Football practice device

2,153,384

April 4, 1939.

J. MAZZA

FOOTBALL PRACTICE DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1937

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Patented Apr. 4, 1939

2,153,384

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,153,384

FOOTBALL PRACTICE DEVICE Joseph Mazza, Des Moines, Iowa Application October 21, 1937, Serial No. 170,233 (Cl. 273—55)

Referring to the drawing, I have used the numeral ID to designate upright pillars or posts which may be supported ^the^round^at convenient intervals. -------- tn designate a rectangular frame w^k secured to and supported by the uprights or pillars 10. The numeral 12 designates transverse cross braces for aEg in the rigidity of the frame 11 as shown in ^The^numeral 13 indicates longitudinal dross : braces secured to the frame 11 and the braces 12 ?or increartng the rigidity of the structure I have used the numeral 14 to designate a track secured to the lower side of the cross braces i2 and 13 and extending the longitudinal length of the frame 11. This track 14 may be placed atan angle tX sides of the frame I i as shown in Fig 2 I have used the numeral 15 to designate a second track secured to· the lower side of the frame 11, the braces 12 and 13, and of.^irreg^ shape as shown in Fig. 2. These tracks 14 and 15 are bent into a box form having their two ends or edge portions bent inwardly to form a. track and thence upwardly to form a_ guide as Fig. 4 of the drawing. It is within this track that the roller hanger assembly travels and which I ^WiThe°numeraM^e6 designates a frame having rotatably mounted adjacent its end portionsthe rollers or wheels 17 as shown m Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Secured to the frame 16 and extending downwardly through the slot formed in the the housings 14 and 15 is a tongue 18. tongue extends downwardly below the track and has secured thereto one end of a coil spring 19. . I have used the numeral 20 to designate a hook formed on the other end of the spring 19. I have used the numeral 21 to indicate a dummy of the conventional type which is constructed of canvas leather or other durable materials and are> filled with a suitable packing such as cotton, kapok or the like. The numeral 24 designates shrouds secured to the head of the dummy and having attached thereto a ring 23. This ring 23 attached to their end portions of the shrouds 23 is designed to engage the hook 20 thereby support-, ing the dummy. Thus the dummy 21 is yieldingly supported by the frame 16, tongue 8, spring 19, and may be rolled along the tracks 14 and 15 ^Vhave used the numeral 24 to designate padded • elements placed about the lower portions of each of the uprights 10 to prevent inadvertent injury.

The practical operation of my device is as follows. The dummy is placed at one end of the

Claims. I

The principal object of this invention is to provide a football practice device for i^e in tackhng practice that simulates the acts of a man run ^m A further object of this invention is to provide a football practice device that teaches coordmtion and assists a football player in attaining ^aCA¹stillfurther object of this invention is to pro₁₍₎ vide a football practice device that can be used ¹⁰ in a number of ways and that is capable of supporting one or more practice dummies of varying characteristics. .

A still further object of this invention is to pro15 vide a football practice device that is economica in manufacture, durable and efficient in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, a20 rangement and combination of the various parts ° of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: . _fn_

Fig. 1 is a side plan view of my device ready for

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Fig; 2 is a top plan view showing the various types and contours of track that may be used. _

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the track showing the roller arrangement for supporting the dummy.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end sectional view of the track’ showing the method of placement of the roller assembly, more fully illustrating its conIn the training of men to play football, it is necessary to teach coordination, speed and accuracy. Heretofore, one of the methods of teaching this was to use a man running with the ball , and allow another player to tackle him. This is dangerous and results in many needless injuries to football players. Especially are these injuries highly possible when the players or the squad is inexperienced and have not been toughened P vet by hard training. Another method for training players in the art of tackling a man, is to susnend a dummy in a stationary position from a scSolffin™ ωΐθ this may help to toughen a player it does not provide the needed practice can not weave and does not travel. Therefore, this method does not increase the skill and ability nf the Diaver in a practical way. I have overcome these disadvantages as will be appreciated and as more fully hereinafter set forth.

I have used the numeral 11 to

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2,163,384 hv ^{a posi}ii^on approximately that shown ^{by d}-°*^{ted line}®.^{ln 2}· ^τ11θ Players or persons receiving practice may be at the other end of the frame work. The tracks 14 and 15 may be sloped ⁵ ®^dgb^^y and all that is necessary is to give the dummy 21 a slight start manually and it will travel down the track of its own momentum in a

B^11St^ ^manner· The Players may then run from the other end and tackle the dummy as it ¹⁰ X^{IU the CaSe} °^{f the track ,5}> the dummy will attain a weaving motion simulating a runner hereby giving the players a greater amount of Practice in accuracy and speed and more nearly simulating the actual playing.

¹⁵ P^rovided a football practice device which fulfills all of my objects, which simulates P^laying conditions and is of the utmost mportance in promoting speed, accuracy and co^ordlI?^atl0P ?^{n footba11} Practice. Obviously, any 20 number of tracks may be supported by my frame work and these tracks may be in any desirable shape or contour.

_a Some changes may be made in the construction „₅ ^thn^a.^rf^aa^ngemf^nt °^{f my f00tba11 praotlce d}«vice 25 without departing from the real spirit and pur^{my in}y®^ntion> ^and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope