Blocking, Tackling, Or Charging Device Patents (Class 473/441)
  • Patent number: 6458051
    Abstract: A stationary blocking/tackling platform for football comprising up to seven parallel blocking/tackling padded dummies movable along a track and returnable to the original position. The sled is suitable for football player training ranging from junior high school to the professional ranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas S. Moore
  • Patent number: 6398697
    Abstract: The present invention presents a glance blow detecting bag which rotates on a pivotal axis around a circular in shape adjustable bag mounting pole which is supported on a portable free standing stand for exercising and training a punch boxer, kick boxer, or football blocker, to strike the center of a moving target, and the center of a specific body part. The glance blow detecting bag assists in training accurate placement of blows by spinning rapidly upon detecting a glance blow when the center of the bag is missed on impact, and not spinning when the center of bag is hit indicating a good strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest Nichols, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6280351
    Abstract: A practice device comprising a plurality of striking targets arranged about a frame in an overall configuration which approximates the shape of an opponent. The targets are individually articulated to the frame, so that each individual target reacts independently in response to a strike. The targets are each in communication with a common force sensor, through a load transfer shaft movable relative to the frame and bearing on a force sensor such as a load cell, which provides feedback to the athlete regarding the force of each strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Sean Wong
  • Patent number: 6261195
    Abstract: An elongated support member extends generally vertically upward from a playing surface. An elongated arm extends outward from two opposite sides of the support member in generally perpendicular relationship to the support member. The arm has freedom of rotation about the support member. At least two blocking dummy holders are configured to be suspended from the arm such that at least one each of the blocking dummy holders is positioned on each of the two opposite sides of the support member. Each of the blocking dummy holders has freedom of rotation about the arm, whereby a person on the playing surface who strikes a blocking dummy held by the blocking dummy holder will cause the arm to rotate about the support member and the blocking dummy to rotate about the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Todd R. Shingleton
  • Patent number: 6261194
    Abstract: Football practice equipment which can be in the form of a one-man tackling sled or a multiple-man blocking sled equipped with connecting apparatus. By connecting tackling sleds together, a blocking sled can be created upon which is mounted the desired number of dummies for use in training football players in the art of blocking and tackling, individually or in team formations. The tackling sleds are connected together to form multiple dummy blocking sleds by attaching connecting members between as many of the tackling sleds as desired. The connection between the tackling sleds is made via channel members on the tackling sleds with locking handles for securing the connecting members in their associated channel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hadar Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Hadar, Wayne A. Miner
  • Patent number: 6093119
    Abstract: A football training and evaluation apparatus has a frame, a contacting element, and a force transferring member connected to the frame and the contacting element. A measuring-signaling element is connected to the force transferring member and is adapted to measure the force subjected on the force transferring member in response to an impact force subjected onto the contacting element and deliver a signal "S" responsive to said measurement. A visual signaling apparatus is connected to the frame and adapted to be actuateable and moveable in response to actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Steven M. Tipton
  • Patent number: 6077204
    Abstract: A martial arts practice apparatus which supports a hand-held striking target, called a focus pad, in a variety of positions corresponding to parts of a person's body. The apparatus generally comprises an arm adapted to hold a focus pad at its distal end and a base which pivotally supports the arm and absorbs the force of the blows delivered to the focus pad. An axle disposed through the middle of the base and the bottom end of the arm allows the arm to be pivoted over the base, and a removable pin may be inserted through the arm and one of the holes formed at regular intervals through the top edge of the base at a uniform radial distance from the axle to secure the arm in a fixed position. A spring loaded resistance system or a resilient top portion of the base allows the base to absorb the force of the blows delivered to the focus pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: George S. Dickinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6045464
    Abstract: A football training apparatus to develop the defensive reactions of football linemen, comprises a simulator to simulate the football being moved or snapped by the offensive center. The simulator includes a housing having at least one window. A motor having a rotary shaft is mounted in the housing. A panel having a drawing or representation of a football is mounted on the motor shaft for rotary movement therewith. A spring is connected between the panel and housing to normally bias the panel so that the simulated football is not visible through the window. A power supply is provided to rotate the motor shaft so that the simulated football becomes visible through the window and remains stationary, as an indication that the football has been snapped. A remote control may be provided, so that the power supply can be connected to the motor from a remote location, for operation by a coach or trainer who can observe the reaction of the linemen upon appearance of the simulated football.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Michael A. Crist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5928117
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes an inner frame which the user attempts to move during an exercise routine performed with the apparatus and an outer frame which generally encompasses the inner frame. A tensioned cable joins the inner and outer frames and resists the movement of the inner frame relative to the outer frame during an exercise routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: Larry W. Vittone, Suzanne R. Vittone
  • Patent number: 5788613
    Abstract: A portable and adjustable boxing speed bag apparatus comprising a hollow base having a chamber defined by a top wall and surrounding side walls and sized to fit over and accept a structure therein, first and second generally U-shaped support brackets mounted to the side walls of the base so that the first and second ends of the first bracket are aligned in vertical relation with each other and the first and second ends of the second bracket are aligned in vertical relation with each other, a punching bag, a generally flat mounting surface secured to the first and second brackets so that the mounting surface lies in a generally horizontal orientation when the structure is seated within the chamber, a generally S-shaped hook having an upper end zone attached to the mounting surface and an opposite lower end zone attached to the punching bag, and at least one strap for securing the base to a structure, such as a boxing heavy bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: John Grimaldi
  • Patent number: 5743821
    Abstract: A scrum machine with an articulated head formed of an extendable actuator arm mounted on the forward end of the scrum machine and extending upwardly from the ground, and preferably extending forwardly as well, with a pad carrying forward thrusting ram pivotally mounted on a pivot on the extendable actuator arm and locatable in selected angular positions about the pivot. An angle actuator controllably changes the angular position of the forward thrusting ram about the pivot. The angle actuator is pivotally attached to an end of the forward thrusting ram remote from the pad and pivotally mounted on the extendable actuator arm. A scrum machine having a movable pad carrying head is provided with a ground engaging base that includes a front wheel mounted on the forward end of the frame and a rear wheel or wheels mounted for steering about a substantially vertical axis on the rearward end of the frame. Steering of the rear wheel or wheels is controlled by a steering actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Kevin Wirachowski
  • Patent number: 5702327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for martial arts training is disclosed which includes a pair of vertically aligned dummies having free ends which are spaced apart and detached. The opposing ends of the dummies are attached through pivot assemblies to a rigid frame so that the dummies may be struck by kicking without one dummy responding to the other. In this manner, the dummies may be kicked at high speeds to develop speed and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Marshall Fullbright