Patent Publication Number: US-2005132673-A1

Title: Remote controlled bucking system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field  
      The present invention relates generally to a bucking system, and more specifically, to a remote controlled bucking system capable of releasing a bucking strap and/or a hand strap.  
      2. Related Art  
      During a rodeo or other similar event, a bucking strap is fastened around the hindquarters of an animal, e.g., a horse, bull, or other livestock, to make the animal buck. A hand strap may be secured around the front portion of the animal, just behind the front legs of the animal, to give the rider something to hold onto during the ride. The rider fastens the free end of the hand strap around his/her hand helping to secure the rider in a seated position on the animal&#39;s back. Often, the rider loops the end of the hand strap through his/her fingers to prevent the hand strap from slipping out of his/her hand during the ride.  
      Several problems often arise during the course of the ride. First, riders that loop the hand strap through their fingers can become hung-up on the animal if they are bucked off and the hand strap does not release. These riders are then tossed around, dangling by their trapped hand as the animal continues to buck. This ties into the second problem. In order to stop the animal from bucking, a rodeo hand or clown typically has to manually remove the bucking strap fastened around the hindquarters of the animal. Aside from being a difficult task, it is also very dangerous to attempt to remove the bucking strap from an animal that is thrashing around. There is also a great deal of controversy surrounding the use of bucking straps on animals in this manner.  
      Therefore, there is a need for a device that allows both the rider&#39;s hand strap and the animal&#39;s bucking strap to release on demand.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A first aspect of the present invention provides a remote controlled bucking system comprising a remote controlled bucking strap and a remote controlled hand strap.  
      A second aspect of the present invention provides a remote controlled bucking strap comprising a bucking strap and a remote controlled releasing system.  
      A third aspect of the present invention provides a remote controlled hand strap comprising a hand strap and a remote controlled releasing system.  
      A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a remote controller for use in conjunction with a remote controlled bucking system comprising at least one release button to release a remote controlled bucking strap.  
      The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:  
       FIG. 1  depicts a remote controlled bucking system modeled on a bull;  
       FIG. 2  depicts a remote controlled bucking strap of the bucking system of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  depicts a releasing mechanism of the bucking strap of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  depicts a cross-sectional view of the releasing mechanism of  FIG. 3  in a locked position;  
       FIG. 5  depicts a male connector end of the releasing mechanism of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  depicts a remote controlled hand strap of the bucking system of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  depicts a releasing mechanism of the hand strap of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of the releasing mechanism of  FIG. 7  in a locked position;  
       FIG. 9  depicts a male connector end of the releasing mechanism of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 10  depicts a remote controller that controls the remote controlled bucking system;  
       FIG. 11  depicts a protective case surrounding the releasing system of the bucking strap of  FIG. 2 ; and  
       FIG. 12  depicts a protective case surrounding the releasing system of the hand strap of  FIG. 6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a remote controlled bucking system  10  that allows a person to release either, or both, a rider&#39;s hand strap and/or an animal&#39;s bucking strap from a remote location. The remote controlled bucking system  10  includes a remote controlled bucking strap  12  and a remote controlled hand strap  14 .  
       FIG. 2  shows a remote controlled bucking strap  12  in accordance with the present invention. The remote controlled bucking strap  12  includes a releasing system  16  and a strap  18 . The strap  18  may comprise leather, rope, nylon, or other similarly used material. The releasing system  16  comprises a base  20  securely connected to a first end  22  of the strap  18 , via at least one fastening mechanism  24 , i.e., a rivet, or other similarly used device. The present example uses three rivets  24  for purposes of illustration.  
      The base  20  may comprise metal, plastic, or other similarly used material. A remote control signal receiver  26  and a battery pack  28  are securely fastened to the base  20 . The base  20  forms a first end  30  of a releasing mechanism  32 . A second end  34  of the releasing mechanism  32  is adjustably connected to a second end  36  of the strap  18 .  
