Football kicking holder

Abstract

A football kicking holder for holding an American or Canadian style football in an upright or angled position for kicking, comprised of three legs having respective first and second end portions. The first and second legs first end portions are secured together to form an inverted “V” in a substantially vertical plane with the first and second legs second end portions partially engaging the ground. The third leg first end portion is secured to the first and second legs first end portions such that the third leg is presented horizontally when the third leg second end portion engages the tip of the football.

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'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'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'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'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'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.

References Cited:
235462	June 1975	Pennington
3105686	October 1963	Elsea
3439916	April 1969	Kapp
3462145	August 1969	Shirley et al.
3516667	June 1970	Williams
3762706	October 1973	Cavett
3879948	August 1975	Gerela
3897948	August 1975	Gerela
3917278	November 1975	Steinman, Jr.
4203242	May 1980	Griffin
4477077	October 1984	Ferrebee
4546974	October 1985	Brown
4632395	December 1986	Freebee
4634122	January 1987	Kline
4807880	February 1989	Deal
4946165	August 1990	Rambacher
5303890	April 1994	Carruth.
5505445	April 1999	Treadwell

Claims

1. A football kicking holder for holding a football in an upright or angled position for kicking, consisting of:

a) first, second and third legs all having respective first and second end portions;

b) the first and second legs first end portions being secured together to form an inverted “V” in a substantially vertical plane, the first and second legs second end portions engaging the ground; and

c) the third leg first end portion being secured to the first and second legs first end portions such that the third leg is presented horizontally when the third leg second end portion engages the tip of the football.

2. A football kicking holder as in claim 1, where:

a) the first and second legs are slightly heavier than the third leg and the first and second legs second end portions are angled away from the first and second legs first end portions.

3. A football kicking holder as in claim 2, where:

a) the first and second legs are made of outdoor grade, tubular, hollow, poly vinyl chloride; and

b) the third leg is made from outdoor grade, tubular, hollow, poly vinyl chloride.

4. A football kicking holder as in claim 1, where:

a) the third leg is smaller in diameter to the first and second legs; and

b) the third leg free end is cut to conform to the tip contour of the ball it is holding.

5. A football kicking holder, comprised of:

a) first, second and third legs;

b) a threaded poly vinyl chloride fitting on the first leg first end portion, to secure the third leg, first end portion;

c) the first and second legs being adapted to be positioned to form an inverted “V” the first and second legs having free ends angled for resting partially on the ground; and

d) the third leg being adapted to be positioned horizontally, the third leg having a free end for engaging the apex of a football thereby to position the football in an upright or angled or angled kicking position.

e) the poly vinyl chloride (PVC) fitting secured to the first leg, first end portion contains a threaded socket to secure third leg, first end portion.

6. A device for holding a football in an upright or angled position on the ground for kicking, comprised of:

a) a first leg permanently secured to ell fitting, first end portion;

b) a second leg removable from the said ell fitting, to a stored position separate from the said football kicking holder;

c) a third leg threaded on first end portions, removable from said ell fitting to a stored position separate from said football kicking holder;

d) the first and second legs in the deployed positions being adapted to stand on the ground; and

e) the third leg in the horizontal position being adapted to be positioned horizontally with its free end for engaging the apex of a football, thereby to position the ball in an upright or angled or angled kicking position.

7. A device as in claim 6, where:

a) the first and second legs, second end orations, are offset from a vertical plane, facing opposite the direction of the said third leg; and

b) the third leg is substantially transverse to the first plane.

8. A device as in claim 6, where:

a) the ell fitting is comprised of two receptacles, and;

b) the ell fitting also comprised of a threaded socket.

9. A device as in claim 8, where:

a) the ell fitting includes first and second portions presented ninety degrees to each other.

10. A device as in claim 6, where:

a) the first, second and third legs are substantially equal in length.