A punching bag training comprises a flexible housing adapted to be wrapped around a punching bag. The housing supports a strike pad array. Each strike pad in the array comprises a force sensor to detect strikes, together with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are positioned around the force sensor and that are lit when the user strikes the pad accurately (e.g., within a predetermined strike zone, and within a predetermined time). In addition, each strike pad has associated therewith an extension (or connecting) portion that couples the strike pad to the center portion. The connecting portion advantageously includes a set of LEDs that are selectively lit to telegraph a hit point to the user, namely, the strike pad associated with the connecting portion. The LEDs arranged on the connecting portion serve as a runway with the LEDs being lit progressively from the center portion and outward toward the strike pad to be hit next in a programmed hit sequence. As the user interacts with the system, speed, timing and accuracy preferably are measured to determine a score. The lighting elements are controlled using a controller unit that may be integral with the housing, attached thereto, or coupled to the housing wirelessly. The controller unit outputs one or more programmed hit sequences (i.e., to provide the control signals that activate the LEDs), and to detect and record electrical signals generated by the force sensors as the user strikes the pads.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for interactive fetching for one or more participants, such as pets. In one implementation, a projectile, such as a ball, is received in a receiver and transported through an opening into a feeder of a randomizer. One of a plurality of chutes is randomly selected using gravity, and the projectile is transported from the feeder into the selected chute. The chute generates a smooth roll along a ramp to a port, from which the projectile is ejected along an ejection path for the participant to retrieve.

A sports training machine with limbs that dynamically rotate to intercept a player/user moving with a ball. As the player/user moves with the ball while avoiding the dynamic and rotary limb structures, the resulting path traversed by the User/Player enables the player/user to practice real game skills.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

According to one example, an exercise system includes a vertical housing, a first weighted touchpoint coupled to the vertical housing and configured to allow a user to exercise one or more muscles on a first side of the user, a first weight system coupled to the first weighted touchpoint, a second weighted touchpoint coupled to the vertical housing and configured to allow the user to exercise one or more muscles on a second side of the user, and a second weight system coupled to the second weighted touchpoint. The exercise system further includes a control system configured to cause the first weight system to automatically provide a first heavier weight to the first weighted touchpoint for a first exercise and further cause the second weight system to automatically provide a second lighter weight to the second weighted touchpoint for the first exercise.

A cattle roping training dummy (90) that allows a “header” and a “heeler”' to practice roping the head of the cattle roping training dummy (90), the hind legs (175) of the cattle roping training dummy (90), or a combination of the head and the hind legs (175) is described. The cattle roping training dummy (90) comprises a frame (100), a spring (200), a supporting structure (300) and a base (400). The cattle roping training dummy (90) may further comprise a means to actuate side release lever (500). When the frame (100) is released, the spring (200) gives the frame (100) an initial jerk as the frame (100) and provides rotational motion around the supporting structure (300). This jerking motion mimics a live steer that has been roped on the horns or head and is jerked sideways as the cowboy pulls the steer to the left. The cattle roping training dummy (90) also provides the “heeler” with the opportunity to practice alone. The cattle roping training dummy (90) provides the convenience of: a) quick fold up for easy moving and storing, and b) quick setup.

A punching bag training comprises a flexible housing adapted to be wrapped around a punching bag. The housing supports a strike pad array. Each strike pad in the array comprises a force sensor to detect strikes, together with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are positioned around the force sensor and that are lit when the user strikes the pad accurately (e.g., within a predetermined strike zone, and within a predetermined time). In addition, each strike pad has associated therewith an extension (or connecting) portion that couples the strike pad to the center portion. The connecting portion advantageously includes a set of LEDs that are selectively lit to telegraph a hit point to the user, namely, the strike pad associated with the connecting portion. The LEDs arranged on the connecting portion serve as a runway with the LEDs being lit progressively from the center portion and outward toward the strike pad to be hit next in a programmed hit sequence. As the user interacts with the system, speed, timing and accuracy preferably are measured to determine a score. The lighting elements are controlled using a controller unit that may be integral with the housing, attached thereto, or coupled to the housing wirelessly. The controller unit outputs one or more programmed hit sequences (i.e., to provide the control signals that activate the LEDs), and to detect and record electrical signals generated by the force sensors as the user strikes the pads.

A method for playing disc golf on a course having a plurality of targets includes the steps of (a) obtaining a random selection device configured to randomly select one of a plurality of different types of throws, and one of a plurality of different types of discs, (b) the player activates the random selection device to obtain a randomly selected throw, and a randomly selected disc, and (c) the player throws the randomly selected disc with the randomly selected throw at the target. The steps are repeated for each target until the course is completed. The random selection device can be a set of dice.