      As illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 3 , the first end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32  comprises a female connector end, or receiver end, having a cavity  42  that receives the second end, or male connector end  34 , of the releasing mechanism  32 . The male connector end  34  includes an opening, or hole  40  that secures the male connector end  34  within the receiver end  30 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a connected or locked position the cavity  42  of the receiver end  30  receives the male connector end  34 . The remote control signal receiver  26  contains an electromagnet  44  electronically connected to a micro-processing unit  46 . The electromagnet  44  comprises a rod  50  through an opening within a body of cylindrically wound electrically conductive material or wire  52 . The rod  50  has a plunger end  54  that extends through an opening  41  within, and into the cavity  42  of, the receiver end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32 . A compression spring  56  surrounds the rod  50  at the end of the rod  50  abutting the base of the electromagnet  44  and the top of the plunger end  54 . The compression spring  56  holds the plunger end  54  of the electromagnet  44  down in the cavity  42  of the receiver end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32 . A battery  58  within the battery pack  28  is electrically connected to the electromagnet  44  as known in the art.  
      When the male connector end  34  is inserted into the cavity  42  of the receiver end  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the plunger end  54  snaps into, and nests within, the opening  40  of the male connector end  34 . The contour  60  of the male connector end  34 , in particular, the increasing slope  60 , helps to prevent the male connector end  34  from being inserted too far into the receiver end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32 . The compression spring  56  around the base of the rod  50  prevents the rod  50  and plunger end  54  from moving in the direction of arrow  62  thereby releasing the male connector end  34  from the receiver end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32  and disconnecting the bucking strap  12 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the male connector end  34  further comprises a strap cinching system  70 . The cinch  70  comprises a knurled rod  72  that moves within a slot  74 , and a fixed rod  76 . The strap  18  enters the cinch  70  of the male connector end  34  through a slot, or opening  78 . The strap  18  is fed under the knurled rod  72 , around the fixed rod  76  and back out the slot  78 .  
      When the bucking strap  12  is placed around the animal, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the male connector end  34  is inserted into the receiver end  30  of the releasing mechanism  32  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a free end  80  of the strap  18  is pulled in the direction of arrow  82  to tighten the bucking strap  12  around the animal. When the free end  80  of the strap  18  is pulled in the direction of arrow  82  the knurled rod  72  rolls upward within the slot  74  in the direction of arrow  84 , thereby allowing free movement of the strap  18 . When the bucking strap  12  is tight around the animal the free end  80  of the strap  18  is released causing the strap  18  to move in a direction opposite, arrow  82 . The knurled rod  72  then rolls downward within the slot  74 , in the direction of arrow  86 , opposite arrow  84 , thereby pinching the strap  18  against the interior  88  of the male connector end  34  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The strap  18  is then prevented from loosening.  
      The remote controlled bucking system  10  further comprises a remote controlled hand strap  14 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , the remote controlled hand strap  14  is similar to the remote controlled bucking strap  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the remote controlled hand strap  14  comprises a releasing system  102  and a strap  100  that releasably fastens around the chest of the animal just behind the front legs of the animal (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The strap  100  may comprise leather, nylon, rope, or other similarly used material.  
      The releasing system  102  comprises a base  108  securely connected to a first end  104  of the strap  100 , via at least one fastening mechanism  110 , i.e., a rivet, or other similarly used device. The present example uses three rivets  110  for purposes of illustration.  
      The base  108  may comprise metal, plastic, or other similarly used material. A remote control signal receiver  112  and a battery pack  114  are securely fastened to the base  108 . The base  108  forms a first end  116  of a releasing mechanism  118 . A second end  120  of the releasing mechanism  118  is adjustably connected to a second end  106  of the strap  100 .  
      As illustrated more clearly in  FIG. 7 , the first end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118  comprises a female connector end, or receiver end, having a cavity  126  that receives the second end, or male connector end  120 , of the releasing mechanism  118 . The male connector end  120  includes an opening, or hole  124  that secures the male connector end  120  within the receiver end  116 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in a connected or locked position the cavity  126  of the receiver end  116  receives the male connector end  120 . The remote control signal receiver  112  contains an electromagnet  128  electronically connected to a micro-processing unit  130 . The electromagnet  128  comprises a rod  132  through an opening within a body of cylindrically wound electrically conductive material or wire  134 . The rod  132  has a plunger end  136  that extends through an opening  138  within, and into the cavity  126  of, the receiver end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118 . A compression spring  140  surrounds the rod  132  at the end of the rod  132  abutting the base of the electromagnet  128  and the top of the plunger end  136 . The compression spring  140  holds the plunger end  136  of the electromagnet  128  down in the cavity  126  of the receiver end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118 . A battery  142  is electrically connected to the electromagnet  128  as known in the art.  
