  11  ( FIG. 1 ) fill the tubular second end portions of legs  2  and  4 , for cosmetic and usability reasons.  
      The length of the legs  2 ,  4  and  6  advantageously provide for accommodating different sizes of footballs placed on the kicking surface or kicking block. The proper working position of the legs is advantageously repeatedly and quickly attained.  
      The legs  2  and  4  are advantageously made from tubular outdoor grade PVC for a lightweight but durable structure. The leg  6  is slightly smaller in diameter to accurately simulate the diameter of a human holder&#39;s finger. The free end portion ( 2 ) of leg  6  is cut to mirror the curvature and provide sufficient contact surface for the apex or tip ( 3 ) of the football  1 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . With a substantial portion of the weight of the football kicking holder R concentrated on the free end portion ( 2 ), the force of leverage at the tip ( 2 ), is substantially closer to the football than to the end caps  10  and  11 . Therefore, the holding pressure on the football  1  is provided by the force of leverage moving closer to the football, due to the legs  2  and  4  end points being moved opposite the ground supported apex of the football  12 . This advantageously permits quick release of the holding pressure on the football  1  during kicking, thereby preventing interference with the kicker and substantially simulating the kick of the football away from human holder.  
      In operation, the football kicking holder R is assembled from its stored position, as best shown in  FIG. 2 , to its operative position, as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The free leg is angled to match leg  4 . The leg  6  is screwed into its horizontal position relative to the legs  2  and  4 , until the free end contour matches the football apex ( 3 ) contour. The football  1  is then placed in an upright or angled position with its upper tip ( 3 ) engaging the end portion ( 2 ) of leg  6 . The football kicking holder R is deployed in its place-kicking position with the leg  2  and  4  end portions placed on the kicking surface or kicking block, such that the force of leverage of the assembly is ahead of the ell fixture  7 , for a stable holding position. The football  1  is now ready for kicking by the kicker.  
      While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capability of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.  
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