      As described with the bucking strap  12 , when the male connector end  120  is inserted into the cavity  126  of the receiver end  116 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the plunger end  136  snaps into, and nests within, the opening  124  of the male connector end  120 . The contour  144  of the male connector end  120 , in particular, the increasing slope  144 , helps to prevent the male connector end  120  from being inserted too far into the receiver end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118 . The compression spring  140  around the base of the rod  132  prevents the rod  132  and plunger end  136  from moving in the direction of arrow  146  thereby releasing the male connector end  120  from the receiver end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118  and disconnecting the hand strap  14 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the male connector end  120  further comprises a strap cinching system  149 . The cinch  149  comprises a knurled rod  154  that moves within a slot  156 , and a fixed rod  155 . The strap  100  enters the cinch  149  of the male connector end  120  through a slot, or opening  151 . The strap  100  is fed under the knurled rod  154 , around the fixed rod  155  and back out the slot  151 .  
      When the hand strap  14  is placed around the animal, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the male connector end  120  is inserted into the receiver end  116  of the releasing mechanism  118  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a free end  150  of the strap  100  is pulled in the direction of arrow  152  to tighten the hand strap  14  around the animal. When the free end  150  of the strap  100  is pulled in the direction of arrow  152  the knurled rod  154  rolls upward within the slot  156  in the direction of arrow  158 , thereby allowing free movement of the strap  100 . When the hand strap  14  is tight around the animal the free end  150  of the strap  100  is released causing the strap  100  to move in a direction opposite arrow  152 . The knurled rod  154  then rolls downward within the slot  156 , in the direction of arrow  160 , opposite arrow  158 , thereby pinching the strap  100  against the interior  162  of male connector end  120  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). The strap  100  is then prevented from loosening.  
      The remote controlled bucking strap  12  and the remote controlled hand strap  14  may be released from a remote location using a remote controller  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The remote controller  200  may comprise at least one first release button  202  and at least one second release button  204  on a remote control panel  206 . The first release button  202  causes the bucking strap  12  to release and the second release button  204  causes the hand strap  14  to release.  
      In particular, a signal is sent from the remote controller  200  to the remote control signal receiver  26 ,  112  affixed to the base  20 ,  108  of the releasing system  16 ,  102  (refer to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , respectively). When the micro-processing unit  46 ,  130  receives the signal from the remote controller  200  the micro-processing unit  46 ,  130  causes an electrical circuit (not shown) between the battery  58 ,  142  and the electromagnet  44 ,  128  to close. The closed circuit causes an electrical charge to pass through the body  52 ,  134  of the electromagnet  44 ,  128 , which in turn causes the rod  50 ,  132  within the electromagnet  44 ,  128  to move in the direction of arrow  62 ,  146 . The plunger end  54 ,  136  attached to the end of the rod  50 ,  132  also moves in the direction of arrow  62 ,  146  and out of the opening  41 ,  124  within the male connector end  34 ,  120  of the releasing mechanism  32 ,  118 , thereby releasing the male connector end  34 ,  120  from the receiver end  30 ,  116 . Thereby allowing the bucking strap  12  and/or the hand strap  14  to release and fall off the animal.  
      In this illustration, the remote control panel  206  comprises a pair of release buttons  202 ,  204  numbered “ 1 ”, “ 2 ”, “ 3 ”, and “ 4 ”. This would allow for the use of multiple remote controlled bucking straps  12  and hand straps  14 . In particular, each remote controlled bucking strap  12  and hand strap  14  used would operate on a different radio frequency. For example, remote controlled bucking strap “ 1 ” would operate on a first frequency and could be released by depressing the first release button  202  below the “ 1 ”, remote controlled bucking strap “ 2 ” would operate on a second frequency and could be released by the first depressing release button  202  below the “ 2 ”, and so on. Similarly, remote controlled hand strap “ 1 ” would operate on a first frequency and could be released by depressing the second release button  204  below the “ 1 ”, remote controlled hand strap “ 2 ” would operate on a second frequency and could be released by depressing release button  204  below the “ 2 ”, and so on.  
      The release buttons  202 ,  204  may also be color coded as illustrated. In the present example, the release buttons  202 ,  204  “ 1 ” correspond with “RED”, the release buttons  202 ,  204  “ 2 ” correspond with “BLUE”, the release buttons  202 ,  204  “ 3 ” correspond with “WHITE”, and the release buttons  202 ,  204  “ 4 ” correspond with “YELLOW”. The color of the release button can be coordinated with the shoot holding the animal and rider, the bucking strap  12  around the hindquarters of the animal, the hand strap  14  used by the rider, etc.  
      The remote control panel  206  may also comprise a timer  208  to indicate when the designated time is up for each rider, for example, 8 seconds for bull riders, etc. When the timer  208  reads 00:00 time remaining an operating individual will know it is time to depress the release buttons  202 ,  204 . The remote control panel  206  may comprises a time setting device  210  to allow for adjustment to accommodate different time periods as desired. The timer  208  may begin either manually at the control panel  206 , or automatically when the animal breaks the plane of the shoot as the animal and rider exit the shoot. The remote control panel  206  further comprises a horn  212  that will automatically sound at the end of the designated time period. This will also alert the individual depressing the release button  202 ,  204  that it is time to depress the release button  202 ,  204 .  
      Alternatively, it may be preferable to have the remote controller  200  programmed to automatically release the bucking strap  12  when the timer. 208  registers 00:00 ride time remaining, and/or when the horn  212  signals the end of the ride.  
      The remote control panel  206  may also comprise an emergency override release button  214 . The emergency override release button  214  releases both the remote controlled bucking strap  12  and the rider&#39;s remote controlled hand strap  14  in the event the release button  202 ,  204 , or automatic release malfunctions.  
      Alternatively, in an emergency the bucking strap  12  may be released manually. In particular, a releasing strap  64  is fixedly mounted to a top end  66  of the rod  50  of the electromagnet  44  and extends through an opening  68  within the remote control signal receiver  26 . When the releasing strap  64  is pulled the rod  50  is forced in the direction of arrow  62 , thereby forcing the plunger end  54  attached to the end of the rod  50  to move in the direction of arrow  62  and out of the opening  40  within the male connector end  34  of the releasing mechanism  34 . Accordingly, the male connector end  34  is released from the receiver end  30  and the bucking strap  12  falls off the animal.  
      The battery  58 ,  142  affixed to the base  20 ,  108  of the remote controlled bucking strap  12  and the remote controlled hand strap  14 , respectively, may be removable and rechargeable. Multiple rechargeable batteries  58 ,  142  can be available in the event a replacement is required. The rechargeable battery  58 ,  142  may have an indicator light  59 ,  141  on a top surface of the battery  58 ,  142  to indicate the battery  58 ,  142  has sufficient charge. For example, a green light would mean a sufficiently charged battery  58 ,  142  while a red light would indicate a battery  58 ,  142  in need of charging. This would limit any error resulting from battery  58 ,  142  failure.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the remote controlled bucking strap  12  and remote controlled hand strap  14  may also comprise a case  270 ,  250 , surrounding the base  20 ,  108 , battery pack  28 ,  114  and remote control signal receiver  26 ,  112  to prevent inadvertent damage during use. The case  270 ,  250  may be formed of leather, plastic or other similarly used material. The case  270 ,  250  may comprise a first opening  272 ,  252  to allow for visual inspection of the battery indicator light  59 ,  141 . A second opening  274 ,  254  in the case  270 ,  250  may be needed to accommodate an antenna  275 ,  255  for the remote control signal receiver  26 ,  112 . The case  270 ,  250  may be releasably secured around the base  20 ,  108 , battery pack  28 ,  114  and remote control signal receiver  26 ,  112  using snaps, Velcro™, etc., on a flap  276 ,  256  to allow access to the battery pack  28 ,  114  and/or remote control signal receiver  26 ,  112  as necessary. The case  270 ,  250  may be color coded to match the color of the bucking strap  12  and/or hand strap  14  being used therewith.  
      It should be noted that it is not necessary to use both the bucking strap  12  and the hand strap  14  together in combination. For example, when riding a bucking horse, as opposed to a bull, the hand strap  14  may not be used.  
      While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.